Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate how IT companies can apply Industry branding in their marketing strategy, with the aim to market the IT industry to influence young women to choose an IT education at a college or university. Method – The study has an explorative purpose to provide new insights on the topic of Industry branding. A deductive research approach has been applied. A literature study was first conducted to create a picture of current research. Secondly, a theoretical framework, which laid the foundation for the data collection that was used in a multiple case study in the IT industry. The study was compiled through semi-structured interviews with IT companies and young women in high school. The empirical data was then analyzed by a thematic analysis. Result – The conclusion from this study is that young women in high school do not have the same picture of the IT industry as IT companies has. The high school girls see an industry that is boring, sedentary and lacks human interactions. In contrast, IT companies describe their industry as exciting and unlimited. Thus, there is a gap between Brand identity and Brand image. Theoretical implication – The results indicated that the existing theories regarding Employer branding, Brand identity, Brand image and Employer attractiveness could be applied to the more aggregate industry level, Industry branding. Furthermore, the study has contributed with knowledge to reduce the gap between Brand identity and Brand image, for the study ́s target group; IT companies and young women in high school. Practical implication – The study's practical implication has identified the greatest development potential of all IT companies, which is to start working with Industry branding towards young women in high school. To achieve this, a collaboration across companies' own boundaries and marketing via social media is recommended to reach this study ́s target group. / Syftet – Denna studie har som syfte att undersöka hur IT-företag kan arbeta med Industry branding, med målet att marknadsföra IT-branschen för att påverka unga kvinnor att välja en IT-utbildning på en högskola eller universitet. Metod – Studien har ett explorativt syfte att ge nya insikter i ämnet Industry branding och en deduktiv forskningsansats applicerades. En litteraturstudie genomfördes först, för att skapa ett teoretiskt ramverk. Ramverket la grunden för datainsamlingen som genomfördes av en multipel fallstudie inom IT-branschen. Studiens empiri samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer. Nio IT-företag och tio unga kvinnor på gymnasiet intervjuades. Empirin analyserades sedan genom en tematisk analys. Resultat – Resultatet som studien har kommit fram till är att unga kvinnor på gymnasiet inte har samma bild av IT-branschen som IT-företagen har. Gymnasietjejerna ser en bransch som är tråkig och som saknar mänskliga interaktioner. I kontrast, beskriver IT-företagen sin bransch som spännande och obegränsad, vilket tyder på ett gap mellan Brand identity och Brand image. Teoretiskt bidrag – Studiens teoretiska bidrag är hur befintliga teorier kring Employer branding, Brand identity, Brand image samt Employer attractiveness skulle kunna tillämpas på den mer aggregerade branschnivån genom Industry branding. Detta för att minska gapet mellan Brand identity och Brand image, från två perspektiv; IT-företag och unga kvinnor på gymnasiet. Praktiskt bidrag – Studiens praktiska bidrag har identifierat den största utvecklingspotentialen som samtliga IT-företag har; att börja arbeta med Industry branding mot unga kvinnor på gymnasiet. För att genomföra detta rekommenderas ett samarbete över företagens egna gränser och marknadsföring via sociala medier för att nå fram till unga kvinnor på gymnasiet.

