Examining the influence of corporate website favourability on corporate image, corporate reputation, consumer company identification and loyalty: a study of consumers’ perception in the context of the financial setting in the United Kingdom and Russia

The main aim of this study is to add to the current knowledge about the corporate website favourability within the discipline of marketing by developing a rigorous conceptual framework of factors that influence corporate website favourability, and to explore how corporate website favourability contributes to building corporate image, corporate reputation, consumer-company identification and loyalty within the context of the financial setting in the UK and Russia. This research addresses two main questions: 1) what is the impact of the specific antecedents of corporate website favourability on corporate image, corporate reputation, consumer-company identification and loyalty? 2) what are the main favourable influences of corporate website favourability on corporate image, corporate reputation, consumer-company identification and loyalty? To achieve the goals of this research, the thesis adopts a mixed method research design - a predominantly quantitative approach, which is supported by insights from an exploratory phase that embodies in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The thesis draws on attribution, social identity and signalling theories. Based on the multi-disciplinary approach, this study resulted in the introduction of a validated conceptual framework that explains the phenomenon of corporate website favourability. The conceptual framework was supported and enhanced by a qualitative study (in-depth interviews and focus groups) that added three factors which influence corporate website favourability: customer service, website credibility and perceived corporate social responsibility. The conceptual framework was empirically evaluated through the insights from 555 questionnaires in the UK and 563 questionnaires in Russia. The sample of respondents permitted multivariate data analysis to be conducted in both contexts. The data from two contexts (consumers from HSBC in the UK and Sberbank in Russia) were analysed separately. This research employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA), cronbach’s alpha, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to ensure that the scales developed and adapted were robust in terms of validity and reliability. Afterwards, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to conduct the hypothesis testing for each context. The model confirmed a good fit to the data, good convergent, discriminant and nomological validity and stable reliability in both contexts. The proposed conceptual model showed that 17 hypotheses in the UK and 14 hypotheses in Russia were supported out of the 19 hypotheses. Thus, overall, the research framework was generally supported in both contexts. The results indicated that navigation, information, security, availability, perceived corporate social responsibility, and perceived corporate culture influence corporate website favourability in the UK and Russia. Furthermore, the findings showed that the usability factor does not influence corporate website favourability in either country. Unexpectedly, the visual, customisation, website credibility, and customer service factors were rejected in Russia, but accepted in the UK. Additionally, corporate website favourability was found to have a direct positive affect on corporate image and satisfaction in both the UK and Russia. However, the relationship between attractiveness and corporate image was only supported in Russia, and not in the UK. In addition, in both contexts, corporate image was positively related to corporate reputation, corporate reputation was positively connected to consumer-company identification, and, finally, consumer-company identification was positively related to loyalty. This study is the first systematic research which has conceptualised and operationalised the notion of corporate website favourability, its antecedents and its consequences. It is anticipated to be of value in advancing existing knowledge by proposing a threefold theoretical contribution to the literature: 1) theoretical extension (level of conceptualisation and measurement); 2) assessment of theory; and 3) investigation of generalisation. Additionally, it is hoped that the findings of this research would make a substantial managerial contribution to the understanding of marketing and communication managers and website designers regarding the entire association among corporate website favourability, its antecedents and consequence. Furthermore, it is expected that this examination will enhance the knowledge of company decision-makers, communication professionals and website specialists about the building of a favourable corporate website in line with the corporate identity strategy of the company. Corporate website favourability should be adopted by companies, as part of the overall corporate identity management

Tourist's destination image through regional tourism: from supply and demand sides perspectives

As an outcome of the phenomenal development of the place branding in the travel industry, scrutinizing its potential influences on tourism and travelers destinations is of supreme prominence. The aim of this study was to identify how branding of places influences both supply and demand sides’ perspectives, and leads to changes in travelers’ behavior towards Tatarstan, Russia. Based on 78 interviews with tourists (22), managers (34) and 3 focus groups (22), a conceptual model was designed which illustrates that the tangible and intangible factors of place identity influence archetypical nation trait and reginal place brand, which further results in a positive place image, authentic lifestyle, and entrepreneurship. Implications for tourism planning and management are provided

Cues adopted by consumers in examining corporate website favorability: an empirical study of financial institutions in the UK and Russia

The purpose of this paper is to explore, reconcile and depict corporate website favorability (CWF), its antecedents and consequences in the financial setting in the UK and Russia context. To achieve the goals of this study, the research adopted a mixed method research design by using a survey, which is supported by insights from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Structural equation modeling (SEM) were applied to gain insight into the various influences and relationships. The paper develops and empirically validates the framework of CWF antecedents and consequences. The paper indicates essential guidance for cross-functional managers and designers regarding the integrated and holistic utilization of building favorable corporate websites as part of the corporate identity management. The paper adds to the understanding of CWF and discusses the antecedents of CWF by drawing upon the existing literature. Furthermore, it offers possible consequences of CWF and provides a framework for future testing

Evaluating the factors of corporate website favorability: a case of UK and Russia

