Business Commons^™

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Intention To Play Esports, Soojung K. Park, Jennifer Y. Mak, Lei Ouyang

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

According to a report by Newzoo (2023), global e-sports revenue will reach US$187.7 billion in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 2.6%. By understanding the motivations of esports players, marketers can tailor their strategies, messages, and products better to meet the needs and desires of the esports community, ultimately enabling more effective marketing campaigns and increased brand success. This study explored the psychosocial factors that influenced esports participation and attempted to identify the most influential motivational factor among these three factors: enjoyment, escapism, and social interaction. The data for analysis is based on reliable responses from 200 eSports players gathered through …

Student Perceptions And Preferences Of University-Affiliated Athletic Merchandise And Logos, Robin Hardin, Michelle L. Childs, Kirby D. Simpson

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

College sports are certainly ingrained in the fabric of American society, and a significant aspect of this phenomena is the pageantry associated with college sports. This pageantry includes team logos and official team colors, and both are important aspects of fandom and team identification. Utilizing social identify theory as the theoretical framework for this research, the purpose of this study was to examine students’ university-affiliated athletic merchandise and logo preferences and related behaviors. Two focus groups were conducted with results showing three major themes, where students demonstrated polarizing views and opinions. These themes were (a) fashion and function, (b) orientation …

Real But Fictional: A Research Agenda Of Virtual Influencers For Brand Communications In Social Media Marketing, Lei Huang

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

With the rise of virtual influencers (VIs) and their impacts on influencer marketing, this paper proposes a future research paradigm on how to develop brand communication strategies through a novel understanding of VIs from both the consumer and company perspectives. Built on the parasocial interaction theory and the human brand theory, six propositions aim to provide research guidelines for influencer and social media marketing by leveraging the use of VIs in a brand-consumer relationship. The theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed.

Customer Service Brand Engagement Among International Students: The Roles Of Preferred University Brand Attainment, Thuy Nguyen, Qin Sun, Gopala Ganesh

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

This research is motivated by the industry and academic needs to corroborate a holistic understanding of preferred service brand status and customer service brand engagement (CSBE). The study investigates the impact of achieving preferred university brand status and how different touchpoints in higher education influence the CSBE outcomes of host universities, as seen from the perspective of international students. Data was collected from 22 American Universities with at least 1,000 international student enrollments using an online survey. The study systematically defines and identifies appropriate touchpoints within the higher education decision-making journey. Second, the findings indicate variations in the experiences of …

Comments From The Editors, Tulay Girard, Melek Meral Anitsal

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

Comments from the Editors:

We welcome you to the current issue of the Journal of Applied Marketing Theory. The Journal of Applied Marketing Theory (JAMT) aims to provide a reputable platform for publishing academic research that advances marketing knowledge and offers insights for marketing managers.

In the current issue, we are pleased to present six manuscripts that offer unique insights into several diverse topics. Each article received praise from our review team and we are happy to have the opportunity to present them to you in this edition of JAMT.

Digital Vs. Traditional: Comparing Sales Students' Initial Post- College Career Search Preferences Before And After Covid-19, Linda Mullen, Randy Stuart, Michael L. Thomas

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the

career search strategies of college students studying professional

sales. The research consists of a post-pandemic study that is

compared to a previous study conducted pre-pandemic in 2019. The

paper investigates the preference of sales students for digital

media versus face-to-face interactions in their career searches.

The pre-pandemic study revealed that while sales students

engaged with digital media, they still heavily relied on traditional

methods. The post-pandemic results differed primarily in students’

interviewing preferences. Despite the challenges posed by the

pandemic, students continue to utilize both online and traditional

resources. …

The Digital Engine Model: Generating Leads Through The Application Of Dcm And Inbound Marketing, Kyle A. Huggins, John D. Hansen

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

Digital Content Marketing (DCM) has become a primary tool for marketers in driving lead generation in today’s digital marketing world. Leading brands are creating and curating content trying to build brand equity and trust, connecting content to consumer action through brand story. And while strong theoretical models of content marketing have been discussed in the marketing literature, like Hollebeek and Macky (2019), there is a dearth of understanding about the application and direct impact of organic digital content strategies on marketing directives. This paper investigates an applied model, called The Digital Engine, which provides instruction on proper inbound marketing techniques …

Best Practices For Social Media Branding, Allison Myers

Honors College Theses

Social media is a fast growing marketplace for businesses to advertise themselves to established and potential consumers. Each platform has different algorithms, demographics, and ways for users to interact and connect. Even with a constantly growing research field and course options around the subject, understanding the behaviors of viewers on each app can still be a tough guessing game. Therefore, I have used both research studies and online courses, to present a strategy with which to efficiently and effectively market one’s business for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. I then present ways to understand the success of this and personal marketing …

