The document provides an overview of the conceptual development of corporate image and identity. It begins by defining key concepts such as corporate personality, identity, and image. Corporate personality refers to the unique characteristics of an organization. Corporate identity involves visual cues that allow audiences to recognize and differentiate an organization. Corporate image is the overall impression formed in audiences' minds based on these cues. The document then discusses how corporate image is formed through a mosaic of attitudes and experiences with both internal and external stakeholders. Finally, it examines approaches to planned corporate identity programs and the importance of aligning identity with organizational philosophy.
All organizations have an identity. Corporate identity is the process defined as the institution for all the activities of an organization in public relation administration. Okay argument on the corporate identity states that, “it is not only visual designs, but a combination of designs, communications, behavior, philosophy, and culture. All these components are used by the organization to compose a “corporate identity.” As a result of the corporate identity activities a corporate image is established” (2005: 39).
Sladjana Starcevic - Why we need to extend the classical model of brand perso...Sladjana Starcevic, Ph.D.
Starcevic, Sladjana (2016) “Why we need to extend the classical model of brand personality: The practical value of brand personality measuring tool for marketers”, Proceedings of the XII Convibra International Conference – Business, online edition, Brasil
The brand personality is a very popular area of research in marketing. Consumers perceive brands as if they were living beings. They assign to brands positive and negative personal traits, demographic characteristics, physical characteristics and cognitive skills. The personality of the brand is a very important means of differentiation, which is the most difficult to copy. Although this topic has been popular in in theoretical marketing research for a long time, little has been done to implement brand personality measuring tool in practice. The author dealt with the methodological shortcomings of a large number of brand personality studies and presented an extended model of "brand as a person," which, in addition to personality traits includes other determinants of the brand as a person, in order to enhance the practical use of this measuring tool. The author has conducted her own research of the extended personality profile of brands of mobile operators in Serbia (telecommunications sector), including two international companies and one domestic company, in order to determine the diagnostic and predictive value of extended brand personality measuring tool. By determining a broader profile of the „brand as a person" (current or desired), we can clearly perceive: if the diversity of the brand compared to other similar brands is sufficient, where we made the mistakes, and how we can focus brand positioning in the future, using a variety of marketing tools.
All organizations have an identity. Corporate identity is the process defined as the institution for all the activities of an organization in public relation administration. Okay argument on the corporate identity states that, “it is not only visual designs, but a combination of designs, communications, behavior, philosophy, and culture. All these components are used by the organization to compose a “corporate identity.” As a result of the corporate identity activities a corporate image is established” (2005: 39).
Sladjana Starcevic - Why we need to extend the classical model of brand perso...Sladjana Starcevic, Ph.D.
Starcevic, Sladjana (2016) “Why we need to extend the classical model of brand personality: The practical value of brand personality measuring tool for marketers”, Proceedings of the XII Convibra International Conference – Business, online edition, Brasil
The brand personality is a very popular area of research in marketing. Consumers perceive brands as if they were living beings. They assign to brands positive and negative personal traits, demographic characteristics, physical characteristics and cognitive skills. The personality of the brand is a very important means of differentiation, which is the most difficult to copy. Although this topic has been popular in in theoretical marketing research for a long time, little has been done to implement brand personality measuring tool in practice. The author dealt with the methodological shortcomings of a large number of brand personality studies and presented an extended model of "brand as a person," which, in addition to personality traits includes other determinants of the brand as a person, in order to enhance the practical use of this measuring tool. The author has conducted her own research of the extended personality profile of brands of mobile operators in Serbia (telecommunications sector), including two international companies and one domestic company, in order to determine the diagnostic and predictive value of extended brand personality measuring tool. By determining a broader profile of the „brand as a person" (current or desired), we can clearly perceive: if the diversity of the brand compared to other similar brands is sufficient, where we made the mistakes, and how we can focus brand positioning in the future, using a variety of marketing tools.
