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The close relationship between sports and the natural environment has been endangered by climate crisis and global warming (Breitbarth et al., 2023; Cunningham et al., 2020; McCullough, 2023; Orr & Inoue, 2019). For this reason, the development of golf courses has been accused of serious impacts on environmental destruction which causes climate change, despite the popularity of golf (Fouillouze et al, 2023). Golf courses have become quite far from the green image. Hence, golf courses began to voluntarily obtain environmental certification (e.g., Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, GEO certified) to protect nature and keep ecosystems sustainable (Gomis et al., 2018; Lee et al., 2022; Minoli et al., 2015; Scott et al., 2018). However, the existing literature cannot determine whether the golf courses' environmental efforts play an important role in laying the groundwork for the development of relationships with customers, and even it is unclear whether they can benefit from the relationship marketing. Thus, the purpose of this study was to create and assess a holistic model that explains the formation of customers' brand advocacy on environmentally friendly golf courses. Building on various bodies of literature, such as green brand image, feelings of gratitude, relationship quality, and brand advocacy, proposed a theoretical model that explains the formation of customers' brand advocacy intentions. Empirical data were collected from 575 golfers who had visited environmentally friendly golf courses and analyzed using a structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that perceived brand image influences feelings of gratitude, which in turn positively influences brand advocacy intentions through relationship quality. The feelings of gratitude did not directly affect brand advocacy intentions, while they indirectly influenced brand advocacy intentions through the quality of relationships including trust and commitment. The findings of the study suggested that under the influence of green marketing, relationship quality plays a pivotal role in influencing brand advocacy intentions, providing a holistic model of relationship development. Therefore, sustainable branding is a relationship strategy that can inspire customers.

Despite considerable research that has focused on the attributes associated with evaluating and selecting advertising agencies, and an emerging body of literature emphasizing customer loyalty and retention, advertising agency-client investigations have often analysed these attributes in isolation. This created the need for models that represent the interrelated effects that engender retention and loyalty, especially for services, whereby evaluative as well as relational factors can influence buyer responses. Addressing this gap, this research developed and described the construct of buyer consideration sets to gain a better understanding of business relationships. This is with specific reference to advertising agency replacement considerations in the South African environment. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a more complete, integrated view of customer retention and its determinants. A heuristic model was developed with consideration of theories that originate from the transactional cost theory, social exchange theory and economic and relational contract theories. This model was empirically tested using a mixed method approach. Data obtained from 116 respondents were subjected to factor and correlation analysis to explore the dimensionality of the retention construct. An important contribution of this study is the use of multi-item scales to measure and test retention. This research supports that retention is multidimensional and highlights the limitations of research that measure single factors related to retention. What started as a complex set of relationships has been defensibly and systematically simplified into a parsimonious model. This model postulates that retention is the result of a good working relationship between an advertiser and agency; service satisfaction; respect and support; clear terms of engagement; and conflict resolution. This work also offers insight into the nuances of each of these antecedents and offer new reliable scales for measurement of the items. In management practice, this model will provide advertisers with insights with regards to procurement decisions and supplier management. It can also provide valuable insight to agencies with regard to customer retention management. Findings of this study may also be extended to other high value professional service industries. / Business Management and Entrepreneurship / D. Com. (Business Management)

