O objetivo deste estudo é identificar os efeitos de diferenças individuais dos consumidores sobre a experiência de marca e a qualidade do relacionamento com a marca para produtos de consumo público (roupas) e privado (eletrodomésticos de linha branca). Para alcançar esse objetivo, foi concebido um modelo teórico para ser testado empiricamente. A partir de uma revisão de literatura acerca de experiência de marca e qualidade do relacionamento com a marca, percebeu-se o potencial do emprego de experiências de marca para construir relacionamentos com marca. Observou-se também que as variáveis de diferenças individuais têm sido negligenciadas em pesquisas sobre relacionamentos com a marca. Além disso, há divergências de resultados de pesquisas envolvendo distintas categorias de produto. Tais constatações possibilitaram a elaboração de um conjunto de hipóteses, as quais permitiram observar as relações entre constructos que definem as características individuais dos consumidores, a experiência de marca e a qualidade do relacionamento com a marca. Assim, foi realizada uma pesquisa empírica utilizando um questionário auto administrado. Neste levantamento de campo, foram entrevistados 660 consumidores a partir de uma amostragem não probabilística. As técnicas de análise incluem análise fatorial exploratória e modelagem de equações estruturais PLS. A análise exploratória demonstrou que os constructos experiência de marca e qualidade do relacionamento com a marca apresentam inconsistências em sua operacionalização. Os resultados indicam também que há um efeito significativo da experiência de marca sobre a qualidade do relacionamento com a marca. O engajamento da marca no autoconceito mostrou ser um importante preditor da experiência de marca e da qualidade do relacionamento com a marca. O envolvimento com a categoria de produto apresentou um efeito significativo sobre a experiência de marca. Curiosamente, o envolvimento com a categoria produziu um efeito significativo sobre a qualidade do relacionamento com a marca somente na categoria roupas. A propensão ao relacionamento apresentou um efeito significativo sobre a qualidade do relacionamento com a marca somente na categoria roupas. O envolvimento com a categoria de produto não apresentou efeitos de moderação significativos na relação entre a experiência de marca e a qualidade do relacionamento com a marca em ambas categorias. A propensão ao relacionamento produziu efeitos de moderação significativos na relação entre a experiência de marca e a qualidade do relacionamento com a marca em ambas categorias. O valor dessa pesquisa está em: a) evidenciar a experiência de marca como um antecedente da qualidade do relacionamento com a marca; b) Chamar atenção para a necessidade de discussão acerca da operacionalização dos constructos experiência de marca e qualidade do relacionamento com a marca; c) Discutir o papel das variáveis de diferenças individuais como antecedentes ou moderadoras da experiência de marca e da qualidade do relacionamento com a marca; d) Discutir a natureza dos relacionamentos com marca no contexto de produtos de consumo público e privado, apresentando similaridades e dissimilaridades e; por fim, explicitar, por meio de um modelo de gestão de marcas, como as experiências de marca podem ser um importante mecanismo para a construção de relacionamentos com a marca / The objective of the present study is to identify the effects of the individual differences of the consumers over brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality to products of public (clothing) and private (household appliances) consumption. To achieve the objective, a theoretical model was conceived to be empirically tested. From a literature\'s revision regarding the brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality the potential employment of brand experience to build brand relationships was perceived. Was also observed that the variables of individual differences have been neglected in the researches about brand relationships. Furthermore, there are divergences in the researches\' results involving distinct products\' categories. Such findings enabled the elaboration of a group of hypothesis, which enabled to observe the constructs\' relations that define individual characteristic of the consumers, brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality. Thereby, an empirical research was realized utilizing a self-administered questionnaire. In this field survey, 660 consumers were interviewed from a non-probabilistic sample. The analysis techniques includes exploratory factorial analysis and structural equation modeling PLS. An exploratory analysis demonstrated that the constructs brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality outlines inconsistence on its operationalization. The results also indicate that there is a significant brand experience effect. Brand engagement in self-concept presented to be an important predictor of brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality. Curiously, category involvement produced a significant effect over the consumer-brand relationship quality solely in the clothing category. Relationship proneness presented a significant effect over the consumer-brand relationship quality solely in the clothing category. Involvement with the products\' category did not present significant moderation effects in the relationship between brand experience and the consumer-brand relationship quality in both categories. Relationship proneness produced significant moderation effects in the relation between brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality in both categories. The value of the present research is to evidence brand experience as consumer-brand relationship quality antecedent. Draws attention to the necessity of discussion regarding the operationalization of the constructs, brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality. Inserts variables of individual differences as antecedents and brand experience and consumer-brand relationship quality moderators. Discusses the nature of the brand relationships in the context of public and private consumption products, presenting similarities and dissimilarities. The study evidences, through a brand management model, how brand experiences can be an important mechanism to build brand relationships

While the focal point in marketing discussion is moving away from goods and getting closer towards service, highlighting the importance of consumer experience and the significant role of customers as value co-creators, the notion of consumer brand engagement and consumer engagement in general, are receiving attention both among scholars and brand decision makers. However, despite the growing attention, the empirical research on the antecedents and consequences of CBE is limited and provides inadequate proof of the substantial role that CBE plays in building customer brand loyalty. This paper investigates the drivers and outcomes of consumer brand engagement among the consumers of mobile service brands in Taiwan. It explores the influence of satisfaction, trust, commitment, involvement, participation and self-expressive brand on the increase or decrease in loyalty and the mediating role of CBE dimensions, including cognitive processing, affection and activation. By validating existing conceptual framework and proposing a new conceptual model, this paper provides empirical evidence of the CBE impact on brand loyalty. Also, this papers aims to provide a useful managerial insight for marketing professionals seeking to enhance firm’s business performance via establishing strong relationships with their customers.

