Despite research on relationships between branding constructs such as corporate identity, corporate image, employer branding, corporate branding and corporate reputation over the past years, limited research has been conducted on the influence of employees on these constructs. Although the concept of personal branding has been debated by many, there is a dearth of research on personal branding and the relationship between personal branding and employer branding, corporate branding and corporate reputation. As a result, this study was carried out in order to explore the influence of employer branding, employee’s personal branding and corporate branding on corporate reputation. It is argued in this study that corporate reputation is one of the most valuable intangible assets of an organisation. Organisations need to ensure that they comprehend the elements in the establishment of a corporate identity and a corporate image, and how employees influence these constructs. It became clear that an individual’s associations, awareness and assessment of an organisation influence their direct and indirect experiences with an organisation resulting in the formulation of a corporate reputation. The study also emphasised that employees are one of the most important tangible assets of an organisation and play an important role in establishing a corporate reputation and corporate brand. It was stated that an organisation combines a set of organisational qualities that focus on streamlining priorities, escalate productivity and improve recruitment, commitment and retention of employees through the process of employer branding. The study revealed that potential employees use the organisational attractiveness as an essential decision making tool in their quest to find the perfect employer. During the employer branding process prospective employees compare their own needs, values and personalities to that of the employer brand of the organisation. It is suggested that a well-executed employee branding process alleviates the profile of the organisation internally as well as externally, enhancing the competitive advantage of, and ultimately the corporate brand and reputation of an organisation. The study revealed that the emotional connections that stakeholders make with employees are moulded through formal and informal interactions with customers. Throughout the study it became evident that the individual provides a ‘package’ of their own values and qualities (what they believe in) expressed by what they do and how they do it, in order to create their own unique selling proposition in the market place through personal branding. It is, therefore, imperative that organisations find the correct person-organisation fit. The study indicated that the establishment of a personal brand is important for the employee but equally important for the organisation that becomes the employer. This highlighted the fact that any misalignment between the employee’s brand package content and the organisation’s brand values, objectives and personality results in the employee behaving differently to the expectations of the organisation. In order to establish the relationships between the variables of the study, empirical research was conducted. The study employed an exploratory as well as a causal approach. The Top500 best managed companies in South Africa was used as the sample population of the study. Companies were selected from the Top500 list and was guided by the sectors they have been assigned to. Eight industries were chosen that broadly constitute the most important sectors in the South African context. All five companies within the following sectors were selected: Arts/entertainment/recreation; Finance and Insurance; Banking sector; Government and Public administration; Hotel and Food services; Manufacturing and Retail. A self-administered web-based survey, consisting of five sections was utilised as measuring instrument. The questions in sections one to four related to the variables of the study whilst Section five was used to collect the demographic data of the respondents. A total of 312 usable questionnaires were received from a possible 900 respondents, indicating a 35 percent response rate.

Measuring brand equity is an important brand management function but, the appropriateness of brand equity measurement methods remain a concern. This study applied levels three of brand equity measurement approach to have an understanding of consumers’ brand perception. It is hoped that this understanding could give brand managers the necessary tool to develop and deploy effective and efficient brand management strategies and tactics. At Ceres Fruit Juices (CFJ), brand equity is used to improve competitive marketing actions, gain larger margins, intermediary co-operation and management support for brand extension. This study measures CFJ Brand equity to understand consumers’ perception so that this understanding can be used to develop responsive brand management strategies and tactics. Brand equity measurement methods and model found in the literature shows that measurement success depends on the suitability of the method used. However, customers’ perception is at the centre of brand equity measurement approach – level three used in this study. With merger and acquisition taking place at Ceres Fruit Juices, brand equity measurement emerged as an important brand management function to leverage real brand value. This would inevitably lead to an improvement in customer service through adequate understanding of customers brand perception. Understanding gives brand managers the necessary tool to deploy responsive and efficient brand management strategies and tactics to lessen the severity of the negative impact merger and acquisition may have on brand equity. Thus, this study found measurement model and method to be an essential element of brand equity measurement.

