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Brand identification in higher education: A conditional process analysis

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  • Palmer, Adrian
  • Koenig-Lewis, Nicole
  • Asaad, Yousra

Abstract

The dimensions and dynamics of higher education brands remain excessively informed by general principles of branding, with inadequate empirical testing in the specific context. This paper advances understanding of brand identification in higher education by empirically assessing its antecedents and relating brand identification to brand loyalty and brand support as outcome variables, moderated by time since direct experience of the university. Results of a conditional process analysis with a sample of 791 alumni indicate that recalled academic and social experiences significantly influence brand identification, and that brand identification is a good predictor of alumni brand loyalty and brand support. While the direct effects of recalled academic and social experience on brand loyalty decrease over time, the indirect effect of academic experience on loyalty via brand identification increases, indicating that the mediation effect of brand identification becomes stronger with the passage of time. The study makes important theoretical contributions to the branding literature by emphasizing the mediating role of brand identification and by examining the moderating effects of time on these variables. The results also inform marketing of higher education, suggesting that universities which focus on offering great academic experiences to their students will be more effective in developing strong brand identification over time which in turn leads to greater brand loyalty and brand support.

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  • Palmer, Adrian & Koenig-Lewis, Nicole & Asaad, Yousra, 2016. "Brand identification in higher education: A conditional process analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 3033-3040.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:69:y:2016:i:8:p:3033-3040
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.01.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Jagrook Dawra & Kanupriya Katyal, 2023. "Decoding price promotions: a moderated mediation model of fairness, trust, and deal proneness," Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(4), pages 248-265, August.
    4. Balmer, John M.T. & Mahmoud, Rudiana & Chen, Weifeng, 2020. "Impact of multilateral place dimensions on corporate brand attractiveness and identification in higher education: Business school insights," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 628-641.
    5. María Dolores Aledo‐Ruiz & Eva Martínez‐Caro & José Manuel Santos‐Jaén, 2022. "The influence of corporate social responsibility on students' emotional appeal in the HEIs: The mediating effect of reputation and corporate image," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 578-592, May.
    6. Marta Retamosa & Ángel Millán & Miguel Moital, 2020. "Does the Type of Degree Predict Different Levels of Satisfaction and Loyalty? A Brand Equity Perspective," Corporate Reputation Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(2), pages 57-77, May.
    7. Madrigal, Robert, 2020. "The role of identification and gratitude in motivating organization-serving intentions and behaviors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 75-84.
    8. Zobi Khan & Yongzhong Yang & Mohsin Shafi & Ruo Yang, 2019. "Role of Social Media Marketing Activities (SMMAs) in Apparel Brands Customer Response: A Moderated Mediation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Hulya Bakirtas & Vildan Gulpinar Demirci, 2022. "A structural evaluation of university identification," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 19(3), pages 507-531, September.
    10. Yu, Qionglei & Foroudi, Pantea & Gupta, Suraksha, 2019. "Far apart yet close by: Social media and acculturation among international students in the UK," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 493-502.
    11. Cachón Rodríguez, Gabriel & Prado Román, Camilo, 2020. "The identification-loyalty relationship in a university context of crisis: the moderating role of students and graduates," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).
    12. Laura Pascual‐Nebreda & Pablo Cabanelas‐Lorenzo & Alicia Blanco‐González, 2022. "Understanding dissatisfaction through evaluation theory," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 3116-3129, October.

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