Globalization of a Transitional Economy

No abstract available for this article.     

What is the added value of an organic label? Proposition of a model of transfer from the perspective of ingredient branding

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the added value of an organic ingredient strategy and the transfer mechanisms at work when placing an organic label on product brands. We proposed and empirically tested an integrated model that included three stages: brand and label equity; transfer mechanisms; and product evaluation. We first selected an organic label and product brands and then tested our hypotheses with a sample of French consumers. The results confirm the positive influence of brand and label equity on transfer mechanisms (brand/label perceived fit and ease of transfer) and, in turn, illustrate how ease of transfer influences the overall product evaluation. A surprising result is that brand/label perceived fit does not directly affect the overall product evaluation; rather, it only influences brand/label ease of transfer.     

Brands: Just for consumers? Introduction to the special issue on B2B branding

Although there is significant interest in branding in a B2C context substantially less research has been conducted in B2B marketing. The research in B2B marketing is somewhat fragmented and a research agenda to develop coherent models and provide guidance to practitioners is required. Despite the disjointed nature of the research in this area, B2B branding has been found to convey a number of benefits e.g. conferring uniqueness. This special issue consists of eleven papers covering a range of topics including brand alliances, brand personality, brand equity and brand relationships, brand identity, corporate branding and social media.     

The industrial brand personality scale: Building strong business-to-business brands

To remain distinct and build strong business relationships in a competitive business-to-business (B2B) environment, an increasing number of industrial marketers attempt to exploit the potential of branding. However, brand management in the industrial sector is still at its starting point. For this reason, the authors introduce the concept of brand personality to industrial markets. Based on a series of qualitative and quantitative studies, the authors develop and validate an Industrial Brand Personality Scale. Furthermore, they examine whether brand personality perception differences exist among different types of industrial transactions and among different members in the buying center. The analysis yields a framework for theoretical discussion and provides B2B managers with a tool to build strong B2B brands in an increasingly competitive industrial market.     

基于形象视角的品牌转型策略

当前情境下,本土企业进行品牌转型已成必然趋势。品牌管理的本质在于对存在于消费者心智中的品牌形象进行管理,因而从形象视角进行品牌管理是品牌转型的有效途径。基于形象视角的管理理念,企业品牌转型应该采取转变经营理念、建立专业品牌管理团队、建立形象管理系统、重视消费者沟通等策略。     

Positioning Southwest Airlines through employee branding

As the field of employee branding has begun to unfold, more and more executives have become interested in how this process can help them achieve a competitive advantage for their organizations. This article explains how employee branding works and how it can be utilized to position the organization in the minds of customers, employees, and other stakeholders. A contextual analysis of its use as a source of sustainable competitive advantage at Southwest Airlines is presented. Finally, key success factors are identified for those who wish to make employee branding a strategic focus within their organizations.     

服务品牌形象提升策略研究——基于酒店业的实证研究

由于大多数的服务具有体验和信任属性,因而消费者购买服务的感知风险要高于购买产品。作为可以把"无形因素有形化"的一种外在线索,服务品牌形象在降低消费者搜寻成本和感知风险方面的作用就变得异常突出。以21 8个酒店企业作为样本,作者对服务品牌形象的改进是否会提升企业的绩效表现,以及何种服务策略会提升服务品牌形象进行了实证检验。结果显示,服务品牌形象对市场绩效有正向的影响,而市场绩效又进而正向地影响财务绩效;服务定位、品牌管理和服务创新管理对品牌形象具有显著的正向影响,顾客参与管理、顾客关系管理和服务补救管理对品牌形象不具有显著影响。服务企业应有效地管理服务定位、服务品牌和服务创新来提升服务品牌形象。     

农产品品牌创建浅析——以“陆个壹”为例

建设良好的农产品品牌是我国"三化同步"中的一项重要环节,如何更有效地开展农产品品牌创建是政府和业界关注的焦点。然而目前国内农产品品牌建设普遍存在宣传意识淡薄,推广方式不正确等问题,导致国内大部分农产品竞争能力不强,利润空间低,形成"卖难"的局面。本文以"陆个壹"系列农产品为典型代表,针对其农产品品牌建设中存在的主要问题进行分析,并提出了解决农产品品牌建设的思路。     

Branding Decisions for Retailers’ Private Labels

Umbrella branding (UB) strategies for manufacturers’ products have received considerable attention in the literature. Not much is known about this strategy for private labels. Using a game-theoretic approach, we reassess the benefits of introducing a private label in a distinct category, and provide favorable conditions for the retailer to implement umbrella or individual branding for his private labels. We find that (1) UB leads to lower wholesale and retail prices for both national brands; (2) national brands’ manufacturers prefer individual branding over UB for private labels; and (3) the profitability of UB is not always guaranteed for the retailer.     

The impact of cultural appropriation on destination image,tourism, and hospitality

Harsh critics have relentless exposed myriad instances of misuse, exploitation, and misrepresentation of values, customs, rituals, and religious objects, for example, by different actors, such as designers and artists, and in myriad contexts, such as in art, entertainment, and tourism. Instead of being perceived as the appreciation or preservation of cultures, as claimed, they have been condemned as cultural appropriation. Occasionally, they are deemed offensive by members of the culture of origin. In the context of destination image, tourism, and hospitality, the matter can be even more problematic as many places are economically dependent on tourism and hospitality services. A growing number of critics believe place brands in general and tourist destinations in particular have exploited indigenous groups for the commercial purpose of entertaining visitors. This article represents a pioneer effort to build awareness among place marketing scholars and practitioners, particularly in the context of tourism, of the importance, implications, and risks of cultural appropriation to the future of destination image, reputation, attractiveness, and sustainability and advances suggestions for future research.