The purpose of this study was to determine whether the themes and values represented in lyrics of progressive country music are significantly different from those of traditional country music. Content analytical techniques were used to determine, first, themes and, second, attitudes reflected in those themes in each type of song. The chi square test of independence was u-ilized, and a difference significant to the .05 level was found between themes and attitudes of lyrics in the two song types.

Studien syftar till att undersöka hur modeföretags val av produktionsland påverkar svenska konsumenternas köpintention. Resultatet ska kunna användas som ett motiv av företag inom modesektorn i deras beslut om produktionsland. Problemdiskussion: En ökad efterfrågan på närproducerade produkter hos konsumenter tvingar företagen att hitta nya produktionspartners i nya länder. Närliggande produktion sägs öka tillverkningskostnaderna vilket gör att företagen på ett nyskapande sätt behöver skapa mervärde till sina produkter. Tidigare studier visar på att det finns en korrelation mellan produktionsland och köpintention. Ett område som saknas inom forskningen är hur svenska konsumenter påverkas av val av produktionsland. Därav ämnar studien till att undersöka om sambandet mellan köpintention och country equity vilket kan förklaras som country awareness, country loyalty, country image och perceived value. Metod: Studien är baserad på en kvantitativ metod med en enkätundersökning som empirisk undersökningsmodell. Enkäten delades på sociala medier och i studien deltog 82 personer. Undersökningen är baserad på en kombination av ett bekvämlighetsurval och självurval. Resultat: Resultatet indikerar på att tillverkningslandet har en betydande påverkan på köpintentionen hos svenska konsumenter när de köper modeprodukter. Studien visar på att hög kunskap om, positiv inställning eller förtroende till ett land ökar köpintentionen. På samma sätt minskar avsikten till att genomföra ett köp när kunskapen är låg, inställningen negativ och förtroendet är lågt. Däremot bekräftar respondenterna att produktionslandet endast till viss del är viktigt för dem. Det innebär att effekten av produktionsland är som högst mellan substitut. Implikationer: Studien kan användas av företag inom modebranschen för att vara till hjälp i dess beslut om produktionsland. Resultatet visar på att köpintentionen hos svenska konsumenter varierar beroende på produktionsområde och kan därav användas som ett motiv för ökad lönsamhet. / The aim of this study is to investigate how fashion companies' choice of country of production affects Swedish consumers’ purchase intention. The result can be used as a motive for companies in their decision of production country. Problem statement: An increasing demand for locally produced products forces companies to find new production partners in new countries. As local production is more expensive, companies need to find new ways that can add value to their sales. Previous research shows a correlation between purchase intention and production country. A missing area within the research field is how Swedish consumers are affected by the choice of production country. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relation between purchase intention and country equity, which can be divided into country awareness, country loyalty, country image and perceived value. Methodology: The study is based upon a quantitative method and has a survey as its empirical research model. The survey was shared on social media which contributed to a response rate of 82 people. The research is based on a mix of convenience selection and self-selection. Results: The result indicates that the country-of-production has a significant impact on consumers' purchase intention. The research proves that greater knowledge of, positive attitude towards and trust for a country will increase the purchase intention. Equally will the purchase intention decrease as a consequence to poor country-knowledge, negative attitude and low trust. Thus, the research also proves that consumers have a limited care for country-of-production. Thereby will the effect of it be higher between substitutes. Implications: The study can be used by companies within the fashion industry and be useful in their decision of production country. The result proves that the purchase intention varies depending on production area and can therefore be used as a motive for increased profitability.