In the light of the global competitive markets, firms are motivated to reduce costs and increase benefits derived from collaboration. As a result of this, customers reduce the number of suppliers and rather focus on establishing strategic relationships with fewer suppliers. Relationship marketing, which results in relationship value, is a fairly new concept which originated during the 1980s; as various academic authors have noted, this subject has not yet been fully explored. Value is a subjective concept, conceptualised as a trade-off between benefits and sacrifices, and can be multifaceted. Perceptions regarding value are relative to the competition. This research determined which relationship value constructs can be classified as antecedents and which of those are mediators within the South African automotive supply chain and if relationship value can lead towards retention. This research further determined what Tier 1 suppliers value most from their Tier 2 suppliers. This is important as it is crucial to retain business for Tier 2 suppliers who are usually of South African descent. The primary objective of the research was achieved, that is, to “develop a relationship value model for the South African automotive B2B supply chain”. The secondary objectives were also achieved, namely:  Objective 1: Determine RVM (relationship value model) constructs in the relationship between Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.  Objective 2: Determine how trust and commitment relate to relationship value iii  Objective 3: Determine the antecedents for the perception of relationship value by Tier 1 suppliers.  Objective 4: Determine the relationship between relationship value and business retention. From this study, it is self evident that relationship quality is perceived as being more significant than the actual product in the South African automotive supply chain since it demands a high regard for quality in general. Added to this, Tier 2 suppliers should take cognisance of trust as being of utmost importance to establish relationship value, which in return results in business retention. With the introduction of sufficient relationship value strategies, Tier 2 suppliers should be enabled to mitigate competition based on pricing. Also, with added relationship value, Tier 2 suppliers could establish themselves in a desirable position in order to retain, and even expand, business prospects in the future. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for PhD: Management Sciences, Department of Marketing and Retail, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / In South Africa, non-profit organisations were seen as vocal and active players in the struggle against apartheid. During the country’s transition period, non-profit organisations played a central role in mitigating the effects of apartheid’s unequal development and in mobilising opposition to the apartheid state. With the focus moving towards service delivery, non-profit organisations have continued to play a major role in filling gaps and advocating on behalf of those living in poverty. Non-profit organisations do not operate to advance their own interests, instead, they use society’s resources and goodwill to meet society’s needs. In the poor economic environment, stakeholders are unfortunately looking to cut back and save resources. It therefore becomes more critical for non-profit organisations to adopt relevant strategies to reach more stakeholders and to keep them involved and motivated. One such strategy that can be adopted is marketing, in particular relationship marketing. This study therefore sets out to investigate the role of relationship marketing within non-profit organisations in KwaZulu-Natal. A thorough overview of the literature was undertaken, mainly to investigate the nature of the non-profit sector in general as well as in South Africa, its marketing and the impact of relationship marketing. A mixed methodology was employed for this study. A census study using questionnaires was used to collect quantitative data whilst qualitative data was collected using a face-to-face, semi-structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that funding has become the main constraint faced by the non-profit sector. Many non-profit organisations have employed marketing tactics to assist them in promotion and fundraising. Relationship marketing was identified as a concept which can assist the non-profit organisations in building and maintaining relationships with their stakeholders. Respondents further positioned communication as the central point for relationship building. The results of the data analysis led to the creation of a framework which outlines the role of relationship marketing at non-profit organisations. This study has clearly indicated that relationship marketing forms a powerful strategy that non-profit organisations should apply to manage long-term relationships with their key stakeholders. / D

Relationship marketing is a marketing theory that has gathered much focus in the marketing research area lately. The core idea of relationship marketing is to retain the existing customers of a company by establishing long-time relationships with them. The theory of brand equity is a well-known theory on brand development that deals with issues such as customer’s perceptions and the brand meaning. The main purpose of this thesis is to gain deeper understanding of what kind of role the front-line employees in terms of part-time marketers, have on the enhancing of Liseberg´s brand equity. Liseberg holds a special position for the citizens of Gothenburg, and as the biggest amusement park in the Nordic are with 3.1 million visitors in 2014, we argue that theories like relationship marketing and brand equity could be of importance for Liseberg to maintain their position in the minds of their customers. We have also been able to identify a research gap. We discovered that research about the role of part-time marketers in relation to brand equity is relatively scarce. Even more specifically, we have not been able to find studies regarding the role of part-time marketers in the enhancing of the brand equity of an amusement park. We have conducted a qualitative study in order to accomplish the purpose of our thesis. In our study, we conducted nine semi-structured interviews with managers, front-line employees and customers of Liseberg. The interviews helped us gain a deeper understanding on how the role of the front-line employees as part-time marketers was perceived both internally and externally in Liseberg. Data from different customer reports were also provided to us from Liseberg. From our qualitative studies as well as from the data provided by Liseberg, we can conclude that the role of the part-time marketers was perceived differently from the customer’s point of view, compared to what managers and front-line employees thought. Nevertheless according to our findings, we can conclude that part-time marketers have a very important role in the enhancing of Liseberg´s brand equity. Finally we have also made practical recommendations for the management of Liseberg regarding on how to work with the part-time marketer’s concept in mind to improve Liseberg´s brand equity.

