There is a growing class of entrepreneurs who, for a range of reasons, are working to create viable alternatives to mainstream production and consumption models. Existing literature that cuts across multiple fields illustrates the unique features, challenges, and value propositions of alternative forms of entrepreneurship. Yet, the complexities associated with how alternative marketscapes form and function remain "fuzzy." Volume 29 of Advances in the Study of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Growth asks, "How alternative are alternative marketscapes?" In doing so, greater clarity is gained on the underlying economic, organizational, and social conditions and environments within which alternative marketscapes develop. The volume includes theoretical arguments and case studies that view alternative entrepreneurship not as co-existing with, but rather transforming mainstream entrepreneurship, and challenge the understanding of alternative entrepreneurship as being inherently altruistic. The exploration of ingenuity and innovation, in conjunction with cases that illustrate the diversity of alternative market contexts, generates organizational and system-level applications. The volume authors provide entrepreneurs and companies a concise understanding of alternative marketscapes that paves the way for development and success.

"Research in Consumer Behavior" presents cutting-edge consumer research, whether empirical or conceptual, qualitative or quantitative. The majority of papers in this volume have been selected from the best papers at the 2011 Consumer Culture Theory Conference held in Chicago Illinois in July, 2011. The Conference is the premier event for consumer culture research which tends to be qualitative, ethnographic, and cultural in orientation and draws a variety of scholars from around the world. Many of these scholars are housed in academic marketing department, but they also come from fields of anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, and communications as well as from industry. The papers selected for this volume are those judged to be the best among those selected for the conference from submissions to the conference peer review. This marks the third volume of "Research in Consumer Behavior" that has been able to publish the top "Consumer Culture Theory" papers.