| 1. |
- Ahmadi, Zahra, 1966-
(författare)
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Market orientation and public housing companies in the Swedish declining market
- 2016
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The licentiate thesis consists of three papers with the particular topic in public housing. They discuss how the public housing companies manage the transition to higher economic demands meeting increased customer and market requirements. These studies focus specifically on how the public housing company deal with market challenges associated with the decision to demolish, maintain and/or new construction. Market-oriented perspective can be a tool for the public housing companies to achieve better customer value and enhance economic development. Although the market orientation concept has contributed to valuable improvements in research, the thesis assumes that it is necessary to distinguish between that the public housing companies operate market-oriented to meet customer requirements and their focus on innovation.Paper I develops market/innovation types and then investigates how public housing companies adapt to these types. It was found that economic conditions in the municipality have a major impact on the housing companies, causing them to act innovatively and create superior customer value by innovations. The study confirms that the implementation of market and innovation orientation contributes to competitive advantages in growing markets, while weak economic conditions impair implementation in declining markets.Paper II addresses how public housing companies in declining markets act based on the concept of market intelligence. This study suggested and tested whether there is a positive link between collecting customer information, disseminating it in the organization, and responding to customer needs, and whether this link has an impact on strategic performance. The result shows that weak links exist in the process; the efficiency of intelligence distribution in public housing companies is affected mainly by their responsiveness to customer needs.Paper III also addresses the public housing companies’ market strategies in declining markets. This study, based on a market-strategic perspective, compares how public housing companies act in relation to customer wants compared to the private housing market. The result shows that public housing companies are more engaged in carrying out new construction, renovation, and reconstruction, as well as taking more social responsibility compared to the private sector. In particular, their concern for the customers’ social needs is evident.
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| 2. |
- Chowdhury, Ehsanul, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Improving the CSR image – A study on suppliers of Bangladesh garments industry
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Supply Chain Management. - London : ExcelingTech. - 2051-3771 .- 2050-7399. ; 5:2, s. 16-26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper provides a deep insight into the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) image scenario of the buying firms and Bangladesh suppliers as well as identifies the challenges for building a positive supply chain (SC) CSR image for the suppliers of Bangladesh clothing industry. The contribution of this paper is that it improves knowledge of SC CSR image from the supplier’s as well as the buyer’s perspective. This paper also makes suggestions regarding improvement of Suppliers’ CSR image that can influence the SC CSR image.
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| 3. |
- Fregidou-Malama, Maria, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
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Does national culture influence organizational culture across contexts? : Elekta in Greece
- 2018
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Ingår i: IMP ASIA - The eight meeting of the IMP Group in Asia. - : Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This research deals with the influence of National Culture on Organizational Culture in Healthcare Services. We analyse how the national culture of a firm´s home and host country and the cultural context affect the organizational culture in international marketing of healthcare services. We conducted a case study on Elekta a Swedish invention for radio surgery with a subsidiary, Elekta-Greece EPE, in its real life context. We collected qualitative data in form of semi-structured interviews by interviewing fourteen people during the years 2015-2016 in the host country of the subsidiary. We also used direct observation of the working environment and company documents as data sources. The study shows that the organisational culture of the Business Unit in Greece is flat and managers apply open doors culture trusting employees. Inequality between employees does not exist and the managers empower employees by involving them in the decision making process. Employees work as a team and share responsibilities and experience helping each other. They feel happy to work and perceive the challenges the company meets as their own challenges identifying themselves with the company. The study indicates that the context of the collectivistic and uncertainty avoiding culture of Greece influences managers to empower and motivate employees to work as a team developing good personal relationships in the company trusting each other. The results suggest that a balanced combination of national cultures makes the structure of the organisation flat, employees work as a team applying the Greek Philotimo helping and supporting each other to avoid ambiguity, reduce stress and unite in uncertain situations. We argue that a combination of the small power distance and femininity of the Swedish national culture combined with the cultural context of collectivism and strong uncertainty avoidance in Greece influence the organisational culture of the Business Unit. The local dynamic cultural context and the behaviour of the market, the customers, patients, service providers and the employees transform the organisational culture of Elekta-EPE Greece to a mixture of Swedish culture and Greek culture applying new organisational practices and models adapting to the values of the local context. The research contributes to the International services marketing literature developing a model of internationalization of healthcare services based on national cultural dimensions, organizational culture and contextualization. Managers who aim to establish businesses across borders need to balance the national culture of the head quarter and the one applied in units abroad with the unique context environment they operate to develop new organizational culture and be effective. A further study can include more companies and sectors to focus on the effect of national cultural context on organizational culture across countries.
