Previous research regarding the effectiveness of signalling via brand name has focused on when and how any brand-building cost incurred, will be rewarded by future profit. In contrast to this seller-incentive perspective, this study examines how the buyer interprets the signal via brand name, the effectiveness of signalling via brand name in terms of buyer value perspective, and how the buyer's reaction toward the signal impacts on the seller's decision to adopt the signalling strategy. Signalling theory and concepts from consumer-based branding research are used to suggest how to evaluate the effectiveness of signalling via brand name in the context of the consumer market, wherein information is asymmetric. Findings from online trading experiments, using the methodology of experimental economics, demonstrate that the function of brand fluctuates according to which market conditions prevail for brand and price, the extent of brand differentiation, and the magnitude of brand-building cost. This suggests an alternative way to measure the value of a brand to the buyer.

Abstrakt Syfte:Studiens syfte är att beskriva hur ett mätinstrument för att mätakonsumentbaserad brand equity ska utformas. Forskningsfråga:Vilka mätpunkter ska inkluderas vid mätning av konsumentbaserad brand equity? Metod:Då studien ämnar testa mätinstrumentet som skapats ur den befintliga litteraturen föllvalet på att genomföra en kvantitativ undersökning eftersom författarna avsågundersöka hur en stor mängd konsumenter uppfattar varumärken. För att samla in databad författarna 130 stycken respondenter delta i en enkätunderökning. Datananalyserades sedan i en faktoranalys. Slutsats:Efter genomförd faktoranalys kunde författarna behålla 9 stycken mätpunkter från detursprungliga 16 stycken mätpunkter. Utefter de nya mätpunkterna utformades ett nyttmätinstrument. Aakers fyra dimensioner var fortfarande utgångspunkt därmätpunkterna placerades in

Prekės ženklo vertės vartotojui kūrimo procesas tarptautinėje terpėje yra sudėtingas, tačiau šiuo atveju svarbiausia įvertinti egzistuojančius kultūrinius skirtumus. Literatūroje pasigendama nuoseklaus teorinio kultūrinių veiksnių įtakos prekės ženklo vertės vartotojui kūrime, pagrindimo. Vartojimo kultūriniai ypatumai skatina ieškoti naujų metodų, skirtų vartotojų prioritetams tirti. Dėl to ne visuomet prekės ženklo vertė vartotojui suvokiama taip, kaip tikisi ją kuriantys marketingo specialsitai. Darbo tikslas – atlikus teorines prekės ženklo vertės vartotojui tarpkultūriniu aspektu studijas, parengti kultūros ir prekės ženklo vertės dimensijų sąsajų modelį bei patikrinti jį empiriškai. Darbo tikslui pasiekti keliami uždaviniai: 1.Išanalizuoti prekės ženklo vertės vartotojui tarpkultūriniu aspektu problematikos teorinį reikšmingumą. 2.Pateikti prekės ženklo vertės vartotojui sampratą ir jos dedamąsias. 3.Identifikuoti tarptautinio prekės ženklo vertę lemiančius veiksnius. 4.Aptarti šalių kultūrų svarbą prekės ženklo vertei vartotojui. 5.Sukurti kultūros ir prekės ženklo vertės dimensijų sąsajų modelį. 6.Atlikti empirinį tyrimą pagal teorinėje dalyje parengtą modelį. Darbo rezultatai: -Teoriniu požiūriu išanalizuota ir susisteminta mokslinė literatūra apie prekės ženklo vertę vartotojui ir jos dedamąsias, prekės ženklo vertės kūrimo ypatumus tarptautiniu mastu, kultūrinių veiksnių įtaką prekės ženklo vertei vartotojui, apibrėžiama šalių kultūrų bei kultūrinių vertybių svarba... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / This master work examines consumer – based brand equity in cross – cultural aspect. Objective of master’s work is to execute theoretical studies of consumer – based brand equity in cross – cultural aspect and to check these studies empirically. The master work consist of three main parts. The first part of the master work includes theoretical analysis of a brand, consumer – based brand equity, the main factors of international branding and branding in different cultures, cultural differences and models of cultural dimensions. The second part of the master work includes theoretical approach of cross-cultural factors, which influence consumer - based brand equity and, according to empirical studies, conducted on consumer – based brand equity and cultural values, constructed theoretical brand value and culture chain based model. The third part of the master work consists of methodical rules and the empirical research, the purpose, task and the suggestions of the research; result analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data results; generalization of the research results, giving suggestions and recommendation. This master work presents theoretical and empirical researches results and recommendations. There are used 11 tables, 37 pictures and 5 additions in order to illustrate the theoretical and empirical results in master work. There are used 75 sources of scientific literature in Lithuanian and English in master work.

