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Yes / Although various critical elements, such as media publicity, word of mouth, legislation, and environmental factors, are not under the control of a company, they play a significant role in influencing its brand image. Uncertainty over how different social networking sites can support brands is one of the crucial reasons for the delayed acceptance of social media (SM) in business-to-business (B2B) transactions. SM possesses immense potential in relation to gathering customer data and assisting B2B marketers. Therefore, this study reviewed SM usage in the B2B context, based on 294 selected articles. The methodology included bibliometric analysis to identify the impact of SM usage in the B2B domain and content analysis to perform a thematic assessment. Our analysis found that many B2B firms cannot leverage SM’s potential to its fullest compared to business-to-customer (B2C) firms. However, SM can help B2B marketers build their brand presence and trust globally, ultimately helping them find potential customers and build relationships with global supply chain providers.

Consumer behaviour and brand image are two key areas of focus in marketing research. The purpose of this study was to examine consumer behaviour shifts during economic crises and their impact on brand loyalty in the food manufacturing industry. Aaker’s Brand Equity model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour were applied in order to explore consumer behaviour towards food manufacturers in post-COVID-19 financial struggles. The findings answered the research question “How do economic downturns, such as those experienced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, shape consumers' decision-making processes and perceptions of food brands in Sweden?” by conducting a qualitative study through semi-structured interviews. The main themes found were Consumer Decision-Making Process, Brand Perception and Cognitive Factors Prior to Purchase, which all contribute to understanding the model of Consumer Behaviour. The findings showed that consumer preferences are driven by familiarity, high quality, taste, ingredients, and positive brand reputation. Marketing communication should strike a balance by avoiding aggressive advertising while still offering discounts and ethical campaigns. This is especially important during economic downturns when attention tends to shift towards price, and companies try to prompt consumers to explore new brands. Trust and brand image were also crucial for consumer decision-making. With these findings, food manufacturers will be able to adapt their marketing strategies, their branding and product offerings to manage economic difficulties and maintain consumer trust.

SMEs have been developing rapidly in Sweden since the last decade; many of them have developed a strong brand and went global. Brands can be utilized as a tool for people involved in the ecosystem to consistently communicate with the stakeholders. On the customers’ side, decisions on purchasing certain products are often made by symbolic attributes. According to studies, brand management can benefit an organization’s performance. Brand management is critical for the substantiality of SMEs. Many studies have been done on brand management in larger organizations. Only some research has been done on SMEs brand management, from which it was concluded that SMEs placed very little or no priority on brand management. In this thesis, the author studies brand management in SMEs in Sweden, by using Wong and Merrilees’s model (2005) on three archetypes of brand orientation. The aim of this study is to get insights on what brand-related activities can help with the goal of heightening brand awareness for customers. This research is done by a qualitative study based on three in-depth interviews undertaken with small-sized organizations and a supplementary desktop research with data from authority.

Master of Science / Communications and Agricultural Education / Lauri M. Baker / The purpose of this study was to identify how K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) has established and maintained its brand through external communication with target audiences. The three research objectives were to determine the extent to which, 1) branding guidelines were followed, 2) calls to action were provided, and 3) key audiences were targeted. A quantitative content analysis was conducted to assess a representative sample of all communication KSRE state employees published within one year, November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013. The Social Exchange Theory (SET) served as the framework and research objectives were based on the concept of Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC). The study found the correct name of the organization appeared in only 56.6 % (n= 611) of units; appearances of images, graphics, and the official slogan were also minimal. Primarily, the study identified a need for increased specification and clarity in the guidelines in order to promote increased consistency. This study serves as a benchmark for future measurement, a basis for recommended changes, and a call for other state extension agencies to examine communication in similar studies. The researcher recommends the organization makes substantial edits and additions to the branding guidelines, provides employees with training, and implements a regular evaluation of communication efforts to monitor brand representation and communication effectiveness. Additionally, the researcher addresses the need for an IMC model specific to extension, to help communicators implement more strategic and measurable efforts.

This case study examines how a company can work with employer branding and talent management in order to attract students. The study explores how these concepts can be combined in the joint activity and what the implications are of arranging such an activity. This is illustrated through the case competition Brandstorm, arranged by L’Oréal Group. The study has a qualitative approach and it is based on in-depth interviews with managers on three different organizational levels at L’Oréal. The result shows that using a case competition as a joint activity is a tool to combine employer branding and talent management. The aim of a joint activity is two folded; the case is developed by the employer branding team to create awareness and appear as an attractive employer, further targeting students in order for the talent management team to spot and recruit talents. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of communicating a consistent Employer Value Proposition (EVP) that conveys symbolic values. A case competition can also be seen as a tool for managing talents and creating of talent pools. It is further clear that collaborating with universities is preferable when targeting students, thus conveying an attractive employer brand image.