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| 4. |
- Fregidou-Malama, Maria, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
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Health services marketing in India : the relevance of the cultural context
- 2016
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Ingår i: IMP ASIA in Africa. - : Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group. ; , s. 22-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This research analyzes how culture impacts on the international marketing strategy of a Swedish health service provider in India. It examines how confidence in the market is achieved to establish and maintain trust and relationships, which influence the level of standardization and adaption in the market. A case study was conducted and an inductive qualitative research method applied. Data have been collected in the form of semi-structured interviews, direct observation and company documents. We found that the cultural dimensions of power distance, individualism/collectivism and masculinity and femininity imact on trust development, relationships and standardization and adaptation. The study highlights the importance of the cultural context in marketing health services. It reveals that respect for the human face and social responsibility in regional development are required to cultivate relationships and to develop trust and networks. The research contributes to international services marketing literature by developing a model of health services marketing from a cultural context. For future study it is suggested a comparison be made between more culturally distant countries to observe how culture influences the development of marketing strategy in international business.
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| 5. |
- Fregidou-Malama, Maria, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of culture on marketing of health services : Elekta in Brazil
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Business Review. - : Elsevier BV. - 0969-5931 .- 1873-6149. ; 24:3, s. 530-540
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examine how culture influences the international marketing of health services. This is done by analyzing how culture affects trust, networks and standardization/adaptation and how trust develops and operates in relation to culture, networks and standardization and adaptation. Using qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews and researcher observations, we find that the cultural dimensions of power distance, individualism/collectivism and uncertainty avoidance have an impact on trust, network development and standardization/adaptation. This finding helps in deciding what parts of the service to standardize and what to adapt for successful services marketing. We conceptualize three interrelated levels of trust comprising country-, company- and individual trust. This multilevel trust offers an important understanding of how to manage cultural complexity in the international marketing of services. The theoretical model developed based on cultural dimensions can be useful when marketing services in other countries.
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| 6. |
- Fregidou-Malama, Maria, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
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Innovative Marketing Strategy : Multinational Companies in Bangladesh
- 2017
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Ingår i: ICBM 2017. - Dhaka : BRAC University. - 9789843423603 ; , s. 659-659
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This research deals with Marketing of products. We analyzed how adaptation/standardization and network development are achieved when marketing products in Bangladesh as an emerging market. We conducted case studies for data collection in British American Tobacco, Perfetti Van Melle, Tetrapak, and Reckitt Benckiser. Qualitative data have been collected as semi-structured interviews, direct observation and documents. It is argued that renowned global brands with global reputation are seen positively by the customers and the consumers. The study demonstrates that relationships related to the local market are to be adapted to customers´ preferences to develop emotional attachments and networks. The study suggest that a balanced combination of product quality and development of new diversity of products adapted to the needs of the market and the customers establishes trust and networks giving the possibility of success for product providers and the acceptance of products by the local customers. The research contributes to international marketing literature by developing a model of products’ marketing based on trust, network and adaptation/standardization.
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| 7. |
- Fregidou-Malama, Maria, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
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Innovative product marketing strategy : multinational companies in Bangladesh
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Asia Business Studies. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1558-7894 .- 1559-2243. ; 13:4, s. 656-671
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This paper aims to deal with international marketing of products, analyzing how adaptation/standardization and network development are achieved when marketing products in Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approach: By applying a qualitative method, the study was conducted at four multinationals, British American Tobacco, Perfetti Van Melle, Tetrapak and Reckitt Benckiser, operating in Bangladesh. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, direct observation and official documents. The analysis was conducted through construction of themes that were identified from the data set.Findings: The study demonstrates that business relationships related to a local market should be adapted to customer preferences. The research suggests that a balanced combination of product quality and development of new, innovative products adapted to the needs of the market and the customers establishes trust and networks. Cultural and market context were found to influence multinational companies (MNCs)s to standardize the quality of the products and adapt marketing mix components to the needs of consumers.Research limitations/implications: The paper contributes to international marketing literature with a model of product marketing based on context, trust, networks and adaptation/standardization. The model introduces the cultural dimension of femininity/ masculinity and the innovation of products and market structure. The study is limited to one emerging market. Further studies should explore other emerging market economies and MNCs.Practical implications: The results suggest that to meet the challenges of emerging market economies and achieve success, managers should take people and market needs into consideration.Originality/value: This paper extends product marketing literature by presenting a context-based model for MNCs’ product marketing.
