Search results

1 – 10 of 48
Article
Publication date: 21 August 2017

Varsha Jain, Christopher Pich, B.E. Ganesh and Guja Armannsdottir

The extant literature demands more insights into the elements for political branding in India. Thus, this paper aims to explore political branding in terms of the influences of…

1123

Abstract

Purpose

The extant literature demands more insights into the elements for political branding in India. Thus, this paper aims to explore political branding in terms of the influences of political branding.

Design/methodology/approach

The context is the young voters in an emerging country, India. Qualitative research was undertaken, and a total of 17 focus group discussions were conducted in the leading Indian cities.

Findings

This study found that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) developed a strong governance and connection with the people. This approach developed a comprehensive brand among the young voters, who emphasized on the proof of the performance by the party. During pre or post-election, the BJP and other political parties need to develop a comprehensive political branding plan to connect with the voters.

Research limitations/implications

This study was focused on the external perspective of political branding. Future research can focus on the internal perspective in terms of party members and politicians. This study has focused on India as a specific case. Future studies can focus on a cross-cultural and cross-national level.

Practical implications

The framework developed can be used by political parties and leaders to develop their political brand. The study’s framework can be used in a systematic and sequential format to verify the strength of their political branding exercise.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the post-election scenario. Secondly, it focuses on the non-Western context. Also, the study represents a unique combination of the best theories and observations from political marketing and digital leadership.

Details

Journal of Indian Business Research, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4195

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 21 November 2018

Varsha Jain, Meetu Chawla, B.E. Ganesh and Christopher Pich

This study aims to examine brand personality and its application to political branding. This study focuses on the brand personality of a political leader from the BJP Party brand…

6115

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine brand personality and its application to political branding. This study focuses on the brand personality of a political leader from the BJP Party brand (Bharatiya Janta Party). The development of a strong political brand personality is crucial for success at the polls. Little research has been dedicated to this phenomenon particularly beyond Western political and post-election contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The scope and development of the study required a qualitative approach. The theoretical frameworks of the study acted as the deductive base of the study. The insights of the respondents were the inductive base of the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with external stakeholders [voters]. In addition, semi-structured interviews were also adopted to capture the branding activities used by internal stakeholders [BJP].

Findings

The brand personality dimensions such as sincerity; agreeableness, competence, energy, openness, conscientiousness and emotional stability were clearly associated with a political leader. Negative qualities such as dictatorial attitudes and arrogance affected the political leader’s brand personality. Religious partisanship was another strong negative trait affecting the brand personality of the political leader.

Originality/value

The study has an actionable framework for political brand personality in the post-election context. It offers negative qualities to be avoided in the development of the political brand personality of the leader. It offers insights about the political brand personality of the leader in terms of young digitally savvy voters.

Propósito

Este trabajo examina la aplicación de la personalidad de marca al ámbito del marketing político y de la marca personal política. Concretamente se centra en la personalidad de marca de un líder político del partido Bharantiya Janta Party (BJP). El desarrollo de una fuerte marca personal política es crucial para el éxito en las elecciones. Pocos trabajos se han centrado hasta el momento en este fenómeno más allá del contexto político occidental.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

El alcance y desarrollo del estudio requirió la adopción de un enfoque cualitativo. El marco teórico sirvió de base deductiva al tiempo que las entrevistas realizadas sirvieron de base inductiva. Estas entrevistas fueron semi-estructuradas y dirigidas a grupos de interés externos del BJP (los votantes). Además, se realizaron entrevistas también semi-estructuradas para capturar las actividades de marca desarrolladas por los grupos de interés internos (candidatos, políticos, trabajadores y gerentes del partido).

Resultados

Las dimensiones de personalidad de marca sinceridad, competencia, energía, estabilidad emocional, franqueza y escrupulosidad están claramente asociadas con un líder político. Por el contrario, rasgos negativos como las actitudes arrogantes y dictatoriales dañan la personalidad de marca de dicho líder, pero sobretodo el partidismo religioso.