Très peu de travaux empiriques ont été fait jusqu'à présent pour mesurer le problème de l'équité de marque basée sur la consommation dans l'industrie des télécommunications. L'objectif de la présente recherche est d'étudier et d'explorer les connaissances sur l'équité de marque axée sur le consommateur (CBBE) dans le marché des télécommunications chinois. En outre, la relation entre l'équité de la marque et la stratégie de marché mélange est étudiée. Notre étude commence par l'élaboration de deux modèles, l'un est le modèle CBBE et l'autre est le modèle de marché mélange influencé, que nous utilisons comme base pour mesurer le problème d'un point de vue empirique sur le marché des télécommunications chinois. Deux questionnaires ont été conçus dans le but de recueillir des données. Les questionnaires empiriques ont été conduit à l'aide d'un questionnaire fermé online envoyé à un échantillon d'utilisateurs des réseaux sociaux. Parmi ceux-ci, nous avons reçu 875 réponses exploitables de questionnaires CBBE en provenance de la Chine continental. Dans le même temps, nous avons reçu 1050 réponses utilisables de questionnaires portant sur l'influence de marché mélange. Les principales questions abordées dans le questionnaire sont liées à l'attitude des consommateurs envers sept marques de télécommunications sur le marché continental chinois. Ces marques ont été identifiées comme : China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, Nokia, Motorla, Huawei et ZTE. Deux modèles d'équations structurelles ont été construits grâce à l'analyse des données : le modèle d'équité de marque basé sur le consommateur (CBBE) et le modèle d'influence Market-Mix. Le modèle CBBE est composé de quatre facteurs : l'équité de la marque, la défection de la marque, l'impression de la marque par le consommateur et son expérience de la marque. Alors que le modèle d'influence Market-Mix est composé de trois facteurs : Media et publicité, expérience du marché et tarification. La relation entre les deux modèles et l'interdépendance des différents facteurs sont ici étudiés.Nos résultats comprennent des implications à la fois théoriques et pratiques. D'un point de vue théorique (1) la question clé pour la création de capital-marque ainsi que la diminution de la défection de la marque est d'élaborer une stratégie d'expérience de marque du consommateur liée aux facteurs suivants : fidélité à la marque, qualité perçue, extension de la marque et équité du consommateur. L'influence de l'impression du consommateur sur l'équité de la marque est moins importante. (2) l'expérience du marché du consommateur, qui inclut les variables de produit-service, employé et processus d'achat est significativement corrélée avec l'impression de la marque du consommateur et l'expérience de la marque du consommateur. (3) La perception du consommateur de la plus importante stratégie mix-market est liée à l'employé, puis au processus d'achat, au produit/service, à la tarification et aux médias/publicités par ordre de priorité. (4) L'impression de marque du consommateur est influencée de manière importante par les médias et la publicité et le produit/service. (5) L'effet de l'expérience de marque du consommateur est sur la tarification est significativement négatif.D'un point de vue pratique : les coefficients des facteurs (dans les deux modèles) de chaque marque de Telecom sont estimés. Les consommateurs ont démontré une forte affinité avec les marques suivantes (par ordre de priorité) : Nokia, China Mobile, Motorola, Unicom, Huawei, ZTE et China Telecom. / Very little empirical work has so far been done to measure the problem of Consumer-based Brand Equity in telecom industry. The objective of the present research is to investigate and explore knowledge about Consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) in the chinese telecom market; moreover, the relationship between brand equity and Market-mix strategy is investigated. Our study starts by developing two models; one is the CBBE model and the other is the Market-Mix influenced Model, which we utilise as the basis for measuring the problem from an empirical perspective in the Chinese Telecom market. Two Questionnaires are designed in order to collect data. The empirical questionnaires were conducted using an online closed-ended questionnaire which was sent to a sample of users of social networks. Of these we received 875 usable responses of CBBE questionnaire from mainland China. At the same time, we received 1050 usable responses of Market-mix influence questionnaire. These brands were identified as : China Telecom, China Mobile, Nokia, Motorola, Huawei and ZTE. Two structural equation models were built through data analysis : They are Consumer-based Brand Equity Model and the Market-Mix influence model. The CBBE model is composed of four factors : Brand Equity, Brand Defection, Consumer Brand Impression and Consumer Brand Experience. While, the Market-mix influence Model is composed of three factors : Media and advertising, Consumer Market Experience and Pricing. The relationship between two models and the interrelationship among different factors are investigated.Our findings include both theoretical and practical implications. From the theoretical perspective : (1) the key issue for creating Brand Equity as well as Brand Extension and Consumer Equity. The Influence of Consumer Impression on Brand Equity is less significant. (2) Consumer Market Experience which includes the variables of Products/service, Pricing and Media / Advertising are followed in order of priority. (4) Consumer Brand Impression is significant influenced by Media/advertising and Product/Service. (5) The effect of Consumer Brand Experience on pricing is significantly negative.From the practical perspective : the factor coefficients (within two models) of each Telecom brand are estimated; Consumers demonstrated a strong affinity toward the following brands (in order of priority) / Nokia, China Mobile, Unicom, Huawei, ZTE and China Telecom.

