The purpose of this thesis was to examine the potential effects of a cause related marketing approach inthe Swedish agricultural industry. This was done by analyzing the market potential and how an industry,through a marketing perspective, can help rejuvenate a troublesome sector, more specifically thedomestic milk sector. A mixed-method was utilized in order to answer the research question. Qualitativeinterviews with stakeholders throughout the supply chain were conducted to create greater knowledgeand serve as a structural guide for a quantitative questionnaire, which was answered by 182respondents. This thesis is centered on the theories of cause related marketing, fair trade and consumerbehavior. The results of the study show a gap in the market, which a cause related marketed productcould fulfill. In order to succeed the problem must be raised from the field of agriculture to a social level,which incorporates and affects all of us in our everyday living. The marketing communication shouldtherefore focus on the cultural importance of preserving the domestic agricultural industry in order tosucceed.

本研究以民國91年至民國96年期間辦理私募案之上(市)櫃公司為研究對象，探究私募折溢價與私募後經營績效及市場反應之關聯性。 本研究將私募樣本區分為溢價組與折價組，溢價組於私募前後之營運績效均如預期般表現比折價組好，且溢價組與折價組於私募後之營運績效表現有更顯著的差異。同時，溢價組於私募後展現正向的市場反應，折價組於私募後則呈現負向的市場反應。 企業價值與成長機會高度相關，而溢價發行企業之成長機會對企業價值之影響程度較折價發行企業高。折(溢)價幅度與私募後營運績效、累計異常報酬間呈負(正)相關，顯示折溢價幅度可能反映出私募企業未來成長與風險之訊息。 / This study examines the effects of price discount (premium) on performance and market reaction in private placement. Three main findings are as follows. After classifying the sample into two categories, premium and discount, this study finds that the operating performance of the premium group is better than that of the discount group both before and after the private placement. The difference is especially significant after the private placement. Furthermore, the premium group shows positive market reaction after private placement while the discount group negative. Firm value is highly related to growth opportunity, and the influence of growth opportunity on firm value of premium group is significantly higher than that of discount group. The results also show that the magnitude of price discount (premium) is negatively (positively) related to operating performance and cumulative abnormal return after private placement. This may indicate that the price discount (premium) reflects the signal of future growth and risk of the firm in private placement.

為改善綠建築與售價之間的定錨效應，本研究以台灣EEWH綠建築評估系統為基礎，建構AHP分析層級程序法之問卷架構，共分為目標、面向、指標以及評估項目四大階層。透過第一階段以及第二階段問卷調查與分析，本研究初步得到不動產估價師平均願提高9.77%之綠建築願付價格，且住宅類綠建築中，價格影響權重較高者為室內環境、節能設備以及空調系統指標。 取得各評估項目的價格影響權重後，以相關分析、價格影響權重分析為基礎，篩選應謹慎考量其價格的評估項目，再輔以盒狀圖分析，將價格影響權重細分為若干加權等級，進而建立更加完善的住宅類綠建築估價應用總表，並提供不動產估價師於實務中使用。 最終，運用實證分析，本研究發現綠建築等級或總得分與溢價幅度具有中度以上的解釋力，當綠建築等級或總得分越高時，其溢價幅度亦隨之提高，然而，當綠建築施作至一定程度後，其上升的溢價幅度將有限；此外，以銀級為例時，同等級內的綠建築總得分與溢價幅度未具顯著解釋力，意旨同等級案例之總得分越高時，並無法解釋其溢價幅度將越大。本研究建議，當衡量綠建築之價格時，應依循本研究提供的應用總表，評估各綠建築的實質溢價情況，以提高綠建築案例於估價時的準確性。 / In order to improve the anchoring effect between green building and selling price, this study based on the EEWH Green Building Assessment System in Taiwan, and constructed the questionnaire structure of AHP analysis hierarchy process which classified into four dimensions: Target, Orientation, Index and Element. Through the first stage and the second stage of the questionnaire survey, the higher weight of the price impact are the indexes of indoor environment, energy-saving equipment and air conditioning system. The average of willing to pay on the green buildings from the appraisals is around 9.77%. Based on the correlation analysis, the weight of price impact analysis and the box analysis, there are some elements which need to be subdivided into several weighting scale. After that, this study would establish a much more complete table called “the application table of residential green buildings.” It will provide for appraisers to use in practice as well. Finally, using the empirical analysis, this study found that there are moderate positive correlation between the levels or the total scores of green buildings and the price premium, which means the higher the green building level or the total score is, the greater the price premium is. However, when the green building level reach a certain extent, the increase on the prie premium will be limited. In addition, take the silver level for example. The total score of green buildings in the same level dose not have significant correlation with its price premium, which means the higher scores of green buildings in the same level can not explain the price premium will be greater. Therefore, this study suggests that green buildings should follow the application table provided in this study to measure the real premiums of the green buildings in order to improve the accuracy of the green building price at the time of appraisal.