This study discusses the evolution of the English country-house poem from its inception by Ben Jonson in "To Penshurst" to the present. It shows that in addition to stylistic and thematic borrowings primarily from Horace and Martial, traditional English values associated with the great hall and comitatus ideal helped define features of the English country-house poem, to which Jonson added the metonymical use of architecture. In the Jonsonian country-house poem, the country estate, exemplified by Penshurst, is a microcosm of the ideal English social organization characterized by interdependence, simplicity, service, hospitality, and balance between the active and contemplative life. Those poems which depart from the Jonsonian ideal are characterized by disequilibrium between the active and contemplative life, resulting in the predominance of artifice, subordination of nature, and isolation of art from the community, as exemplified by Thomas Carew's "To Saxham" and Richard Lovelace's "Amyntor's Grove." Architectural features of the English country house are examined to explain the absence of the Jonsonian country-house poem in the eighteenth century. The building tradition praised by Jonson gradually gave way to aesthetic considerations fostered by the professional architect and Palladian architecture, architectural patronage by the middle class, and change in identity of the country house as center of an interdependent community. The country-house poem was revived by W. B. Yeats in his poems in praise of Coole Park. In them Yeats reaffirms Jonsonian values. In contrast to the poems of Yeats, the country-house poems of Sacheverell Sitwell and John Hollander convey a sense of irretrievable loss of the Jonsonian ideal and isolation of the poet. Changing social patterns, ethical values, and aesthetics threaten the survival of the country-house poem, although the ideal continues to reflect a basic longing of humanity for a pastoral retreat where life is simple and innocent.

Em um comércio internacional globalizado, tecnológico, dinâmico e competitivo, o conceito de marca passou a ser aplicado aos países, surgindo o termo marca-país. As nações passaram a ser vistas e a agir como marcas, a fim de adquirir vantagem competitiva e se desenvolver em grande escala. Uma marca-país deve ser forte e agregar valor aos seus consumidores estimulando e atraindo turistas, moradores, investidores e compradores ao país para ser bem sucedida nesse cenário. Para isso, é necessário um processo de nation branding (gestão de marca-país) bem estruturado. Mais ainda, uma marca-país deve ser capaz de provocar reações e intenções comportamentais nos consumidores internacionais, as denominadas conações em relação a um país e que abrangem o vínculo com tal país, a vontade de viajar, investir, fazer negócios, trabalhar e adquirir produtos e serviços provenientes dele. Deste modo, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a existência da relação entre o valor da marca-país do Brasil e as conações em relação a este país. O Brasil é um país emergente, cujo potencial da marca-país é grande, mas pouco estudado. O estudo foi iniciado por uma revisão de literatura sobre imagem de país e efeito país de origem, conações em relação a um país, marca-país e valor de marca-país. Em seguida, a partir de dados primários coletados por meio de um levantamento com 202 consumidores estrangeiros- mais especificamente com estudantes de universidades internacionais vinculados à Universidade de São Paulo (USP) por programas de intercâmbio, foi realizado um estudo quantitativo e descritivo. Este utilizou a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais, que permite verificar a relação de dependência entre a conação do Brasil e o valor de sua marca. Verificou-se por meio dessa análise que o valor de marca-país do Brasil é um construto muldimensional, formado por três dimensões: qualidade percebida, imagem macro técnica e lealdade, que se inter-relacionam de maneira positiva, bem como se agrupam para formar o construto de valor de marca-país do Brasil. Finalmente, averiguou-se que o valor de marca-país do Brasil influencia positivamente as conações em relação ao país, em termos de investimentos, negócios e trabalho. Esses resultados fornecem informações valiosas que podem colaborar com o governo para desenvolvimento estratégico de ações para a melhora e o crescimento da marca e da imagem dos países (principalmente do Brasil), pois é possível notar que investir em marca-país e na sua gestão traz retornos para o país. Por exemplo, os governos podem ajustar os programas de marketing voltados aos consumidores internacionais e à venda de produtos no exterior; modificar as campanhas de divulgação de marcas brasileiras internacionalmente e oferecer subsídios e facilidades para investimentos e negócios com o Brasil. Além disso, a pesquisa proporcionou reflexões teóricas para pesquisas na área de imagem de país e valor de marca-país. / In a globalized, technological, dynamic, and competitive international trade, the brand concept is now applied to countries, making arise the term country brand. The nations are now seen and act as brands, in order to gain competitive advantage and develop in large scale.A country brand should be strong and add value to their consumers stimulating and attracting tourists, residents, investors and buyers to the country to be successful in this scenario. For this, a well-structured process of nation branding is needed. Moreover, one country brand must be able to provoke reactions and behavioral intentions in international consumers, which are called country specific conations, and it comprises ties with the country, the desire to travel, to invest, to do business with, to work and to purchase goods and services from a country. Thus, this study aimed to verify the existence of the relationship between the country brand equity of Brazil and the country specific conations regarding this country. Brazil is an emerging country whose potential of the country branding is great, but little studied.The study was initiated by a literature review on country image and country of origin effect, country specific conations, country brand and country brand equity. Then, based on primary data collected through a survey of 202 foreign consumers - more specifically with students from foreign universities accredited with the University of São Paulo (USP) in exchange programs, it was conducted a quantitative and descriptive study. This was used the technique of structural equation modeling, which allows to check the dependency relationship between country specific conations of Brazil and its country brand equity. This analysis showed that the country brand equity of Brazil is a muldimensional construct made of three dimensions: perceived quality, macro technique image and loyalty, which are interrelate in a positive way and relate to form the construct of Brazil country brand equity. Finally, it was found that the country equity of Brazil has a positive influence over the country specific conations, in terms of investment, business and labor. These results provide valuable information that can collaborate with the government to develop strategic actions for the improvement and growth of the brand and image of countries (mainly Brazil), because it is possible to note that invest in country brand and its management brings returns to the country. For example, governments can adjust the marketing programs geared to international consumers and the sale of products abroad; modify the publicity campaigns of Brazilian brands internationally and offer subsidies and facilities for investment and business with Brazil. In addition, the research provided theoretical reflections for research in the country image area and country brand equity.

