IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/jobman/v31y2024i2d10.1057_s41262-023-00335-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Brand activism as a marketing strategy: an integrative framework and research agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Chapaval Pimentel

    (Federal University of Paraná)

  • Mariana Bassi-Suter

    (TBS Business School)

  • Simone Regina Didonet

    (Federal University of Paraná)

Abstract

This paper offers an integrative conceptual framework to posit brand activism (BA) as an organisation-driven phenomenon pertaining to the strategic marketing field. It is reasoned that, despite the growing managerial relevance of the phenomenon, BA still lacks a robust theoretical body, resulting in inconsistencies and ambiguities, in particular when it is explored from the firm perspective. Considering that BA is usually related to and confounded with other similar activisms, especially from the consumer perspective, we propose an integrative framework to synthesise the existing knowledge and explain how BA can be evidenced as a marketing strategy aiming to build specific ties with society that can evolve into a firm’s relational resource. Applying the Antecedents, Decisions, and Outcomes framework to conduct a systematic literature review, we propose a framework that contributes to the extant literature by organising the knowledge on BA and clarifying the concept and the variables related to it. By doing so, we offer new research avenues, that will lead to further refinement and consensus on certain issues regarding BA, delineate the phenomenon in the marketing strategy field, as well as provide insights to managers in their decision-making process.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Chapaval Pimentel & Mariana Bassi-Suter & Simone Regina Didonet, 2024. "Brand activism as a marketing strategy: an integrative framework and research agenda," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 31(2), pages 212-234, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jobman:v:31:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1057_s41262-023-00335-8
    DOI: 10.1057/s41262-023-00335-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41262-023-00335-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41262-023-00335-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John Hulland & Mark B. Houston, 2020. "Why systematic review papers and meta-analyses matter: an introduction to the special issue on generalizations in marketing," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 351-359, May.
    2. John Hulland, 2020. "Conceptual review papers: revisiting existing research to develop and refine theory," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 10(1), pages 27-35, June.
    3. Justin Paul & Gabriel R. G. Benito, 2018. "A review of research on outward foreign direct investment from emerging countries, including China: what do we know, how do we know and where should we be heading?," Asia Pacific Business Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 90-115, January.
    4. Neil A. Morgan & Kimberly A. Whitler & Hui Feng & Simos Chari, 2019. "Research in marketing strategy," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 4-29, January.
    5. Kevin Lane Keller, 2016. "Reflections on customer-based brand equity: perspectives, progress, and priorities," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 6(1), pages 1-16, June.
    6. Robert W. Palmatier & Mark B. Houston & John Hulland, 2018. "Review articles: purpose, process, and structure," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 1-5, January.
    7. Mandler, Timo & Sezen, Burcu & Chen, Jieke & Özsomer, Ayşegül, 2021. "Performance consequences of marketing standardization/adaptation: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 416-435.
    8. Mirzaei, Abas & Wilkie, Dean C. & Siuki, Helen, 2022. "Woke brand activism authenticity or the lack of it," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1-12.
    9. Gonchar V. & Kalinin O., 2015. "Marketing aspects of steady growth business strategy," Економічний вісник Донбасу Экономический вестник Донбасса, CyberLeninka;Институт экономики промышленности НАН Украины, issue 4 (42), pages 131-135.
    10. Thomas, Veronica L. & Fowler, Kendra, 2023. "Examining the outcomes of influencer activism," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    11. Rajan Varadarajan, 2015. "Strategic marketing, marketing strategy and market strategy," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(3), pages 78-90, December.
    12. Shelby Hunt, 2015. "The theoretical foundations of strategic marketing and marketing strategy: foundational premises, R-A theory, three fundamental strategies, and societal welfare," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(3), pages 61-77, December.
    13. Christian H. Koch, 2020. "Brands as activists: The Oatly case," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 27(5), pages 593-606, September.
    14. Andersen, Sophie Esmann & Johansen, Trine Susanne, 2021. "Corporate citizenship: Challenging the corporate centricity in corporate marketing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 686-699.
    15. Christian Fisch & Joern Block, 2018. "Six tips for your (systematic) literature review in business and management research," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 68(2), pages 103-106, April.
    16. Paul, Justin & Criado, Alex Rialp, 2020. "The art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to know?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    17. Shelby D. Hunt, 2015. "The theoretical foundations of strategic marketing and marketing strategy: foundational premises, R-A theory, three fundamental strategies, and societal welfare," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 5(3), pages 61-77, December.