The Influencing Factors of Word of Mouth in Taiwan's Culture and Creative Mov...Anton Cheng
This research investigates that norms, narrative, and sales promotion influence word of mouth (WOM) in Taiwan’s cultural innovation movies industry. Moreover, brand image and brand familiarity play the moderate roles between them. Study uses quota sampling method to collect questionnaires from Taipei city and uses LISREL model to test the hypothesis.
The contribution of corporate social responsibility to sustainable developmen...AJHSSR Journal
ABSTRACT : Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a broad term used in business. It usually describes a
company's commitment to conducting its business in an ethical manner. And sustainable development is
development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. This study investigates how Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD provides corporate social
responsibility through sustainable development. The study adopts a qualitative method of research. The study
reveals that provides Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which are BIBD Catalyst, BIBD "Special
Entrepreneurial Empowerment & Development Scheme" (BIBD SEED), BIBD Advocating Life-Long Learning
for an Aspiring Future (BIBD ALAF) and the commendable "Community for Brunei".
Keywords: Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD),
Covid-19.
A corporate brand is used not only to ensure the application of business strategy but also to design it. Brands are increasingly becoming cultures,manners of seeing life and ways of doing things that have to be sharedwith customers, although they first have to be cultures created and defended by employees.
There are still companies today that have yet to apply strategic management to their corporate brand, despite there being more and more companies, even in the mass commodity sector, that are beginning to use it as backing for their commercial brands. This approach to management ensures, on the one hand, the conveyance of meaning between the two and, on the other,the contribution the company’s own corporate reputation makes to product brands.
This document has been prepared by Corporate Excellence – Centre for Reputation Leadership based on the book Taking Brand Initiative: How Companies Can Align Strategy, Culture, and Identity Through Corporate Branding by Majken Schultz and Mary Jo Hatch.
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Reverse product placement, fictional brands and purchase intention:Fancy a co...Laurent Muzellec
fictional brands are brands that exist only in the world of fiction and not the real physical
world.reverse product placement consists of transforming these fictional brands into products
and services in the real physical world.this paper posits that consumers,despite having no preexisting
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service based on the fictional brand. using two fictional service brands, ‘Maclaren’s Pub’ and
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The Influencing Factors of Word of Mouth in Taiwan's Culture and Creative Mov...Anton Cheng
This research investigates that norms, narrative, and sales promotion influence word of mouth (WOM) in Taiwan’s cultural innovation movies industry. Moreover, brand image and brand familiarity play the moderate roles between them. Study uses quota sampling method to collect questionnaires from Taipei city and uses LISREL model to test the hypothesis.
The contribution of corporate social responsibility to sustainable developmen...AJHSSR Journal
ABSTRACT : Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a broad term used in business. It usually describes a
company's commitment to conducting its business in an ethical manner. And sustainable development is
development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. This study investigates how Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD provides corporate social
responsibility through sustainable development. The study adopts a qualitative method of research. The study
reveals that provides Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which are BIBD Catalyst, BIBD "Special
Entrepreneurial Empowerment & Development Scheme" (BIBD SEED), BIBD Advocating Life-Long Learning
for an Aspiring Future (BIBD ALAF) and the commendable "Community for Brunei".
Keywords: Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD),
Covid-19.
A corporate brand is used not only to ensure the application of business strategy but also to design it. Brands are increasingly becoming cultures,manners of seeing life and ways of doing things that have to be sharedwith customers, although they first have to be cultures created and defended by employees.
There are still companies today that have yet to apply strategic management to their corporate brand, despite there being more and more companies, even in the mass commodity sector, that are beginning to use it as backing for their commercial brands. This approach to management ensures, on the one hand, the conveyance of meaning between the two and, on the other,the contribution the company’s own corporate reputation makes to product brands.
This document has been prepared by Corporate Excellence – Centre for Reputation Leadership based on the book Taking Brand Initiative: How Companies Can Align Strategy, Culture, and Identity Through Corporate Branding by Majken Schultz and Mary Jo Hatch.