A estratégia de marca única é adotada pelas organizações para que as mesmas possam estabelecer uma identidade estratégica, um reconhecimento e uma maior visibilidade frente ao mercado consumidor. No entanto, a estratégia de atuar com marca única ou extensão de marca, requer da empresa uma avaliação criteriosa sobre os benefícios e desgastes que tal decisão que irá desencadear sobre as operações de serviço ao cliente, responsáveis por gerenciar os serviços e a entrega de valor que estes podem entregar ao cliente ou consumidor. Desse modo, esse trabalho apresentou como objetivo principal, analisar a interferência que a estratégia de marca única da Tramontina causa nas operações de serviço ao cliente das unidades estratégicas de negócios do grupo empresarial. Ao identificar e analisar essas interferências, foi possível mensurar o seu nível, sobre as operações internas das diferentes unidades do grupo e, por consequência, a clientes e consumidores do grupo empresarial. Dentre os agentes envolvidos, o campo de estudo é composto pelas dez unidades estratégicas de negócio do grupo Tramontina que utilizam a extensão de marca em seus produtos e serviços. O estudo foi desenvolvido como um estudo de caso, com pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório, implementada por meio de observações diretas, pesquisa documental, entrevistas individuais em profundidade, envio de formulário com questões abertas, com 25 integrantes do grupo Tramontina e 10 clientes das dez unidades estratégicas de negócio do grupo empresarial. A análise de conteúdo realizou-se por meio da categorização e interpretação dos dados. Como resultados, identificou-se que a estratégia de marca única facilita a entrada de novos produtos ao mercado, resultando na lembrança na memória dos clientes, tanto positiva como negativa. Porém, se a organização que utiliza a extensão de marca não possuir um serviço ao cliente, estruturado nas fases pré-transacionais, transacionais e pós-transacionais, com linha de frente e retaguarda definidos, o valor da marca, a lealdade e a satisfação do cliente consumidor serão afetadas. No caso específico do grupo analisado por esse trabalho, identificou-se que a linha de frente na fase pós-transacional não possui um padrão de estrutura, assim como, não ocorre uma centralidade com relação aos serviços, do mesmo modo que ocorre com a marca. Nesse sentido, este estudo pode auxiliar as empresas detentoras de marca única a planejar suas operações de serviço ao cliente como fator competitivo e a compreender as interferências desse tipo de estratégia de marca sobre suas operações. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-06-25T14:15:56Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Patricia Boaria Tomazel.pdf: 5728825 bytes, checksum: 698f8fdd3607de038456bb27d9844b70 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-25T14:15:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Patricia Boaria Tomazel.pdf: 5728825 bytes, checksum: 698f8fdd3607de038456bb27d9844b70 (MD5) / The only brand strategy is adopted by organizations to allow them to establish a strategic identity, recognition and greater visibility across the consumer market. However, the strategy of working with one brand or brand extension, the company requires a careful evaluation of the benefits and wear this strategic decision will trigger on the customer service operations, responsible for managing the services and the value delivered to the customer or consumer. Thus, this work owned as main objective to evaluate the effect that the single brand strategy Tramontina causes in customer service operations, strategic business units of the business group. To identify and analyze the interference was possible to measure the level of the internal operations of the different units of the group and consequently, the customers and consumers of the business group. Among the agents involved, the study field is composed by ten strategic business units of Tramontina’s group, using the brand extension in their products and services. The study was conducted as a case study with qualitative, descriptive exploratory, implemented through direct observation, document research, individual interviews, form submission with open questions, with 25 members of the Tramontina’s group and 10 guests from ten strategic business units of the business group. Content analysis was performed by means of categorization and interpretation of data. As a result, it was found that the only brand strategy facilitates the entry of new products to market, resulting in remembrance in memory of customers, both positive and negative. However, if the organization uses the brand extension does not have a structured customer service in the pre-transactional, transactional and post-transactional stages, with front line and rear set, brand value, loyalty and customer satisfaction and consumers will be affected. In the specific case of the group analyzed for this work, it was found that the front line in the post-transactional phase does not have a standard structure, and does not occur centrality regarding the services, just as occurs with the brand. Thus, this study can assist companies with only brand to plan their customer service operations as a competitive factor and understand the interference of this kind of brand strategy, on its operations.