This study is one of the first of its kind to examine actual consumer purchasing decisions for forest products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Consumer purchasing was examined based on the presence or absence of a promotional brochure and a price premium for red oak and yellow poplar surfaced-four-sides (S4S) boards. This research also compared typical demographic factors for purchasers and non-purchasers of FSC certified S4S boards. Finally, the study examined subscales from a previously designed ecoscale to determine whether two of the subscales were effective predictors of the sale of FSC certified boards. Due to significant interactions between the price premium and the promotional brochure, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics could not be interpreted. However, these strong interactions indicate that these two factors are interdependent. Examining respondents' understanding of the trade term, "certification," showed that most did not understand the term as it is used by the forest products industry. Respondents did not link certification directly with the environment, but rather stated that it was a measure of quality excellence. This illustrates that the forest products industry must use more specific descriptions that consumers will understand when referring to certification. Based on survey results from this study, a large proportion of respondents who paid more for FSC certified boards were unable to recall whether they had cost any more than the alternative product. Respondents of this study were not found to have a high level of confidence in the environmental claims of any group. These included forest products companies, industry associations, and independent organizations. The subscales of a previously designed ecoscale were not found to be strong indicators of a respondents' likelihood to purchase FSC certified S4S boards. This project should be seen as a starting point for additional researchers interested in studying actual purchase decisions of consumers of environmentally conscious products, such as certified hardwood boards. / Master of Science

Purpose – This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of the Chinese customers’ perception and acceptance of eco-conscious apparel (ECA) based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The thesis further examines whether people would like to pay more for ECA and how the factor of willingness to pay a premium is influenced by TPB variables. Design/methodology/approach – The research design is based on quantitative methodology. The data were collected via a web-based survey, a total of 315 responses from Chinese consumers were analyzed with application of the structural equation modeling. Findings – Both attitude toward ECA and perceived behavioral control over ECA acquisition have positive influence on ECA purchasing intention. Willingness to pay a premium for ECA is only positively affected by subjective norm. There is no correlation between ECA purchasing intention and willingness to pay a premium for ECA. Implications – To raise Chinese customers’ purchasing intention, fashion company should focus their actions on disseminating environmental information and knowledge, and offer affordable ECA options with the properties close to traditional apparel. To evoke the willingness to pay a premium for ECA, fashion company can apply celebrity endorsement to add perceived social value into its ECA series. Such actions will contribute to formation of positive social norm and hence positive perception towards ECA. Meanwhile, the government can put more efforts into educating Chinese people about sustainability issues in fashion industry, formulating and implementing policies in favor of ECA consumption, so that a positive social atmosphere for ECA consumption could be created. Originality/value – This study is novel in applying TPB for examining the consumer purchasing of apparel containing recycled fiber in China. The thesis provides useful information to corporate practitioners on how to formulate ECA marketing strategies in China. Research findings are also of relevance for Chinese government by providing recommendations for formulating relevant policies to favor the ECA consumption.