Organizational Analysis Essay examples
Presentation Analysis Essay examples
Mg/561 Organizational Structure
Essay on Capital Structure
Situational Analysis Essay
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How can we better understand the creative process in advertising? Griffin and Morrison offer an overview of their latest research project in a presentation from the 2010 American Academy of Advertising Conference (AAA) in Minneapolis, MN.
Reverse product placement, fictional brands and purchase intention:Fancy a co...Laurent Muzellec
fictional brands are brands that exist only in the world of fiction and not the real physical
world.reverse product placement consists of transforming these fictional brands into products
and services in the real physical world.this paper posits that consumers,despite having no preexisting
experience of fictional brands in the real world, may develop positive attitudes towards
fictional brands; hence the fundamental managerial question is to ascertain whether these
positive attitudes can drive purchase intention to justify the investment into a real product or
service based on the fictional brand. using two fictional service brands, ‘Maclaren’s Pub’ and
‘Central Perk’, featured respectively in How I Met Your Mother and Friends, this study confirms
the existence of protobrands, and shows that attitudes towards a fictional brand are driven by
perceived service quality, identification with the brand and attitudes towards the television
programme. the study goes on to provide evidence that attitudes towards the fictional brand
can influence purchase intention of a future defictionalised brand in the real world.the paper
contributes to product placement and branding literature in a new emerging area.
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How to Split Bills in the Odoo 17 POS ModuleCeline George
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2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...
A new approach to the corporate image management process.pdf
1. .Vcritimg Manaeemmi. 1989, S, So. I. 63 76
A Mew Approach to the Corporate Image
Management Process
Russell Abratt
i'nwersily oj the H'itwatersrand, Johannesburg^ Republu rxf South Africa
The author analyses ihe conceptual development of the corporate image process.
Emphasis is placed on the difference between corporate image, corporate identity and
corporate philosophy. These concepts are combined into a new process for the
dezielopmenl image in the eyes of an organisation's publics.
INTRODUCTION
Literature abounds on the subjects of corporate identity and corporate
image. Much of this literature has been written at a fairly superficial level
by executives of design and marketing communications consultancies
(Anspach 1983, Chajet 1984, Couretas 1984, Diefenbach 1986, French 1981,
Hamilton 1983, Yarnell 1986). On the other hand, marketing journals and
texts mention image regularly, but do not cover this in detail, nor do they
give management any guidelines.
Organisations need to make a concerted effort to manage their corporate
images. According to Gray (1986), managing the corporate image is the key
to security and maintaining public trust. This is particularly relevant today
because of the American public's disenchantment with business (Cochran
1984, Dickson 1984, D'Aprix 1977, Gray 1986, Keller 1985, and Pinsdorf
1987). According to Velmans (1979) the corporation needs to become more
conscious of using communications to reach its objectives and needs to
articulate its position more clearly to government agencies, legislator,
shareholders, employees, customers, financial institutions and other critical
63
2. 64 RUSSELL ABRATT
audiences (Velmans 1979, quoted by Gray, 1986). The objectives of this
paper are:
(i) to explain the concepts of corporate image, corporate identity and
corporate personality.
(ii) to develop a new approach to corporate image management.
THE CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATE IMAGE
A good review of the literature wa^ presented by Kennedy (1977). She
maintains that the concept of corporate image was developed in the 1950s.
The first author to draw a comparison between the corporate image and
the human personality was Newman in 1953. Boulding (1956J contributed
by emphasising the relationship beiween image and behaviour and by
suggesting that what an individual believes to be true, is in fact true for
him. Swanson (1957), approaching it from the perspective of the consumer,
was first to suggest that there was such a thing as an ideal corporate image.
Martineau (1958) argued strongly for management to take the topic
seriously and he was the first to suggest that a company faced not one, but
seven publics to whom is should be projecting itself. He also drew a
distinction between the functional meaning of corporate image—the
tangible assets of quality, reliability, service, price and its emotive
meaning—subjective feelings.
