On a first-name basis: Englishization and naming in Flanders

Following and contributing to the ongoing shift from more structuralist, system-oriented to more pragmatic, socio-cultural oriented anglicism research, this paper verifies to what extent the global spread of English affects naming patterns in Flanders. To this end, a diachronic database of first names is constructed, containing the top 75 most popular boy and girl names from 2005 until 2014. In a first step, the etymological background of these names is documented and the evolution in popularity of the English names in the database is tracked. Results reveal no notable surge in the preference for English names. This paper complements these database-driven results with an experimental study, aiming to show how associations through referents are in this case more telling than associations through phonological form (here based on etymology). Focusing on the socio-cultural background of first names in general and of Anglo-American pop culture in particular, the second part of the study specifically reports on results from a survey where participants are asked to name the first three celebrities that leap to mind when hearing a certain first name (e.g. Lana, triggering the response Del Rey). Very clear associations are found between certain first names and specific celebrities from Anglo-American pop culture. Linking back to marketing research and the social turn in onomastics, we will discuss how these celebrities might function as referees, and how social stereotypes surrounding these referees are metonymically attached to their first names. Similar to the country-of-origin-effect in marketing, these metonymical links could very well be the reason why parents select specific “celebrity names”. Although further attitudinal research is needed, this paper supports the importance of including socio-cultural parameters when conducting onomastic research.

D3.3 – First Social Gamification Assets

This deliverable is software, as such this document is abridged to be as succinct as possible, the extended descriptions and detailed documentation for the software are online. The document consists of two parts, part one describes the first bundle of social gamification assets developed in WP3, part two presents mock-ups of the RAGE ecosystem gamification. In addition to the software outline, included in part one is a short market analysis of existing gamification solutions, outline rationale for combining the three social gamification assets into one unified asset, and the branding exercise to make the assets more developer friendly.Online links to the source code, binaries, demo and documentation for the assets are provided. The combined assets offer game developers as well as a wide range of software developers the opportunity to readily enhance existing games or digital platforms with multiplayer gamification functionalities, catering for both competitive and cooperative game dynamics. The solution consist of a flexible client-server solution which can run either as a cloud-based service, serving many games or have specific instances for individual games as necessary.

Standardisation of the Selling Process in Franchising : A Take on Sales Funnel Management

This paper addresses the two opposing extremes of standardisation in franchising and the dynamics of sales in search of a juncture point in order to reduce franchisees’ uncertainties in sales and improve sales performance. A conceptual framework is developed based on both theory and practice in order to investigate the sales process of a specific franchise network. The research is conducted over a period of six weeks in form of a customised sales report considering the sales funnel concept and performance indicators along the sales process. The received quantitative data is analysed through descriptive statistics and logistic regressions in respect to what variations in the sales process can be discovered and what practices yield higher performance. The results indicate an advantage of a prioritisation guideline regarding the activities and choices to make as a salesperson over strict standardisation. Defining the sales funnel plus engaging in the process of monitoring sales in itself has proven to be a way of reducing uncertainty as the franchisor and franchisees alike inherently gain a greater understanding of the process. The extended knowledge gained from this research allowed for both practical as well as theoretical implications and expands the knowledge on standardisation of sales and the appropriateness of the sales funnel and its management for dealing with the dilemma between standardisation and flexibility of sales in franchising contexts.

Varumärkesstärkande samhällsansvar : En studie om hur CSR påverkar konsumenters attityder

Företags samhällsansvar (CSR) har utvecklats från ett fokus på etik till prestation och att således kunna fungera som ett strategiskt verktyg för differentiering och det är idag allmänt vedertaget för företag att använda sig av CSR med antagandet att detta genererar konkurrensfördelar. Samtidigt som CSR påvisats kunna skapa mervärde till ett företags varumärke ställs numera också krav från konsumenter att företag tar ett samhällsansvar. Det har däremot uppmärksammats att konsumenters medvetenhet om företags CSR-initiativ är låg, vilket kan anses problematiskt i och med de investeringar företag lägger på CSR och om detta således tas i beaktande vid konsumenters utvärdering av företag. Uppsatsens syfte är därmed att förklara om och hur CSR påverkar konsumenters attityd till ett företags varumärke samt ifall detta innebär ett mervärde och därmed varumärkesstärkande. För att uppnå syftet genomfördes en kvantitativ undersökning och enkäter skickades ut till studenter vid Högskolan Dalarna där totalt 682 respondenter slutförde enkäten. Resultaten visar en låg grad av medvetenhet, men att konsumenter med en högre grad av medvetenhet uppvisar mer fördelaktiga attityder till företag som tar ett samhällsansvar. Det framkommer också att dessa attityder genererar företag immateriella värden vilket senare teoretiskt förklaras innebära ett mervärde och därmed varumärkesstärkande. Studien landar i att CSR kan användas av företag för att stärka sitt varumärke, men finner dock en begränsning gällande konsumenters låga medvetenhet om företags CSR-initiativ.

