Corporate social responsibility in Brand equity : A study on how CSR can increase local franchised fast food restaurants brand equity.

Introduction: Research claims that it is hard to divide the responsibility for the local community between the franchisee and the franchisor because of the franchisee does not have clear understanding to what degree they should be committed to local CSR. This research will study the importance of philanthropic CSR activities on local level and see if these activities can be used to strengthen fast food companies’ brand equity. Purpose: To further investigate the importance of philanthropic CSR activities on local level and see if these activities can be used to strengthen fast food companies brand equity. Research questions: Research have shown that fast food companies are involved in different kinds of philanthropic CSR activities, what part of brand equity has to be dealt with first? What are the important factors in building brand equity with philanthropic CSR activities? How important is the focus on local activities for franchised fast food companies when it comes to the philanthropic CSR activities? Methodology: This study is targeting the population of Kronobergs region between 18 and 64 years old. The literature review showed that the field of CSR effects on brand equity needed further studies. A construction of four variables within philanthropic CSR was matched towards brand equity with a sample size of 192. Conclusion: There is a weak positive significant relationship between CSR and brand equity in this study around fast food companies. As authors, we believe that the customers’ awareness is too low, for CSR to affect brand equity the level of awareness needs increase to motivate internal stakeholders for further investments in philanthropic CSR and to get more response from local citizen

Corporate social responsibility in Brand equity : A study on how CSR can increase local franchised fast food restaurants brand equity.

Introduction: Research claims that it is hard to divide the responsibility for the local community between the franchisee and the franchisor because of the franchisee does not have clear understanding to what degree they should be committed to local CSR. This research will study the importance of philanthropic CSR activities on local level and see if these activities can be used to strengthen fast food companies’ brand equity. Purpose: To further investigate the importance of philanthropic CSR activities on local level and see if these activities can be used to strengthen fast food companies brand equity. Research questions: Research have shown that fast food companies are involved in different kinds of philanthropic CSR activities, what part of brand equity has to be dealt with first? What are the important factors in building brand equity with philanthropic CSR activities? How important is the focus on local activities for franchised fast food companies when it comes to the philanthropic CSR activities? Methodology: This study is targeting the population of Kronobergs region between 18 and 64 years old. The literature review showed that the field of CSR effects on brand equity needed further studies. A construction of four variables within philanthropic CSR was matched towards brand equity with a sample size of 192. Conclusion: There is a weak positive significant relationship between CSR and brand equity in this study around fast food companies. As authors, we believe that the customers’ awareness is too low, for CSR to affect brand equity the level of awareness needs increase to motivate internal stakeholders for further investments in philanthropic CSR and to get more response from local citizen

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm [Elektronisk resurs] : Experience from a Screening Study in Northern Sweden

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common problem with life-threatening consequences and was suspected to be a serious health problem in Norsjö, a municipality in northern Sweden. A screening study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence, risk factors associated with AAA and the effect of screening on quality of life (QoL). All men and women, aged 65-75 years, were invited to an ultrasonography (US) examination, 91% attended and 92 subjects were also evaluated with computed tomography (CT).Depending on diagnostic criteria, the AAA prevalence was 3.6-16.9% in men and 0.8-9.4% in women. Seventy-five percent of the differences between US- and CT anteroposterior measurements were less than 5 mm. A decrease in mental health was observed among AAA patients with low baseline SF-36 scale scores. Elevated cholesterol at age 60 years were associated with screening detected AAA after 12 years of follow-up. Smoking, atherosclerosis and having a first degree relative with AAA were associated with AAA at screening. Compared to blood samples obtained 12 years prior to screening an elevation of hsCRP over time was observed among AAA patients. Based on a systematic review of the literature, different screening strategies were analysed in a Markov cohort model. The cost per life year gained ranged from $8 309 to$14 084 and was estimated to $10 474 when 65 year old men were screened once.Conclusions: The highest prevalence of AAA ever reported, in a population-based screening program, was found in Norsjö. The risk of having an AAA at screening showed a strong but complex association with atherosclerosis and its risk factors, genetic and inflammatory mechanisms may also be important. Screening 65-year-old men for AAA may be cost-effective, but QoL aspects on the cost-effectiveness of AAA screening merits further investigation.</p