The international fragmentation of economic activities - from research and design to production and marketing - described through the lens of the global value chain (GVC) approach impacts the structure and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) agglomerated in economic clusters. The consolidation of GVCs ruled by global lead firms and the recession of 2008-09 exacerbated the pressures on cluster actors that based their competitive advantage on local systems, spurring an increasing heterogeneity, both across and within clusters, that is still overlooked in the literature. Drawing on detailed studies of different industries and countries, Local Clusters in Global Value Chains shows the co-evolutionary trajectories of clusters and GVCs, and the role of firms and their strategies in organizing manufacturing and innovation activities in the context of ongoing technological shifts. The book explores the tension between place-based variables and global drivers of change, and the possibility for territories containing such clusters to prosper in the new global scenario. By adopting insights from the GVC framework and management studies, the book discusses how the internationalization strategies of firms create opportunities as well as constraints for adaptive upgrading in clusters. This book is of interest to both researchers and policy-makers who are interested in the dynamic sources of competitive advantage in the global economy.

The future success of many companies in the United States and Europe is becoming more dependent on effectively developing and expanding markets in new emerging and partially developed countries. Few companies, however, know how to do it well, if at all. Their success rate is low, while the cost of failure remains high. Caslione and Thomas provide insights, knowledge, special tools, and the experience that will show executives how to take hold of these challenges. Through case studies of companies in a wide cross-section of industries, the authors highlight the processes necessary to develop successful market entry, sales, and distribution strategies for their companies in emerging markets around the world.

Global business strategy can no longer be focused on only one country or region; the risks are too great. Only when a truly global company develops a holistic and global perspective and implements proven strategies can the success in the new global economy be achieved.

This is the sixth volume in a series presenting the latest research in the field of applied business strategy.

This book analyzes the origins of marketing and branding strategies and the unique situations involving differentiation. Photographs of actual materials that were created and used in marketing campaigns between 1846-1946 are featured to bring to life these vintage innovations. Examining how and why these classic strategies were devised and implemented provides insight on how the vintage strategies can continue to be used to position products, services, and experiences within current market situations. Vintage Marketing Differentiation describes real life, innovative, outside-the-box solutions. It explains a marketing differentiation process and emphasizes the critical nature of the perception of trends and timely action. Profiles of over 30 companies and brands depict nearly 20 categories of the first marketing strategies ever to be used. These powerful strategies ignited competitive advantages and help explain why most of these companies are still in business today!

This is the 13th volume in the series on "Research in Marketing."

Leading marketing scientists, with an MS/OR orientation, present in this book a state-of-the-art review of their area of expertise. The wide range of material spans the marketing discipline and represents coverage of both what is known and what problem areas present themselves as ripe for further development. The articles are written with a technically sophisticated reader in mind, but not necessarily an expert in marketing. The authors provide a discussion of the motivation - the behavioural foundations or key assumptions - leading to the development of the important models or methods in each area. While not primarily a text, the book provides a foundation for advanced students in marketing. MS/OR professionals, both academic and practitioner alike, will appreciate the impact that the MS/OR approach has had in the marketing area. Finally, the book provides useful reading for marketing scientists, academics and practitioners who want access to integrated treatments of the most important topics in their field.

What does luxury value mean? What constitutes luxury, and what does not? While previous research has focused on luxury as a global business and how companies have generated, communicated and monetized luxury, this book draws on empirical research to examine how consumers understand and interact with it. It identifies the components of luxury value, as seen by consumers, and the most influential factors that shape these perceptions. Drawing on a range of disciplinary approaches, the author investigates how consumer segments differ in their perception of luxury products, and how different generations understand value. A comprehensive overview of consumer perceptions of luxury, this book is a must-read for those students and researchers interested in luxury studies.

This book addresses challenges in research and management pertaining to the media, contents, and audiences in our current era of (dis)engagement. These challenges relate to the evidence pointing to increasing/decreasing interactions between actors in social, cultural, and economic systems. Advances in Advertising Research are published by the European Advertising Academy (EAA). This volume is a selective collection of research presented at the 15th International Conference in Advertising (ICORIA) which was held in Ljubljana (Slovenia) in July 2016. The conference gathered more than 130 participants from various countries from nearly all continents.

