Marketing and Branding Research

In todays highly competitive markets, keeping customers and retaining their loyalty is considered crucial in maintaining business. Companies and retailers also need to look for various marketing strategies in order to improve their customers’ loyalty. Having knowledge and skills about marketing is one of the capabilities which is required for success in the competition. In consumable markets, brands are the main points of differentiation between the competitive presentations, thus, they are crucial for the success of the companies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of marketing mix elements on brand loyalty. The present study is applicable in terms of objective and descriptive survey in terms of data collection. To evaluate the model and hypotheses, data collection was carried out through surveying 384 mobile phone users. For data analysis and verification of the model, structural equation modeling approach (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used and based on the results of the path analysis, the relationship between the variables in the model is investigated. Results indicated the positive impact of products elements, distribution channels, and promotional activities on brand loyalty. Also, the findings showed that indexes of satisfaction and trust which are considered as mediating variables between marketing mix and brand loyalty had positive and significant impact on brand loyalty in the mobile phone industry.

This study employs DeLone and McLean’s information
system success model to measure the effect of service quality, system quality, information quality on repurchase intention of the
smartphone-based ride hailing service in Vietnam. Data were gathered by
surveying 427 customers using Grab and Uber services. PLS
was employed to analyze the measurement and structural model. The statistical
results supported all five proposed hypotheses. The study confirmed that
electronic service quality of information system were significant predictors of
overall perceived service quality. Additionally, this
study reported a significant positive effect of perceived service quality
and customer satisfaction on repurchase intention. The
study also confirmed the relationships of the three variables representing the
electronic service quality on the overall service quality, which directly
effects customer satisfaction, considering a more comprehensive model for
service in m-commerce context. This paper extends the knowledge on the service
factors and customer satisfaction of repurchase intention.

This research aims to test whether product’s packaging color influences customers’ purchasing preferences or not and does time pressure moderates this relationship? It studied the importance of color in determining customers’ buying preferences when they have limited time to do shopping. This study revealed that buying preference of a customer is relatively more dependent on the color scheme than on time constraint. However, time pressure was an important moderating factor which influenced the effect of packaging colors on customers’ purchasing preferences. This study emphasized that companies cannot afford to ignore the significance of time constraints and color scheme of the products on customers’ buying behavior.

This study investigates the relationship between the development of the air transport and the economic development of the Bulgarian regions and the improvement of its competitiveness over the period of 2000–2016. The timeliness of the problem is related to the contradictory impact of the air transport on the economic effects of aviation development and related socio-economic effects at local and global level. The purpose of the report was to identify the impact of the air transport on the economic development of the region. In this connection, the following tasks have been set: to monitor trends in the development of the air passenger transport sector; to determine the impact of the average annual income per capita on the passenger flow; to establish the impact of passenger flows on the average annual income of the population as an indicator of the sustainable development of the region. The aim of the article was to establish the link between the passenger flow and the gross domestic product of the region. Economic data processing methods for the 10-year period were used through the Gretl program. The data obtained is evidence of the positive impact of air transport development on the competitiveness of the region and its steady social-economic growth.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a deeper look into value chain logic in supply chain relationships in a creative industries value chains. In recent years, value has been recognized as a key factor in better understanding of consumer behavior and gaining a competitive advantage. In a value chain, added value should be defined at every step of the chain. There should be defined activity which adds value as well as the activity that subtracts any value. The total value can be then calculated as the sum of the total value built up all throughout the value chain. Paper mostly analyses creative industries of advertising, architecture, and design. The presented model describes and analyzes the industry participants, value chain processes, support and related environment, and evaluates the relationship of stakeholders. The paper also takes into account the creation of value chain approach that describes the vertical and horizontal linkages. The chain of values represents the coordinated set of kinds of activity which create value for the enterprise, beginning from initial sources of raw materials for suppliers of this enterprise up to the finished goods delivered to the end user including service of the consumer. The value chain conception is important for the identification and development of the enterprise. The value creation activities can be a core competitive advantage which center on fostering relationships with key actors who can derive benefits from each other’s value chain. 