Harris (1958) identified seven image types for a company—the corporate
image, the institutional image, the product image, the brand image, a
diffused image and the consumer demand image. Bolger (1959) addressed
the methodology used to profile a corporate image and developed a card
sorting exercise which could be used to profile the corporate image of a
client, its competitors and the industry "ideal". Bayton (1959) built on the
concept of the actual versus the ideal image and maintained that an image
must be evaluated on the basis of what management desires for the
company, the image of competitors and on the industry "ideal". Eells
(1959) suggested that the purpose behind the promotion of a corporate
image was two-fold: to link the company to its social environment and to
help achieve company objectives. Bristol (1960) covers interest groups and
outlines different tools and techniques with which to promote a corporate
image. Boorstein (1961) presented the criticism that the emphasis on image
was at the expense of reality. Finn (1961) disagreed with Boorstein and
presented examples of how a corporate image can be an advantage to an
organisation.
Greenberg (1961) conducted empiricaJ research out of which rose the
question of image stability. Spector (1960) carried out research which
required the ranking of six personality related dimensions. He concluded
that the ranking differed from industry to industry. Tucker (196i) disagreed
and maintained that many large organisations have stereotype images.
3. CORPORATE IMAGE MA.NAGEMENT PROCESS 65
Gardner (1965) argued the case for the utilisation of the resources and
techniques of the behavioural sciences in advancing image research.
Odiorne (1966) picked up on this line of thought whilst looking at the
processes involved in imagery in particular. Cohen (1967) tackled the
difficulties inherent in image research and proposed that the differentiation
ratio be used as a means of overcoming these difficulties.
The next major conceptual development is characterised by the writings
of Pilditch (1970) who emphasised the distinction between corporate image
and corporate identity. A considerable amount of research has l>een
conducted on the image of retail establishments. A complete issue of the
Journal of Retailing has been devoted to articles on store image. Burke and
Berry (1974/75) conducted empirical research which clearly demonstrated
that the social actions of a corporation can improve its image and contribute
to favourable economic results. Cardozo (1974/75) developed a
psycholinguistic technique for use in the study of store image. His research
also showed that the store image studies and image-alteration programmes
must diiferentiate between product classes. Lindquist (1974/75), from the
literature, drew up nine store image attributes, of which three are dominant
(merchandise, service and locational factors) and of those three,
merchandise appears to be the key image factor. McDougall and Fry (1974/
75) demonstrated that both the semantic differential and open-end
techniques should be employed in the measurement of store image as the
shortcomings of one is countered by the advantage of the other and the
benefits appear to exceed the costs. Oxenfeldt (1974/75) outlines an eight
step image building programme and suggests a number of potential
dimensions of store image. Marks (1986) proposes a technique for
operationalising the concept of store image which combines two multi-
variate methods.
Polkinghorne (1976) undertook research which evaluates various image
measuring techniques—the Kelly Repertory Grid, an image attribute
generating device, the Semantic Differential, an attitude measuring
instrument and various statistical and multivariate data analysis
techniques.
Kennedy (1977) broke away from traditional thinking by focusing on
company employees. She suggested that a corporate image must be based
on fact and that the underlying company policies are of far greater
importance than any advertising or press campaigns which might be
undertaken. Desirable policies which are clearly communicated and
implemented will, according to Kennedy (1977), ensure that employees,
who act as company salesmen, elicit favourable responses from those they
come into contact with. Olins (1978) and Bernstein (1984) believe that
image cannot be divorced from reality, that the image is an expression of
the corporate personality and that co-ordinated and consistent
communication to external and internal publics is fundamental to the
management of the corporate image.
Gray (1986) defines corporate image and explains why it is of vita!
