Yes / Building on the linguistic landscape theory and literature on customers’ experience with restaurants’ authenticity and status, this study investigates whether restaurants’ outdoor signs influence customers’ perceptions and behavioral intentions. Using an experimental design comprising two studies, supported by data collected from Chinese consumers, we test how display characters and text flow may jointly impact on customers’ perceptions of the status and authenticity of ethnic (Japanese and Taiwanese) restaurants, thus influencing their visiting intentions and willingness to pay. We find that display characters influence Chinese customers’ perceptions of authenticity and status in both Japanese and Taiwanese restaurants in Mainland China. There is an interaction effect between display characters and text flow on customers’ perception of authenticity and status in Japanese restaurants in Mainland China. This study applies the linguistic landscape theory to a restaurant context and examines how such features may influence customers’ perceptions and decisions. The findings have important practical implications on managing customer experiences and perceptions via effective restaurant sign designs.

Yes / Cost-saving and sanitation considerations and the challenge of labor shortages have catalyzed the application of service robots in restaurants. Although service robots can perform multiple roles and functions, more research attention is needed in hospitality contexts on how different combinations of using robots and humans at different product/service layers may influence customers’ experiences and behavioral intentions. Building on the literature of product level theory and authenticity, this study empirically investigated this issue with data collected from 364 customers in China. The results show that the use of robots in core and facilitating product levels is less effective in improving consumers’ perceived service and brand authenticity. Consumers’ perceived service authenticity positively influences their brand authenticity and repurchase intention. Consumers’ perceived brand authenticity only positively affects their repurchase intention. Both theoretical and managerial implications are discussed in this paper. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, July 2022

Yes / This study addresses a lack of research on the effects of consumer brand authenticity, brand image, and age, on brand loyalty in time-honored restaurants. Time-honored restaurants are long-established and well-recognized traditional restaurants that offer local or national foods and culinary culture. Empirical data were collected from 437 respondents in Beijing, China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to ascertain relationships between variables, and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) validated the SEM results. The three brand authenticity dimensions were found to have differing effects on brand image and loyalty. True-to-fact authenticity had a significant effect on true-to-self authenticity, while true-to-ideal authenticity had a significant effect on brand image. True-to-self authenticity affects brand loyalty directly and indirectly through brand image. Some of the relationships were also moderated by consumer age. The results uncover the complexity inherent to consumer brand authenticity evaluations. They have implications for time-honored restaurants’ marketing and brand positioning strategies.

Abstract: This thesis has looked at urban renewal initiatives and what potential consequences these could have on the way an area is experienced and the way people are connected to the area. To accomplish this the concept of authenticity has been used, combined with the concept of place attachment, to create a framework that would allow for a discussion concerning the impact of urban renewal initiatives on a renewed area. The areas of Gottsunda in Uppsala and Sofielund in Malmö were chosen as the focus of the study as they both are experiencing urban renewal initiatives currently and will be in the future as well. To analyze the areas the methods chosen were document analysis of documents relating to each area in combination with interviews with actors working with the initiatives in each area. Using the methods the results showed how Uppsala municipality in Gottsunda broadly favored different physical interventions meant to improve the area whilst in Sofielund the opposite was the case as social interventions were favored by BID Sofielund to improve the area. Overall, the findings showed how a change in both areas’ authenticity was likely to take place following the often-drastic interventions to the physical and social landscapes of each area. The discussion concerning the changing authenticity of the areas also came to include a broader look at what potential factors might have an impact on whether an area’s authenticity might change over how much time changes are implemented or the scale of the changes. Broadly the findings, whilst not definitively stating how an areas authenticity might change, managed to identify many relevant and interesting trends relating to the consequences of urban renewal initiatives, something that should be well worth keeping in mind when planning future changes into the urban space.

In the contemporary communication landscape, sustainable social media influencers play a vital role in advocating for sustainability campaigns initiated by companies. However, audience trust in these influencers can be challenged by perceived biases. This study examines how sustainable social media influencers maintain authenticity and credibility when collaborating on sustainability campaigns. Internal and external challenges are identified, and strategies such as strong self-identity, co-creation, and consistency are employed to address them. The findings underscore the importance of transparency and ethical communication in fostering trust and driving positive social change. This research sheds light on the critical role of influencers in promoting authenticity and credibility, particularly in the context of sustainability advocacy.