No description available.

Em um comércio internacional globalizado, tecnológico, dinâmico e competitivo, o conceito de marca passou a ser aplicado aos países, surgindo o termo marca-país. As nações passaram a ser vistas e a agir como marcas, a fim de adquirir vantagem competitiva e se desenvolver em grande escala. Uma marca-país deve ser forte e agregar valor aos seus consumidores estimulando e atraindo turistas, moradores, investidores e compradores ao país para ser bem sucedida nesse cenário. Para isso, é necessário um processo de nation branding (gestão de marca-país) bem estruturado. Mais ainda, uma marca-país deve ser capaz de provocar reações e intenções comportamentais nos consumidores internacionais, as denominadas conações em relação a um país e que abrangem o vínculo com tal país, a vontade de viajar, investir, fazer negócios, trabalhar e adquirir produtos e serviços provenientes dele. Deste modo, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a existência da relação entre o valor da marca-país do Brasil e as conações em relação a este país. O Brasil é um país emergente, cujo potencial da marca-país é grande, mas pouco estudado. O estudo foi iniciado por uma revisão de literatura sobre imagem de país e efeito país de origem, conações em relação a um país, marca-país e valor de marca-país. Em seguida, a partir de dados primários coletados por meio de um levantamento com 202 consumidores estrangeiros- mais especificamente com estudantes de universidades internacionais vinculados à Universidade de São Paulo (USP) por programas de intercâmbio, foi realizado um estudo quantitativo e descritivo. Este utilizou a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais, que permite verificar a relação de dependência entre a conação do Brasil e o valor de sua marca. Verificou-se por meio dessa análise que o valor de marca-país do Brasil é um construto muldimensional, formado por três dimensões: qualidade percebida, imagem macro técnica e lealdade, que se inter-relacionam de maneira positiva, bem como se agrupam para formar o construto de valor de marca-país do Brasil. Finalmente, averiguou-se que o valor de marca-país do Brasil influencia positivamente as conações em relação ao país, em termos de investimentos, negócios e trabalho. Esses resultados fornecem informações valiosas que podem colaborar com o governo para desenvolvimento estratégico de ações para a melhora e o crescimento da marca e da imagem dos países (principalmente do Brasil), pois é possível notar que investir em marca-país e na sua gestão traz retornos para o país. Por exemplo, os governos podem ajustar os programas de marketing voltados aos consumidores internacionais e à venda de produtos no exterior; modificar as campanhas de divulgação de marcas brasileiras internacionalmente e oferecer subsídios e facilidades para investimentos e negócios com o Brasil. Além disso, a pesquisa proporcionou reflexões teóricas para pesquisas na área de imagem de país e valor de marca-país. / In a globalized, technological, dynamic, and competitive international trade, the brand concept is now applied to countries, making arise the term country brand. The nations are now seen and act as brands, in order to gain competitive advantage and develop in large scale.A country brand should be strong and add value to their consumers stimulating and attracting tourists, residents, investors and buyers to the country to be successful in this scenario. For this, a well-structured process of nation branding is needed. Moreover, one country brand must be able to provoke reactions and behavioral intentions in international consumers, which are called country specific conations, and it comprises ties with the country, the desire to travel, to invest, to do business with, to work and to purchase goods and services from a country. Thus, this study aimed to verify the existence of the relationship between the country brand equity of Brazil and the country specific conations regarding this country. Brazil is an emerging country whose potential of the country branding is great, but little studied.The study was initiated by a literature review on country image and country of origin effect, country specific conations, country brand and country brand equity. Then, based on primary data collected through a survey of 202 foreign consumers - more specifically with students from foreign universities accredited with the University of São Paulo (USP) in exchange programs, it was conducted a quantitative and descriptive study. This was used the technique of structural equation modeling, which allows to check the dependency relationship between country specific conations of Brazil and its country brand equity. This analysis showed that the country brand equity of Brazil is a muldimensional construct made of three dimensions: perceived quality, macro technique image and loyalty, which are interrelate in a positive way and relate to form the construct of Brazil country brand equity. Finally, it was found that the country equity of Brazil has a positive influence over the country specific conations, in terms of investment, business and labor. These results provide valuable information that can collaborate with the government to develop strategic actions for the improvement and growth of the brand and image of countries (mainly Brazil), because it is possible to note that invest in country brand and its management brings returns to the country. For example, governments can adjust the marketing programs geared to international consumers and the sale of products abroad; modify the publicity campaigns of Brazilian brands internationally and offer subsidies and facilities for investment and business with Brazil. In addition, the research provided theoretical reflections for research in the country image area and country brand equity.