Bakgrund: År 2010 infördes ISO 10668, en standard som skulle öka transparensen och kvaliteten i varumärkesvärderingar. Trots standarden så skiljer det idag miljardbelopp på kända varumärken mellan olika värderingsaktörer, något som talar för att det fortfarande finns en problematik kring värderingar. En nyhet som kom i och med standarden var den beteendemässiga aspekten där hänsyn ska tas till kunders uppfattningar, kännedom och associationer gentemot ett varumärke. Standarden uttrycker dock inte specifikt hur värderare ska beakta denna aspekt vid en värdering. Syfte: Studien syftar till att analysera hur kunderna beaktas som en del av varumärkets värde vid en värdering. Dessutom kommer studien beskriva varumärkesvärderingens betydelse utifrån olika aktörers befattningar, samt analysera eventuella skillnader och svårigheter i deras tillvägagångssätt vid värderingar. Metod: För att uppnå syftet har vi använt oss av en abduktiv forskningsansats och tillämpat ett kvalitativt tillvägagångssätt. Empirin har samlats in genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer utförda med aktörer som besitter kunskap inom värdering. Slutsats: Våra intervjupersoner har haft skilda åsikter kring hur varumärkets värde ska och bör beräknas, med anledning till deras olika befattningar och kunskap inom området. Överlag har de med lokal förankring ett enklare synsätt än de som arbetar i större revisions- och konsultbolag. I praktiken tycks det dock till slut alltid handla om vad en köpare är villig att betala, eller hur man som värderare skjuter från höften. Det har dessutom visat sig att kunderna inte räknas som ett adderat värde på ett varumärke utan att de istället ska fungera som ett bevis på det värde som ett varumärke påstås besitta, något som det dock finns begränsad kunskap kring. / Background: In 2010, ISO 10668 was introduced as a new standard to increase the transparency and quality of brand valuation. Despite the standard, there is a huge divergence in the value of famous brands between different valuators which implicates that brand valuation still is a problematic area. A new feature that came along with the standard was the behavioral aspect which considers customers perceptions, knowledge and associations towards a brand. Although, the standard does not specify in what way valuators should consider this in a brand valuation process. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to analyze in what way customers are taken into account as a part of the valuation of a brand. Also it will describe the significance of brand valuation out of various actors’ positions and analyze possible differences and complications in their procedures. Method: To achieve the purpose of this thesis we have used an abductive research approach and applied a qualitative method. The empirical findings have been gathered through semi-structured interviews with five actors within the valuation industry. Conclusion: Our respondents has different opinions in how, and if, the value of a brand should be measured, mostly because of their different positions and knowledge. Overall, the local valuators have a simpler approach than those working in larger auditing and consulting companies. In practice, however, it seems to be a matter of what a buyer is willing to pay, or how the valuator shoots from the hip. It has also been shown that customers are not counted as an added value of a brand, instead their opinions work as a proof of a brands value, although it is something that there’s limited knowledge about.

