A Contribution to Conceptualizing the Consumption Experience: Emergence of the Dimensions of an Experience through Life Narratives

The notion of consumption experience still suffers from a lack of conceptualization. This inductive study, based on the analysis of life narratives, is an attempt to remedy the problem. It identifies four dimensions of a consumption experience. The «praxeological» dimension is action related. The «hedonico-sensorial» dimension concerns a sensorial and thymic evaluation of the context. The «rhetoric» dimension deals with the meaning of an experience. The fourth dimension highlights the relationship with time. These dimensions contribute to a better conceptualization of an experience through remembrance and consequently to closer contact with the client. They can be considered as levers for action to create or strengthen the competitive edge attached to an experience offer.