This research aims to test whether product’s packaging color influences customers’ purchasing preferences or not and does time pressure moderates this relationship? It studied the importance of color in determining customers’ buying preferences when they have limited time to do shopping. This study revealed that buying preference of a customer is relatively more dependent on the color scheme than on time constraint. However, time pressure was an important moderating factor which influenced the effect of packaging colors on customers’ purchasing preferences. This study emphasized that companies cannot afford to ignore the significance of time constraints and color scheme of the products on customers’ buying behavior.

Nowadays, one product that has a well qualified design will not have expected utility if it cannot be available at the appropriate time and place to its buyers. Thus, marketing managers and official sales always try to find the more efficient and modern methods of distribution through investigating the transfer methods of goods. Appropriate decision will lead to the enhancement of transfer speed, convenience of customers, and reduction of costs. One of the main tools of marketing is the efficient distribution system. Since cultural products have a determining role in conveyance of thoughts, values, and social norms and transmit cultural values and messages with themselves, their distribution has a great importance. This study aimed to investigate the current challenges in distribution channels of cultural goods and services. Some of these challenges were being traditional, the length of the channel, and the number of intermediaries.                                                                                

In todays highly competitive markets, keeping customers and retaining their loyalty is considered crucial in maintaining business. Companies and retailers also need to look for various marketing strategies in order to improve their customers’ loyalty. Having knowledge and skills about marketing is one of the capabilities which is required for success in the competition. In consumable markets, brands are the main points of differentiation between the competitive presentations, thus, they are crucial for the success of the companies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of marketing mix elements on brand loyalty. The present study is applicable in terms of objective and descriptive survey in terms of data collection. To evaluate the model and hypotheses, data collection was carried out through surveying 384 mobile phone users. For data analysis and verification of the model, structural equation modeling approach (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used and based on the results of the path analysis, the relationship between the variables in the model is investigated. Results indicated the positive impact of products elements, distribution channels, and promotional activities on brand loyalty. Also, the findings showed that indexes of satisfaction and trust which are considered as mediating variables between marketing mix and brand loyalty had positive and significant impact on brand loyalty in the mobile phone industry.

Unemployment is one of the problems that global economics, especially the economy of
developing countries such as Iran is faced with. Therefore, there have been many studies to
investigate the variables which affect unemployment in macroeconomics. Considering
exchange rate volatility in recent years which have affected most of major variables of
economy in Iran, this study tried to investigate the relationship between exchange rate and
unemployment in Iran using the annual data of 30 years (from 1981 to 2012). To achieve the
objectives of the study, autoregressive econometric model with distributed lag was used to
assess the relationship between real exchange rate and unemployment. This model consisted
of five main variables, namely unemployment rate, exchange rate, export, import, and gross
domestic product. The results of the study demonstrated that economic growth had a
significant and positive effect on unemployment. In addition, it was shown that there was a
negative relationship between unemployment and exchange rate. 

Defining the training needs in organizations is the most important factor in human capital development. The aim of this study was to provide the applicable model of training needs assessment in organizations. The population of the study consisted of 460 employees in some organizations. Simple random sampling was used and the sample size was estimated 210 people using Morgan table. Based on the literature, research, ISO 10015 standard and applicable experience in this area, key indicators of training needs assessment in four dimensions, namely job competencies, organizational objectives, problem solving, and developmental gaps were identified. Using the experts’ opinion, a researcher-made questionnaire consisted of 12 items was developed as the instrument for data collection and the data were analyzed by SPSS. The results of the analysis indicated that all the research objectives were supported. As observed, among the dimensions of model, job competencies and organizational objectives had the highest and the lowest mean, respectively. Also, the findings of the paper indicated how to define the training needs according to this model with practical examples. In addition, defining the training needs according to this model can be used in organizations, industries, and different business to empower the human capitals.