This thesis aims to explore if and why there exists a price premium for environmentally certified office properties on the Swedish market. The purpose is to contribute with knowledge within the research field of certified properties and how they are valued by the market. In order to answer the research question, regressions of office transaction data have been performed, of which the main model examined whether environmentally certified office properties generate a price premium compared to non-certified properties. Two additional models were analysed, investigating if certain certifications affect the price premium more than others. The transaction data was provided by the real estate consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield. Furthermore, in contrast to previous research, a cost variable was included in each model. However, in order to capture the significance of the parameter, regressions excluding the cost variable were as well performed. The result of the analysis suggests that environmentally certified office properties are sold at a 14-26% higher price compared to equal properties which are not certified. In addition, certified properties with BREEAM and LEED appear to be sold at a 28-30% respectively 30-31% higher price than GreenBuilding certified properties. The cost variable did not seem to have any larger impact of the price. Most likely, a large part of the generated price premium is a result of aiming for branding benefits which are received by obtaining environmentally certified properties. / Målet med examensarbetet är att undersöka om och varför det existerar en prispremie för miljöcertifierade kontorsfastigheter som är lokaliserade på den svenska fastighetsmarknaden. Syftet är att bidra med kunskap inom forskningsområdet certifierade fastigheter och förstå hur de värderas av den svenska marknaden. För att kunna besvara forskningsfrågorna har regressionsanalyser genomförts för data innehållande transaktioner av kontorsfastigheter. Huvudmodellen har undersökt om miljöcertifierade fastigheter genererar en prispremie jämfört med icke-certifierade fastigheter. Utöver huvudmodellen har ytterligare två modeller analyserats som undersöker huruvida specifika certifieringar påverkar prispremien. Använd transaktionsdata har inhämtats från fastighetskonsultsföretaget Cushman & Wakefield. Jämfört med tidigare studier har en kostnadsparameter inkluderats i varje modell. För att kunna förstå variabelns signifikans och påverkan har även analyser som exkluderar parametern genomförts. Resultatet av regressionen antyder att miljöcertifierade kontorsfastigheter säljs till ett pris som är 14-26 % högre än jämförbara kontorsfastigheter utan certifiering. Vidare verkar BREEAM- och LEED-certifierade fastigheter säljas till 28-30 % respektive 30-31 % högre pris än GreenBuilding-fastigheter. Kostnadsparametern verkar ej ha en signifikant påverkan på prispremien. Med största sannolikhet utgör strävan efter brandingfördelar en stor del av prispremien vilka erhålls om fastighetsägaren innehar miljöcertifierade fastigheter.

以消費者為基礎的零售市場趨勢變化，重新定義了品牌對於消費者的意涵，使製造商品牌和零售商自有品牌權益的戰爭有了新的趨勢。新的零售概念開始萌芽後，零售商自有品牌逐漸成長，而通常付出代價的是製造商。 本研究試圖由消費者、製造商、與零售商三個不同構面，探討對於品牌權益的認知差異。以消費者為基礎的零售商自有品牌權益認知的問卷調查資料，也依據抽樣樣本的性別、年齡、月收入、教育程度與職業別進行分析，以期能檢視不同消費族群，對於零售商自有品牌主觀認知的差異不同。 研究發現，台灣的消費者對於零售商自有品牌的品牌識別比例高達97.87%；但是對於品牌意涵的回應比例卻低於25%。盡管高達83.45%的消費者認為零售商自有品牌，在未來的發展會有增加的趨勢；但對於高價零售商自有品牌的接受性還是較低。 性別對於零售商自有品牌的主觀認知影響不大。但是年齡差異的影響則明顯不同。雖然三十歲以上的消費者，主觀的認知到零售商自有品牌的產品創新，不過對照其他不同年齡組群，也只有年齡較長的消費者(四十一歲以上的族群)，基於對於製造商品牌心理的連結與行為的忠誠度，未來還是選擇不會購買更多的零售商自有品牌產品。顯然的，零售商自有品牌產品的品牌權益，對於四十一歲以上的理性族群消費者的吸引力仍舊不足；反倒是，商店本身的品牌權益，對於各年齡層的消費者購買行為，都具有正面的效果。 同樣的，消費者的教育程度與自有品牌創新的滿意度成反比。而不同於一般人主觀的認知，高收入的族群對自有品牌產品的滿意度，已經實質的高過其他中低收入族群。 對於零售商自有品牌的趨勢而言，個案中的零售便利商店，都認為自有品牌會是零售商未來的發展方向與趨勢。不過，零售便利商店對於自有品牌創新差異化模式，會因不同零售商而有很大的差異。7-ELEVEN的差異化，是在價值上的創新，價格因素還是主要考量；全家便利商店則認為產品的獨特與創新上的差異，會是吸引消費者購買的重要因素。因此，全家對於自有品牌的品牌權益與價格溢酬，自然會有比較樂觀的看法。而單就自有品牌商品營業額的成長幅度而言，7-ELEVEN和全家便利商店去年分別高達110%與130%。 食品製造商由於主觀認知上的落差，因而忽視來自零售商品牌的威脅所導致的危機。這種狀況或許可透過不同通路系統多樣性的代工模式，進而分散來自零售便利商的威脅與風險。品牌產品製造與自有品牌代工兼容並進的雙軌發展模式，會是製造商生存的策略之一。 零售通路的自有品牌產品，已經得到消費者主觀認知上的注意與肯定。聰明的消費行為，也讓消費者逐漸轉向價值創新的零售商自有品牌，而捨棄了製造商品牌產品。零售商自品牌產品，不再只是市場的低價替代性產品。創新價值的零售商自有品牌產品的品牌權益，賺取了原本屬於製造商品牌的價格溢酬。 低價不是便宜，而是刪除了不合理的價格溢酬。雖然價格是品牌發展的重點，可是價值更是關鍵。零售商自品牌產品『平價奢華』的價值創新，會是感動消費者的價值主張。 消費者已經清楚知覺到零售商自有品牌所提供的品牌價值；零售商也知道自己擁有的通路優勢與經濟的規模，並以產品價值創新與獨特的差異性，積極零售商自有品牌權益的革命。製造商必須注意消費者對於零售商自有品牌權益的認知、與正面自有品牌回應的趨勢，以及零售商的積極品牌打造的企圖心；清楚品牌競爭的事實，以維護製造商產品的品牌權益。 