4. 66 RUSSELL ABRATT
concern for business leaders. He traces the events leading to diminished
public confidence in business. He examines the corprarate image
management efforts by various successful companies, offers advice to
management on how to establish a corporate image programme and
provides a check list approach to profihng a corporate image.
TOWARDS A DEFINinON
Despite the voluminous literature the concepts remain unclear and
ambiguous as no universaily accepted definitions have emerged. In much of
the literature the terms corporate identity and corporate image have been
used interchangeably or imprecisely. Some of these definitions are presented
below to illustrate this confusion.
"An organisation's corporate identity articulates what the organisation is,
what it stands for, and what it does . . . (and) . , . will include details of
size; products manufactured and/or services offered; markets and
industries served; organisational structure; geographical spread; and so
on" (Topalian 1984)
". . . identity in its most basic sense; that is the fundamental style,
quality, character and personality of an organisation, those forces which
define, motivate and embody it" {Downey, 1986/87)
"The corporate identity is the 'personality' and 'soul' of the corporation".
(Lee 1983)
One must compare these with the following definitions:
"The corporate identity . . . is all planned and all visual . . . (It) is the
firm's visual statement to the world of who and what the company is—of
how the company views itseif . . ." (Selame and Selame 1975)
"Corporate identity is the total presentation of an organisation—the sum
of ail the elements that make (it) distinctive. The presentation is rarely
simple, as it usually includes many media and addresses many
audiences". (Anspach 1983)
". . . Corporate identity is about appearance . . ,". (Olins 1978)
'. . . The impression of the overall corporation held by (its) various publics".
(Gray and Smeltzer 1985)
"Thus the corporate image of an organisation is the profile—or sum of
impressions and expectations of that organisation built up in the minds of
individuals who comprise its publics". (Topalian 1984)
"The corporate image is composed of all planned and unplanned verbal
and visual elements that emanate from the corporate body and leave an
impression on the observer". (Selame and Selame 1975)
5. CORPORATE IMAGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS 67
Bernstein's (1984) usage of the terms is encapsulated in the following
definitions.
"Corporate image is the net result of the interaction of all the
experiences, beliefs, feelings, knowledge and impressions, that people have
about a company. (Bevis 1967^, quoted by Bernstein 1984)
"Corporate identity then . . . is the sum of the visual cues by which the
public recognises the company and differentiates it from others".
(Bernstein 1984)
It is clear that three concepts, personality, identity and image must be
clarified. There is an obvious relationship between them. Every company
has a personality, which is defined as the sum total of the characteristics of
the organisation. These characteristics—behavioural and intellectual—serve
to distinguish one organisation from another. This personality is projected
by means of conscious cues which constitute an identity. The overall
impression formed by these cues in the minds of audiences constitutes an
image.
CORPORATE PERSONAUTY
Numerous authors have recognised the fact that companies have
personalities (Bernstein 1964, Bogle I960, Gray 1986, Martineau 1960,
Olins 1978, Pilditch 1970, and Schladermundt I960).
Bernstein (1984) concedes that corporate personalities do not "grow" in
exactly the same way as human personalities for two reasons. Firstly as it is
a corporate personality many more influences—colleagues, customers,
suppliers, the market place, etc.—act to considerably mwiify the unique
personality. Secondly, there is a far greater degree of control over a
corporate personality. What the corporate personality shall be, can be
determined before the company is formed by deciding on what it is to do,
wha! it shall believe in, how it shall operate all factors which constitute a
corporate personality.
CORPORATE IDENTTrY
Olins (1978) proposes that a sense of identity is natural and necessary to
every social group. Organisations formed for the purpose of achieving some
goal, as they mature, develop a culture. According to Schein (1984)
organisational culture may be analysed at three levels—the level which
concerns us here is that of the visible artefacts which are the constructed
environment of the organisation, its architecture, technology, office layout,
manner of dress, visible or audible behaviour patterns and public
documents such as charters and employee orientation materials. Olins
6. 68 RUSSELL ABRATT
(1978) suggests that a group will always develop a personality which is then
projected as an identity which is different from and greater than the sum of
the personalities itivolved. Visual identity is a part of the deeper identity of
the group, the outward sign of the inward commitment, serving to remind it
of its real purpose (Oiins 1978).