Les réseaux de commerce coopératif et associé sont des groupes de détaillants, propriétaires de leur(s) point(s) de vente, qui mettent en commun leurs moyens (achat, marketing, communication, financement, logistique, etc.) et développent des politiques communes. L'objectif de cette recherche est de démontrer comment des réseaux de commerce coopératif et associé, avec le double statut de leurs membres, c’est-à-dire clients et copropriétaires des structures centrales, peuvent générer des synergies aussi efficaces que celles des réseaux mixtes (coexistence de succursales et de franchises dans le même réseau) afin de faire face au défi de l'uniformité du concept, nécessaire à la survie et au développement de tout réseau de points de vente. Le maintien de l'uniformité consiste à respecter les éléments clefs du concept. Une étude de quatre cas a été menée. Les résultats de la recherche qualitative mettent en évidence l'existence de différents processus qui émergent de manière centralisée (contrats, incitations et persuasion), décentralisée (confiance, implication organisationnelle et contrôle informel) et mixte (solidarité, mimétisme et enculturation). Tous ces processus ont été opérationnalisés et testés empiriquement avec un échantillon de 245 commerçants coopérateurs ou associés, issus de 53 réseaux différents, représentant tous les secteurs d'activité définis par la FCA (Fédération du Commerce coopératif et Associé). L'analyse s’est fondée sur une modélisation par équations structurelles de type PLS. Un modèle de management du défi de l'uniformité du concept des réseaux de commerce coopératif et associé est proposé. Ce sujet est crucial pour cette forme de réseaux. Le respect de l'uniformité du concept peut contribuer à renforcer l'image de marque en servant d’identifiant et de garantie pour les consommateurs et les candidats susceptibles de devenir coopérateurs, de garder un concept distinctif des concurrents, de réaliser des économies d'échelle et d’éviter les comportements opportunistes qui peuvent nuire à la performance globale du réseau. / Retail cooperatives and independent associated retail networks are groups of retailers, owners of retail and service stores that pool their means (in terms of purchasing, marketing, communication, funding, logistics, etc.) and develop common policies. The objective of this research is to demonstrate how retail cooperatives and independent associated networks, whose cooperators with their double status, as both customers and co-owners of the cooperative, can generate synergies as efficiently as in plural form networks (coexistence of company and franchise units in the same network) in order to face the challenge of network uniformity and thus both grow and survive as does every other kind of network. In this research, we will focus on network uniformity. Maintaining uniformity means respecting the core components of the network concept. A four-case study has been conducted and the findings of our qualitative research highlight the existence of different processes which emerge from a centralized top- down approach (Contracts, Incentives and Persuasion), a decentralized bottom-up, or horizontal approach (Trust, Organizational commitment and Informal control) and from a mixed approach (Solidarity, Mimesis and Enculturation). All of these processes were operationalized and tested empirically with a sample of 245 cooperators or independent associated retailers from 53 different networks, representing all the sectors of activity defined by the FCA (French Federation of Retail Cooperatives and Retail Independent Associations). The analysis was based on PLS structural equation modeling. This research suggests a model of management to face the challenge of concept uniformity at the heart of retail cooperatives and independent associated networks. This subject is of great interest to all retail cooperative networks. Maintaining uniformity can help to reinforce a network’s image as an indicator and guarantee for consumers and cooperative candidates. It will differentiate them from their competitors, contribute to improving better purchasing conditions and thus achieving important cost reductions, as well as avoiding opportunistic behaviors that can harm a network’s performance.

Previous research shows that new strategies are currently needed to reach consumers on an emotional level. Theories claim that sensory marketing is the most effective method for companies to achieve customer loyalty and profitability. The five senses have proven to be useful in hotels, but there are a few studies that explain how these sensory strategies can be applied in real cases. The purpose of this essay is thus to gain a better understanding of how hotels with the help of sensory marketing can create a valuable encounter.  The empirical material is based on nine interviews with various hotels in Kalmar County where the respondents were asked to answer thirteen questions that include sensory marketing, service management and brand image.The results show that sensory marketing isn't a conscious strategy used by hotels. There is therefore no greater thought about how they use the senses, but more about their own intentions and what they think appeals to the consumers. One reason why hotels don't use this strategy may be due to a lack of knowledge but also other priorities of strategies. This study has been based on a company perspective where hotels have a large customer focus. There is a constant discussion about what the hotels consider is appealing to the guest, therefore the interest thus ends up in what consumers consider to be a valuable experience. A supplementary study from the consumer perspective could have confirmed the question marks that currently cannot be answered without the consumer's voice.

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to explore if there is a viable way for a newly brand to speed up the process of creating and acquiring the brand equity. Since branding is a very broad area, we narrow the research down to brand alliance for startups. With this research, we aim to deep into the subject to understand how this has been done and could be done.   Research Question - How can a start-up make brand associations with other well-known brands, in order to leverage their equity and acquire its own?   Methodology - Qualitative research method is applied through an interview to the case study company. This research is conducted in inductive reasoning which conforms to the qualitative paradigm. In addition, the research approach is an interpretive that has a view of subjectivism ontology. By looking into our case company, the description of each of the co-branding partnerships performed with its partners is examined. The information is gathered via an interview to the case company as well as secondary sources.   Findings - This research indicates that the case company has greatly benefited from the large number of co-branding partnerships with other well-known brands. It has benefited both in terms of gaining brand awareness and brand image, as well as accessing the customer base of its partners. It is an indication that a new start-up can speed up the process of branding and customers acquisition by engaging in co-branding partnerships.