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Marketing in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008 / This thesis identifies and examines evidence of e-commerce in three large businesses (Woolworths, Momentum and Santam) focusing on their Internet branding strategies, the impact of management actions and how those actions contribute to e-commerce success. Case study was used to assemble evidence from the three companies. The data received from respondents were transcribed, codified into thirteen key words. These were analysed using Cohen Kappa method of content analysis. The findings show different impact of management actions and prioritisation of management functions are evident at different stages of the adoption process. In addition, the application of management function differs at different stages suggesting expected changes in management competency as the adoption process matures. This thesis argues that as we move to a more interactive mode of working with customers and competitors using Internet technology, the role of marketing is critical; within marketing, brand management is seen as a particularly important activity. The work reported is based on the evidence that brand management is indeed important, and a maturity model is presented to guide brand management activities at different stages of e-commerce adoption. Internet-related partnering opportunities with large firms remain a concern for smaller firms. It reveals that although much Internet research has taken a technical viewpoint, some experts have begun to make connections between Internet success and brand management. This thesis shows that there are opportunities for businesses doing e-commerce but, sufficient attention should be given to the implementation of branding and brand management strategies that recognise the changes and challenges of e-commerce adoption. It also shows that the patterns of management activities and actions that will ensure success are much clearer, as well as the partnering opportunities with small businesses.

A estratégia de marca única é adotada pelas organizações para que as mesmas possam estabelecer uma identidade estratégica, um reconhecimento e uma maior visibilidade frente ao mercado consumidor. No entanto, a estratégia de atuar com marca única ou extensão de marca, requer da empresa uma avaliação criteriosa sobre os benefícios e desgastes que tal decisão que irá desencadear sobre as operações de serviço ao cliente, responsáveis por gerenciar os serviços e a entrega de valor que estes podem entregar ao cliente ou consumidor. Desse modo, esse trabalho apresentou como objetivo principal, analisar a interferência que a estratégia de marca única da Tramontina causa nas operações de serviço ao cliente das unidades estratégicas de negócios do grupo empresarial. Ao identificar e analisar essas interferências, foi possível mensurar o seu nível, sobre as operações internas das diferentes unidades do grupo e, por consequência, a clientes e consumidores do grupo empresarial. Dentre os agentes envolvidos, o campo de estudo é composto pelas dez unidades estratégicas de negócio do grupo Tramontina que utilizam a extensão de marca em seus produtos e serviços. O estudo foi desenvolvido como um estudo de caso, com pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório, implementada por meio de observações diretas, pesquisa documental, entrevistas individuais em profundidade, envio de formulário com questões abertas, com 25 integrantes do grupo Tramontina e 10 clientes das dez unidades estratégicas de negócio do grupo empresarial. A análise de conteúdo realizou-se por meio da categorização e interpretação dos dados. Como resultados, identificou-se que a estratégia de marca única facilita a entrada de novos produtos ao mercado, resultando na lembrança na memória dos clientes, tanto positiva como negativa. Porém, se a organização que utiliza a extensão de marca não possuir um serviço ao cliente, estruturado nas fases pré-transacionais, transacionais e pós-transacionais, com linha de frente e retaguarda definidos, o valor da marca, a lealdade e a satisfação do cliente consumidor serão afetadas. No caso específico do grupo analisado por esse trabalho, identificou-se que a linha de frente na fase pós-transacional não possui um padrão de estrutura, assim como, não ocorre uma centralidade com relação aos serviços, do mesmo modo que ocorre com a marca. Nesse sentido, este estudo pode auxiliar as empresas detentoras de marca única a planejar suas operações de serviço ao cliente como fator competitivo e a compreender as interferências desse tipo de estratégia de marca sobre suas operações. / The only brand strategy is adopted by organizations to allow them to establish a strategic identity, recognition and greater visibility across the consumer market. However, the strategy of working with one brand or brand extension, the company requires a careful evaluation of the benefits and wear this strategic decision will trigger on the customer service operations, responsible for managing the services and the value delivered to the customer or consumer. Thus, this work owned as main objective to evaluate the effect that the single brand strategy Tramontina causes in customer service operations, strategic business units of the business group. To identify and analyze the interference was possible to measure the level of the internal operations of the different units of the group and consequently, the customers and consumers of the business group. Among the agents involved, the study field is composed by ten