Background: The emergence of global markets has created new hurdles for managers of international companies, yet provided with opportunities to take advantage of country of origin and transmit product information via “Made in” label. For many years China has been perceived negatively for a number of reason, though Chinese cosmetics is a new venture for the emerging economy.  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to widen the current knowledge of country of origin in the cosmetics industry. The aim was to explore the underlying reasons in the attitude formation of female European millennials towards country of origin of China with regard to cosmetics industry.  Method: Focus group discussions have been chosen as the most appropriate research method to fulfil the purpose of the study. Three focus groups consisted of female European millennials were conducted during which the visual aids were shown in order to contribute to answering research questions. A deductive content analysis was used to analyse the data obtained.  Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the attitudes held by female European millennials towards cosmetics made in China are more negatively due to a weak product-countryimage,withsomeexceptions. Thisisconsistentwithprevious studies that China’s country of origin is still perceived as unfavourable. However, new insights have been discovered that respondents do not perceive any country as having a superior expertise in cosmetics, except of France.

The Korean Wave has taken the world by storm and Korean beauty (K-beauty) has in extension to this become a global phenomena. K-beauty has reached this popularity with the help of authentic and natural ingredients and a combination between tradition and modernity creating a competitive advantage on the market. Despite this popularity a lack of research has been identified on how the “​Made in Korea”​ label affects consumer’s perception of Korean products and in specific K-beauty products. The current study addressed this opportunity in examining how consumers perceive K-beauty products in addition to country-of-origin affects their purchase intention. To examine this a qualitative approach was taken consisting of 11 email interviews with millennial women residing in Sweden. The empirical data derived from the interviews was divided into four themes (1) Made in Korea, (2) Image, (3) Quality and (4) Effect. The findings were then analyzed in regards to the country-of-origin effect (COE) and previous research on the topic. The results identify two main attributes as driving factors in consumer perception of K-beauty products on the Swedish market. These two attributes are image and quality. Korea was in this study found to carry a strong cognitive country image (CCI) and is as a result perceived to be on the forefront of the beauty industry creating an attraction towards Korean products. Although K-beauty is found to be driven by the CCI a connection to the Korean Wave and an affective country image (ACI) is found creating a separation in the country image. This was further found to suggest that the Korean Wave facilitates the spread of Korean culture through all Korean products. Future research directions are additionally discussed.