How Digital Content Marketing Affects Viewership And Engagement Of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Esport Events: An Examination Of League Of Legends, Joshua J. Lord

Honors College Theses

Recently esports, specifically Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) esports has grown to where esports pull upwards of 150 million hours watched per specific major event. Despite this, esports and specifically Multiplayer Online Battle Arena esports have extraordinarily little literature on what factors affect viewership. This Honors thesis attempts to illustrate how the Digital Content Marketing (DCM) of esports affect the event’s viewership and engagement of viewers during and after the event using data from esports charts and social media. This study has theoretical implications for digital content marketing and expands the literature of esports and looks to spark future discussion …

The Effect Of Ordering Method On Consumer Return Intentions, Garrett M. Kemp, Laura Boman

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

With the rise of Covid-19, mobile ordering has become one of the most popular ways to get food. At its height, Covid-19 caused restaurants to shut down and forced businesses to move to a more mobile and delivery-friendly plan. Now, venues for concerts, large events, and sports have started to offer the option of mobile ordering food to be delivered directly to your seat. Mobile ordering has made the food service industry even more accessible; however, it has also brought to light the issue of tipping. Traditionally, tipping was only done at full-service restaurants. Now, businesses like Starbucks, Mcdonald's, and …

Social Media Influencer Perceived Source Credibility Scale Validation And Consumer Attitudes Toward The Brand: An Exploratory Study In Urban India, James E. Stoddard, Lubna Nafees, Christy M. Cook

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

This study explores the relationship between social media influencers (SMIs) perceived source credibility and the formation of brand attitudes of their followers from an urban Indian sample. SMIs have become a channel in shaping consumers’ brand perceptions for products and services across multiple industries worldwide. Using survey data from India, this research delves into the dimensions of SMI perceived source credibility and attitudes towards the brand. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the concept that SMI perceived source credibility is a second order construct that is comprised of SMI perceived expertise, goodwill and trustworthiness. Also, that partial least squares structural …

The Digital Engine Model: Lead Generation Through Applied Dcm Strategies, Kyle A. Huggins, John D. Hansen

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

Digital Content Marketing (DCM) has become a primary tool for marketers in driving lead generation in today’s digital marketing world. Leading brands are creating and curating content in order to develop brand equity, connecting content to brand story and narrative. And while strong theoretical models of content marketing have been discussed in the marketing literature, like Hollebeek and Macky (2019), there is a dearth of understanding about the application and direct impact of organic digital content strategies on marketing directives. This paper investigates an applied model, called The Digital Engine, which provides instruction on proper digital content marketing instruction and …

But This Rewards Me! An Examination Of Consumer Status And Social Dominance Orientation In The Donation Of Reward Points, Clancy R. Slay, Katharine Howie

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

A newer development in rewards programs allows consumers to donate points rather than personally receive benefits. Research on the topic is virtually absent and represents a significant opportunity for worthy causes to receive new streams of financial support. Reward programs are uniquely characterized by hierarchical or “tiered” consumer status. Social dominance orientation represents the degree to which consumers support status inequities and is highly relevant in a reward context. This individual difference characteristic is studied to gain insight into which consumers are willing to donate earned rewards and why. Implications for understanding consumer decision making and encouraging charitable giving are …

From Academia To Industry: The Educators’ Role In Preparing Marketing Practitioners For America’S Multicultural Reality, Neleen S. Leslie-Piper, Tanzeah Sharpe

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

This study examines the state of multicultural marketing education. It looks at current Marketing and IMC programs offered in the United States to ascertain the extent to which their curricula include components aimed at building multicultural competence in future practitioners. Finally, the paper proposes recommendations for making marketing education more responsive to current market needs.

The Relative Importance Of Appearance And Language In Consumers’ Evaluations Of Multicultural Models In Television Commercials, Neleen S. Leslie-Piper

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

ABSTRACT

This study aims to expand the literature on source effects by examining the relative importance of appearance and language in consumers’ evaluations of multicultural models in televisions commercials. Specifically, using accommodation theory as a framework, the study explores how multicultural models affect customers’ perceptions of the source’s credibility, attractiveness as well as overall attitudes toward the commercial, the brand and intent to purchase.