Un nombre croissant de recherches indique que les consommateurs utilisent les produits de marque comme outils pour construire et communiquer leur propre identité. Les produits de marque servent de marqueurs de statut et de symboles d’appartenance à un groupe et permettent aux consommateurs de se différencier des autres et d’exprimer leur individualité. Pour créer des marques qui peuvent servir à construire des identités personnelles et pour renforcer le lien entre la marque et le consommateur, il est important que les consommateurs puissent participer au processus de création (co-création). La personnalisation des produits à grande échelle est un outil particulièrement utile pour impliquer les consommateurs dans ce processus qui contribue à augmenter la satisfaction des clients et leur consentement à payer. Cependant, les théories actuelles sur l’utilisation des marques comme marqueurs d’identités personnelles et les théories sur les stratégies visant à renforcer la relation entre la marque et le consommateur ont été élaborées principalement dans un contexte occidental. Le but de cette recherche est donc d’étudier dans quelle mesure les consommateurs d’Asie de l’Est diffèrent, dans leur utilisation des marques comme marqueurs d’identité personnelle, des consommateurs occidentaux. Elle explore également les implications potentielles des différences interculturelles dans la communication des identités personnelles pour la personnalisation des produits et pour la relation entre les marques et les consommateurs. Suite à des études antérieures indiquant que les vêtements et les accessoires de mode sont fréquemment utilisés par les consommateurs pour communiquer leur identité, la présente recherche se concentre sur les produits de mode de marques de luxe et les produits de marques grand public. Conformément à la tradition de la psychologie culturelle, cette thèse part de l’hypothèse que les variations culturelles dans la conception de soi et dans les relations entre l’individu et les autres permettent d’expliquer des différences dans le comportement des consommateurs. Une approche mixte est utilisée pour étudier les différences interculturelles entre des échantillons représentant une culture collectiviste de l’Asie de l’Est (Corée du Sud) et des échantillons représentant une culture individualiste occidentale (Allemagne). Les données quantitatives recueillies au moyen de questionnaires (études 1A et 1B) sont combinées avec les données qualitatives recueillies au moyen d’entretiens semi-structurés en profondeur (études 2A et 2B). Cette recherche apporte de nouveaux éléments concernant les différences interculturelles et permet d'enrichir les théories sur la relation entre la marque et le consommateur et sur l’utilisation des marques comme marqueurs d’identité personnelle. Elle contribue également au courant de recherche émergent sur la personnalisation des produits. / A growing body of research indicates that consumers use branded products as tools to construct their self-identity and to communicate their self-identities to others. Besides acting as markers of status and symbols of group membership, branded products allow consumers to differentiate themselves from others and to express individuality. Key to generating identity related brand meaning and to strengthening self-brand connections, is the involvement of the consumer in a co-creation process. Product design customization on a large scale has emerged as a particularly useful tool to involve consumers in the creation process of the brand and to increase their satisfaction and willingness to pay. However, existing theories on the use of brands to signal self-identities as well as strategies for strengthening self-brand connections, such as product design customization, are bound to Western individualistic thinking. The aim of this research is to investigate the extent to which East Asian consumers differ in their use of brands to signal self identities from Western individualistic consumers. In addition, it explores potential implications of cross-cultural differences in the signaling of self-identities for product design customization and self-brand connections. Following prior studies indicating that clothing and fashion accessories are particularly likely to be used by consumers to communicate self-identities, the focus of the present research is laid on fashion products of both luxury brands and high street brands. In line with the tradition of cultural psychology, this thesis draws on the assumption that cultural variations in self construal and in self-other relationships lead to differences in consumer behavior. A mixed methods approach is taken to investigate cross-cultural differences between samples representing an East Asian collectivistic culture (South Korea) and samples representing a Western individualistic culture (Germany). Specifically, quantitative data collected through surveys (studies1A and 1B) are combined with qualitative data collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews (studies 2A and 2B). This research provides novel, cross-cultural insights relevant to existing the orizing on consumer-brand relationships and on consumers’ use of brands as signals of self-identities. It also contributes to the emerging stream of research on product design.