Objective: To conduct a secondary analysis of dietary variety consumed by individuals of African-origin in two countries with differing stages of economic development. Our overall aim is to determine the relationships of two different dietary variety scores developed previously in our laboratory with reported energy intake (rEI), ER (which will be a more accurate reflection of true EI) and BMI in the total sample and the plausibly reporting subsample. Methods: Data for this analysis were collected as part of METS between January 2010 to September 2011, whose purpose was to elucidate the associations of physical activity and diet with body weight, diabetes, and risk of cardiovascular disease. Five communities of African-origin and in different countries were selected based on their different levels of economic development, as measured using the UN Human Development Index. A subsample of 141 (Ghana, n=70 and U.S., n=71) men and women with an average age of 35.1±0.5 years and an average BMI of 27.5±0.6 kg/m2 were randomly selected to have their total energy expenditure (TEE) measured by the doubly labeled water (DLW) method. Participants were interviewed using the multiple-pass method designed by the Medical Research Council of South Africa to estimate their dietary intake the day after consumption. Data was transferred to Nutrient Data System for Research (NDSR) ver. 2011 and dietary variety scores (DVS) were calculated for combination and ingredient varieties. Combination variety was defined as the total number of unique foods and beverages consumed in a day. Ingredient variety was the total number of unique ingredients consumed in a day. Implausibility of rEI was controlled for by calculating rEI as a percentage of TEE. Associations of dietary variety scores with total energy intake and BMI were assessed for both the total sample and plausible subsample using SPSS version 22 through univariate analyses of variance and correlations. Results: Both combination and ingredient variety were positively associated with rEI in both countries when implausible reporting was not controlled, but no significant association was observed in both countries when implausible reporting was controlled. Ingredient variety was negatively associated with TEE when implausible reporting was both controlled and uncontrolled in the U.S. (p= 0.029), but no association was observed in Ghana. Ingredient and combination variety were also negatively associated with log BMI, percent body fat, and weight in U.S. when implausible reporting was not controlled but not in Ghana’s. However, in Ghana, combination variety was positively associated with percent body fat (p=0.041) and log BMI (p= 0.027) when plausible reporting was controlled but was not significant when implausible reporting was uncontrolled. Conclusion: Dietary variety was positively associated with rEI in both countries when implausible reporting was not controlled and with obesity markers in Ghana when plausible reporting was controlled.

Does the choice of exchange-rate regime effect the economic growth performance of a country? And does the significance of such a relationship vary across different levels of development? Few questions in international economics, whether it be in academic or policy circles, have inspired as much debate yielding as little consensus. Although both economic growth theory and empirical literatures suggests the existence of direct and indirect channels, through which the choice of regime may indeed impinge the growth rate, neither has managed to provide an unambiguous answer. The aim of this paper is to analyze the theoretical arguments as to the relationship between the choice of exchange-rate regime and economic growth and to empirically investigate if there is an optimal regime, in terms of growth, and if the significance of this impact differs across various levels of country development. Applying a cross-sectional regression estimation of 60 countries over the period 2000-2010, this paper finds that the choice of exchange-rate regime holds no significant explanatory power over economic growth. These findings were robust to dividing the sample based on the level of country development. Although no direct relationship was found, these findings supports the argument that the choice of regime may indeed effect growth indirectly, through its impact on other deterministic growth factors, such as trade, investment and productivity. The findings of this paper are both in accord and discord with previous results and underlines how divergent the empirical research is on this continuously debated issue.