製造商品牌並沒有消失，只是品牌權益已不再是製造商所獨有。零售商自有品牌，會是製造商未來必須面對的最大挑戰。 / Recent change in the consumer-based retail market trend has redefined consumers’ perception of the meaning of brand. War over brand equity between the manufacturer and the retailer has evolved to another level. As retailers’ private brand (PB) takes on a new concept, it is taking a toll at the manufacturer’s expense. This research tries to identify the perception of private brand from three different perspectives: the manufacturer, the retailer, and the consumer. The consumer-based retailers’ PB equity survey data was analyzed for the difference in subjective perspective based on respondents’ gender, age, personal income, level of education, and occupation. The result shows that 97.87% of the respondents recognize the brand identity of retailers’ PB. However, only 25% of the respondents are aware of the brand meaning and actually purchase PB products on a regular basis. 83.45% of the respondents answered positively on the future development of PB, but the majority still can’t accept the notion that retail prices for PB are higher than the manufacturers’ brand (MB). Gender does not seem to be a factor in the consumer’s perception of PB. However, age does have a major influence on the acceptance of the PB for consumers. Although older respondents, 30-years old or older, recognize the competitiveness of PB products for their innovative capability, with the emotional connection and the brand loyalty toward MB, the group of 41-year-olds or older expressed reluctance to purchase more PB products in the future. Obviously brand equity of PB products has yet to develop brand relationship with older consumers to allure them into the shops. On the contrary, brand equity of the retailer shops itself does have a positive influence on the sales of PB products. Consumers’ educational level has a negative effect on the degree of satisfaction in PB product innovation. Furthermore, contrary to general perception, consumers with higher income level registered a higher preference for the PB product as well. Both of the two convenience stores (CVS) in this case study agree with the upward trend of the PB. In fact, in 2009, 7-ELEVEN and FamilyMart each grew an impressive 110% and 130% respectively in sales revenue of their PB products. However, both CVS have very different innovation models in strategic thinking and positioning their stores. 7-ELEVEN focuses more on value innovation and uses pricing as differentiation tactic in the market. On the other hand, FamilyMart puts product innovation and uniqueness as its priority to attract consumers. Manufacturers who choose to ignore the threat of PB may subject themselves to the high risk presented by the burgeoning of such products. One possible solution may be through OEM/ODM of PB for various retailers in order to diversify and minimize possible threats and risks. Production of manufacturers’ own brand and retailers’ private brand in a two-track manufacturing system may well be a strategic way to survive for manufacturers. Consumers are aware of and have recognized the existence of PB in retailer stores. The idea of smart shopping has its own right on the value innovation of PB for the consumer. PB no longer represents cheap products in the retail market. As PB positions itself with higher retail prices, it will possess the brand equity and earn the price premium at the toll of MB. Low pricing does not imply cheap quality but the elimination of excessively unreasonable price premium of a product. Pricing is important to brand development, but value should be the key in establishing the perception of brand quality. Affordable luxury is a value innovation of the PB that creates an irresistible value proposition to touch the heart of consumers. Consumers have clearly perceived the brand value of the PB. Retailers are also aware of the advantages they have with the channel, the scale and scope of economy; as a result, they are vigorously preparing for the battle to redefine the meaning of brand. It is time for manufacturers to change their mindset and face the inconvenient truth of the competition over brand equity. Manufacturers’ brand still has its own right, but the brand equity is no longer monopolized by them. Retailers’ PB has certainly become the strongest competition that manufacturers will need to confront now and in the near future.