Originalidad/valor

El trabajo proporciona un marco de acción para la marca personal política en un contexto post-electoral. Proporciona indicaciones de los rasgos y cualidades negativas que deben de evitarse en el desarrollo de una marca personal para un líder político. Ofrece también evidencias sobre la personalidad de marca que tiene que desarrollar un líder de cara a los votantes más dinámicos y digitales.

Article
Publication date: 26 June 2020

Jagdish Sheth, Varsha Jain and Anupama Ambika

This paper aims to analyze the present status of customer support services (CSS) and advocate the re-positioning of support services from an administrative cost center to a…

3692

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the present status of customer support services (CSS) and advocate the re-positioning of support services from an administrative cost center to a strategic profit center. Authors demonstrate how customer support or after sales services can be a source of competitive advantage and revenue generation for firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a conceptual approach grounded in theoretical foundations of service dominant logic, customer loyalty and customer centricity along with practical illustrations from the industry.

Findings

Following the tenets of theory, review of existing research and analysis of the industry practices, the authors propose a new framework to enable the repositioning of customer service function. The key propositions include establishing customer support as separate business unit and insights center, introducing a new role of a C-level chief customer support officer to lead the customer support unit, adopting a customer-centric culture and process, enabling frontline IT support and investing in frontline employee skills development.

Research limitations/implications

Academics should examine the potential of customer support, where the strategic importance is low at present, leading to customer dissatisfaction. The new approach and positioning of customer support calls for a new direction for research in this area focusing on enablers, challenges and further implications. To succeed in this competitive era, firms should be conscious of the value of customer service and undertake concrete actions to generate value for all stakeholders.

Practical implications

Industry can use the new framework and re-position CSS of the organizations. The CSS unit can be different from other business units in the organizations. The CSS would evolve and emerge from the live customer insights. CSS unit can be managed by the C level chief CSS officer. Customer-centric culture would be developed and front line processes can be made customer-oriented by the officer. Thus, this paper and framework would provide new customer-centric directions to the organizations for effective functioning.

Originality/value

This is the original piece that has emerged from the experience and expertise of the authors.

Article
Publication date: 22 September 2020

Subhadip Roy and Varsha Jain

The purpose of this study is to construct and validate a generalizable scale to measure service induced perceived stress for customers of personal services with a high level of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to construct and validate a generalizable scale to measure service induced perceived stress for customers of personal services with a high level of intangibles having both online and offline components.

Design/methodology/approach

Five studies were conducted to this end. The first was qualitative and the rest were quantitative (survey) with a total sample size of 1,300. The last study was conducted in a different country than the first four.

Findings

The studies resulted in a five-dimensional SERVSTRESS scale to measure service induced stress for customers with the following dimensions, namely, psychological stress; information stress; complexity stress; personnel stress and outcome stress. The scale was tested in a nomological network.

Research limitations/implications

The present study addresses a hitherto unaddressed gap in marketing literature with the construction and validation of a scale to measure service stress of a customer (named SERVSTRESS) using data from five studies spanning two countries.

Practical implications

The SERVSTRESS scale is relevant for the practitioners as it adds more value beyond the traditional service quality measures and allows the marketer to understand the nature of the stressors (with a specific focus on which is going right and which is going wrong) in the service delivery and allow him/her to take remedial actions.

Originality/value

The originality of the study is in the creation of a new scale to measure personal service stress and uncovering its underlying dimensions.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 54 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 June 2017

Subhadip Roy and Varsha Jain

The “meaning transfer model (MTM)” is one of the less researched models in celebrity endorsement. The purpose of this paper is to empirically measure and validate a comprehensive…

2088

Abstract

Purpose

The “meaning transfer model (MTM)” is one of the less researched models in celebrity endorsement. The purpose of this paper is to empirically measure and validate a comprehensive model of meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a conceptual model of meaning transfer that starts from celebrity identity as an antecedent of perceived celebrity meaning (CM), the study integrates CM, brand meaning (BM) and consumer behavior (CB) and two moderators leading to six studied hypotheses. The model is empirically tested using survey data (of 483 consumers) from India with the application of factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

Major results indicate a positive effect of CM on BM and BM on subsequent CB. The moderating effect of consumer knowledge and product involvement in successful meaning transfer is also observed.