Methods, Models & Systems for Dealing with Some Business, Management & Engineering Problems

This keynote presentation will report some of our research work and experience on the development and applications of relevant methods, models, systems and simulation techniques in support of different types and various levels of decision making for business, management and engineering. In particular, the following topics will be covered. Modelling, multi-agent-based simulation and analysis of the allocation management of carbon dioxide emission permits in China (Nanfeng Liu & Shuliang Li Agent-based simulation of the dynamic evolution of enterprise carbon assets (Yin Zeng & Shuliang Li) A framework & system for extracting and representing project knowledge contexts using topic models and dynamic knowledge maps: a big data perspective (Jin Xu, Zheng Li, Shuliang Li & Yanyan Zhang) Open innovation: intelligent model, social media & complex adaptive system simulation (Shuliang Li & Jim Zheng Li) A framework, model and software prototype for modelling and simulation for deshopping behaviour and how companies respond (Shawkat Rahman & Shuliang Li) Integrating multiple agents, simulation, knowledge bases and fuzzy logic for international marketing decision making (Shuliang Li & Jim Zheng Li) A Web-based hybrid intelligent system for combined conventional, digital, mobile, social media and mobile marketing strategy formulation (Shuliang Li & Jim Zheng Li) A hybrid intelligent model for Web & social media dynamics, and evolutionary and adaptive branding (Shuliang Li) A hybrid paradigm for modelling, simulation and analysis of brand virality in social media (Shuliang Li & Jim Zheng Li) Network configuration management: attack paradigms and architectures for computer network survivability (Tero Karvinen & Shuliang Li)

It is Time for Something New: A 21st Century Joint-Employer Doctrine for 21st Century Franchising

[Excerpt] The joint-employer doctrine is perhaps the hottest issue in labor and employment law for 2015 and the foreseeable future. In the September 2015 Browning-Ferris ("BFI”) decision, the National Labor Relations Board (the "NLRB" or the "Board"), the administrative agency that enforces the National Labor Relations Act (the "NLRA" or the "Act"), issued what is expected to be the first of two decisions, expanding the joint-employer doctrine. In the BFI decision, the so-called putative employer (e.g., the lessor of employees or a franchisor) is now considered the employer of individuals who had in the past been considered employees of the supplier employer. Like in Browning-Ferris, a number of McDonald's employees and the Service Employees International Union ("SEIU") are arguing that the world's largest franchisor is the joint employer of all its franchisees' employees. At first blush, one might believe that this is another esoteric labor and employment law issue that only lawyers and scholars care about. However, depending on how the Board and courts rule on this issue, the joint-employer doctrine could fundamentally change business in the United States by destroying the franchise model.

Sosiaalisen median yksilöbrändin merkitys työnhaussa ja yritysten näkökanta työntekijän sosiaalisen median käyttäytymiselle

Työn tavoitteena oli tutkia, kuinka yksilön brändi muodostuu sosiaalisessa mediassa ja mitä sosiaalisen median kanavia suositaan työnhakijoiden ja yritysten keskuudessa. Haettiin myös alueellisilta yrityksiltä vastausta siihen, perehdyttävätkö he uusia työntekijöitä sosiaalisen median käyttäytymisessä. Tietolähteinä käytettiin brändin luomiseen ja sosiaalisen median strategiaan keskittyvää kirjallisuutta sekä yrityksien ja opiskelijoiden haastatteluja. Työn tuloksina todettiin suosituimmiksi kanaviksi itsensä markkinointiin verkostoitumispalvelu LinkedIn. Yritykset korostivat omien projektien merkitystä osaamisen näyttämisessä työnhaussa ja hyvin viestittyä persoonallisuutta hakemuksissa arvostettiin.