    18. Ross, Stephen A, 1973. "The Economic Theory of Agency: The Principal's Problem," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 63(2), pages 134-139, May.
    19. Calder, Bobby J., 2020. "Brands: An Integrated Marketing, Finance, and Societal Perspective," Foundations and Trends(R) in Marketing, now publishers, vol. 14(4), pages 237-316, November.
    20. Fama, Eugene F, 1980. "Agency Problems and the Theory of the Firm," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 88(2), pages 288-307, April.
    21. Ahmad, Fayez & Guzmán, Francisco & Kidwell, Blair, 2022. "Effective messaging strategies to increase brand love for sociopolitical activist brands," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 609-622.
    22. Rajan Varadarajan, 2015. "Strategic marketing, marketing strategy and market strategy," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 5(3), pages 78-90, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Klement Podnar & Urša Golob, 2024. "Brands and activism: ecosystem and paradoxes," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 31(2), pages 95-107, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Marina Proença & Tomas Sparano Martins, 2024. "The role of absorptive capacity in the use of digital marketing analytics for effective marketing decisions," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(3), pages 687-700, September.
    2. Mandler, Timo & Sezen, Burcu & Chen, Jieke & Özsomer, Ayşegül, 2021. "Performance consequences of marketing standardization/adaptation: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 416-435.
    3. Shelby D. Hunt, 2017. "Strategic marketing, sustainability, the triple bottom line, and resource-advantage (R-A) theory: Securing the foundations of strategic marketing theory and research," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 7(1), pages 52-66, June.
    4. Paul, Justin & Criado, Alex Rialp, 2020. "The art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to know?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    5. Lim, Weng Marc & Yap, Sheau-Fen & Makkar, Marian, 2021. "Home sharing in marketing and tourism at a tipping point: What do we know, how do we know, and where should we be heading?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 534-566.
    6. Chatterjee, Lagnajita & Feng, Cong & Nakata, Cheryl & Sivakumar, K., 2023. "The environmental turbulence concept in marketing: A look back and a look ahead," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    7. Johannes Habel & Sascha Alavi & Nicolas Heinitz, 2023. "A theory of predictive sales analytics adoption," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 13(1), pages 34-54, June.
    8. Lim, Weng Marc & Rasul, Tareq, 2022. "Customer engagement and social media: Revisiting the past to inform the future," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 325-342.
    9. Osrof, Hazem Yusuf & Tan, Cheng Ling & Angappa, Gunasekaran & Yeo, Sook Fern & Tan, Kim Hua, 2023. "Adoption of smart farming technologies in field operations: A systematic review and future research agenda," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    10. (Daisy) Lyu, Jing & Krasonikolakis, Ioannis & Vrontis, Demetris, 2022. "A systematic literature review of store atmosphere in alternative retail commerce channels," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 412-427.
    11. Hosany, A. R. Shaheen & Hosany, Sameer & He, Hongwei, 2022. "Children sustainable behaviour: A review and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 236-257.
    12. Basu, Rituparna & Paul, Justin & Singh, Kandarp, 2022. "Visual merchandising and store atmospherics: An integrated review and future research directions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 397-408.
    13. Billore, Soniya & Anisimova, Tatiana & Vrontis, Demetris, 2023. "Self-regulation and goal-directed behavior: A systematic literature review, public policy recommendations, and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    14. Federico Mangiò & Giuseppe Pedeliento & Daniela Andreini & Lia Zarantonello, 2024. "How persuasive is woke brand communication on social media? Evidence from a consumer engagement analysis on Facebook," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 31(4), pages 345-381, July.
    15. Nelaeva, Alena & Nilssen, Frode, 2022. "Contrasting knowledge development for internationalization among emerging and advanced economy firms: A review and future research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 232-256.
    16. Manjit S. Yadav, 2017. "Disciplinary memory and theory development," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 7(1), pages 1-3, June.
    17. Yi Zhang & Patrick Sik-Wah Fong & Daniel Yamoah Agyemang, 2021. "What Should Be Focused on When Digital Transformation Hits Industries? Literature Review of Business Management Adaptability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-30, December.
    18. Rajan Varadarajan, 2019. "Theoretical underpinnings of research in strategic marketing: a commentary," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 30-36, January.
    19. Sanne Ichelle Dubbelink & Carolina Herrando & Efthymios Constantinides, 2021. "Social Media Marketing as a Branding Strategy in Extraordinary Times: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-21, September.
    20. Shakeel ul Rehman & Rafia Gulzar & Wajeeha Aslam, 2022. "Developing the Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) through Social Media (SM): The Modern Marketing Communication Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:jobman:v:31:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1057_s41262-023-00335-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.