Michael Valos

Developing an Australian model of export marketing performance determinants

Compares and contrasts the Australian and international literature which has examined the determinants of export performance with a view to developing a model which will assist in improving what is generally considered to be low levels of achievement by Australian exporters. Based on a subjective evaluation of the international literature classifies export performance determinants into four categories of determinants ‐ tangible (e.g. product, technology, distribution), attitudinal, skill and knowledge. Combines these determinants into a simple explanatory model process for the Australian literature. Concludes, after comparison of the two literatures that such differences as exist are a matter of degree rather than kind. Lack of prior experience and a poor perception of the potential benefits appear to inhibit Australian involvement and are reflected in low confidence levels. Modifies the original model to address these issues, giving greater emphasis to a long‐term perspective and the attitudinal and skill based factors. Suggests that greater familiarity with the extant body of knowledge dealing with export performance determinants is needed to achieve the necessary attitudinal change and commitment to exporting which underpins success in domestic markets.

The impact of Porter's strategy types on the role of market research and customer relationship management

Purpose – This paper seeks to investigate the influence of Porters strategy types on the use of customer relationship management (CRM) techniques and traditional market research, against theoretical and empirical evidence that differences in strategy types may result in variation in favoured marketing information sources and procedures.Design/methodology/approach – Depth interviews generated a series of scale items, which were combined with others derived from the literature in a questionnaire measuring strategy types, the roles of market research, and the characteristics of CRM systems. Responses were obtained from 240 senior marketing managers in Australia, and applied to the testing of five research propositions.Findings – ANOVA found no differences in CRM usage among the strategy types. Variation was widespread, however, in four roles of traditional market research: enhancing strategic decision making, increasing usability of existing data, presenting plans to senior management, and achieving product...

Marketing research performance and strategy

Purpose – To investigate whether strategic orientation affects the evaluation of specific market research projects in for‐profit firms.Design/methodology/approach – A small‐scale follow‐up survey was conducted, building on qualitative and quantitative research among a sample of the top‐1,000 marketing managers in Australia. The study used an existing market research evaluation tool, the USER scale and items generated from the qualitative research, to investigate the firms most recent market research project.Findings – Four market research performance factors were identified – market research as a knowledge enhancing (KE) function, the internal political use of market research, the misuse of market research and the generation of market understanding. The Miles and Snow strategy types were related to these factors, with Prospector types more likely to use market research rationally and less likely to use it for internal political purposes. Tactical projects were more likely to be misused than were those wi...

Exploring the integration of social media within integrated marketing communication frameworks

Purpose – At present no frameworks exist for services marketers to incorporate social media (SM) within marketing communications planning. The majority of integrated marketing communications (IMC) frameworks were developed prior to the development of the widespread use of digital and SM for information seeking, sales and service. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this issue for services marketers specifically as they differ from FMCG, industrial and durable marketers in terms of marketing messages, branding, media and channels. Furthermore, as they are less reliant on outsourced sale channels they have more potential than other industries to integrate social and digital media to build awareness, brands and sales. Design/methodology/approach – Depth interviews were conducted with eight senior services marketing executives to identify the impact of SM on marketing communications planning, implementation and measurement. Findings – The findings revealed that the unique characteristics of SM (such a...

The alignment of market research with business strategy and CRM

This study investigated the alignment between market research, business strategy and customer relationship management (CRM). With the introduction of advanced IT systems which collect and model internal customer data (CRM), marketing managers face new choices when seeking information to facilitate their particular business strategy. A survey of market research (MR) and CRM usage was conducted among 207 marketing managers. The findings showed the Miles and Snow Prospector strategists placed greater reliance on both MR and internal CRM data systems than did Defenders. This applied in their tasks of developing new strategies and in enlisting senior management support for their actions. As Prospectors were the most reliant on both traditional market research and CRM systems, they need to be skilled in using CRM in conjunction with traditional research methods. Marketing managers who use CRM will need to foster functional relationships with the technical specialists who run CRM systems.