This comprehensive handbook critically addresses current issues and achievements in the field of media branding. By discussing media branding from different viewpoints, disciplines and research traditions, this book offers fresh perspectives and identifies areas of interest for further research. The authors highlight the peculiarities of this field and reveal links and commonalities with other areas of study within communication science. The chapters address different research areas, such as society-, content-, management-, audience- as well as advertising aspects of media brands. This handbook thus brings together contributions from different areas making it a valuable resource for researchers and experts from industry interested in media branding.

This fascinating collection analyzes the impact of Western consumer culture on local cultures and consumption in Southeast Europe and East Asia. Cultural, historical, economic and sociopolitical contexts are examined regarding buying behaviors, usage and customization practices and consumer activism, specifically in Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania as cultures continue to evolve in the post-socialist era, and in China and Japan as a continuation of movements toward modernity and progress. Surprising and thought-provoking contrasts stand out as consumers balance the global with the local in terms of clothing, technology, luxury items, and food. All chapters feature a wealth of empirical and cross-cultural data, and the presentation is framed by Professor Mike Featherstone's theoretical essay on the origins of consumer culture and the consequences of two hundred years of increasing consumption for the human condition and the future of the planet. Included in the coverage: "You are a socialist child like me": Goods and Identity in Bulgaria Consumer Culture from Socialist Yugoslavia to Post-Socialist Serbia: Movements and Moments Preserves Exiting Socialism: Authenticity, Anti-Standardization, and Middle-Class Consumption in Post-Socialist Romania Modernization and the Department Store in Early 20th-Century Japan: Modern Girl and New Consumer Culture Lifestyles A Cultural Reading of Conspicuous Consumption in China Approaching Consumer Culture broadens the cultural anthropology literature and will be welcomed by Western and Eastern scholars and researchers alike. Its depth and accessibility make it useful to university courses in cultural anthropology, cultural studies, and sociology.

Written by one of the foremost experts on segmented marketing, this volume shows how businesses can prosper in the rapidly changing, fragmented markets of the 1990s by adopting a new, highly effective marketing strategy--the lifestyle approach. Author Chester Swenson profiles the major and emerging consumer segments, among them the 50-plus generation, women, college students, Hispanics, and African Americans, and shows how to reach these markets through precisely targeted, personalized marketing campaigns that take into account a segment's demographics, attitudes, values, interests, community activities, and affiliations. Successful lifestyle programs introduced by major companies like Reebok, 3M, and Coca-Cola are used throughout the discussion to illustrate aspects of the lifestyle marketing strategy. Swenson also challenges conventional marketing protocols, norms, and wisdom, revealing misconceptions about specific consumer segments and identifying marketing blunders that have resulted from a failure to understand the new market realities.

Swenson begins by exploring the applications of segmented marketing to the global markets of the next decade. He describes the process of lifestyle marketing, which involves creating an affinity or emotional attraction to a particular product or service by linking it with the preferred lifestyles of potential consumers. Frequently, Swenson shows, this is achieved through affiliations with individuals, organizations or activities that are integral to a target consumer segment. He offers tips for arranging endorsements, working with nonprofit associations in cause-related marketing campaigns, and building strategic alliances with other companies. Each of the major market segments is discussed in depth in a separate chapter that not only provides current demographic information but also discusses their media usage, attitudes, affiliations, leisure time activities, and role models. Swenson then looks ahead to pinpoint emerging marketing opportunities offered by Asian-American consumers, military families, and active environmentalists. Certain to become the standard source on lifestyle marketing, Swenson's work will be indispensable for advertising and marketing executives concerned about maintaining the competitive edge in an increasingly fragmented marketplace.

This volume is devoted to studies in the field of strategy in the marketing of information technologies. The topics covered include the strategic importance of information technology and the strategic implications of structural analysis in a telecommunication market.

This book contains a simple but powerful definition of services based upon a separation between back-stage and front-stage activities. Services deal with front interactions, production and manufacturing with back-stage operations. The book uses this distinction systematically to explore all the important issues of the field within a coherent set of concepts and maps, including the service mix, the service triangle and the service-intensity matrix. This is a novel approach to services that challenges the traditional view.