Purpose - This research evaluates the significance of the corporate website favorability notion and examines its factors in developing competitive advantage in the context of retail and service settings in UK and Russia. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the attribution, social identity, and signaling theories, this research adopted the qualitative exploratory approach by conducting 14 interviews with retail experts and 8 focus groups with retail users in UK and Russia, combined with experts in website design, communication, and marketing. Findings - The research findings indicated that it is crucial to build and maintain a favorable corporate website that reveals the corporate identity as part of the overall company strategy. The study suggests that navigation, visual, information, usability, customization, security, availability, website credibility, customer service, perceived corporate social responsibility, and perceived corporate culture are the factors of corporate website favorability that contribute to the company’s competitive advantage. The findings show that consumers from Russia, as well as from UK found the significance of a favorable corporate website (i.e. corporate website favorability), as well as the factors affecting corporate website favorability. However, consumers in UK are more critical and demanding in the level of expectation of the website overall and put more weight than consumers from Russia on the perceived corporate social responsibility, perceived corporate culture, customer service, and website credibility Practical implications - Corporate website favorability should be adopted by the companies, as part of the overall corporate identity management. Furthermore, it is advised to take into consideration the variations in the level of importance of the factors of corporate website favorability in different countries. The findings of this research suggest that this investigation will make a considerable managerial contribution to the understanding of a company’s decision-makers, communication professionals and website specialists about the building of a favorable corporate website in line with corporate identity strategy of the company. Originality/value - There has been little systematic study of the effect of corporate websites on consumer evaluations of the websites, also there is a lack of research in regard to the factors that contribute to the development of a favorable corporate website (i.e. corporate website favorability). This is the first research of its kind to find the effect of corporate website favorability in Russia, representing a non-western country, and the UK, representing a western country. Therefore, it contributes to the corporate visual identity literature by presenting the corporate website favorability construct and demonstrating the factors that influence corporate website favorability

Examining the influence of corporate website favorability on corporate image and corporate reputation: findings from fsQCA

This study uses the attribution and signaling theory perspective to scrutinize the key impacts of the determinants of corporate website favorability. In addition, this paper examines the main influences of satisfaction and attractiveness on corporate image and reputation, observes the role that the demographics of consumers (gender and age) play in such relationships, and proposes a research model along with research tenets. To examine these tenets, the conceptual framework was empirically evaluated through the perceptions of 563 consumers toward the financial setting in Russia (563). This study employs complexity theory, which integrates the principle of equifinality. To examine the data, this research employs fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Additionally, this study makes a managerial contribution to the understanding of marketing and communication managers and website designers regarding the associations among corporate website favorability, its antecedents, and its consequences

A holistic framework of corporate website favourability

This paper extends the current knowledge of corporate website favourability (CWF) by developing a comprehensive conceptual model of its influence on corporate image, corporate reputation, loyalty and identification. The paper reviews previous studies on corporate websites from the perspectives of marketing, management, corporate identity and corporate visual identity in order to inform our understanding of the antecedents and consequences of CWF. The propositions and the conceptual framework present an approach by which a corporation can design and manage a favourable corporate website. A number of important contributions are offered: First, the paper adds to the understanding of CWF; second, it discusses the antecedents of CWF by drawing upon the existing literature; third, it is beneficial for practitioners in shaping CWF strategies, and fourth, it offers possible consequences of CWF and provides a framework for future testing

REQUIREMENTS FOR BUDGETING SYSTEM AND ITS FUNCTIONS

The article is devoted to the study of such an important element of the company as budgeting, which recently used Russian companies. In the process of studying it has been identified the basic requirements for budgeting and planning, such as the budget of revenues and expenditures, the cash flow budget, the budgeted balance sheet. Also the basic functions of budgeting that help to increase the company efficiency in the market

Modification of the Method for Determining Myeloperoxidase in Blood Neutrophils

Myeloperoxidase is a heme-containing peroxidase expressed primarily in neutrophils and to a lesser extent in monocytes. Determining the activity of myeloperoxidase in blood cells is one of the tests of the immune status of animals. Conventional methods are based on the oxidation of benzidine by the peroxide system to the unstable benzidine blue, which spontaneously turns into stable brown benzidine. The aim of this study was to develop a modification of the cytological determination of the myeloperoxidase enzyme using metol. The relative percentage of peroxidase-positive neutrophils in the peripheral blood of animals was determined after 100 neutrophils had been counted. The task was achieved by using the reaction with metol in the method of cytological determination of the activity of neutrophil myeloperoxidase in animal blood smears, which was based on the oxidation of metol by a peroxide system. Images of micropreparations were digitized using a Sony device for processing the received images of the cells. The Image Tool computer program was used for this purpose. The biological substrate was processed from a buffer-incubation mixture with subsequent drying and microscopy. The main new modification of the method was using metol. Metol does not have the ability to inhibit the activity of myeloperoxidase. The research showed easy and fast results. This method is economical and perspective for using in practice. Keywords: myeloperoxidase, blood, neutrophils, meto

REQUIREMENTS FOR BUDGETING SYSTEM AND ITS FUNCTIONS

The article is devoted to the study of such an important element of the company as budgeting, which recently used Russian companies. In the process of studying it has been identified the basic requirements for budgeting and planning, such as the budget of revenues and expenditures, the cash flow budget, the budgeted balance sheet. Also the basic functions of budgeting that help to increase the company efficiency in the market

PROMISING THE DREAM: changing destination image of London through the effect of website place

Drawing on theories of place identity and social identity, this study aims to fill a gap in place identity studies regarding the effect of a place website on the destination image of customers/visitors/tourists. The research addresses three questions: (1) what are the main impacts of tourists’ attitude on place identity and the place website, (2) what are the factors that influence destination image, and (3) what are the main impacts of a favorable destination image? The favorability of a destination image is reflected by the extent to which visitors positively regard that place website. Results reveal the importance of the destination image in enhancing the intention to revisit and recommend. Also, visitors’ satisfaction impacts on their intention to revisit and recommend the place. Significant implications for place managers and researchers are highlighted