strategic business units of Tramontina’s group, using the brand extension in their products and services. The study was conducted as a case study with qualitative, descriptive exploratory, implemented through direct observation, document research, individual interviews, form submission with open questions, with 25 members of the Tramontina’s group and 10 guests from ten strategic business units of the business group. Content analysis was performed by means of categorization and interpretation of data. As a result, it was found that the only brand strategy facilitates the entry of new products to market, resulting in remembrance in memory of customers, both positive and negative. However, if the organization uses the brand extension does not have a structured customer service in the pre-transactional, transactional and post-transactional stages, with front line and rear set, brand value, loyalty and customer satisfaction and consumers will be affected. In the specific case of the group analyzed for this work, it was found that the front line in the post-transactional phase does not have a standard structure, and does not occur centrality regarding the services, just as occurs with the brand. Thus, this study can assist companies with only brand to plan their customer service operations as a competitive factor and understand the interference of this kind of brand strategy, on its operations.

A marca é um sistema integrado de ações que envolvem o comprometimento desde o planejamento, a fase de entrega e de toda a manutenção dos atributos materiais e de imagem do negócio de uma empresa. Nesse sentido, a dissertação tem o objetivo de elaborar um plano de inserção da marca de uma empresa do ramo de estruturas metálicas na região sul do Brasil, através de uma pesquisa qualitativa e quantitativa e do tipo exploratória e descritiva, na qual foram investigados 46 clientes escolhidos de forma aleatória durante o período de agosto a outubro de 2014, bem como com 12 empresas concorrentes do ramo de estruturas metálicas. O instrumento de coleta de dados ocorre por meio de questionários com perguntas fechadas e foi utilizado um plano de análise de dados para classificação dos dados, passando por um processo de tabulação, representados através de tabelas e gráficos, de acordo com as informações obtidas e para uma melhor forma de visualização. Os dados coletados foram agrupados e realizadas interpretações textuais e gráficas. Como resultados pode-se definir o público-alvo e o posicionamento da empresa em estudo, como os clientes que precisavam de estruturas metálicas específicas para a compra, as variedades de equipamentos de aço para edificações, preços acessíveis, cumprimento da entrega dos produtos no prazo e realização de orçamentos. Além disso, pode-se observar que os clientes estavam satisfeitos quanto aos produtos da referida empresa, com relação ao preço e qualidade dos mesmos. Quanto aos funcionários, apresentaram desempenho satisfatório com o canal de distribuição e imagem da empresa. Por meio da pesquisa destacam-se as forças com maior percentual: preços acessíveis, bom atendimento e apoio e suporte pós-compra; quanto às fragilidades, com maior índice, obteve-se a alta concorrência e as perdas de profissionais para os concorrentes. Em relação ao posicionamento das empresas concorrentes no ramo de estruturas metálicas foram definidas, pois tem como fornecedores de matéria-prima empresas com marcas conhecidas, com preços acessíveis e material de qualidade, com pontos fortes e fracos semelhantes com a empresa em estudo, e tem como maiores atributos os preços de acordo com cada projeto, mas acessíveis, bem como, a entrega dos produtos no prazo determinado. Foi possível desenvolver um plano de inserção da marca da empresa em questão, o qual mostra que a mesma pode usar e contribuir para manter, cuidar e, principalmente, gerenciar de forma profissional a sua marca. Por meio das estratégias sugeridas acredita-se que tal meta contribuirá para inserção tornando-a forte e vendedora. / The brand is an integrated system of actions that involve the commitment from the planning, delivery phase and all the maintenance of the material attributes and image of the business of a company. In this sense, the dissertation aims to elaborate a plan of insertion of the brand of a company of the branch of metallic structures in the southern region of Brazil. Through a qualitative and quantitative research and exploratory and descriptive type, in which 46 clients were randomly selected during the period from august to october 2014, as well as with 12 companies competing in the field of metallic structures. The data collection instrument wasperformed through questionnaires with closed questions and a data analysis plan was used to classify the data, through a tabulation process, represented through tables and graphs, according to the information obtained and better form of visualization. The data collected were grouped and performed textual and graphic interpretation through Excel spreadsheets, for the year 2014. As a result, the target audience and the positioning of the company under study could be defined, such as customers who needed specific metallic structures for the purchase, varieties of steel equipment for buildings, affordable prices, delivery of products on time and Budgets. In addition, it can be observed that the customers were satisfied with the products of said company, with respect to the price and quality