The research investigated consumers' decision-making process during pre-adoption and consumption stages of consumer-based technologies via the context of mobile apps. In an attempt to integrate consumer resistance in predicting the end-decisions to adopt/not adopt or continue/discontinue the use of a technology, the study presented some interesting findings. Employing the theoretical framework of cognitive appraisal theory, the study integrated the TAM, paradoxes of technology, and coping strategies to propose and empirically validate a process-based model of decision-making.Data were collected via a self-administered web-based survey. Two versions of the questionnaire were used to elicit consumers' responses from adopters and non-adopters of mobile apps. A total of 646 smartphone owners responded to the survey, of which, 375 respondents had downloaded apps in the past and 271 respondents had not downloaded any apps. The proposed hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.Results demonstrated that most part of the TAM3 framework is replicable in a consumer-based setting. Additional findings provided evidence for the strong role of goal relevance in the TAM framework. The study also supported the effect of perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use on different technology paradoxes. The factor structure of the technology paradoxes suggested three distinct dimensions. Consumers' evaluation of control, freedom, newness, assimilation, and fulfillment of need as derived from the use of mobile apps was captured by Perceived Benefits. The construct, Perceived Apprehension, comprised of consumers' assessment of the chaos, enslavement, obsolesce, isolation, and creation of needs as a result of using mobile apps. Finally, the factor, Perceived Obscurity, investigated the confusion and/or ambiguity within individuals by measuring their perceived inefficiency and incompetence in using mobile apps.Most importantly, separate investigations of the pre-adoption and consumption stages highlighted consumers' use of varying degrees of resistance as influenced by their appraisal of the technology. The non-adopters resisted the use of mobile apps by either being indifferent towards it or postponing the decision to adopt. The adopters of mobile apps were also found to reject its use by distancing, abandoning, or neglecting the apps. The role of positive coping investigated the positive behavioral tendencies employed by consumers to overcome the challenges of using mobile apps. Managerial implications are discussed.

Introduction: Recent trends have shown a steady growth regarding environmental concerns along with the pro-environmental attitudes among the consumers, yet a contradicting behaviour is observed in the purchase of environmentally friendly products, giving birth to the phenomena of attitude-behaviour gap. A fair amount of researchers have studied this attitude-behaviour gap over the recent years, investigating this very inconsistency in order to present a solution. This specific study is based on the findings of Davari & Strutton in relation to this attitudebehavior gap, where the researchers presented a simplified model of their study as an effort in overcoming this inconsistency. This specific study is based on the simplified model, where the research unearths the effect of green marketing mix elements on four dimensions of consumerbased brand equity with Swedish Generation Y and clothing fashion industry in perspective. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explain the impact of green marketing mix elements (product, price, place and promotion) on dimensions of consumer-based brand equity (brand loyalty, brand association, brand trust and perceived brand quality). Methodology: The research is based on quantitative approach designed in respect with the explanatory purpose. A closed-end online questionnaire was designed as the data collection method, resulting in 127 responses. The results were based on the multiple regression analysis, while the validity was tested against pearson's correlation method and reliability was tested through cronbach’s alpha. Conclusion: The study did not measure significant results, where green product stands out as the only element on the green marketing-mix having a positive relationship on one consumerbased brand equity dimension in this case, brand loyalty. Whereas the other elements were concluded as having no significance. Even t

Ce travail s’interroge à propos du rôle du concept de « l’expérience de la marque » dans la perception de l’image des marques de luxe auprès d’une cible jeune grand public. Pour ce faire, il mobilise trois domaines majeurs dans le marketing : l’expérience, le luxe et l’image de marque. L’approche expérientielle, peu exploitée dans le domaine du luxe, s’avère concluante. Les résultats permettent de dégager une typologie de l’image spécifique à la marque de luxe démontrant ainsi l’insuffisance des typologies existantes. Ils permettent également de proposer un cadre pour l’expérience de la marque spécifique à la marque de luxe. Ils soulignent par ailleurs le rôle des expériences vécues auprès de la marque comme source majeure d’associations et donc d’imagerie. Sur le plan managérial, cette étude propose une meilleure compréhension de la perception de l’image des marques de luxe auprès de la cible, susceptible d’orienter les stratégies d’entreprises. / Due to its democratization, the luxury sector needs a wider target and allows young to access earlier to luxury brands. According to an experiential approach, this work focuses on the perception of luxury brands image by young consumers from a middle class. The results suggest that brand experiences are a major source of brand associations. The finds also propose a specific typology of luxury brand image and a specific framework for luxury brand experience. Finally, the research gives marketers a better comprehension of the young target in the luxury area.

