Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 112-115)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1965. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [186]-189).

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Also available in print.

The shopping centre has evolved into an integral part of modern day society. New generations especially are unable to imagine a world without shopping centres. In 2008 a world wide economic down turn emphasized the competition to attract a buying market to shopping centres, some centres thrived and some centres struggled. The need to understand what creates these different responses to highly competitive scenarios is discussed in this study, with particular attention given to the tenant mix that exists in different shopping centres. Criteria that determine an optimum tenant mix are examined and the constraining factors are discussed. A literature review of shopping centres is discussed and the evolution of the shopping centre to our current day understanding of the term shopping centre is examined. Accepted definitions and categorisations of shopping centres along with a brief history of the shopping centre, as revealed by the literature, is presented. To create a tenant mix the body of tenants needs to be divided into sub- categories and various ways to achieve this are examined. The objectives of this study are to determine what strategic approaches to managing the tenant mix exists in the literature and what factors determine the formulation of this mix. Furthermore the study examines to what extent these or other strategic approaches are used in practice and finally makes recommendations to promote the optimum tenant mix in shopping centres. A literature review was conducted to determine what the theory reveals about the shopping centre industry. This was followed by an empirical survey conducted in the Port Elizabeth area of the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Finally the findings and theory were compared to make conclusions and suggest recommendation to achieve synergy in shopping centres through a optimum tenant mix.

Prof. F. J. Herbst

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1984 F79 / Master of Arts / Geography

This study generated a substantive theory of retail mall brand image construction on the part of consumers for a retail mall in Hong Kong. The primary source of data was generated from face-to-face interviews, and analysed using a grounded theory methodology. From this analysis key categories emerged which provided the foundation for the substantive theory. The theory of retail mall brand image construction proposes that consumers associate the retail mall with a particular stratum of society, through a series of interpretive processes that attach personal and social meaning to the mall. The resultant ‘brand image’ conceptualizes the mall as an integral and representative part of that social stratum and, in consequence, there is an associated series of consumer actions, behaviours, and appearances deemed to be expected and appropriate for that mall. Based on this conceptualization there is a resultant ‘character frame’ - a set of socially acceptable parameters governing action, appearance and behaviour – from which a variety of identities can be adopted or assumed that are considered appropriate to the brand image. Consumers can then determine whether these available identities resonate with their own personal values – either through simple compatibility or through more aspirational desires - and thus their response to these identities ii determines whether they accept or reject the positioning of the mall as ‘suitable’ or desirable to themselves. On a theoretical level this study articulates the link between brand image, social position, and consumer culture, and can be seen to contribute to two of the four areas of theoretical interest to consumer culture theorists, namely the area of mass-mediated marketplace ideologies and consumers' interpretive strategies and, secondly, the field of consumer identity projects. In addition the study addresses the gap in branding literature relating to consumer processes for developing (retail mall) brand images. The implications of this study for professional practice are two-fold. Firstly, they can be seen to benefit the marketing of places and place-related products by providing additional knowledge regarding the consumer brand image construction. Secondly, they have the capability to inform and thus improve the design quality of the built environment.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management