Senior marketers’ insights into the challenges of social media implementation in large organisations: assessing generic and electronic orientation models as potential solutions

Abstract The unique characteristics of social media (SM) have made it difficult to implement this tool within many large organisations. This paper seeks to identify the implementation challenges and evaluate alternative organisational orientations that may provide solutions. We aimed to reconcile theory with current practice by integrating the extant literature with data from three focus groups involving 27 senior marketing executives. The managerial discussions identified additional challenges to those previously discussed in the literature, which appear to result from SM’s unique characteristics. These include: interactivity, the integration of communication into distribution channels, collaborative media and information collection. Using both broad orientation models (market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation) and a specific digital orientation (e-marketing orientation), guidelines and research propositions for effective implementation are put forward.

E-marketing orientation and social media implementation in B2B marketing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential of an organisational orientation, namely the electronic marketing orientation (EMO) to address implementation issues in business-to-business (B2B) social media implementation. Previous research has demonstrated differences between B2B and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on existing B2B marketing, social media and organisational orientation literature, both academic and practitioner. This facilitates the development of a conceptual model and research proposition as a basis of further research into addressing contemporary barriers to B2B social media implementation. Findings – The paper contends that each of the four components of the EMO addresses different implementation issues faced in implementing social media and, more specifically, the unique issues faced by B2B marketers. Research limitations/implications – The paper is conceptual in nature; however, it provides directions for future empirical research. Practical implications – The differences in promotional and sales channels and messages required in B2B context are addressed in the research propositions. The paper highlights implementation challenges and how a particular organisational orientation can facilitate the decision-making in dealing with them. Originality/value – The paper provides a unique theoretical contribution by introducing the EMO conceptual model in a specific context of B2B social media marketing.

Marketers' perceptions of the implementation difficulties of multichannel marketing

This paper identifies implementation difficulties associated with multichannel marketing as perceived by senior marketers. While, multichannel marketing is being increasingly used because of its revenue enhancing and cost reduction opportunities, it appears more difficult to implement than ‘traditional’ single channel marketing. Traditional strategy implementation frameworks as typified by Miles and Snow and Porter, do not appear to address the implementation complexities of multichannel strategies especially when considering the dynamism of contemporary external environments. Using the methodology of thematic analysis, three implementation difficulty themes were identified: (1) understanding multichannel customer behaviour; (2) delivering sales, service and pre-purchase information; and (3) dealing with organisational politics and conflict caused by emerging channels. We propose that dynamic strategic frameworks can better address complexity and uncertainty, and overcome implementation difficulties. The paper concludes with general and specific research propositions to test the effectiveness of dynamic strategic frameworks in terms of the three themes.

A discursive approach to entrepreneurial marketing: Integrating academic and practice theory

Abstract This paper proposes a conceptual entrepreneurial marketing model, integrating academic and practice theory. Based upon abstract, generalized and explicit theoretical concepts, this paper is the first to integrate an implicit, intuitive and tacit resource of practice within a single conceptual model. Theoretical underpinnings are developed from a newly conceptualized definition of entrepreneurial marketing, perspectives on the emerging nature of entrepreneurial marketing, and models of application of entrepreneurial marketing. Practice-based underpinnings are based upon the proactive, innovative and risk-taking entrepreneurship marketing initiatives identified from a respected community of high-growth entrepreneurs. An interpretive, ethnographic qualitative approach, consisting of in-depth interviews and focus groups, was initiated to record the entrepreneurs’ real-life experiences. The proposed model and equation facilitates entrepreneurs, corporate venturers and post graduate entrepreneur students toward establishing high growth ventures.

Integrating online communities within business-to-business marketing communications: an exploratory study

Abstract The article provides a conceptual contribution by developing a framework for business-to-business (B2B) marketers seeking to implement online communities (OLCs). Furthermore, the conceptual contribution is augmented by a small-scale exploratory study comprising in-depth interviews with B2B chief marketing officers (CMOs). The findings challenge existing thinking that B2B marketers can follow generic marketing communication frameworks. This is due to the differences in B2B OLCs in terms of multiple stakeholders and two-way information flows and differences in buyer behaviour. For researchers, the contribution is an embryonic model that will facilitate future conceptual development as well as empirical testing through a series of research propositions. A sequential decision-making framework, which identifies key implementation challenges, is provided for B2B managers.