Background: Due to the digital era and a constant increase in social media usage, new ways to interact with customers can be done through adopting Social Media Marketing Activities (SMMA). The concept SMMA is constituted by the five dimensions ‘Entertainment’, ‘Interaction’, ‘Trendiness’, ‘Customization’ and ‘Word-of-mouth’. By reviewing recent research, indications that SMMA has a relationship with other items in the form of Brand Image and Purchase intention becomes clear. Therefore, the authors attempt to examine this relationship even further in order to contribute to the already established scientific body. Furthermore, previous research declared a gap in terms of context which this study aimed to fulfill.  Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how Social Media Marketing Activities affect consumer purchase intention through brand image as the mediator. The authors aimed to contribute to already existing research and propose implications, especially of the electronic industry context which can be further examined in the future.  Methodology: The study was of quantitative nature with a deductive approach which enabled the authors to deduce and create four hypotheses from the basis of existing literature. The research design of the thesis was cross-sectional where the authors created an online questionnaire in order to gather primary data. The sample was gathered through a non-probability sampling technique called convenience sampling which gathered 141 responses.  Findings: Of the four hypotheses stated, all of them were accepted. Therefore, the authors of this paper could argue for the findings that SMMA was shown to have a significant impact on brand image. Secondly, brand image was evident to have a significant impact on purchase intention. Thirdly, brand image was shown to mediate the relation between SMMA and purchase intention. Lastly, SMMA also showed a significant impact on purchase intention. Another finding was that none of the control variables (gender, frequency of online purchase) was shown to have a significant impact on the results.  Conclusion: The authors of this paper concludes that SMMA affects consumer purchase intention through brand image as a mediator within the context of the Swedish electronic industry.

Background: In today ́s world, experiences play an important role for the customers to build loyalty and long-lasting relationships. Brakus et al. (2009) developed one of the most cited scales for measuring brand experience. Especially the clothing industry has a higher interest to create an overall experience since they are operating in different markets. Moreover, sustainability became a huge trend pushing companies to implement sustainable practices. This trend can also be recognized in the clothing industry which makes up 8.1 % of the whole greenhouse gas emissions globally and customers are more and more aware of this. Companies need to change their overall approach to how they produce and how they communicate, to avoid being labelled as a greenwashing company. In the outdoor-clothing industry, Patagonia is one of the most successful brands – heavily focusing on sustainability. Their brand experience could be one factor for their success, which makes this brand an interesting case to further study this concept. Yet there is limited research on this topic in the literature, no study applied the BXS to one specific company nor into the context of sustainability in the clothing industry.  Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate and analyse the brand experience of the outdoor-clothing brand Patagonia with the aim of identifying the effects of sustainability efforts on the brand experience. Method: To investigate the research question appropriately a qualitative research has been conducted by interviewing 13 customers of Patagonia. To structure the study adequately, we relied on the brand experience scale of Brakus et al. (2009) referring to a deductive approach. Nevertheless, inductive elements influenced our sampling process and the data analysis to develop the new model green brand experience by considering the sustainability efforts of Patagonia.  Conclusion: The findings revealed that the brand experience scale by Brakus et al. (2009) is applicable, and all dimensions are influenced by the brand experience. Furthermore, two additional dimensions were identified: green brand trust and green brand image. In the end, a new model named green brand experience is presented. It consists of 6 dimensions which are described through items that show the strongest influence in each dimension. As a conclusion, recommendations for strategies and tools for sustainable companies are given to create a green brand experience. Aside from honest and clear communication, the mission to act sustainable should be in the focus of the experience ahead of promoting their own products.