Research limitations/implications

Contribution of the present study lies in the validation of a comprehensive model of meaning transfer in celebrity endorsements that may pave the way to the explanation of previous confounding results.

Practical implications

The present study provided an actionable model for marketers that would lead to successful meaning transfer and the various factors that need to be controlled.

Originality/value

This is the first study to validate the MTM that integrates the basic tenets of celebrity endorsement theory.

Details

Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-4323

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2022

Jagdish N. Sheth, Varsha Jain, Gourav Roy and Amrita Chakraborty

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used by banking services primarily to automate systems; however, this ecosystem does not work in emerging markets because human intervention is…

4064

Abstract

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used by banking services primarily to automate systems; however, this ecosystem does not work in emerging markets because human intervention is needed, and there are concerns related to infrastructure. There is plenty of research on AI-mediated banking services, but the existing discussions are cumbersome, and studies on AI's service features in banking for emerging markets are limited. Furthermore, the ongoing discussions are centred on developed markets where automation in banking services is noteworthy and accepted. Through this paper, the authors emphasise the relevance of AI mediation in emerging markets and the possible role of strategising AI in banking services for personalised experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' article followed an exploratory, inductive approach through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. In total, 36 financial experts were interviewed, and the relevant perspectives were analysed to develop the research process and framework for a personalised banking experience.

Findings

The authors' paper introduced five key themes and presented those themes accordingly. The first theme details the importance of AI-mediated banking and the skills necessary for operational capacity. The second theme is on the relevance of AI-mediated banking awareness amongst users. The third is about channelling the importance of AI-driven interfaces through managers and employees. Fourth, the authors emphasised the relevance of human intervention due to users' demographic patterns. The fifth theme led to a discussion on personalised AI-mediated banking services.

Research limitations/implications

The authors recommend that managers understand the relevance of quality service amongst users. The authors' paper discusses the relevance of AI and human intervention in banking services; however, the process for seamless, personalised banking experiences is not provided. Thus, this paper encourages managers to build a banking ecosystem that delivers a seamless banking experience through AI.

Originality/value

The authors' paper highlights the importance of human intervention in AI-driven banking by introducing personalised service experience elements and highlighting the role of customer experience in AI-driven banking services in emerging markets.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 40 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Case study
Publication date: 14 November 2013

Varsha Jain, Subhadip Roy and Ashok Ranchhod

The present field-based case study is related to topics in marketing area, more specifically brand management, strategic marketing and business strategy.

Abstract

Subject area

The present field-based case study is related to topics in marketing area, more specifically brand management, strategic marketing and business strategy.

Study level/applicability

This case is primarily meant for second-year students in a postgraduate program in business management (MBA). The case could also be discussed in an executive development program on marketing/business strategy.

Case overview

The present case is based on Aava natural mineral water, the brainchild of Mr Behram Mehta, Chairman of Shelpee Enterprises. The case explores at the various marketing strategies adopted by Aava in India. The case traces the brand's foray into the Indian bottled water market as a regional players and its growth as a pan Indian brand. However, in early 2012, the majority of Aava's sales were coming through institutional sales. The brand was facing a challenge of trying to find a foothold in the retail market. The balance between becoming a mass and a premium brand was also looming large. The major question that Aava needed to answer is whether it should restrict itself to the B2B market or whether it should try to penetrate the retail market. Given the latter is more beneficial for the company, the issues of product, pricing and brand communication needed to be revisited since these are not similar for B2B and B2C brands.

Expected learning outcomes

The various learning outcomes of the case include: understanding the differences between B2B and B2C marketing and the need for different strategies for both, apply marketing research findings to introduce a product in a market, evaluate and execute marketing communication strategies based on human behaviour for more effectiveness, evaluate alternatives leading to the right choice of branding/marketing strategy, understand the role of 4Ps of marketing for successful business and industry analysis.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Details

Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, vol. 3 no. 6
Type: Case Study
ISSN: 2045-0621

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Jagdish N. Sheth, Varsha Jain and Anupama Ambika

This study aims to develop an empathetic and user-centric customer support service design model. Though service design has been a critical research focus for several decades, few…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop an empathetic and user-centric customer support service design model. Though service design has been a critical research focus for several decades, few studies focus on customer support services. As customer support gains importance as a source of competitive advantage in the present era, this paper aims to contribute to industry and academia by exploring the service design model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a theories-in-use approach to elucidate mental models based on the industry’s best practices. In-depth interviews with 62 professionals led to critical insights into customer service design development, supported by service-dominant logic and theory of mind principles.