Confronting New Realities: Factors Impacting Adoption And Success Of Online Marketing Education In The Caribbean, Neleen S. Leslie-Piper, Celia Mckoy, Petula Senior

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 was a watershed event in higher education as institutions at all levels were affected. Schools, colleges, and universities were forced to transition to remote or online instruction with varying levels of preparation. While most colleges and universities in the developed world were taken by surprise, they were not completely unprepared, as most institutions already had the infrastructure to facilitate online learning. In fact, some institutions were already offering online or hybrid courses of study. The developing world, and the Caribbean in particular, faced a different challenge. While institutions utilized learning management systems to deliver face-to-face classes, the facilitation …

Do You Dare To Study Abroad? Examining Cross-Cultural Differences In The Role Of Covid-19 Post-Pandemic Stress On Study Abroad Intentions And Country Image Formation, Helena Allman, Hilmi A. Atadil, Harriette Bettis-Outland

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore the underlying dimensions of Covid-19 stress to determine the extent to which Covid-19 stress has an effect on students’ intentions to participate in future study abroad programs. The underlying stress factors that this work examines include traumatic stress, contamination fears, fears about economic consequences and past Covid illness experience. The paper addresses the cross-cultural differences in these factors’ effects on studying abroad intentions among young individualistic versus collectivistic consumers. The goal of this study is to develop a deeper understanding of Covid related stress phenomena among global young consumer cohorts. The results …

Heritage Products, National Dishes And Consumer Identity, Monisha Das Dr,

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

Food and agriculture is at the heart of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, beginning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: End poverty, and Sustainable Development goal (SDG) 2: End hunger. In this paper, the researcher explores data from FAO and WHO surveys conducted over ten years. The researcher applies various interdisciplinary approaches and references the theory of planned behavior to explain the resilience, especially of hedonic aspects of food diets in the context of the living heritage of national dishes. The research references Vavilov’s botanical centers of origin and dispersion to capture the biogeographic underpinnings of global cuisine. The findings …

Physical And Emotional Impact Of Lighting Conditions In Higher Education Classrooms, Robert P. Mcdonald, Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

The literature review shows that researchers in different fields have long explored the impact of the physical classroom environments (e.g., lighting, temperature, classroom layout, and furniture) to identify the ideal classroom environments. When the lighting condition is poor (i.e., light levels below standards), it can cause drowsiness, leading to lower concentration and motivation, and elevated student stress. However, most studies focused on K-12 learning environments. Therefore, this study aims to specifically focus on the lighting conditions in educational facilities around a university campus in the Southeastern United States and to explore whether these lighting conditions impact students’ mental well-being, their …

Analysis Of Collegiate Athlete Social Media Engagement On Instagram, Noelle Magann

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

Since its founding in 2010, Instagram has developed into one of the world's largest social media platforms. In 2022, $33.3 billion was spent on instagram advertising by companies, firms, etc. Additionally, almost $5 billion was spent on Influencer marketing in 2022, a 27.8% increase from 2021 and a 34.7% increase from 2019. These statistics show the vast importance influencers have on marketing in today's business world and society as a whole. For this project, I looked into the engagement rates of SunBelt Football athletes. I used at least 2 athletes from each university that had over 1,000 followers on instagram, …

Csr Communication Strategy: Avoiding Consumer Skepticism Considering Product Type And Firm Size, Maisy Dauphinais, Setare Mohammadi, Lin Guo

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

According to prior study, applying a promotional tone may diminish the credibility of the CSR message. To the best of our knowledge, prior studies did not distinguish between luxury and everyday products when determining the most effective technique for highlighting their CSR initiatives and accomplishments. Furthermore, these tactics may need some adjustments for organizations of various sizes, which hasn't been researched before. Results show that three variables—company size (small/large), product type (luxury/fairly priced), and communication style (factual/promotional)—influence customer CSR skepticism. According to our findings, if a firm is big and sells luxury goods, it's ideal to use a factual tone …

Choose Your Channels Strategically: How Gender Plays A Role In The Receiving Of Online Brand Activism Ad Campaigns, Jana Stupavsky

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

The successful launch of a new online brand activism ad campaign focused on gender-sensitive issues can be distorted if the content is delivered through poorly thought-out channels. Companies with access to their customer data should learn more about their existing customer base to strategically select the campaign communication channels. When engaging in activism, brands should consider framing their campaign messaging positively and appear authentic. Otherwise, they risk loss in brand equity and corporate reputation. The following analyses present results from a secondary consumer demographic and behavioral characteristics database anchored in source credibility theory. Its goal is to explore differences in …

Examining The Product And Service-Centric Website Features And Functions Offered By European Fashion Retailers Following The Covid-19 Pandemic, Richard Heiens, Ravi Narayanaswamy

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

Considering the significant pressures faced by fashion-oriented e-commerce retailers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to understand what modifications, if any, these retailers may have made to their online retail stores, and the impact that these changes may have had on their effectiveness during this time frame. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to examine the various product-centric and service-centric features and functions found on the websites of European fashion retailers both before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examined the conversion rates, the average ticket values and customer demographics for …

