Analyzing consumer-based brand equity on Facebook: the impact of brand gender

In recent years, Facebook and other social media have become key players in branding activities. However, empirical research is still needed about the way in which consumer-based brand equity is created on social media. The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between masculine and feminine brand personality and brand equity, on Facebook, and to analyze the mediating role of consumer-brand engagement and brand love on this relationship. Data were collected using an online survey with 614 valid responses. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Results support 7 of the 11 hypotheses with significant relationship between analyzed constructs. This study confirms the advantages of a clear gender positioning and extends prior research by suggesting that brands with a strong brand gender identity will encourage brand love. Results also highlight that brand love has a mediating role on the relationship between brand gender and overall brand equity.

A percepção do consumidor do valor da marca : O caso TAP Portugal

Neste trabalho de investigação pretende-se responder à questão: qual a importância da percepção do consumidor do valor da marca TAP PORTUGAL? Para atingir os objectivos da investigação realizou-se um estudo de caso, tendo-se elaborado entrevistas junto de responsáveis pela área do marketing da companhia aérea nacional e procedeu-se à recolha de informação (publicações TAP, ANA¬ AEROPORTOS, entre outras; e, aplicou-se um questionário junto dos passageiros TAP. PORTUGAL no Aeroporto Internacional de Lisboa) de modo a se poder estudar o caso aprofundadamente. Os resultados da investigação indicam que a análise da nova imagem TAP PORTUGAL por parte dos passageiros é, de um modo geral, muito positiva, estando alinhados com os objectivos definidos no rebranding levado a cabo em 2005. A presente investigação contribui para sistematizar e clarificar as percepções dos consumidores do valor da marca TAP PORTUGAL, bem como retirar algumas ilações comparativas sobre os objectivos propostos e implementados na operação de rebranding com as percepções que os seus clientes têm desta nova imagem, contribuindo para uma melhor estratégia de gestão da marca. ABSTRACT; The present research seeks to answer the question: What is the importance of consumers' perception for the brand equity of TAP PORTUGAL? To achieve the objectives of the research a case study of methodology was done, having prepared interviews with the responsible for the marketing area of the Portuguese Airline, and proceeded to gather information (TAP, ANA-AEROPORTOS publications, among others; and, have applied a questionnaire to the TAP PORTUGAL passengers who made the check-in in the International Airport of Lisbon) to make a profound study of the case. Research results indicate that the new image analysis of TAP PORTUGAL from passengers, is generally very positive, and aligned with the objectives outlined in rebranding carried out in 2005. This research contributes to systematize and clarify the consumer's perceptions for the brand equity of TAP PORTUGAL, and draw some comparative conclusions on the objectives proposed and implemented in the rebranding operation with the customers’ perception that have the new image, contributing to improve the brand management strategy. NOTA: contém Cd em mau estado (Ilegível).

Definição da identidade da marca para o medronho

Numa economia global sujeita a mudanças nas dinâmicas de mercado e a uma concorrência crescente, o papel das marcas nunca foi tão importante como agora. As marcas servem de mapa orientador para comportamento de compra e, quando geridas de forma correta, resultam geralmente num valor significativo para os seus detentores. Pretende-se com este trabalho desenvolver uma marca para o medronho, fruto nacional ainda pouco comercializado em fresco. Procurou criar-se uma identidade de marca forte, tendo em atenção os vários elementos de marca de modo a contribuir positivamente para a construção de capital de marca (brand equity). Na metodologia privilegia-se a análise qualitativa, com a realização de uma entrevista e um questionário, com o intuito de aprofundar respetivamente o conhecimento da empresa e a perceção dos consumidores em relação ao fruto. Neste sentido, e depois de uma análise cuidada da literatura, este projeto reflete a aplicação dos modelos de construção de marcas e dos critérios para a escolha dos elementos da marca definidos por Keller (2005). Deste trabalho resulta uma proposta de construção dos elementos da marca, a ser utilizada pelo centro de excelência para a valorização dos recursos mediterrâneos (CEVRM); Definition of the Brand Identity for the arbutus Abstract: In a global economy subject to changes in market dynamics and increasing competition, the role of brands has never been as important as now. Trademarks serve advisor map to buying behavior and, when managed correctly, often result in significant value for its owners. The aim of this work is to develop a brand for the arbutus, national fruit poorly marketed fresh. Sought to create is a strong brand identity, taking into account the various mode brand elements to contribute positively to building brand equity (brand equity). The methodology emphasizes the qualitative analysis, conducting an interview and a questionnaire, in order to deepen respectively the company's knowledge and perception of consumers in relation to the fruit. In this sense, and after a careful analysis of the literature, this project reflects the application of model building brands and criteria for the choice of brand elements defined by Keller. This work results in a proposal to build the brand elements to be used by the CEVRM.