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| 8. |
- Fregidou-Malama, Maria, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
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Why Microfinance in Rich Developed Countries?
- 2019
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Ingår i: ICBM 2019 2nd International Conference on Business and Management. - Dhaka : BRAC University. - 9789843443540 ; , s. 795-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This research deals with the influence of microfinance/microcredits on business development analyzing how micro finances affect establishment of small enterprises in Sweden. For the analysis, the following research questions were addressed: How do small enterprises get access to microfinances and what kind of businesses are established through microfinances? Microcredit means giving entrepreneurs access to financial resources to borrow a small amount of money to invest in income generating business activities context related. A model of microcredit was developed to lend money to the poor for business entrepreneurship. Access to microfinance can facilitate poverty reduction and incorporate economic and social development. Relationship based lending is affected by cultural and social context. Multiple case studies were applied for data collection from two small enterprises in Gothenburg, Sweden and a microfinance institution in Sweden. Qualitative data was collected in form of semi-structured interviews. Direct observation and documents were also used as data source. The study shows that microfinance contributes to development of sustainable enterprises and generates employment for people. The research shows that microfinance leads to sharing risks and financing projects in social enterprises, cooperative business and associations. It provides people with social networks, enhances their independence, empowers them and improves the quality of their life by generating incomes. It is important for the microfinance institutions to get recognition as important actors in the financial sector to succeed. The research contributes to the literature and theories of microfinances by developing a model about microfinances in developed countries. The limitation of the study is that we had studied only two small enterprises in a developed country. We suggest comparative studies on the influence of microfinance on business development and women empowerment between emerging economies and developed countries or between developed countries.REFERENCES [1] C. Fouillet, M. Hudon, B. Harris-White and J. Copestake, “Micorfinance studies: Introduction and overview,” Oxford Development Studies, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2013, pp. 1-16. [2] K. Burzynska and O. Berggren,“ The impact of social beliefs on microfinance performance,” Journal of International Development, Vol. 27, No. 7, 2014, pp.1074-1097. [3] M. Yunus, “Building social business: The new kind of capitalism that serves humanity’s most pressing needs,” The University press Limited: Bangladesh, 2010. [4] M. Yunus, “banker to the poor: The autography of Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank,” The University press Limited: Bangladesh, 1998.
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| 9. |
- Hyder, Akmal S., 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Cross-border merger among nordic banks : a longitudinal study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Vision 2020. - : International Business Information Management Association (IBIMA). - 9780986041990 ; , s. 855-857
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Researchers have found that even international merger and acquisition (M&A) are popular, they usually fail for its complexity. A large number of studies looked on the failure from financial, non-financial, managerial and HRM perspectives, but reasons for the failure is not yet understood. Recently few studies have tried with process perspective to penetrate into merger integration without much success. We argue that focus on pre- and post-merger stages is good but not enough to provide a total picture of the process. This study uses a longitudinal approach to analyze the establishment, development and consolidation of a cross-border merger between banks from four Nordic countries. Based on theories on strategic motives and culture, a theoretical framework has been developed showing how merger can lead to better competitiveness and performance. By using a qualitative method, data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with officials from the merging firms, and secondary materials and documents during the period of 1997-2015. The merger process is described in four stages. The first stage deals with the initiation and establishment of the merger. Critical period and cultural clashes are covered in the next stage. The third stage concentrates on the development of synergy and other measures. The final stage reflects on how the process has consolidated and what result it has so far achieved.