台灣手搖飲料店領先步入國際化、自由化，目前市場相當活絡，產品種類繁多，雖然台灣飲料市場已經成熟，但是每一年仍然維持微幅成長的趨勢。 隨著現代人飲食習慣的改變，各類飲品的茶值不斷增加，其中「茶類」飲料需求越來越大。 緣起於服務的公司為台灣手搖飲料公司，故嘗試以手搖飲品經營分子的角度評估，以「貢茶」品牌的目前位置與未來發展性為如何? 在台灣「貢茶」品牌只是，眾多品牌之中一且認知度並不高而在國外尤其在韓國、新加坡、香港等地區自家認知度較高的原因如何? 甚至在韓國當地消費者心目中「貢茶」品牌同等與星巴克地位。 本研究列出國內手搖飲料業現況、全球市場概況、目標行銷、體驗行銷、 PEST分析、價值鏈分析、SWOT分析等，以手搖飲料業特色和利基點，尋找其個案公司品牌經營之特效方案，了解其手搖飲料業之現況及當無酒精飲品類裡可鼎立成一個類目的可能性。

Ce travail doctoral introduit le nouveau concept de capital mode appliqué aux marques de luxe. Défini comme la valeur ajoutée de la mode aux marques, ce nouvel outil a été fondé sur quatre études empiriques, deux qualitatives et deux quantitatives. Les résultats ont permis de (1) définir le concept en sept dimensions, (2) d’identifier le rôle du besoin de conformité, de différenciation des consommateurs, et l’implication dans les vêtements comme étant des antécédents du capital mode, (3) de mettre en avant les variables modératrices du modèle que sont les besoins des conformité et de différenciation du consommateur, ainsi que le capital marque, et enfin (4) d’exprimer ses conséquences relationnelles et comportementales au travers de l’engagement, du bouche-à-oreille, de la volonté de payer un prix premium et de l’intention de ré-achat / This doctoral work introduces the new concept of fashion equity applied to luxury brands. Defined as the added value of fashion to brands, this new tool was developed based on four empirical studies, two qualitative and two quantitative. The results allowed to (1) define the concept along with seven dimensions, (2) identify as antecedents, consumers conformity and differentiation needs, as well as clothing involvement (3) highlight the moderating variables of the model as consumer conformity, differentiation needs and brand equity, and finally (4) express the relational and behavioral consequences of the concept through commitment, word of mouth, willingness to pay a premium price and intention to re-purchase

The concept of Green Brand Equity is based on the assumption that customers will be more favorable towards a firm's brand when the firm provides products and services that satisfy the customers' environmental needs. While environmental and brand management have been researched thoroughly in business-to-consumer (B2C) markets, similar research inbusiness-to-business (B2B) contexts is still scarce. This study aims to contribute to environmental management and B2B brand research through an empirical study of customers' perceptions of Green Brand Equity in industrial B2B markets. A qualitative study was conducted analyzing customers who purchase products from a brand of a Swedish high-tech and global industrial engineering company. The findings suggest that although traditional aspects like price, quality and delivery performance are of high importance, customers in B2B markets also take environmental impact into consideration in their purchase decisions. The customers' consideration of environmental impact mainly stemmed from the customer firms' Green Policies, as well as the individual buyer's Green Concerns. The findings further showed that supplier firms can strengthen Green Brand Equity through sustainability initiatives. By supporting the applicability of Green Brand Equity in a B2B context, this study contributes to the theoretical discussion as well as to practitioners in the field.

As the world-economy becomes increasingly competitive, places adopt different methods to elevate their attractiveness. The paper examines how two medium-sized Swedish cities, Uppsala and Västerås, develop their own competitiveness, identities, and images in relation to the principles and concepts laid out by Simon Anholt in his book Competitive identity: The New Brand Management for Nations, Cities and Regions (2007). A qualitative approach to textual analysis is employed to gather the necessary research material to draw conclusions from, in addition to taking a theory-consuming perspective in order to limit the study’s generalization. The study adds to the field of city branding by analyzing real-life places using a conceptual framework, providing insight into the practical application of a theoretical model. The results show that Uppsala is trying to elevate itself to the international stage, while Västerås is remaking its identity almost completely. Uppsala must remember the city’s prerequisites and should look to Västerås for expertise regarding the railway sector. It is imperative that Västerås improves its innovative environments, while looking to Uppsala for knowledge of how to integrate innovative cultures in all sectors of society. Both cities are heavily dependent on their proximity to Stockholm, with Uppsala beginning to question their position.