La recherche se situe dans le courant de la Consumer Culture Theory dans la lignée de travaux récents visant à comprendre les relations collectives à une marque. La marque n’est plus pensée comme une « chose » fabriquée exclusivement par l’entreprise, mais comme un processus dans lequel sont impliqués de multiples acteurs échappant souvent au contrôle de l’entreprise. La thèse investigue comment la marque s’insère et est insérée dans les réseaux de relations, les pratiques et les représentations des consommateurs au sein de leur famille sur trois générations. La méthodologie est basée sur l’auto-ethnographie, une méthode rarement utilisée dans la recherche sur la marque. Le dispositif déployé permet une compréhension fine des interactions et stratégies des personnes, grâce à la prise en compte du temps long (trente ans) et à la multivocalité. La thèse étend le concept de « cultural branding » au niveau de la famille, en introduisant le concept de « réseau familial de marque » qui rend compte de la façon dont familles et marques s’imbriquent dans notre société. En décrivant une réalité différente des principes de gestion de la marque dans lesquels l’entreprise est supposée influencer un consommateur isolé, la thèse renouvelle les approches conventionnelles de la relation marque-consommateur et complète les approches communautaires de la marque. / This thesis is situated in the research stream called Consumer Culture Theory (CCT), in line with recent research trying to understand the collective relationships to a brand. The brand is no more understood as a “thing” created by a company (brand as a name), but as a process (branding as a verb) in which many participants play different roles, frequently outside the control of the company. The thesis investigates how the brand becomes embedded in the networks of relationships, practices and discourses within a family through three generations. The methodology is based on an autoethnography, a method rarely used in consumer and branding research. This approach enables a deep understanding of the interactions and strategies of people, taking a long-term perspective (thirty years) and considering the multivocality. This thesis is an extension of cultural branding at the family level, by introducing the concept of « brand family network », which reports how families and brands are embedded in our society. The thesis describes a reality different from the traditional principles of brand management, based on the idea that the company is supposed to influence a single consumer. By doing so, it extends the understanding of consumer-brand relationships, and complement the approach of the brand communities.

This study investigates the customer-based brand equity of the major cellphone network service providers (Vodacom, MTN and Cell C) amongst principal estate agents registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board in Gauteng. Secondary research covered the marketing environment of the major service providers. An extensive study of literature on branding, brand management and brand equity measurement was undertaken. An empirical study was conducted. Telephone interviews were used for initial contact and screening. An invitation to participate in the survey, with a link to a questionnaire, was e-mailed to qualified respondents. Cell C users were excluded from the quantitative analysis. There were several significant findings: Vodacom and MTN users are alike in terms of personal and estate agency-related demographics. With the exception of age and gender, the sample fits the stated descriptors of individuals in the LSM seven to LSM ten groups. Cronbach‘s alpha coefficient confirmed a high level of reliability (0.870) for the summated measurement scale developed as an indicator variable of customer-based brand equity and Vodacom and MTN‘s rating on the summated scale did not differ at a statistically significant level. The service provider used proved to be an important driver of loyalty, but overall satisfaction with the cellphone service does not differ statistically significantly between Vodacom and MTN users. Vodacom has established a much more favourable positioning on the brand association statements evaluated. Factor analysis identified five brand association dimensions that should be considered for measurement of brand associations. Multiple regression analysis identified the brand as a product dimension as the best predictor of customer-based brand equity. Vodacom received more favourable brand performance ratings than MTN. Factor analysis identified six brand performance dimensions that should be considered for inclusion when measuring brand performance. Multiple regression analysis identified the easy to use and one-stop-service dimensions as the best predictors of customer-based brand equity. The customer-based brand equity of the user group is moderate (16 out of 25, or 64%). / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Management)

This study investigates the customer-based brand equity of the major cellphone network service providers (Vodacom, MTN and Cell C) amongst principal estate agents registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board in Gauteng. Secondary research covered the marketing environment of the major service providers. An extensive study of literature on branding, brand management and brand equity measurement was undertaken. An empirical study was conducted. Telephone interviews were used for initial contact and screening. An invitation to participate in the survey, with a link to a questionnaire, was e-mailed to qualified respondents. Cell C users were excluded from the quantitative analysis. There were several significant findings: Vodacom and MTN users are alike in terms of personal and estate agency-related demographics. With the exception of age and gender, the sample fits the stated descriptors of individuals in the LSM seven to LSM ten groups. Cronbach‘s alpha coefficient confirmed a high level of reliability (0.870) for the summated measurement scale developed as an indicator variable of customer-based brand equity and Vodacom and MTN‘s rating on the summated scale did not differ at a statistically significant level. The service provider used proved to be an important driver of loyalty, but overall satisfaction with the cellphone service does not differ statistically significantly between Vodacom and MTN users. Vodacom has established a much more favourable positioning on the brand association statements evaluated. Factor analysis identified five brand association dimensions that should be considered for measurement of brand associations. Multiple regression analysis identified the brand as a product dimension as the best predictor of customer-based brand equity. Vodacom received more favourable brand performance ratings than MTN. Factor analysis identified six brand performance dimensions that should be considered for inclusion when measuring brand performance. Multiple regression analysis identified the easy to use and one-stop-service dimensions as the best predictors of customer-based brand equity. The customer-based brand equity of the user group is moderate (16 out of 25, or 64%). / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Management)