Motivations to interact with brands on Facebook – Towards a typology of consumer–brand interactions

In recent years, Facebook and other social media have become key players in branding activities. However, empirical research on consumer–brand interactions on Facebook is still in its infancy. Therefore, the aim of this research is to provide additional insights to brand managers on how to adapt their approaches to increase consumers’ interactions with brands on Facebook. In this study, we apply the uses and gratification theory proposed by Katz to develop a new typology of consumers based on consumer motivations to interact with brands on Facebook, and explore the type and intensity of these interactions. We identify five main motivations that might influence consumers’ interactions with a brand on Facebook: (i) social influence, (ii) search for information, (iii) entertainment, (iv) trust and (v) reward. Building on these five motivations, a classification using clustering techniques reveals four different groups of consumers: (i) ‘brand detached’, (ii) ‘brand profiteers’, (iii) ‘brand companions’ and (iv) ‘brand reliants’. Our results provide valuable and applicable insights for social media marketing activities, which will assist brand managers to develop strategies for effectively reaching and influencing the most desirable groups of consumers.

Product/Brand co-creation methodology crossing marketing, design thinking, creativity and management: ideas(r)evolution

This thesis introduce a new innovation methodology called IDEAS(R)EVOLUTION that was developed according to an on-going experimental research project started in 2007. This new approach to innovation has initial based on Design thinking for innovation theory and practice. The concept of design thinking for innovation has received much attention in recent years. This innovation approach has climbed from the design and designers knowledge field towards other knowledge areas, mainly business management and marketing. Human centered approach, radical collaboration, creativity and breakthrough thinking are the main founding principles of Design thinking that were adapted by those knowledge areas due to their assertively and fitness to the business context and market complexity evolution. Also Open innovation, User-centered innovation and later on Living Labs models emerge as answers to the market and consumers pressure and desire for new products, new services or new business models. Innovation became the principal business management focus and strategic orientation. All this changes had an impact also in the marketing theory. It is possible now to have better strategies, communications plans and continuous dialogue systems with the target audience, incorporating their insights and promoting them to the main dissemination ambassadors of our innovations in the market. Drawing upon data from five case studies, the empirical findings in this dissertation suggest that companies need to shift from Design thinking for innovation approach to an holistic, multidimensional and integrated innovation system. The innovation context it is complex, companies need deeper systems then the success formulas that “commercial “Design thinking for innovation “preaches”. They need to learn how to change their organization culture, how to empower their workforce and collaborators, how to incorporate external stakeholders in their innovation processes, hoe to measure and create key performance indicators throughout the innovation process to give them better decision making data, how to integrate meaning and purpose in their innovation philosophy. Finally they need to understand that the strategic innovation effort it is not a “one shot” story it is about creating a continuous flow of interaction and dialogue with their clients within a “value creation chain“ mindset; RESUMO: Metodologia de co-criação de um produto/marca cruzando Marketing, Design Thinking, Criativity and Management - IDEAS(R)EVOLUTION. Esta dissertação apresenta uma nova metodologia de inovação chamada IDEAS(R)EVOLUTION, que foi desenvolvida segundo um projecto de investigação experimental contínuo que teve o seu início em 2007. Esta nova abordagem baseou-se, inicialmente, na teoria e na práctica do Design thinking para a inovação. Actualmente o conceito do Design Thinking para a inovação “saiu” do dominio da area de conhecimento do Design e dos Designers, tendo despertado muito interesse noutras áreas como a Gestão e o Marketing. Uma abordagem centrada na Pessoa, a colaboração radical, a criatividade e o pensamento disruptivo são principios fundadores do movimento do Design thinking que têm sido adaptados por essas novas áreas de conhecimento devido assertividade e adaptabilidade ao contexto dos negócios e à evolução e complexidade do Mercado. Também os modelos de Inovação Aberta, a inovação centrada no utilizador e mais tarde os Living Labs, emergem como possiveis soluções para o Mercado e para a pressão e desejo dos consumidores para novos productos, serviços ou modelos de negócio. A inovação passou a ser o principal foco e orientação estratégica na Gestão. Todas estas mudanças também tiveram impacto na teoria do Marketing. Hoje é possivel criar melhores estratégias, planos de comunicação e sistemas continuos de diálogo com o público alvo, incorporando os seus insights e promovendo os consumidores como embaixadores na disseminação da inovação das empresas no Mercado Os resultados empiricos desta tese, construídos com a informação obtida nos cinco casos realizados, sugerem que as empresas precisam de se re-orientar do paradigma do Design thinking para a inovação, para um sistema de inovação mais holistico, multidimensional e integrado. O contexto da Inovação é complexo, por isso as empresas precisam de sistemas mais profundos e não apenas de “fórmulas comerciais” como o Design thinking para a inovação advoga. As Empresas precisam de aprender como mudar a sua cultura organizacional, como capacitar sua força de trabalho e colaboradores, como incorporar os públicos externos no processo de inovação, como medir o processo de inovação criando indicadores chave de performance e obter dados para um tomada de decisão mais informada, como integrar significado e propósito na sua filosofia de inovação. Por fim, precisam de perceber que uma estratégia de inovação não passa por ter “sucesso uma vez”, mas sim por criar um fluxo contínuo de interação e diálogo com os seus clientes com uma mentalidade de “cadeia de criação de valor”