thereof. As for the employees, they performed satisfactorily with the company's distribution channel and image. The research highlights the forces with the highest percentage: affordable prices, good service and support and postpurchase support; As for the weaknesses, with higher index was obtained the high competition and losses of good professionals for the competitors. Regarding the positioning of competing companies in the field of metal structures were well defined, as they have as suppliers of raw material companies with well-known brands, with affordable prices and quality material, with similar strengths and weaknesses with the company under study, and Has as attributes the prices according to each project, but accessible, as well as, the delivery of the products in the determined term. It was possible to develop such a plan of insertion of the brand in the company in question, where it shows that it can use and contribute to maintain, care, and mainly manage in a professional way its brand, through the suggested strategies it is believed that such a goal will contribute for insertion making it strong and selling.

Due to the increasing competitiveness between organisations to attract and retain internal and external stakeholders so as to increase organisational competitive advantage, it is vitally important to the long-term success thereof that the inherent importance of organisational communication, specifically internal communication, is taken into consideration within the context of a rapidly changing business environment. This is to make sure that an alignment exists between internal organisational core values and the external image the organisation portrays. Thus within the context of banking service organisations so as to ensure a successful internal organisational alignment strategy, which promotes employee satisfaction and participation, improvement needs to be made to internal communication strategies. Based on this, three key concepts are identified as pertinent; namely internal organisational communication, the corporate identity aspect of internal branding and the organisational culture aspect of organisational alignment. Thus, the overriding purpose is to determine what the role of internal branding as a tool for internal organisational alignment is amongst banking service organisations in South Africa that have undergone an amalgamation. The motivation for this research is the fact that numerous organisations do not realise the importance of internal communication and branding initiatives to the internal stakeholders’ satisfaction, service delivery quality and ultimate impact on the organisation’s profitability. Absa Bank is the subject for the one-shot case study as it recently implemented new internal branding initiatives so as to engage and align internal stakeholders with the core organisational values and culture, to improve the quality of service rendered, to retain external customers, and to impact positively on the bank’s profitability. Through the use of qualitative research methods, which are a one-shot case study utilising a documentation study and telephonic and e-mail interviews, the goal of the study is achieved. The theoretical chapters set the context by introducing and defining relevant key concepts, as well as presenting a theoretical discussion on these concepts. The case study on Absa Bank forms the basis of the integration of theoretical concepts and the practical application thereof. Finally, the research findings are discussed and further recommendations proposed. Based on the research, a key contribution is the conceptualisation of the term integrated organisational communication. Keywords: organisational communication, internal organisational communication, corporate identity, internal branding, organisational culture, organisational alignment. / Andrea Crystal

D.Phil. (Marketing) / Despite the extensive research undertaken in the subject area of services marketing, much is still unknown about services internal marketing, specifically internal marketing mix elements and how they affect brand awareness in services organisations. This study attempted to address this limitation. The study revolved around eleven internal marketing mix elements and their influence on brand awareness dimensions in the South African car rental industry. Services organisations of which car rental companies are an example playa vital role in South Africa's economy, as services organisations contribute 74% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GOP). Car rental companies like many other services organisations, are operating in a complex and extremely competitive environment. In order to attract and retain external customers, car rental companies need to focus on programmes to enhance their services delivery. Employees are the most valuable asset of an organisation, especially in the services environment. Internal marketing programmes aimed at employees are crucial to motivate them to improve service delivery to external customers. The four traditional internal marketing mix elements, namely internal product, price, promotion and place, as well as the three services internal marketing mix elements, namely internal people, process, and physical evidence are well known in product and services markets. However, this study contributed to the body of knowledge by adding four recent internal marketing mix elements, namely internal personal