Despite considerable research that has focused on the attributes associated with evaluating and selecting advertising agencies, and an emerging body of literature emphasizing customer loyalty and retention, advertising agency-client investigations have often analysed these attributes in isolation. This created the need for models that represent the interrelated effects that engender retention and loyalty, especially for services, whereby evaluative as well as relational factors can influence buyer responses. Addressing this gap, this research developed and described the construct of buyer consideration sets to gain a better understanding of business relationships. This is with specific reference to advertising agency replacement considerations in the South African environment. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a more complete, integrated view of customer retention and its determinants. A heuristic model was developed with consideration of theories that originate from the transactional cost theory, social exchange theory and economic and relational contract theories. This model was empirically tested using a mixed method approach. Data obtained from 116 respondents were subjected to factor and correlation analysis to explore the dimensionality of the retention construct. An important contribution of this study is the use of multi-item scales to measure and test retention. This research supports that retention is multidimensional and highlights the limitations of research that measure single factors related to retention. What started as a complex set of relationships has been defensibly and systematically simplified into a parsimonious model. This model postulates that retention is the result of a good working relationship between an advertiser and agency; service satisfaction; respect and support; clear terms of engagement; and conflict resolution. This work also offers insight into the nuances of each of these antecedents and offer new reliable scales for measurement of the items. In management practice, this model will provide advertisers with insights with regards to procurement decisions and supplier management. It can also provide valuable insight to agencies with regard to customer retention management. Findings of this study may also be extended to other high value professional service industries. / Business Management and Entrepreneurship / D. Com. (Business Management)

In the light of the global competitive markets, firms are motivated to reduce costs and increase benefits derived from collaboration. As a result of this, customers reduce the number of suppliers and rather focus on establishing strategic relationships with fewer suppliers. Relationship marketing, which results in relationship value, is a fairly new concept which originated during the 1980s; as various academic authors have noted, this subject has not yet been fully explored. Value is a subjective concept, conceptualised as a trade-off between benefits and sacrifices, and can be multifaceted. Perceptions regarding value are relative to the competition. This research determined which relationship value constructs can be classified as antecedents and which of those are mediators within the South African automotive supply chain and if relationship value can lead towards retention. This research further determined what Tier 1 suppliers value most from their Tier 2 suppliers. This is important as it is crucial to retain business for Tier 2 suppliers who are usually of South African descent. The primary objective of the research was achieved, that is, to “develop a relationship value model for the South African automotive B2B supply chain”. The secondary objectives were also achieved, namely:  Objective 1: Determine RVM (relationship value model) constructs in the relationship between Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.  Objective 2: Determine how trust and commitment relate to relationship value iii  Objective 3: Determine the antecedents for the perception of relationship value by Tier 1 suppliers.  Objective 4: Determine the relationship between relationship value and business retention. From this study, it is self evident that relationship quality is perceived as being more significant than the actual product in the South African automotive supply chain since it demands a high regard for quality in general. Added to this, Tier 2 suppliers should take cognisance of trust as being of utmost importance to establish relationship value, which in return results in business retention. With the introduction of sufficient relationship value strategies, Tier 2 suppliers should be enabled to mitigate competition based on pricing. Also, with added relationship value, Tier 2 suppliers could establish themselves in a desirable position in order to retain, and even expand, business prospects in the future. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Master of Science / Department of Communications and Agricultural Education / Lauri M. Baker / Garden centers are facing increasing market pressure from big-box retail stores that offer similar products at more competitive prices but lack a quality produce and exceptional service. In order to differentiate themselves from big-box stores, garden centers must build relationships with their customers which can increase marketing reach. Marketing ability and reach is limiting the expansion of Kansas garden centers which spend the majority of their advertising dollars on traditional media. However, social media can be an effective method for not only understanding consumers but also developing profitable relationships with customers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders of metro and non-metro garden centers as they use new media to market their business. Findings indicate garden center stakeholders prefer to use traditional media channels to market to their customers, lack a clear strategy and objectives related to new-media marketing, and are not effectively implementing relationship marketing principles.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology: Public Relations Management, Department of Public Relations, Durban University of Technology. Durban. South Africa, 2015. / The alumni form the largest stakeholder group of any higher education institution (HEI). Representatives from this constituency occupy seats on t he Council (the highest governing body of a higher education institution). Institutions, worldwide, look to their alumni, as a source of funds, to provide expert advice and general support. Therefore, higher education institutions and alumni have to share a mutually beneficial and ongoing relationship. This relationship is maintained through constant and regular communication. Loyal alumni are a mainstay of financial support for many universities. It is important, though, that universities, not only focus on gifts but rather on a br oad and deep engagement with alumni. Alumni relations with their colleges and universities seek to generate interest that eventually translates into financial contributions and volunteer service, which means giving back to their alma mater. To achieve this goal, communication is extremely important. Alumni respond to a call for assistance from their alma mater for many reasons. Some of the reasons include having had good experiences during their undergraduate years as well as their academic qualifications holding them in good stead in the work place. The value that universities place on t heir alumni cannot be underestimated. Many hold influential positions and can assist in contributing to the financial coffers of the university as well as sharing their expertise.