Brand Engagement

The purpose of this study is to conceptualize the Integrated Brand Engagement (IBE) with inductive approach based on data collected through interviews at Iran Khodro, Saipa, Bahman Group, Kerman Motor and Pars Khodro (during 2008-2010). The interviewees are Iranian automobile brand experts. Applying the grounded theory (GT), we could theorize the process in shaping IBE with the aim of proposing an integrated picture of brand engagement as a third paradigm. Bearing in mind the strategic role of the proposed topic in companies’ survival, we got into introducing brand for recognizing the engagement factors and then created the integrated brand engagement which let automobile industries’ owners foresee and determine better. In this theory, "Brand Equity" is the central phenomenon whereas “Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) " is the causal condition. The central phenomenon is expressed in a set of actions and interactions, which is referred as “Customer Engagement". On the other hand, the Integrated Brand Communication (IBC) (as context conditions) and Shareholders Engagement elements (as intervening conditions) stabilize and expand the concept of engagement in the proposed model. The main consequence of this phenomenon is “Brand Engagement” leading to increase the long-term loyalty of customers, staffs and shareholders. These conditions lead all people who directly and/or indirectly involve with brand to advocate the brand because they have sense of belongingness and engagement to the brand even if they do not buy that product.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to provide a framework for innovative social media marketing strategies to address the impacts of health crises on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Method: This research is applied in nature, based on a survey-exploratory approach, and employs a qualitative methodology. The statistical population consists of experts in urban management and human resources management. Using the theoretical sampling method, interviews were conducted with 15 experts until theoretical saturation was achieved. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings: The research findings resulted in a comprehensive model comprising five main themes and eighteen sub-themes. These include: driving factors (online brand communities, social listening, customer participation marketing, prosumer (producer-consumer) influencer marketing, gamification), strategic factors (increasing engagement, product/service development, increasing brand awareness, creating word-of-mouth advertising, increasing brand credibility), facilitating factors (brand associations, strengthening brand identity), primary outcomes (correctly understanding consumer needs and opinions, creating value for consumers),  secondary outcomes (market development and new customer acquisition, sales promotion, loyalty promotion). Conclusion: The study provides a practical framework to enhance SME resilience through innovative social media strategies during health crises, emphasizing key driving, strategic, and facilitating factors along with their outcomes.