Business Signage Control in Seattle's Chinatown International District, Pursuing Healthy Balance of Preservation and Commercial Vitalization in a Historic Commercial Districts

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Can You Hear the Eco? : A Study of How Swedish Municipalities Can Market their CSR-Activities

Background: In an increasingly globalised world, municipalities more than ever have to compete with each other. Thus, the need to create a brand image has become vital for municipalities. Place branding is the tool that has enabled municipalities to create a brand image in order to attract stakeholders such as potential visitors, residents and businesses. The sustainability phenomenon Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has recently become an attractive factor within place branding. Although, the concept of CSR is most commonly implemented within the private sector, CSR initiatives within the public sector are recognised as an integral part. Therefore, the issue of how municipalities can market and communicate their CSR-actives has arisen.  Purpose: The aim of this research is to explore how Swedish municipalities can market their CSR-activities, in order to gain competitive advantages as attractive cities. In further details, this research focuses on how municipalities can use place branding to market their CSR-activities and how they can communicate this to current and potential stakeholders. Method: In order to fulfil this purpose, an interpretivist methodology was adopted with an abductive approach. In regard to this, an exploratory design was developed. More specifically, it was conducted with a mixed method, using a quantitative content analysis and qualitative indepth interviews with knowledgeable experts within CSR from the most relevant departments in the municipalities. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the use of place branding can help municipalities with a sustainable profile to gain competitive advantages. Furthermore, it became apparent that the use of place branding strategies, such as slogan, logotypes, events and cooperation with stakeholders, could enhance the brand image of municipalities and enable them to attract potential stakeholders. In regards to the communication channels, the findings suggest municipalities to communicate their CSR-activities through websites, social media, press conferences, seminars and events.

Agricultural show awards : a brief exploration of their role marketing food products

La réception du hip-hop chez des rappeurs afro-québécois dans la ville de Québec : appropriation intersectionnelle de problématiques multidimensionnelles

Cette thèse analyse les rappeurs afro-québécois des communautés de Limoilou (Limoilou Starz) et leurs amis de Montcalm comme des acteurs qui s’approprient des éléments identitaires, de lutte sociale et de survie économique, issus des problématiques globales et américaines du hip-hop, au service de leurs défis particuliers. Les divers mérites des luttes menées au moyen de leur art sont acquis par des formes spécifiques de capital. Ainsi les moyens utilisés par les rappeurs sont principalement les paroles de chansons, les prises de parole publique, dans les médias et sur scène, les campagnes d’affichage, l’utilisation des réseaux numériques, l’entreprise économique autonome (photographie, vidéographie, gestion des artistes, vente de vêtements). Ces moyens spécifiques se rattachent à d’autres principes et actions non explicités et sociohistoriquement ancrés. À partir d’une enquête ethnographique menée auprès de 31 participants dans la ville de Québec, j’utilise le concept de « réception différenciée » (Hall, 1980; Morley, 1980) pour décrire le processus de résistance des différents pratiquants et entrepreneurs de la musique aux dominations provenant de groupes divers. Trois principaux groupes de domination sont examinés : les agents d’institutions étatiques (comme les policiers du Service de Police de la Ville de Québec), les agents d’entreprises privées (comme les patrons de grandes boites de nuit et les propriétaires de labels musicaux indépendants) et les groupes et individus du milieu hip-hop, à travers leurs stratégies d’intimidation. La théorie « émergente » ou emergent-fit (Guillemette, 2006; Guillemette et Luckerhoff, 2009) permet d’entrevoir la musique hip-hop en amont comme une structure multidimensionnelle (sociale, identitaire, politique et économique) et intersectionnelle (intersection de plusieurs catégories interreliées, relatives au lieu de résidence, à la race et aux capacités économiques), et en aval comme un champ musical (Bourdieu, 1976 et 1989; Rimmer, 2010) renégocié. Cette structure a pris forme et s’est transformée grâce aux dispositions mentales et physiques (habitus) des acteurs étudiés. Les résultats de cette recherche montrent que certains rappeurs et leurs autres collègues artistes hip-hop— ainsi que quelques entrepreneurs— résistent à plusieurs sortes de domination. D’autres encore acceptent ces dominations sous forme d’idéologies, même en le reconnaissant explicitement. Par contre, une infime partie des acteurs étudiés les rejettent complètement. Ainsi, l’appropriation multidimensionnelle et intersectionnelle des sens dominants à travers le hip-hop mène à plusieurs formes de lecture de la domination et de la résistance.