"The Mark, A Real Sales Guy Approach To Selling Corporate Accounts" is a raw, gritty, real life example of sales at the highest level. Bryan Seck, the author gives you a real assessment of what sales truly is and shows creative and innovative ways to penetrate the C-Suite and make an impact. This is an up to date book written by someone who is still selling today. The book was written because Bryan didn't feel other sales books had people selling a service or product outside of their own book in today's competitive market. With his cutting edge and unique perspective, you are sure to understand true sales from the street up to the executive office. This is a must have for all sales people!

Heritage is increasingly recognised as a significant corporate concern, with corporate heritage brands and identities often forming an important part of a nation's patrimony. Foundations of Corporate Heritage explains the principles, processes, strategic significance - and challenges - of corporate heritage formation and management. This scholarly but accessible anthology includes seminal articles on the territory and also includes five new contributions with questions for study and reflection with students on executive/taught courses in mind. With contributions from the leading international experts in corporate heritage, this book examines the research foundations of the area and applications in practice. It will be important supplementary reading for students, practitioners and specialists in corporate marketing brand management and marketing communications, as well as tourism, hospitality and heritage studies.

Mathematical Models of Distribution Channels identifies eight "Channel Myths" that characterize almost all analytical research on distribution channels. The authors prove that models that incorporate one or more Channel Myths generate distorted conclusions; they also develop a methodology that will enable researchers to avoid falling under the influence of any Channel Myth.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business, and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This Advanced Introduction explores strategies of pricing products (goods and services) that can be employed by a firm. The analytical techniques and data necessary for implementing the pricing strategies are described in an easy-to-understand manner, along with examples. Pricing strategies covered include cost-plus, reference value pricing, product line pricing, pricing product bundles, pricing over time, pricing under competition, and subscription pricing. Key Features: Analytics for implementing price strategies and practice of auctions and several novel pricing strategies such as pay-what-you wish pricing, freemium pricing, and neuro pricing Exploration of the concept of willingness to pay Review of important behavioral aspects useful in designing and implementing pricing strategies Business students, both undergraduate and MBA, professional pricing executives and marketing managers alike will appreciate the depth of knowledge provided in this Advanced Introduction to Pricing Strategy and Analytics.

The advent of the Internet and other new digital technologies means that companies—be they virtual or traditional bricks-and-mortar—must develop a successful strategy for presenting compelling brands in the virtual world. Drawing on their experience with Interbrand, the world's largest branding consultancy, and including chapters by branding experts from such companies as Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Hewlett Packard, the authors focus on the strategic role of e-branding. Practical, tested, and designed for companies in any industry, this book presents a lively look at creating and sustaining e-brands beyond the current dot-com fizzle.

Featuring the latest music business and social media concepts as well as brand-new interviews with a variety of the industry's top movers and shakers, Music 3.0: A Survival Guide for Making Music in the Internet Age, Third Edition is a completely updated version of the previous best-selling editions! How has streaming music impacted the artist and the industry? Who are the new industry players? Why do traditional record labels, television, and radio have increasingly less influence in an artist's success? How should music be marketed and distributed in this new world? How do you make money when listeners stream your music? What's the best way to develop your brand? How are Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube best used as marketing tools? What are the new technologies being introduced that will influence how we sell and market our work? All these questions are answered in this updated version of Music 3.0, along with some new high- and low-tech tips for inexpensive marketing and promotion.

This practical guide can help any business or organization make sense of the social media buzz and build a successful online community. Social media can be an incredibly powerful marketing tool that brings a company or organization huge rewards. But for beginners in this new world, the potential risks are also high. Consumers are particularly passionate in the online world; the most active social networkers are poised to be your brand's gushing fans-or your most scathing critics. Both multimillion-dollar profits and self-inflicted PR fiascos are possible via social media. This guidebook begins by defining "social media," "social networking," and other terms that may be ambiguous, then details what recent market research reveals about the scope and growth rate of the social media landscape. Real-world examples of both large and small organizations who have successfully implemented social media strategies are showcased, and the hype and failed promise of famous flash-in-the-pan social networks are examined. The author outlines a comprehensive strategy for success with social media, including practical information on watching metrics, establishing beachheads, determining your driver, building a checklist of driver "amplifications," and combating the "what now?" factor. Offers in-depth, how-to advice on the four major social media platforms of interest to most businesses and explores corporate blogging Shares both social media success stories and cautionary examples of real-world social media efforts gone awry Explores the future of social media marketing