The proliferation of attention given to environmental issues in politics, the media and economics is distinctive for one of the biggest trend movement of the last decades. Past studies have focused on researching green marketing as an emerging topic of importance. However, as vegan advertising is increasingly commonplace on product packages, this thesis provides novel empirical research following an exploratory mixed method research model, investigating the perception of students in the south of Sweden regarding vegan advertised products. Including qualitative in-depth interviews as well as a quantitative online survey, the study provides detailed insights into consumer biases and associations with the term’s vegan and plant-based and its influence on product selection choices. Findings, as well as recommendations are submitted and completed in a conclusive discussion.

<p>Recent research on links between dimensions of consumer-based brand equity, as well as links to consumer involvement, has shown that it is a significant predictor of purchase behavior.</p><p>The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the affect brands have on consumer involvement. We attempt to investigate how consumer-based brand equity affects the level of consumer involvement.</p><p>Based on consumer behavior theory and previous research of these areas, gathered primary data (an empirical investigation of students’ attitudes) is analyzed to gain an understanding of how the aforementioned concepts relate to each other.</p><p>The findings indicate that there are correlations between consumer-based brand equity and consumer involvement, and that there is more to investigate in this area. Suggestions for further research include a similar study with more measured variables for each dimension, and analyzing them separately instead of creating indexes.</p><p>The results of this dissertation may be useful for marketers and manufacturers of the specific products investigated, as well as products of similar nature, in order to apply focus to the attributes which consumers value most.</p>

The concept of brand equity emerged inthe eightiesto justify the long term value of marketing investments. Brand equity signify the value that a brand adds to a product and is the result of the marketing of a brand. One of the most widely used strategies to enhance brand equity is to do a brand extension, which means that a firm uses an established brand to introduce a new product to the market. At worst, a failed brand extension can damage the brand equity, which Vinjamuri (2008) claims that the brand Axe is currently in danger of doing. This January Axe launched an extention including products for both men and women for the first time and Vinjamuri claims that this can disappoint Axe´s former target group (men between 14 and 27 years old) (Newman, 2012).  In this thesis Axe´s brand equity among the extensions target group (men and women, age 14 to 27) in Sweden is studied to find out if the brand extension is likely to affect the brand equity in the target group. The research, that is mainly based on theory by Keller et al. (2008), is made through a comperative study of two groups, where one group is given information about the brand extension. The results of the research indicate that Axe's brand equity is neutral or negative among the target group and that the brand extension has no noticable impact on Axe´s brand equity. / Under 80-talet uppkom konceptet varumärkesvärde för att motivera det långsiktiga värdet av marknadsföringsinvesteringar. Varumärkesvärdet betecknar det mervärde varumärket tillför en produkt och är ett resultat av marknadsföring av varumärket. En av de mest använda strategierna för att stärka varumärkesvärdet är att genomföra varumärkesutvidgningar, vilket innebär att ett befintligt varumärke används för ett nytt marknadserbjudande. Om en varumärkesutvidgning misslyckas kan den i värsta fall skada varumärkesvärdet, något som Vinjamuri (2008) menar att varumärket Axe riskerar att göra i dagsläget. I januari i år lanserade Axe för första gången en varumärkesutvidgning som innehåller produkter för både kvinnor och män, vilket enligt Vinjamuri kan göra Axe:s tidigare målgrupp (män i åldern 14-27) besvikna (Newman, 2012). I denna uppsats undersöks Axe:s varumärkesvärde hos målgruppen (kvinnor och män i åldern 14-27 år) för utvidgningen i Sverige för att ta reda på om varumärkesutvidgningen kan tänkas påverka varumärkesvärdet hos målgruppen. Undersökningen som huvudsakligen utformats enligt teori ur Keller et al. (2008) görs genom en jämförande studie av två grupper varav den ena gruppen får information om varumärkesutvidningen. Undersökningens resultat tyder på att Axe:s varumärkevärde är neutralt eller negativt hos målgruppen och att Axe Anarchy inte har någon märkbar påverkan på varumärkesvärdet. / Linn Gustafsson, Emma Engqvist