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| 10. |
- Hyder, Akmal S., 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Cross-border merger among Nordic banks - a longitudinal study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Global and national business theories and practice. - : EUROMED PRESS. - 9789963711567 ; , s. 2134-2136
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Researchers have found that even international mergers are popular, they usually fail for its complexity. Recently few studies have tried with process perspective to penetrate into merger integration without much success. We argue that focus on pre-and post-merger stages is good but not enough to provide a total picture of the process. By using a longitudinal approach this study analyzes the establishment, development and consolidation of a cross-border merger between banks from four countries. Based on theories on strategic motives and culture, a theoretical framework has been developed showing how merger process can lead to better competitiveness and performance. Data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with officials from the merging firms, and secondary materials during 1997-2015. The merger is described in four stages. The first stage deals with the initiation and establishment of the merger. Critical period and cultural clashes are covered in the next stage. The third stage concentrates on the development of synergy. The final stage reflects on how the process has consolidated and what result it has so far achieved.
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| 11. |
- Hyder, Akmal S, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Health care services marketing of Swedish innovation : A comparative study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Thriving in a new world economy. - Cham, Switzerland : Springer. - 9783319241487 - 9783319241463 ; , s. 318-324
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper deals with a comparative study between Brazil, China and Philippines on services marketing. By focusing on culture, standardization/adaptation, trust and network, attempt is made to illustrate how impact of service characteristics can be handled to smooth marketing of health care services internationally. Data has been collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 21 respondents from Brazil, China, Philippines and Sweden. The result shows that culture has much effect on the operations of Elekta Philippines and China while Brazilian establishment is run by following general marketing practices. Standardization has been common regarding treatment and service quality but some adaptation has taken place in Philippines to treat new diseases not included in the Gamma knife tradition. Trust is found necessary in all the cases but has been built in different ways. In China, guanxi has been used to develop informal relationships with the customers to ensure trust. Trust in Philippines is developed by recruiting relatives and friends and relying on experience in work with old Gamma knife facility. In Brazil, long-term relationships with the customers have been stressed and are built on understanding, business facts, competence and customers' access to Elekta reference centers.
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| 12. |
- Hyder, Akmal S., 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Is context important in healthcare marketing? : A comparison between developed and emerging markets
- 2018
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Ingår i: IMP ASIA - The eight meeting of the IMP Group in Asia.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context has been discussed in international business relating to marketing. We argue that understanding context is important in healthcare marketing as it deals with a complex issue of human health and comfort. This paper explores how service providers confront with contextual complexity and deal with marketing of healthcare services in developed and emerging markets. Four case studies have been conducted on a Swedish multinational firm operating in two developed and two emerging markets. By applying a qualitative method, data was collected through interviews, observations and secondary materials like annual reports and firm documents. A theoretical framework based on context, trust and network has been used to conduct the study. Operations in both developed and emerging markets emphasized individual and organizational trust but country level trust was only recognized in the emerging markets. In the developed market, the local customers emphasized on the written agreements. In contrast, emerging market customers put emphasis on informal relationship and considered agreements more as guidelines. Network development was highlighted in both developed and emerging markets to get competence and access to right partners.
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| 13. |
- Hyder, Akmal S, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Is CSR focused Internationalization Realistic for High-Tech Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)?
- 2018
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 32nd International Business Information Management Association Conference, IBIMA 2018 - Vision 2020: Sustainable Economic Development and Application of Innovation Management from Regional expansion to Global Growth. - : International Business Information Management Association (IBIMA). - 9780999855119 ; , s. 3868-3872
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study analyzes how high-tech SMEs approach CSR focused internationalization through networking and trust. Research has so far concentrated on CSR in large companies as it is not a usual practice in SMEs, particularly in connection with internationalization. High-tech SMEs face resource constraints and knowledge to apply CSR as a competitive tool in internationalization. In this paper, it is argued that development and implementation of CSR based internationalization in SMEs is a difficult learning process, which needs to be coordinated and supported by other firms in their network. Trust between the partners is necessary for collaboration. By applying an interactive approach, data has been collected from the ongoing marketing process in four high-tech Swedish SMEs in the steel industry. All the participating SMEs understand the importance of CSR in international marketing. However, success of CSR implementation in the SMEs varied depending on the area of business. The least CSR implemented SME focused on the improvement of work environment and financial sustainability through partnership with the customers and the investors. The most successful CSR focused company dealt with industrial residues and extraction of other minerals from hazardous waste for selling, making the reuse of residues possible. This study highlights the need of sustainability, both for the high-tech manufacturing SMEs and creating a strong selling argument towards the international buyers.
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| 14. |
- Hyder, Akmal S., 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Is health services marketing needed in emerging markets?