Brand activism is an increasingly significant theme in business and marketing research. The purpose of this study was to explore consumers' perceptions and expectations of authentic brand activism and to provide a practical guide for brands considering incorporating brand activism into their strategies. This study drew upon the theories of brand authenticity and brand activism, and employed a qualitative research methodology, using focus groups with consumers to gain in-depth insights. The findings reveal that consumers' perceptions of authentic brand activism are shaped by three key antecedents: the brand’s heritage and reputation, the transparency of information provided about the brand's activism efforts, and the inclusion of a clear call-to-action. These findings suggest that brands can enhance the perceived authenticity of their activism efforts by ensuring consistency with their established values and history, prioritizing transparency in their communication, and incorporating a clear call-to-action. Brands can use these insights to develop more effective brand activism strategies, thereby increasing their chances of resonating with consumers and avoiding potential backlash.

The focus of this thesis is to study readiness planning and information security within Sweden's municipal archives. How the extent of emergency planning and information security work within the municipal archives. Due to the many conflicts in the world at the moment, readiness planning and information security has become more important for the institutions handling information on a daily basis. With the aid from semi structured interviews the study aims to understand and see what the archivists working in municipal archives think about these subjects, what they think should be done to evolve readiness planning and information security within Sweden’s municipal archives. When a crisis hits it is important to know how to act and the next step to minimize the damage, in this case the loss of important information. The result of the study shows multiple factors at work that affects the on-going work with readiness planning and information security. Many of the archivists are worried about the long-term preservation of the information stored in the municipal archives, they recognize the responsibility they have over the information, one mistake on their or someone else’s part could lead to the loss of that information. Especially with digital information, that needs expertise handling. The archivists also shared that the workload affects their work with readiness planning and working with information security. They argued that they don’t have enough resources for developing a plan for the archive. I hope with this essay to enlighten the importance of having a plan when the unthinkable occurs.

This essay aims to problematize the concepts of usefulness and lust in relation to reading and literature. My analysis is based in Sara Mannheimer’s novel Handlingen. The research questions seeks to interpret the character´s understanding of the two ideas usefulness and lust, and further try to analyze how the character's view on literature and abstract thinking is determined by the two concepts. With theories on cleaning, baking and the practical work as well as theories of reading, the discussions with the novel´s character evolved to think further about the concept of literature and what it really stands for in one’s life. The results from the analysis of the novel resulted in a dualistic view between the two concepts usefulness and lust where the entrance to the world of literature is conditioned by having genuine lust for reading. I further problematize this view with a discussion about what it means to be an authentic person and that it does not reject the union of the two concepts. Another central point in the analysis of the novel is how usefulness relates to organization and a clear system whereas lust speaks to the abstract thinking and chaos. My conclusion consists of the union of being open to abstraction and the fact that a person cannot know certain things that will always be out of reach for us, such as existential questions and so on. This could mean that the usefulness and lust are dependent of each other in one’s life, at least that they are not ruling out each other’s existence.