有鑑於全球愈來愈重視企業營運對社區造成的社會、環境和經濟影響，企業的利害關係人除了重視企業的財務績效之外，也愈來愈關心企業是否有善盡其「社會公民」的責任與角色。企業責任報告之目的就是在傳統的財務報表之外，進一步揭露企業的營業活動對於社會及環境所造成的影響。為了使資本市場能更有效地運作，公司管理當局應該要揭露範圍更廣、透明度更高、並有助於投資決策的攸關性資訊，因此，發布社會責任報告的企業有日益增多的趨勢。本研究之目的即在探討三個與企業責任報告有關的議題：(1) 企業的公司治理結構之良窳與管理當局企業責任報告揭露決策的關係；(2) 企業揭露社會責任報告之決策是否會產生股價溢酬；(3)企業社會責任報告揭露決策對企業的事前權益資金成本的影響。在控制樣本的自我選擇偏誤之後，本研究的主要發現有二：第一、公司治理結構愈好的企業愈傾向於揭露企業責任報告，而且也愈可能以專節的形式在該報告中揭露公司治理資訊；第二、從有無揭露企業責任報告的角度來看，本研究發現有揭露的公司均有較高 (低) 的股價 (資金成本)。其次，從揭露的內容做進一步分析之後，本研究發現「環境績效」、「社會績效」與「公司治理」三大類內容的揭露決策均具有價格溢酬。至於「企業承諾」則對公司股價並無顯著影響。最後，企業責任報告揭露程度較高之企業會有較顯著的價格溢酬以及較低的資金成本。 / In light of the increasing emphasis on companies’ social, environmental and economic impacts on the communities, stakeholders are more concerned about whether firms appropriately assume their responsibility as a social citizen. To fulfill stakeholders’ demand of such non-financial information, many companies have recently begun to voluntarily issue the corporate responsibility reports (CRR) as a means to disclose their social, environmental and economic performance and their commitment to do business responsibly. This study intends to answer the following three key questions related to the CRR disclosure: (a) Will companies with stronger corporate governance be more willing to issue CRR? (b) Will the voluntary disclosure of CRR leads to stock price premium? (c) Will companies making voluntary disclosure of CRR have lower ex ante cost of capital? After controlling for the self-selection bias, the empirical results reveal several important findings. First, the stronger the companies’ coporate governance, the more likely the management will issue CRR. Particularly, these companies tend to disclose their comporate governance policy and procedures in a separate section in the CRR. Second, companies disclosing CRR experience significantly higher (lower) stock prices (cost of capital). A further examination shows that three out of four major components reported in the CRR (i.e., environmental performance, social performance, and corporate governance) give rise to significant price premium. The disclosure of business commitment, however, seems to bear little or no information content embedded in the stock price. Finally, companies disclosing more information in their CRR have higher price premium and lower cost of capital than those disclosing less information. The implications of these findings are discussed.