What is crucial to the successful communication of corporate identity, so
that the perceived image does reflect reality, are consistency and
congruency. Corporate identity is an assembly of visual cues—physical and
behavioural by which an audience can recognise the company and
distinguish it from others and which can be used to represent or symbolise
the company. Schladermundt (1960) believes that the elements of the
corporate identity should command instantaneous recognition and should
signify the quality or personality of the company. Recognition can only be
assured by consistency and all visual cues need to be congruent with, and
support, each other. Recognition is an important response to strive for
because familiarity breeds favourabihty. (Bernstein 1984).
THE FORMATION OF THE CORPORATE IMAGE
Several authors (Bernstein 1984, Bristol 1960, Gray 1986, Kennedy 1977)
address the question of how the corporate image forms.
Bernstein (1984) believes that the corporate image is made up of
countless details; it is an overall impression, a mosaic synthesised from
numerous impressions formed as a direct or indirect result of a variety of
formal or informal signals emanating from the company. The recipient of
such signals "pieces together (these) fragments of corporate activity . . . into
a concept. This is what we know as a corporate image". (Bernstein 1984).
Bernstein (1984) stresses that the image is not what the company believes
it to be, but the feelings and beliefs about the company that exist in the
minds of its audiences and which arises from experience and obervation.
From management's point of view, it is important to recognise that not all
impressions contribute equally to an image—an individual may consciously
or unconsciously select the thoughts and impressions upon which an image
is based.
Gray {1986) maintains that ". . . corporate image is more than the
product of the phenomenon of mob psychology" and that it results not so
much from a single attitude held by the public at large, but from a mosaic
of attitudes which form in the minds of those in close contact with the
corporation. He believes that corporate image commences with a company's
internal stakeholder, its employees, and how they f>erceive the company.
Martineau (1960) believes that the corporate image is a conglomerate of
attitudes towards the company held by the various stakeholders.
Kennedy (1977) examines the corporate image formation process. She
believes that as corporate image is shaped by personal contact and
experience, the extent to which a single, consistent image is developed by
7. CORPORATE IMAGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS 69
external stakeholders depends upon the consistency of the image form^ by
the internal stakeholder, the employees. She suggests that where
management have adequately communicated its policies, a single,
identifaable image develops amongst employees. Kennedy (1977) believes
these company policies to be all-important since they form the basis of the
company image which, because it is thus based in fact, can be enduring.
However, where communication has been inadequate, views become
fragmented and this leads to less consistent images.
PLANNED CORPORATE mENTITY PROGRAMMES
According to Bernstein (1984) a corporate identity is not something a
company decides whether or not to have. It's got one whether it likes it—or
plans it—or not. What it needs to do is fashion it according to what it
believes it stands for. A company cannot directly change its image but it
can change its identity. Thus corporate identity planning is another tool
available to management.
Many authors have suggested that attention to corporate identity will
enhance efforts to differentiate and reposition companies (Anspach 1983,
Chajet 1984, Downey 1986/87, Golnick 1985, Gray and Smeluer 1987, and
Portugal and Halloran 1986).
Various authors have presented comprehensive recommendations as to
how to go about developing and instituting a planned corporate identity
programme and without exception they all recommend that design
consultants be brought in (which is not surprising as they ail are design
consultants) (Olins 1978, Pilditch 1970, Selame and Selame 1975).
When planning a corptorate identity for an organisation, the relationship
between identify and the corporate philosophy must be made. Bernstein
(1984) argues that it is the ultimate duty of management to know what it is
doing and why, its essential "raison d'etre" by uncovering the causes of laws
(by detertnining) the principles underlying any department of knowledge.