Findings

The ensuing insights led to a model that connects the antecedents and outcomes of empathetic and user-centric customer service design. The precursors include people, processes and technology, while the results are user experience, service trust and service advocacy. The model also emphasises the significance of the user’s journey and the user service review in the overall service design.

Research limitations/implications

The model developed through this study addresses the critical gap concerning the lack of service design research in customer support services. The key insights from this study contribute to the ongoing research endeavours towards transitioning customer support services from an operational unit to a strategic value-creating function. Future scholars may investigate the applicability of the empathetic user service design across cultures and industries. The new model must be customised using real-time data and analytics across user journey stages.

Practical implications

The empathetic and user-centric design can elevate the customer service function as a significant contributor to the overall customer experience, loyalty and positive word of mouth. Practitioners can adopt the new model to provide superior customer service experiences. This original research was developed through crucial insights from interviews with senior industry professionals.

Originality/value

This research is the original work developed through the key insights from the interview with senior industry professionals.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 58 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Subhadip Roy, Varsha Jain and Nikita Matta

The purpose of this paper is to empirically validate a model of luxury fashion consumption that integrates the antecedents and consequences of luxury buying in a developing nation…

3581

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically validate a model of luxury fashion consumption that integrates the antecedents and consequences of luxury buying in a developing nation context.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses developed in the conceptual model are tested using survey data collected through mall intercept survey of real consumers (with sample sizes 382 and 544). Factor analysis and structural equation modeling are used to analyze the data.

Findings

Major results suggest a significant impact of consumer’s local/global orientation on the motivations and associations behind the luxury buying. Motivations and associations are found to influence luxury consumption, which in turn is found to have a positive effect on post-purchase thoughts/feelings. Social influence is found to have a moderating impact on the effects of motivations and associations on luxury consumption, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The study is restricted to a developing nation context. However, this is one of the novel attempts to validate a comprehensive model of luxury consumption that could be replicated in other contexts.

Practical implications

The findings provide guidelines for a luxury marketer on the factors to consider and monitor while marketing a luxury fashion brand.

Originality/value

The present study adds a new perspective to the literature on luxury buying behavior with its empirically validated comprehensive model.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 June 2023

Garry Wei-Han Tan, Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw, Tat-Huei Cham, Keng-Boon Ooi, Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Ali Abdallah Alalwan, Janarthanan Balakrishnan, Hing Kai Chan, Jun-Jie Hew, Laurie Hughes, Varsha Jain, Voon Hsien Lee, Binshan Lin, Nripendra P. Rana and Teck Ming Tan

Ever since its emergence, the metaverse has presented opportunities and disruptions to every stakeholder, including individual users and organizations. This article aims to offer…

2930

Abstract

Purpose

Ever since its emergence, the metaverse has presented opportunities and disruptions to every stakeholder, including individual users and organizations. This article aims to offer valuable perspectives on six identified critical areas that the metaverse could significantly impact: marketing ethics, marketing communication, relationship marketing, retail marketing, supply chain management and transportation management.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a multi-perspective approach, this paper gathers valuable perspectives from various invited contributors to each of the six identified key areas that the metaverse could significantly impact.

Findings

For each key area identified, the invited contributors first share their valuable perspectives by discussing the roles of the metaverse. Subsequently, the invited contributors discuss their views on vital opportunities, challenges and research agenda concerning the metaverse.

Originality/value

With the widespread metaverse, it is expected that each key area identified is likely to undergo significant levels of disruption. Against this backdrop, this paper contributes to the academic literature and industry by gathering different perspectives from invited contributors on the relevance of the metaverse in marketing and logistics domains.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 35 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

1 – 10 of 48