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.

Influence of climate variability and stocking strategies on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), production and profit of a northern Queensland beef cattle herd

Previous studies of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) from beef production systems in northern Australia have been based on models of ‘steady-state’ herd structures that do not take into account the considerable inter-annual variation in liveweight gain, reproduction and mortality rates that occurs due to seasonal conditions. Nor do they consider the implications of flexible stocking strategies designed to adapt these production systems to the highly variable climate. The aim of the present study was to quantify the variation in total GHGE (t CO2e) and GHGE intensity (t CO2e/t liveweight sold) for the beef industry in northern Australia when variability in these factors was considered. A combined GRASP–Enterprise modelling platform was used to simulate a breeding–finishing beef cattle property in the Burdekin River region of northern Queensland, using historical climate data from 1982–2011. GHGE was calculated using the method of Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Five different stocking-rate strategies were simulated with fixed stocking strategies at moderate and high rates, and three flexible stocking strategies where the stocking rate was adjusted annually by up to 5%, 10% or 20%, according to pasture available at the end of the growing season. Variation in total annual GHGE was lowest in the ‘fixed moderate’ (~9.5 ha/adult equivalent (AE)) stocking strategy, ranging from 3799 to 4471 t CO2e, and highest in the ‘fixed high’ strategy (~5.9 ha/AE), which ranged from 3771 to 7636 t CO2e. The ‘fixed moderate’ strategy had the least variation in GHGE intensity (15.7–19.4 t CO2e/t liveweight sold), while the ‘flexible 20’ strategy (up to 20% annual change in AE) had the largest range (10.5–40.8 t CO2e/t liveweight sold). Across the five stocking strategies, the ‘fixed moderate’ stocking-rate strategy had the highest simulated perennial grass percentage and pasture growth, highest average rate of liveweight gain (121 kg/steer), highest average branding percentage (74%) and lowest average breeding-cow mortality rate (3.9%), resulting in the lowest average GHGE intensity (16.9 t CO2e/t liveweight sold). The ‘fixed high’ stocking rate strategy (~5.9 ha/AE) performed the poorest in each of these measures, while the three flexible stocking strategies were intermediate. The ‘fixed moderate’ stocking strategy also yielded the highest average gross margin per AE carried and per hectare. These results highlight the importance of considering the influence of climate variability on stocking-rate management strategies and herd performance when estimating GHGE. The results also support a body of previous work that has recommended the adoption of moderate stocking strategies to enhance the profitability and ecological stability of beef production systems in northern Australia.

Tinta Barroca: identidade e comunicação para uma marca de promoção de eventos hoteleiros

A ilustração aplicada ao branding resulta de um modo reflexivo por parte do autor. Esse modo é, por si só, o papel do ilustrador como designer gráfico. A identidade de uma marca nasce da sua história, contexto e sensações, as quais o autor adquire e transmite, segundo as suas vivências, de modo a responder às necessidades das pessoas que o rodeiam. O desenvolvimento de uma marca é um longo processo de análise e reflexão, contínuo e exigente. Aplicando a ilustração a este meio, como objeto visual principal, a língua deixa de ser um entrave e a identidade passa a ser comunicada aos olhos e memória de qualquer um, de forma imediata e eficaz. Conceptualmente, a Tinta Barroca absorve estes princípios, transformando-se numa marca de eventos culturais, embora bastante focada em eventos que podem abranger jantares bem portugueses ou provas de vinho. O projeto foi desenvolvido à base do experimentalismo. Todas as ilustrações da marca foram, numa primeira fase, produzidas manualmente e posteriormente tratadas digitalmente, testando diferentes formas, texturas e materiais. A excessividade ilustrativa é o ponto de partida para comunicar as ideologias da Tinta Barroca, baseando-se no barroquismo, erotismo e nos prazeres da vida. A identidade gráfica da marca misturase com uma decoração já pré-definida: uma mesa bem preenchida e recheada de flores, frutos, vinho e comidas divinais, que se aproximam, pelo excesso, dos princípios do barroco.

Impacto da comunicação empresarial na atração dos colaboradores : TalenterTM, um estudo de caso

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Económicas e Empresariais, 12 de Julho de 2016, Universidade dos Açores.