Following on from this fundamental duty is the related duty to find
expression for the knowledge and then to dissemble it. The most important
part of the philosophy is the corporate mission, which is a succinct expression
of company purpose, ideally setting it apart from all other companies.
Bernstein's (1984) linkage of corporate philosophy and corporate identity
arises out of his belief that corporate identity firstly captures, and secondly,
serves as a vehicle for expression of the company's philosophy.
Organisations have to communicate their philosophy through a corpiorate
identity programme which comprises a planned assembly of visual ones.
THE CORPORATE IMAGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS
No attempt has yet been made to develop a conceptual model of the
8. 70 RUSSELL ABRATT
corporate image management process. Such a model is presented in
Figure 1.
Stage I—^The Corporate Personality
The formal articulation of a corporate philosophy which is highly specific to
the company, is believed to form the cornerstone of the corporate image
management process. Such an exercise provides management with an
opportunity to explore the corporate personality and to develop a
corporate philosophy which embodies the core values and assumptions
which, according to Schein (1984), constitute the corporate culture. It is
imperative that this be done at the highest level in the organisation, because
it is only at this level that the necessary breadth of vision exists. The
rationale behind the suggestion that this exercise forms the cornerstone of
the corporate image management process, lies in the fact that before the
corporate image can be managed, it must be understood. Management first
needs to develop a sense of identity, an understanding of who the company
is, what it believes and what it stands for.
The process by which management first articulates the corporate
philosophy may well vary—it may be an integral part of the first strategic
planning exercise or it may be initiated independently. How it is articulated
is immaterial, what is important is that it is done.
The next key component of the corpiorate image management process
involves those activities designed to effect the strategic management of the
business. Strategic management consists of two interlocking tasks: the task of
formulating a strategic plan (and reformulating it whenever circumstances
warrant); and the task of implementing and executing the strategic plan (in
the context of still doing the routine jobs associated with running the show
on a day-to-day basis) (Thompson and Strickland 1986).
The strategic plan is a detailed blueprint of management's answers to
three basic strategic questions:
(i) What will we do and for whom shall we do it?
(ii) What objectives do we want to achieve?
(iii) How are we going to manage the organisation's activities so as to
achieve the chosen objectives?
The answer to the first question delineates the corporate mission. This is a
succinct expression of corporate purpose, which is distilled from the
corporate philosophy and which, according to Kotler (1983) should be
market oriented, feasible, motivating and specific.
The relationship between the corporate philosophy and strategic
management is thus made clear—a distilled form of the corporate
philosophy, the corporate mission, shapes the strategic management of the
business.
Once the corporate mission is clear, management sets the overall business
9. CORPORATE IMAGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS 71
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10. 72 RUSSELL ABRATT
objectives. The setting of objectives will reveal what priorities are to be
observed, what kind of market and financial performance is expected and
what results are to be achieved through the company's chosen activities.
The means by which the business objectives will be achieved are outlined
in an overall business strategy or "game plan" for approaching markets,
competing against rivals and otherwise operating the company effectively.
As companies are usually structured along functional lines, objectives and
a strategy for human resources, marketing, finance and production are
developed from the overall business objectives and strategy.
Stage 2—Corponte Identity
The next key activity in the corporate image management process is the
development of communication objectives, which are a subset of the overall
business objectives. The communication objective-setting exercise should
enable management to formulate its philosophy with respect to
communication. A communication philosophy will emerge as such issues as
what to say, how much to say, who to say it to etc. are dealt with. It is now
that the insights developed during the articulation of the corporate
philosophy really enter into the strategic management process. In instances
where a mismatch of the corporate image and reality become evident,
specific objectives designed to rectify this should now be included with the
other communication objectives.
