Born globals : how are they different?

The purpose of this study is to advance our understanding of the difference between born globals and non-born globals. An Australian sample of 315 internationally active firms is surveyed using the mail questionnaire approach. After comparing born globals with other international firms, the results show about a quarter of the samples was born globals. The main differentiating attributes of the born globals versus non-born globals were their international performance, greater international commitment (willingness to invest resources into international ventures), smaller size of firms, and speed to market. Alternatively, there were several marketing capabilities, such as market orientation and brand adaptation, which were not superior for born globals.No Full Tex

e-Consumer Behaviour

Purpose – The primary purpose of this article is to bring together apparently disparate and yet interconnected strands of research and present an integrated model of e-consumer behaviour. It has a secondary objective of stimulating more research in areas identified as still being underexplored. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is discursive, based on analysis and synthesis of econsumer literature. Findings – Despite a broad spectrum of disciplines that investigate e-consumer behaviour and despite this special issue in the area of marketing, there are still areas open for research into econsumer behaviour in marketing, for example the role of image, trust and e-interactivity. The paper develops a model to explain e-consumer behaviour. Research limitations/implications – As a conceptual paper, this study is limited to literature and prior empirical research. It offers the benefit of new research directions for e-retailers in understanding and satisfying e-consumers. The paper provides researchers with a proposed integrated model of e-consumer behaviour. Originality/value – The value of the paper lies in linking a significant body of literature within a unifying theoretical framework and the identification of under-researched areas of e-consumer behaviour in a marketing context

Rebuilding community corporate brands: A total stakeholder involvement approach ☆

Can community organizations benefit from corporate rebranding? The literature shows that rebranding in the not-for-profit sector flounders for two major reasons. The first is the failure to develop robust and ambitious revisioning of the brand, and the second, failure to get sufficient buy-in from staff and other stakeholders, often because of imposed top-down brand changes. The current study aims to guide an organization through an actual rebranding process, using best practice corporate rebranding principles and practices. Action research is a novel research method to investigate not-for-profit corporate rebranding. This method guides a systematic and dynamic corporate rebranding process, embracing multiple stakeholder groups. A major achievement is the articulation of a values-based corporate rebrand, with grounding in actual brand experiences. Active involvement throughout the co-redevelopment of the corporate brand achieves total stakeholder buy-in. The action research process requires researchers to guide the rebranding process, while stakeholders guide the content of the rebranding

orientation and market orientation – from alternatives to synergy

This paper explores the interaction between brand orientation and market orientation. Brand orientation is an inside-out, identity-driven approach that sees brands as a hub for an organization and its strategy. Similarly, market orientation is an outside-in, image-driven approach. Initially, brand orientation and market orientation appear to be two different strategic options. Though synergistic combinations are also possible, they are not explored in previous theories, nor labeled as part of branding practice and philosophy. A new type of orientation, a hybrid between brand and marketing orientation, is among the key findings of this study. The paper articulates typical trajectories for evolving the orientation and aspires to move the discussion from the tug-of-war between the two paradigms by developing a more dynamic view. The study paves the way for better understanding, operationalization and evaluation of alternative approaches to marketing

Prognostic relevance of number and bilaterality of positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy

Item does not contain fulltextPURPOSE: Positive surgical margin (PSM) status following radical prostatectomy (RP) is a well-established prognostic factor. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether number of PSMs or bilaterality of PSMs might have prognostic significance for biochemical recurrence (BCR) in the population with a PSM status following RP. METHODS: We evaluated 1,395 RP pathology reports from our center between 1980 and 2006. All patients who underwent (neo)-adjuvant therapy were excluded, leaving a cohort of 1,009 patients, with 249 (24.7%) subjects having a PSM at RP of whom 29.4% had multiple PSMs (>/= 2 sites), while 13.6% had bilateral PSMs. Median follow-up was 40 months (range 0-258 months). We used BCR-free survival as the primary study outcome. BCR was defined as any rise in PSA above or equal to 0.2 ng/ml. RESULTS: Of patients with a PSM status, 41% (95% CI: 33-49%) developed BCR within 5 years, compared to 12% (95% CI: 9-15%) in the population without a PSM. Multivariable analysis identified PSA at diagnosis and RP Gleason score as independent predictive factors for BCR. Increasing number and/or bilaterality of PSM did not lead to significant higher rates of BCR. CONCLUSION: In patients with a PSM, the number of positive sites or bilaterality of PSM status does not add prognostic information for risk of BCR. Survival curve slopes were different for patients with bilateral PSM, showing a significant tendency to progress to BCR earlier during follow-up than patients with unilateral PSM.1 februari 201

Understanding the experiential consumption of special event entertainment (SEE) at shopping centres: an exploratory study

Entertainment seeking is an experiential activity occurring within the shopping centre environment. Few studies (e.g. Sit, Merrilees, and Birch, 2003) have examined the consumption of special event entertainment (SEE). SEE is offered on an occasional, temporary and discrete basis and includes events such as fashion shows and school holiday programs. SEE plays a role in creating an exciting or entertaining atmosphere at a shopping environment. An understanding of consumer and environmental variables impacting on consumer response to SEE is valuable to shopping centre management. An exploratory study involving two separate focus group discussions was conducted. In particular of consumer variable, four key motives were found applicable to SEE consumption, namely self gratification, affiliation, stimulation and community support. Self gratification and affiliation motives were applicable to both young and middle-aged participants. However, the stimulation motive was primarily relevant to young participants, and the community support motive was mainly applicable to their middle-aged counterparts. Two environmental variables, perceived crowding and accessibility, were consistently identified as issues by both young and middle-aged participants. These two environmental variables were identified to induce or hinder shopper response to SEE. Managerial implications and directions for future research are addressed

Understanding satisfaction formation of shopping mall entertainment seekers: a conceptual model

Entertainment consumption is a common activity in the shopping centre environment. However, very little research (e.g. Parsons, 2003; Sit, Merrilees and Birch, 2003) has examined the concept of entertainment consumption in the shopping centre context. Hence, this conceptual paper presents a research model which aims to understand shopper satisfaction with entertainment consumption. The proposed model is an extension of the recent work conducted by Sit, Merrilees and Grace (2003). The model comprises five key constructs, namely hedonic motives, functional evaluation, affective evaluation, overall satisfaction, and behavioural loyalty. Relationships between these constructs are discussed, together with research propositions, which will be empirically tested in future research. Research implications of the conceptual model are presented

Entertainment-seeking shopping centre patrons: the missing segments

Entertainment is increasingly an integral part of the marketing strategy used by shopping centres to entice consumers. Further, entertainment can be a means of image differentiation for shopping centres, given that the image of a competitive retail institution is a critical determinant in consumer patronage decisions. However few studies have examined the contribution of entertainment to shopping centre image. Moreover, using entertainment as a means of identifying distinct market segments has not been explored. Hence, the purpose of this study was twofold. First, a model of attributes that represented the shopping centre image was identified. Three essential attributes that have been neglected in most shopping centre studies were revealed, namely entertainment, food and security. Second, six market segments of shopping centre patrons were identified and labelled the 'serious' shopper, the 'entertainment' shopper, the 'demanding' shopper, the 'convenience' shopper, the 'apathetic' shopper and the 'service' shopper. In particular, the 'entertainment' shopper and the 'service' shopper are identified as entertainment-seeking segments. Managerial implications of the findings and future research directions are addressed