Denna uppsats består av en kvalitativ undersökning som antog en induktiv ansats. Detta föll sig naturligt för oss eftersom vårt intresse av bröllopsindustrin och bröllopskoordinatorer gjorde att vi ville komma vårt problemområde nära och få en mer djupgående inblick, hellre än en bred bild. Den empiriska studien består av nio intervjuer med bröllopskoordinatorer runtom i Sverige och två nygifta par som har använt sig av en bröllopskoordinator vid planeringen av deras bröllop. Genom den teoretiska och empiriska analysen har vi kommit fram till att bröllopsplanering är en komplex och tidskrävande process som består av många detaljer. Bröllopskoordinatorer arbetar mycket med kundanpassning och behöver brudparens medverkan, mest i form av information om önskemål, för att kunna utföra sitt arbete och på så sätt ge bra servicekvalitet. På grund av att de arbetar nära med brudparen skapas nära och intensiva relationer till brudparen som dock oftast bryts efter bröllopet. Tack vare detta kan bröllopskoordinatorerna generera värden för dem vilket även leder till att god kundtillfredsställelse. / This essay is based on a qualitative research and presumes an inductive approach. Our interest in the wedding industry and wedding coordinators made us want to come closer to our subject area and get a more profound insight, rather than a wider picture of it. The empirical study consists of interviews with nine different wedding coordinators all across Sweden as well as two newlywed couples that have gotten help by wedding coordinators when planning their own weddings. The empirical and theoretical analysis has shown that planning a wedding is a complex and time-consuming process that consists of many details. Wedding coordinators work a lot with customization and need the bridal couple’s contribution of information and desires, in order to be able to perform their job and give great service quality. Because they are working so close together with the bridal couple, close and intense relations are established with the couple, but are however more often than not broken up after the wedding. Because of this the wedding coordinators are able to generate value to the bridal couple, which also leads to good customer satisfaction.

Syfte och forskningsfrågor: Vårt syfte är att utreda och analysera relationsskapande i banksektorn, vilket sker både genom fysisk personlig interaktion och via kundmedverkan online. Avsikten är att bidra till kunskap om vad som påverkar skapande och utvecklande av konsumentrelationer med denna utgångspunkt. 1. Vilka är centrala faktorer för skapande och utvecklande av relationer inom banksektorn? 2. Vilka aspekter är framträdande i kundens roll i det traditionella- respektive virtuella servicelandskapet? Metod: Studien av kvalitativ karaktär och har genomförts utifrån ett växelspel mellan deduktion och induktion, vilket resulterade i en abduktiv forskningsansats. Datainsamlingen har utförts genom fem semistrukturerade intervjuer med representanter från banksektorn, som har stor kompetens inom ämnet. Slutsats: Studien har resulterat i kunskap kring att det är väsentligt för banker att finnas tillgängliga både fysiskt, genom personliga möten, och via plattformar online. Vi har konstaterat att olika aspekter, beroende på vilket sätt banken möter kunden, fysiskt eller virtuellt, är viktiga för att utveckla och bibehålla kundrelationer. Vi har identifierat sju nyckelfaktorer för att relationen mellan banken och kunden ska bli så gynnsam som möjligt för båda parterna: proaktivitet, anammande av fintech-tjänster, sömlösa- och lättnavigerade plattformar, utbildande av kunder, aktivt arbete med sociala medier, tillvaratagande av CRM-system samt anpassande av den fysiska miljön för kundens välbefinnande. / Purpose and research questions: Our aim is to investigate and analyze the creation of relations within the banking sector, which occurs through physical personal interaction and online customer participation. The intention is to contribute with knowledge regarding what influences the creation and development of consumer relations. 1. Which are the key factors for creation and development of relations within the banking sector? 2. Which are the prominent aspects of the customer's role in the traditional and virtual servicescape? Method: The study is of qualitative character and was completed through an interaction between deduction and induction, which resulted in an abductive approach. The empirical data was gathered through five semistructured interviews with knowledgeable representatives from the banking sector. Conclusion: The study has resulted in knowledge, that it is essential for banks to be available both physically, through personal meetings, and through online platforms. We have found that different aspects, depending on the way the bank meet their customer, physically or virtually, is important for developing and maintaining the customer relations. We have identified seven key factors to make the relation between the bank and the customer as beneficial as possible for both parties: proactivity, acceptance of fintech services, seamless- and easy-navigated platforms, educating the customers, active social media channels, usage of CRM systems, and adaptation of the physical environment to satisfy the customers well-being.

<p>The purpose of this study has been to examine how customers, by interacting with each other, can communicate and create the image of a brand. We find this topic to be relevant since there are no previous studies conducted concerning the customers influence on the brand image. Our ambition has been to describe in what ways and to what extent the customer can affect and influence the brand image by communicating with other customers. To fulfill our purposed we have targeted three important questions which are:</p><p>• In which ways can the customer affect the communicated image of a brand?</p><p>• To what extent can the customer influence the brand image and the perceived value?</p><p>• Who has control over the brand, the customer or the company?</p><p>For this study we have used a qualitative approach in which we have conducted eight personal interviews with brand consultants and the editor of the magazine Dagens Media which has given us the foundation for our analysis. We choose this qualitative approach to gain a deeper understanding and a complete picture for the studied topic. In the final chapter we present our conclusions of the study. We have found that consumers can influence and communicate the brand image in five different ways; by using the brand, through word-of-mouth, buzz, engaging in social groups and through Consumer Generated Media (CGM). Another conclusion we have drawn is that the consumer has gained more control over the information flow in the market and thereby their ability to affect the company’s marketing message has increased. The main reason for the consumers improved power is the explosion of media channels that has developed and increased through Internet. Finally we have drawn the conclusion that the brand image can be divided in to two different aspects; the personal and the general image.</p>

The purpose of this study has been to examine how customers, by interacting with each other, can communicate and create the image of a brand. We find this topic to be relevant since there are no previous studies conducted concerning the customers influence on the brand image. Our ambition has been to describe in what ways and to what extent the customer can affect and influence the brand image by communicating with other customers. To fulfill our purposed we have targeted three important questions which are: • In which ways can the customer affect the communicated image of a brand? • To what extent can the customer influence the brand image and the perceived value? • Who has control over the brand, the customer or the company? For this study we have used a qualitative approach in which we have conducted eight personal interviews with brand consultants and the editor of the magazine Dagens Media which has given us the foundation for our analysis. We choose this qualitative approach to gain a deeper understanding and a complete picture for the studied topic. In the final chapter we present our conclusions of the study. We have found that consumers can influence and communicate the brand image in five different ways; by using the brand, through word-of-mouth, buzz, engaging in social groups and through Consumer Generated Media (CGM). Another conclusion we have drawn is that the consumer has gained more control over the information flow in the market and thereby their ability to affect the company’s marketing message has increased. The main reason for the consumers improved power is the explosion of media channels that has developed and increased through Internet. Finally we have drawn the conclusion that the brand image can be divided in to two different aspects; the personal and the general image.