Once the overall business objectives and strategy have been formulated,
they are promptly separated into distinct functional objectives and
strategies. Whilst very logical from the point of managing the various
operational and administrative activities, this detracts from the company's
ability to manage its corporate image. It serves to further emphasise the
separation of the functions, which precludes the development of an
integrated and holistic approach to corporate image management. Thus, it
is clear that provision must be made to re-integrate the communication
aspect of each function's objectives and strategy. A total communication
"game plan" which cuts across functional boundaries must be developed.
It is vital that the communication "game plan" be both formulated and (to
a certain extent) implemented at the highest level in the organisation, because
it is only at this level that it becomes possible to develop an holistic
overview of the company.
It is envisaged that the scope of the communication "game plan" will
encompass two organisational elements: structures and systems. The
communication "game plan" should cater for their creation and
management in an integrated, co-ordinated fashion, which will ensure that
the objectives pertaining to the corporate image as well as the other
communication objectives, are achieved.
The first item on the communication "game plan" agenda should be the
provision of a staff department charged with the guardianship of the
corporate image and which reports directly to the CEO. To this end, an
existing functional department (Public Affairs is probably the best) could be
11. CORPORATE IMAGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS 73
restructured, or a new department altogether could be set up. The first
priority of the new structure {hereafter called the Communication
Department, for the sake of convenience) should be to:
(i) review all existing management systems for corporate image
implications; and
(ii) modify these, and if necessary, design and assist in the
implementation of any additional systems required to manage the
corporate image.
The term "management system" is defined as a particular sequence of
activities which is carried out in an attempt to manage some specific aspect
of organisational life. Whilst it is neither possible nor desirable at this point
to enumerate all the piossible management systems, a few examples which
should be common to all companies will be given. These include training,
performance appraisal, issue management, quality control, industrial
relations, pwlicy making, corpiorate identity programmes, the process
whereby data is collected and analysed for use in the strategic planning
process and a whole host more.
The co-ordination and ensuing consistency of many of the informal and
behavioural messages resulting from the operational and administrative
activities of the business, will be the outcome of such a policy-reviewing
exercise.
The fact that most management systems fall under the auspices of one or
other of the traditional functional areas, would appear to [jose a problem to
the Communication Department in dealing with this, its first priority.
However, organising the Communication Department along the lines of a
matrix structure described by Gibson (1978) should circumvent the
problem. Small project teams made up of representatives from both the
Communication Department and each of the functions are envisaged, each
of which would evaluate the systems falling under the relevant functional
area.
The communication Department should undertake another task which is
tangential to that of policy assessment. This is to ensure that all corporate
communications, both formal and informal, physical and behavioural, are
underpinned by the prevailing corporate philosophy.
Not all the Communication Department personnel need to be involved in
the piolicy assessment exercise. There are a number of other activities crucial
to corporate image management which should logically be performed by the
Communication Department—image research, environmental scanning and
sociopolitical monitoring, media liaison, production of the Annual Report
and corporate advertising are amongst them.
Stage 3—Corporate Image
The image interface represents the point of contact between the various
12. 74 RUSSELL ABRATT
stakeholders and the company. It is at this broad interface that all the
stakeholder's experiences (which are what determines the corporate image)
are shaped by the outcomes of the various management systems. Different
stakeholders come into contact with different outcomes. This would suggest
that it is possible to identify, for each stakeholder, a unique set of
management systems whose outcomes reinforce each other, thus creating
synergy in the corporate image management process. Managing these
systems as a unit in relation to the relevant stakeholder must surely
represent corporate image management at its optimum.
CONCXUSION
An attempt has been made to identify the differences between corporate
philosophy, corporate identity and corporate image. These three concepts,
once understood, are then combined into a conceptual model explaining the
corporate image management process.
The need for continued research by companies is evident. The issue of
testing this new approach needs to be resolved. More sdll needs to be done
to determine whether the companies' images are in line with their corporate
philosophy as well as their corporate identity programmes. The next step is
to develop measures which will enable organisations to test the approach
discussed in this paper.
Ackno'wledgement
The authors wishes to thank P. S. B. Shee for her contribution.
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