Multinationals are subject to questioning about organizational legitimacy issues by foreign governments when expanding overseas. This issue has become more prevalent over the past two decades with the rapid development of emerging countries and the exponential expansion in outward foreign direct investments from the firms of these emerging countries. Many emerging-country multinationals, particularly Chinese ones, confront political challenges in overseas. Accordingly, the global marketing economy is increasingly politicized, however previous research on consumer behavior has not paid attention to this political element. Against this background, this thesis draws on signaling theory to investigate the effect of overseas political challenges suffered by Chinese multinationals on domestic consumer purchase willingness, through shaping brand awareness and brand image in the home country. This study adopts a quantitative approach and administers an online questionnaire-based survey to assess Chinese people's willingness to purchase products made by Huawei (a Chinese national brand). Through PLS-SEM analysis of the survey data consisting of 314 valid questionnaires, our results reveal that the overseas political challenges faced by Chinese multinationals does not directly influence domestic consumer purchase willingness. Instead, awareness of this international political pressure can exert a directly positive effect on brand awareness and brand image in the home country, which in turn triggers domestic consumer purchase willingness. Our study suggests that overseas political challenge delivers a positive signaling effect and is conducive to domestic consumer purchase willingness. By building a theoretical link between overseas political challenge and consumer purchase willingness, uncovering the bright side of the challenging overseas environment faced by many multinationals, this study advances research on consumer behavior and gains deeper insight into the effect of these political challenges as well as extending the application of signaling theory.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the relationship between an influencer’s endorsement of a brand and the subsequent brand’s equity within a consumer’s mind. Research Question: How will an influencer endorsement influence a consumer’s brand equity?  Design, Methodology, and Approach: The authors of this paper used a qualitative approach, inductive structure. Due to the explorative nature of this paper, the authors have conducted 10 semi-structured interviews. This method generated a depth of information which was then coded for the analysis process.  Findings: The findings of the research suggest a strong relation between frequent engagement from the influencer and brand awareness through endorsement. There is also a positive association between the relationship with an influencer. Furthermore, trust in influencers is built through two components, knowledge/expertise and authenticity, however, trust does not influence brand loyalty.  Limitations: The interviews were conducted in English although English was not the first language for any of the participants, this caused some confusion when the interviewees had to explain the more technical terms in simplified language. Furthermore, this may have hindered their ability to express themselves 100% accurately, however, the researchers made sure to get a detailed answer for every question to ensure nothing was lost in translation.  Keywords: Influencer, influencer endorsement, brand equity, brand loyalty, brand image, brand awareness, trust, knowledge, expertise, authenticity.

The result of the study has shown that a failed product placement does not affect a company's brand image in a negative way if the brand is well known and the consumers that take part off the product placement already has a good brand image. The study showed that if the brand is well known, their product placement only has a positive reaction to increased exposure which consequently can raise consumers' word-of-mouth (WOM) for the company. The results obtained also showed that the context, which the product placement took place in, was more important for the brand image to be retained by consumers than the profile associated with the product. The consequences for the company's brand image could only be positively influenced if the context in which the brand was placed demonstrated the company's values. However, negative consequences could arise for the character associated with the product if the character chooses to exhibit values that doesn´t correspond with the brand that had placed their product. Finally, the conclusion also showed a connection between how unsuccessful product placement leads to more publicity for a company in the media than a successful one. However, the media can create a perceived discrepancy between consumers and other stakeholders that is not true.This can lead to a brand's image being perceived as changing in a negative way, even though it really is unaffected or the same as before. The brand image that was with stakeholders to the company was, however, only shown to be positively affected or unchanged. Therefore, increased publicity in the media has only been shown to increase WOM to the company that performs unsuccessful product placement in a positive way, if the company is well known since before. Hence, the conclusion of the study proved that a company’s brand image was sustainable and unaffected, or positively affected, by their stakeholders if it was placed in the right context, even if external factors tried harming the brand’s placement. / Studiens resultat har påvisat att en misslyckad produktplacering inte påverkar ett företags varumärkesimage negativt om varumärket är välkänt och konsumenterna, samt aktieägarna som tar del av placeringen redan har en god varumärkesimage. Studien påvisade att om varumärket var välkänt var en tydlig produktplacering endast positiv för att möjligtvis öka exponeringen av varumärket och därmed öka intressenternas word-of-mouth (WOM) till företaget. Resultatet uppvisade att sammanhanget som produktplaceringen skedde i var viktigare för att varumärkesimagen skulle behållas hos konsumenter och aktieägare än den profil som associerades med produkten. Påföljden som företagets varumärkesimage fick kunde bara bli positivt påverkat om sammanhanget som det placerades i påvisade varumärkets värderingar. Negativa konsekvenser kunde dock uppstå hos den profil som associerades med produkten i sammanhanget om profilen valt att uppvisa värderingar som inte stämde överens med varumärket som produktplacerades. Slutligen påvisade slutsatsen också ett samband mellan hur misslyckad produktplacering leder till mer publicitet för ett företag i media än en lyckad sådan. Dock kan media skapa en upplevd diskrepans mellan konsumenter och andra intressenter som inte stämmer. Det kan leda till att ett varumärkes image uppfattas som förändrad på ett negativt sätt, fastän den egentligen är opåverkad eller densamma som innan. Varumärkesimagen som fanns hos intressenter till företaget påvisades dock endast vara positivt påverkad eller oförändrad. Ökad publicitet i media har därför endast visats öka WOM till företaget som utför misslyckad produktplacering på ett positivt sätt,om företaget är välkänt sen tidigare. Slutsatsen blir därmed att ett företags varumärkesimage är uthållig, opåverkad eller påverkad positivt, hos dess intressenter om det placeras i rätt sammanhang, fastän en extern faktor försöker skada varumärkets placering.