relationships, packaging, positioning and performance. Brand awareness refers to the strength of a brand's presence in the customer's mind. Awareness is measured according to the different ways in which customers remember a brand, ranging from recognition (exposure to the brand) to recall (What can be recalled about the brand) (Aaker, 2004:10). Brand awareness recall is associated with three dimensions, namely trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty. In order to establish the influence of the eleven internal marketing mix elements on the brand awareness as perceived by the customers of selected car rental companies, an empirical investigation was conducted. The primary objective of this study was to determine the perceived influence of the different elements of internal marketing on the brand awareness as perceived by selected car rental customers in South Africa. Avis First Car Rental and Hertz were prepared to participate in this study. Combined they have a market share of more than 55%, thus it was believed that they were a fair representation of the car rental industry in South Africa. Probability sampling in the form of directly proportional stratified sampling was used in terms of selecting only customers of the three car rental companies, not including employees. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of internal marketing on the brand awareness perceived by customers, therefore, only customers were selected for the purpose of the study. The sample unit included customers who rented cars from the Avis, First Car Rental and Hertz over a period of three months, namely November 2010 untit January 2011. The sampling elements were customers who rented vehicles at airports, nameLy OR Tambo, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Nelspruit, Kimberley and Lanseria and city branches, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Nelspruit and Kimberley. The required sample size of respondents was between 375 and 750 and the- actue* sample size was 581. The measuring instrument was a questionnaire that included a current and ideal situation. The main technique for analysing data was structural equation modelling and equivalence testing to determine if there was any difference between the status quo and ideal situation as perceived by car rental customers. The empirical investigation conducted among customers of Avis, First Car Rental and Hertz revealed that significant positive relationships existed between the services internal marketing element process and brand recognition, trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty; as well as between the recent internal marketing element internal performance and trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty. These relationships imply that if car rental companies improve their internal process and performance, the brand awareness of the car rental company would improve. Other internal marketing mix elements that positively influenced brand awareness were people (employees), physical evidence, personal relationships, packaging and positioning. Based on the positive relationships described above, as well as the strong influence internal process and performance have had on brand awareness, a model as guideline to car rental companies was developed. The purpose of the model is to emphasise internal marketing elements on which car rental companies should focus to improve brand recognition, trustworthiness, overall evaluation and loyalty amongst their customers. The model was tested and proved to be applicable to both the status quo and ideal situation. In addition to the model, the study indicated that car rental companies should implement strategies to improve their internal marketing programmes. These strategies will contribute to improvement of employees' satisfaction and subsequently customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers will remain customers of their car rental company and ultimately profits and competitiveness of the particular car rental company will prosper. Eventually employees, customers and car rental companies and the whole economy of South Africa will benefit.

M.Comm. (Industrial Psychology) / The current study investigated, by means of an experiment, the influence of nonconscious incidental haptic sensation, encountered when completing self-report questionnaires, on formal ratings of a consumer brand. In total, 178 university students (mean age = 19.82 years, males = 31.5%, females = 68.5%) participated in the study. Participants were allocated to one of two groups with Group 1 (n=88) completing a questionnaire printed on rigid paper while Group 2 (n=90) completed the same questionnaire printed on flimsy paper. The questionnaire scale was constructed using 28 sets of biploar pairs of adjectives related to the language association of rigidity and strength. An independent t-test revealed no differences between groups (t = 0.67, p = 0.50), but differences of distribution and polarisation of scores, evidenced by differences in kurtosis across groups (Group 1: kurtosis = 1.49, Group 2: kurtosis = 0.11), were apparent. In conclusion it appeared that a physically grounded mental framework, consistent with an embodied cognition approach to mental processes, had led to participants forming stronger product judgments when encountering an incidental, nonconscious, tactile experience of strength in a consumer context.

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