Expenditure pattern analysis of cultural tourists at World Heritage Sites: an empirical evidence based on CHAID analysis

Nowadays, World Heritage Sites (WHS) have been facing new challenges, partially due to a different tourism consumption patterns. As it is highlighted in a considerable amount of studies, visits to these sites are almost justified by this prestigious classification and motivations are closely associated with their cultural aspects and quality of the overall environment (among others, Marujo et al, 2012). However, a diversity of tourists’ profiles have been underlined in the literature. Starting from the results obtained in a previous study about cultural tourists’ profile, conducted during the year 2009 in the city of Évora, Portugal, it is our intend to compare the results with a recent survey applied to the visitors of the same city. Recognition of Évora by UNESCO in 1986 as “World Heritage” has fostered not only the preservation of heritage but also the tourist promotion of the town. This study compares and examined tourists’ profile, regarding from the tourists’ expenditure patterns in Évora. A total of 450 surveys were distributed in 2009, and recently, in 2015, the same numbers of surveys were collected. Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) was applied to model consumer patterns of domestic and international visitors, based on socio demographic, trip characteristics, length of stay and the degree of satisfaction of pull factors. CHAID allowed find a population classification in groups that able to describe the dependent variable, average daily tourist expenditure. Results revealed different patterns of daily average expenditure amongst the years, 2009 and 2015, even if primarily results not revealed significant variations in socio-demographic and trip characteristics among the visitors’ core profile. Local authorities should be aware of this changing expensive behavior of cultural visitors and should formulate strategies accordingly. Policy and managerial recommendations are discussed.

Motivations to interact with brands on Facebook – Towards a typology of consumer–brand interactions

In recent years, Facebook and other social media have become key players in branding activities. However, empirical research on consumer–brand interactions on Facebook is still in its infancy. Therefore, the aim of this research is to provide additional insights to brand managers on how to adapt their approaches to increase consumers’ interactions with brands on Facebook. In this study, we apply the uses and gratification theory proposed by Katz (1959) to develop a new typology of consumers based on consumer motivations to interact with brands on Facebook, and explore the type and intensity of these interactions. We identify five main motivations that might influence consumers’ interactions with a brand on Facebook: (1) social influence, (2) search for information, (3) entertainment, (4) trust and (5) reward. Building on these five motivations, a classification using clustering techniques reveals four different groups of consumers: (1) “brand detached”, (2) “brand profiteers”, (3) “brand companions” and (4) “brand reliants”. Our results provide valuable and applicable insights for social media marketing activities, which will assist brand managers to develop strategies for effectively reaching and influencing the most desirable groups of consumers.

Cloud Base Height Measurement System Based on Stereo Vision with Automatic Calibration

Clouds are important in weather prediction, climate studies and aviation safety. Important parameters include cloud height, type and cover percentage. In this paper, the recent improvements in the development of a low-cost cloud height measurement setup are described. It is based on stereo vision with consumer digital cameras. The cameras positioning is calibrated using the position of stars in the night sky. An experimental uncertainty analysis of the calibration parameters is performed. Cloud height measurement results are presented and compared with LIDAR measurements.