Ce mémoire de maîtrise a pour objectif de montrer la construction de la représentation visuelle de « l’indigène » de la région de Cuzco et sa relation avec le discours de « l’authenticité » tel que défini par l’indigénisme, l’anthropologie et le tourisme. Il s’intéresse au rôle que jouent les médias visuels et audiovisuels dans la création d’une image de l’indigène perçu comme « authentique » et d’un discours commun sur les Andes. Les documents visuels étudiés, tous produits par des Péruviens, sont une sélection de photographies prises par Martin Chambi entre 1920-1945, le film Kukuli (1961) coréalisé par les Cuzquéniens Luis Figueroa, Eulogio Nishiyama et César Villanueva et la publicité touristique de PromPerú, intitulée «Perú: Vive la leyenda» («Pérou : Vis la légende») (2008). Cette analyse fait ressortir la représentation folklorique et anthropologique de l’indigène telle que suggérée par ces documents, qui l’associent principalement avec les origines, la tradition et le passé précolombien. Elle démontre aussi comment les images constituent une alternative à la stratégie représentationnelle proposée par l’indigénisme lettré et offrent un autre regard sur la réalité. Ainsi, les images technologiques montrent des détails qui ne concordent pas avec les stéréotypes culturels et révèlent un monde d’identités plus nuancées. D’autre part, elles créent aussi un espace de collaboration –entre le photographe/cinéaste et leurs modèles– qui permet aux acteurs sociaux marginalisés de participer à leur propre représentation. Enfin, notre recherche établit le lien entre cette image de l’indigène andin et la promotion touristique du Pérou. / This thesis aims to show the construction of the visual representation of "indigenous people" of the Cuzco region and its relation to the discourse of "authenticity" as defined by indigenismo, anthropology and tourism. We are interested in the role of visual and audiovisual media in creating an image of indigenous person perceived as "authentic" and a shared discourse about the Andes. The visual documents we are studying, all produced by Peruvians, include: a selection of photographs taken between 1920-1945 by Martin Chambi, the movie Kukuli (1961) co-directed by cuzqueños Luis Figueroa, Eulogio Nishiyama and César Villanueva and the tourism advertising by PromPerú entitled "Peru: Live the Legend" (2008). Our analysis highlights the documents’ mainly folkloric and anthropological representation of “indigenous people”, who are associated with origins, tradition and the pre-Columbian past. Our study also examines how the same images are an alternative to the representational strategy of lettered indigenismo, offering another view of reality. Technological images 1) show details not consistent with cultural stereotypes and reveal a more modulated world of identities; 2) create a space for collaboration –between photographer/filmmaker and models– that allows marginalized social actors to participate in their own representation. Finally, we establish the link between this image of Andean Indians and the tourism promotion of Peru. / Esta memoria tiene como objetivo mostrar la construcción de la representación visual del “indígena” de la región de Cuzco y su relación con el discurso de la “autenticidad” definido por el indigenismo, la antropología y el turismo. Nos interesamos en el papel de los medios visuales y audiovisuales en la creación de una imagen del indígena percibido como “auténtico” y de un discurso compartido sobre los Andes. Los documentos visuales que estudiamos fueron producidos por peruanos y son los siguientes: una selección de fotografías de Martín Chambi tomadas entre 1920-1945, la película Kukuli (1961) co-realizada por los cuzqueños Luis Figueroa, Eulogio Nishiyama y César Villanueva y la publicidad turística de PromPerú, titulada “Perú: Vive la leyenda” (2008). Por un lado, este análisis destaca la representación mayormente folclórica y antropológica que estos documentos realizan del indígena, asociándolo con los orígenes, la tradición y el pasado precolombino. Por otro lado, este estudio demuestra cómo las imágenes constituyen una alternativa a la estrategia representativa del indigenismo letrado y ofrecen otra mirada sobre la realidad. Las imágenes tecnológicas 1) muestran detalles que no concuerdan con los estereotipos culturales y revelan un mundo de identidades más moduladas; 2) crean un espacio de colaboración –entre fotógrafo/cineasta y modelos– que permite a los actores sociales marginados participar en su propia representación. Por último, establecemos el vínculo entre esta imagen del indígena y la promoción turística de Perú.

Atmospheric theming is the use of the sensory experience in connection to a theme. The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of atmospherics with theming and their effects on customer behavior in food and beverage operations of a theme park. The official research questions developed for this study include: Does the impact of the authenticity of atmospheric theming influence an effect on revisit intention? Does the type of theme (land's theme or venue's theme) influence the effect of visitor revisit intention? These questions guided the current research in previously non-evaluated fields of study. This study used the Mehrabian–Russel (M-R) model to create a new research model. In the current study, atmospheric theming was the stimuli, emotional value was the emotional response, and visitor revisit intentions was the behavioral intention. Restaurant image was added to the model to obtain a cognitive reason.The results from the multiple regression indicated that all hypotheses were accepted. Restaurant image had a positive influence on both authenticity variables, and both authenticity variables had a positive influence on emotional value. Finally, emotional value was found to have a positive influence on revisit intention. These results indicated that atmospheric theming influenced revisit intention through emotional value. Furthermore, the results indicated that when it comes to the different types of themes within a venue, as indicated in the second research question, the venue's theme has a stronger influence on the emotional value than the land's theme.