Differences In Consumers’ Green Consumption Mindsets And Behavior Across South Africa, South Korea And The United States Based Upon Measures Of Hofstede’S Cultural Dimensions Theory, Sam Fullerton, Estelle Van Tonder, Jungki Lee

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

Samples of 513 South African consumers, 292 South Korean consumers, and 938 consumers in the United States were drawn using identical, but appropriately translated, questionnaires. The data collection instrument addressed a number of psychographic considerations germane to consumption – and anti-consumption – decisions. Using the index scores from Hofstede’s Theory of Cultural Dimensions as bases for differentiating among the three countries, meaningful differences related to issues germane to sustainability were identified. The three cultural dimensions used for comparative purposes were individualism (versus collectivism), indulgence (versus restraint) and long-term (versus short-term) orientation. Differences were documented for all eight of the sustainability-related …

Differences In Eco-Friendly Attitudes And Behaviors Among Consumers In The United States Across An Array Of Demographics, Sam Fullerton, Tammy Mccullough

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

A sample of 938 consumers residing in the United States responded, by invitation, to an online survey on anti-consumption attitudes and behaviors. Drawing from one aspect of that survey, the primary focus of this study is sustainability. The relationship between four of the measured sustainability-related variables and five commonly examined demographics was evaluated using a t-test, ANOVA, and the Scheffé Method of Multiple Comparisons. Age was the most common variable to be associated with attitudes and behavior regarding sustainability. The most common dependent variable to be associated with the five demographic variables was the frequency in which the respondent chose …

Brand Me: How Linkedin Training Improves Personal Branding By Influencing Self-Esteem And Job Search Self-Efficacy By Generating An All-Star Profile, Christopher Leo, Timothy Halloran, Carlos Valdez, Leslie Connell, Jennifer Morin

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

This article considers how LinkedIn training in the form of a workshop can improve a professional's personal brand by influencing self-esteem and job search efficacy by developing a LinkedIn All-Star Profile. Self-esteem and self-efficacy are two of the most highly researched social and vocational psychology aspects. While there has been some research on the impact of non-technological workshops, there needs to be more research on the effects of workshop training in these two variables on employee personal brand on social media.

Personal Brand Equity In Linkedin: Impression Management As An Antecedent And Behaviors As Consequences, Carlos Valdez, Jorge Villegas, David Penn

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

This research explores how Personal Brand Equity in professional social media is influenced by impression management and the online behaviors of users of this social media platform. Using a path analysis, the relationship between Impression Management and Personal Brand Equity was, as expected, strong and positive. The paths between brand equity and frequency of behaviors such as use of LinkedIn to network were significant and strong while other behaviors such as frequency of use of LinkedIn to ask for recommendations were not significant. The contribution of this paper is to be the first to analyze this relationship to understand better …

Effects Of Online Consumer Ratings On Persuasion, Magdoleen Ierlan

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

Online product review websites have become very important in the purchase decisions of consumers. Word-of-mouth communication was once limited to the passing of information using verbal means, however, it now extends into text messages and web dialogue, such as online profile pages, blog posts, message board threads, instant messages and emails. The type of review will influence the consumer differently. Also, the need for cognition will impact the way the type of review the consumer requires to decide.

Consumer Decision-Making On Golf Equipment: Impact Of Emerging Strategic Organizational Goals And Supply Chain Intricacies, Faith A. Hopkins, Ismet Anitsal, Melek Meral Anitsal

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

The game of golf is incredibly historic and enjoyed by many people from numerous different age groups across many parts of the world. The research involving the game of golf is often limited to the topics of golf club engineering and injury prevention within the game. The consumer decision-making process for golf equipment has been primarily under-researched. This study explores the consumer decision-making process involving golf equipment and provides propositions to achieve strategic organizational goals. Propositions are made concerning supply chain intricacies containing the inclusion of personalization and customization and including women's equipment displayed in marketing activities. There is room …

How Political Ideology Impacts Political Brand Image: Analysis Of The 2016, 2018, And 2020 Elections, Kristina M. Harrison, Shawn Thelen, Boonghee Yoo

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2023

The U.S. presidential elections of 2016 and 2020 have both been characterized as “An Election like No Other” (Goodman 2020; Smith 2016) unparalleled to previous ones. The 2016 election saw an outsider, not an established politician, win the support of a major political party and eventually the presidency. The 2020 election was influenced by a once in a century pandemic that diminished all traditional election issues and greatly affected the nature of campaigning. This research examines whether political ideology played an invariant and stable role in shaping the brand image of the presidential election candidates. Analysis of 2016, 2018, and …