Catégorisation des nouveaux produits hybrides par les consommateurs : éclairage par la théorie de l’affordance

National audience; We are currently witnessing an increasing number of launches of new hybrid products (NHPs), created on the basis of existing products with the addition of new functionalities from other products, particularly in the high-tech sector with its convergence of technologies. These new hybrid products enlarge the range of choices and possible uses available to consumers, but give rise to uncertainty as to how to assess and categorize them. The aim of this study is to shed light on the evaluation and classification of new hybrid products, by mobilizing and articulating theories of categorization and affordance. A qualitative study explores the relevance of these theories in understanding how consumers cope with the problem of classifying and evaluating a new hybrid product. Our findings highlight the link between affordance and categorization, taking into account homology- and analogy-based similarity. Finally the theoretical and managerial implications of the study are finally addressed.