Jeryl Whitelock

Cross-Cultural Advertising

The standardization of advertising for international markets has been much discussed in the literature, although there is little empirical evidence on how far standardized advertisements are used i...

Theories of internationalisation and their impact on market entry

Discusses four theories of internationalisation: the Uppsala model of internationalisation; the eclectic paradigm and transaction cost analysis; the interactive network approach of the International Marketing and Purchasing Group; and what may be termed the business strategy approach. Suggests that a model incorporating the key elements of each approach could present a more realistic and comprehensive picture of the market entry decision.

An evaluation of external factors in the decision of UK industrial firms to enter a new non‐domestic market: an exploratory study

A study of key decision makers in a sample of large international companies explored the non‐domestic market entry decision. A literature review revealed five broad external domains which held the potential to affect that decision. A series of statements was factor analysed to reveal ten more specific variables. An analysis of which variables discriminated between the decision to enter and not enter a new non‐domestic market demonstrated that geocultural/political similarity, developed economy, attractive market, good market information and governmental attitude significantly affected the decision. The findings supported a marketing‐strategy based theory of market entry.

Mass‐customisation in marketing: the consumer perspective

This paper addresses the issue of mass‐customisation from the point of view of consumer demand. It aims to develop a framework to examine the demand side of the mass‐customisation equation which will allow researchers to identify whether a market of customers who are ready for mass‐customised products exists. In doing so it considers in particular three “inconveniences” of mass‐customisation: the increased price of customised products; the delay in receipt of custom‐made products; and the need for customers to invest time in specifying their preferences before the product can be produced.

Understanding international branding: defining the domain and reviewing the literature

Purpose – This papers objectives are first to analyse the patterns of research on international brands and branding so far, secondly to provide a definition for international branding based on these previous studies in the field, and finally to suggest fruitful paths for future research in this area.Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis of academic papers published in major marketing, advertising and international business journals.Findings – The field of international branding is broad and has developed in the course of the last 30 years in different directions and with different understandings of what the term refers to. This paper gives an overview of these directions, of the different understandings of the term found in the literature, proposes a definition of international branding, and finally suggests paths for future research.Research limitations/implications – As with all literature reviews, this paper is limited to analysing works in a selection of the top academic journals in the fiel...

How “ready” are customers for mass customisation? An exploratory investigation

This paper examines the concept of mass customisation from the point of view of the customer. Although the theory of mass customisation has received considerable attention in recent years, the emphasis has been on identifying and classifying the ways in which mass customisation can be implemented efficiently and effectively. There appears to have been no empirical evidence to support the notion that customers are indeed ready for this approach. The aim of this study is to examine how far customers are “ready” for mass‐customised products, using the UK new car market as its basis for analysis. A framework is developed and results presented which suggest that a sizeable section of the market is ready to accept the “inconveniences” of mass‐customised products. However, the main inconvenience of mass customisation is identified as increased price, even for “ready” customers. It would seem, therefore, that both global standardisation and mass customisation strategies are appropriate in this market.

Why is so little marketing research on Latin America published in high quality journals and what can we do about it

Purpose – First, this paper aims to uncover how much marketing research based on data gathered in Latin America has been published in high quality business and marketing academic journals over the past decade. Second, it seeks to present recommendations on best practice in conducting and publishing such research derived from a Delphi study of authors who succeeded in doing so.Design/methodology/approach – The paper undertakes a systematic review of the literature to identify the relevant published papers coupled with a Delphi study of the authors of those papers.Findings – Over the last decade only 22 papers were published in high quality journals in the marketing area based on data gathered in Latin America. The reasons for this scarcity explored in the Delphi study derive both from the way in which high quality journals operate as well as from how authors conducting research in that area of the world design their studies and subsequently present them in manuscripts submitted to journals. Key recommendat...

Global Marketing and the Case for International Product Standardisation

Levitts theory of globalisation has attracted a great deal of attention among both academics and practitioners. The view that a single product can be offered worldwide offers significant benefits for international marketers, whatever their size or industry. A review of empirical findings in the literature, however, suggests that this theory should be adopted with caution. The author has studied a specific group of three products manufactured by UK companies and exported to other countries in Europe. Despite the often cited term, European market, which implies a likeness between all European countries and, hence, an opportunity for product standardisation, the findings suggest that modifications in many product aspects are necessary for export success. Further, the degree of modification required varies from market to market.

A cross‐cultural analysis of television advertising in the UK and the Czech Republic

This paper presents the results of a cross‐cultural analysis of television advertising in the Czech Republic and the UK. The need for this research is suggested by a gap in the literature concerning cross‐cultural studies involving Eastern European countries. The aim is to compare advertising in the two countries in order to add to the debate on the feasibility of standardised advertising across cultural borders. The literature relating specifically to cross‐cultural studies of advertising in two or more countries provides the basis for this research study. A sample of television advertisements was collected from the two most viewed UK and Czech commercial channels and was examined using content analysis. The focus of the research is on differences and similarities in the creative strategies and executional formats used in the product categories advertised. In terms of creative strategies, there was great similarity overall. However, significant differences were found for six out of the 14 individual product categories studied. In contrast, many significant differences were found overall for executional formats. The partial nature of the support for the view that creative strategy is associated more with product category than with culture reflects a complex situation vis‐a‐vis international advertising standardisation.

International advertising strategy: the standardisation question in manager studies

Purpose – This papers objectives are firstly to systematically analyse patterns of research in international advertising standardisation (IAS) conducted among managers and secondly to suggest fruitful paths for future research in this area.Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis of academic papers published in major marketing, advertising and international business journals.Findings – Results show that overall future research would benefit from a unified definition of and measurement procedures for advertising standardisation as only these can ensure the advancement of knowledge in the field. Additionally, more research is needed in order to further explore process issues in advertising standardisation, especially a newly proposed perspective related to the implementation process of the standardisation decision. Finally, an interesting avenue for future research relates to the study of the subjectivity involved in the standardisation decision.Research limitations/implications – As with all literat...