- 2016
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Ingår i: IMP ASIA in Africa. - : Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group. ; , s. 28-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study is to examine how multinational firms deal with challenges in marketing of health services in emerging markets (EMs). To conduct this study, a qualitative method has been used to focus on the marketing process. A single European health services firm operating in seven EMs and in four continents is studied to highlight the role of context. A theoretical framework is developed for service marketing in EMs based on three levels. The macro level deals with infrastructural factors, while the micro level reflects on the marketing process. The meso level, reflecting the local culture, is interconnected with the other two levels.
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| 15. |
- Hyder, Akmal S, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Is Social Media Necessary for Recruitment of International Students?
- 2019
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Ingår i: ICBM 2019 2nd International Conference on Business and Management. - Dhaka : BRAC University. - 9789843443540 ; , s. 94-100
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aims at examining how universities use social media in their marketing strategy to recruit international students. A theoretical framework has been developed based on international recruitment, social media platforms and social media content. By applying a qualitative method, 13 interviews were conducted from international departments in 10 Swedish universities. The respondents included communication managers, international coordinators and social media administrators. The empirical evidence was analyzed with few themes following the theoretical structure. The common social media platforms used in international recruitment of students are found to be Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Pictures and videos are important formats, which are used to ensure student engagement and create interest for the educational institutions. When creating content, it is significant that it emphasizes the value of the education, arouses student emotions and displays a clear picture living around the university. This study will be helpful for educational institutions that already use or plan to use social media for international recruitment.
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| 16. |
- Hyder, Akmal S., 1952-
(författare)
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Market orientation in a non-profit organisation
- 2016
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Ingår i: World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development. - 1746-0573 .- 1746-0581. ; 12:4, s. 414-432
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper investigates how a non-profit, interest-free bank applies market orientation to provide superior value to customers. A theoretical framework integrating market orientation, trust, organisational networking and superior customer value has been developed. A qualitative method was used for data collection and analysis. E-mails, printed booklets, bank newsletters, member surveys and other studies on the bank provided additional information. This research offers an understanding of how networking and trust are developed to ensure effective market orientation for value creation. As a theoretical contribution, three value categories, i.e. product-led, customer-led and market-led, were identified in the non-profit organisational context.
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| 17. |
- Hyder, Akmal S., 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Medical tourism in emerging markets : The role of trust, networks, and word-of-mouth
- 2019
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Ingår i: Health Marketing Quarterly. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0735-9683 .- 1545-0864. ; 36:3, s. 203-219
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite the growing popularity of medical tourism (MT) in emerging markets (EMs), little is known about how healthcare providers operationalize. This article analyzes how healthcare providers meet different challenges to market MT in an EM setting. A qualitative method was used for data collection and conducting case studies on healthcare services in the Philippines. The results show that trust and network building are necessary for mitigating the unfavorable characteristics, instability and lack of legitimacy caused by institutional constraints in EM. Word-of-mouth is found to be important to attract new customers and disseminate information about MT services.
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| 18. |
- Rydback, Michelle, Doktorand, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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Customization in medical tourism in the Philippines
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1750-6123 .- 1750-6131. ; 12:4, s. 486-500
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Focusing on customization, this paper aims to examine how service providers market health care in emerging markets through medical tourism. Design/methodology/approach: Using a qualitative method, researchers conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with managers from five health-care providers and supporting organizations in the Philippines. For analysis, data from the service providers are compared. Findings: Customization is found to play crucial role in offering health-care services. The customization takes place by adapting to emotional, social and cultural needs; alleviating knowledge asymmetry; and moderating the negative impact of the unfamiliar context experienced by international patients. Research/limitations implications: The empirically grounded theoretical framework needs to be tested in different contexts for generalization. Practical implications: The study focuses on understanding and responding to the needs of international patients, also demonstrating that health-care marketing must be developed through a joint effort by both the medical and business sides of health-care providers. Social implications: The paper acknowledges the need for health-care marketing and the novel role of health-care providers. Originality/value: Using a marketing lens, this study sheds light on the underexplored industry of medical tourism.
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| 19. |
- Rydback, Michelle, et al.
(författare)
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The marketing process of medical tourism
- 2015
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Ingår i: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Value Chain in a Dynamic Environment. - Marseille : EuroMed Press. - 9789963711376 ; , s. 2720-2722
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)
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