Titel: Så skapas kundlojalitet: Hur fastighetsmäklarföretag arbetar för att uppnå kundlojalitet Nivå: Examensarbete på grundnivå (kandidatexamen) i ämnet företagsekonomi Författare: Lucas Håkansson och Emilio Silva Aresti Handledare: Lars-Johan Åge Datum: 2022- maj Syfte: Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie är att skapa en djupare förståelse för hur fastighetsmäklarföretag i Uppsala arbetar för att skapa kundlojalitet genom de tre begreppen kundnöjdhet, varumärkestillit och varumärkesuppfattning. Metod: Denna studie har använt sig utav en kvalitativ metod där fem kontorschefer hos fastighetsmäklarföretag i Uppsala har intervjuats. Studien har använt sig utav en deduktiv forskningsansats där en pilotintervju gjorts för att säkerställa relevansen i frågorna, därefter gjordes en innehållsanalys för att framställa svaren. Resultat och slutsats: Genom att arbeta med kundnöjdhet, varumärkestillit, varumärkesuppfattning samt engagemang skapar företagen lojala kunder. Resultatet vittnar om att det finns förbättringspotential hos företagen kring hur de kan stärka sitt varumärke och dess exponering. Kopplingen mellan kundnöjdhet och kundlojalitet är något som företagen är väl införstådda med. Examensarbetets bidrag: Denna studie har bidragit med att addera en faktor i strävan efter kundlojalitet. Vi har sett att engagemang är det som är en viktig komponent utöver kundnöjdheten, varumärkestilliten och varumärkesuppfattningen. Förslag på fortsatt forskning: Denna studie avgränsar sig till Uppsala, ett liknande upplägg i utlandet är av intresse då regelverket kan spela en bidragande roll då de svenska mäklarna måste vara opartiska. Utöver detta kan en avsmalning leda till en djupare inblick kring hur just det specifika begreppet leder till kundlojalitet. / Title: That's how you create customer loyalty: How real estate agent companies creates customer loyalty Level: Final assignment for bachelor’s degree in business administration Authors: Lucas Håkansson and Emilio Silva Aresti Supervisor: Lars-Johan Åge Date: 2022 - may Aim: The purpose of this qualitative study is to create a further understanding how real estate agent companies in Uppsala work towards creating customer loyalty through the three factors customer satisfaction, brand trust and brand image. Method: This study is based on a qualitative research method with five office managers within the real estate agent industry in Uppsala. This study has a deductive approach where the responses were categorized based on a content analysis. Result and Conclusions: By working towards customer satisfaction, brand trust, brand image and commitment the company creates customer loyalty. The result shows there is potential to be even better with creating a stronger brand and to expose it. The link between customer satisfaction och customer loyalty is something that the companies are aware of. Contribution of the thesis: This study contributes to further knowledge by adding another factor into striving for customer loyalty. We have seen how commitment is an important component beyond customer satisfaction, brand trust and brand image. Suggestions for future research: This study used its research in Uppsala, therefore it would be interesting to see if real estate agent companies work the same with customer satisfaction, brand image and brand trust to gain customer loyalty between different cities.