Skip to main content
Log in

Corporate communications, identity and image: A research agenda

  • Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Brand Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper focuses on the importance of corporate identity mix and unplanned (uncontrolled) communication elements in corporate image formation. It aims to define the scope of the communicators of corporate identity in the consumers’ context. It presents a literature review with highlights on corporate identity management and corporate communication fields. Subsequently, the paper posits several propositions for future empirical testing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Gardberg, N. A. and Fombrun, C. J. (2002) ‘The reputation quotient project: First steps towards a cross-nationality valid measure of corporate reputation’, Corporate Reputation Review, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 296–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, M. B. (2001) ‘Current trends in corporate communication’, Corporate Communication: An International Communication, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 117–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen, J. and Harris, P. (2001) ‘Corporate identity metaphor: Perspectives, problems and prospects’, Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 17, pp. 49–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, T. and Kitchen, P. (2002) ‘Communication in post-modern integrated marketing’, Corporate Communication: An International Journal, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 144–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, J. C. and Porras, J. I. (2000) ‘Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies’, Random House, London.

  • Simoes, C., Dibb, S. and Fisk, R. (2005) ‘Managing corporate identity: An internal perspective’, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 153–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C. and Karaosmanoglu, E. (2006) ‘Seven dimensions of corporate identity: A categorisation from the practitioners’ perspectives’, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 40, No. 7/8, pp. 846–869.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun, C. and Shanley, M. (1990) ‘What is in a name? Reputation building and corporate strategy’, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 233–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, S. (1977) ‘Nurturing corporate images’, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 120–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, G. R. (1986) ‘Managing your corporate image’, Industrial Marketing Management, Vol. 15, pp. 109–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Einwiller, S. and Will, M. (2002) ‘Towards an integrated approach to corporate branding—Findings from an empirical study’, Corporate Communications: An International Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 100–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. R. and Smeltzer, L. R. (1985) ‘SRM Forum: Corporate image—An integral part of strategy’, Sloan Management Review, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 73–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. R. and Smeltzer, L. R. (1987) ‘Planning a face-lift: Implementing a corporate image program’, The Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 1, pp. 4–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C., Karaosmanoglu, E. and Patterson, D. (2005) ‘Corporate identity: Concept, components and contribution’, Journal of General Management,, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 59–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Riel, C. B. M and Balmer, J. M. T. (1997) ‘Corporate identity, concept, its measurement and management’, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 31, No. 5/6, pp. 340–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (1998) ‘Corporate identity and the advent of corporate marketing’, Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 14, pp. 963–996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barich, H. and Kotler, P. (1991) ‘A framework for marketing image management’, Sloan Management Review, Vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 94–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray E, R. and Balmer, J. M. T. (1998) ‘Managing corporate image and corporate reputation’, Long Range Planning, Vol. 31, No. 5, pp. 695–702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Riel, C. B. M. (1995) ‘Principles of Corporate Communication’, Prentice Hall, Hertfordshire/England.

  • Gray and Balmer, ref. 17 above, p. 696.

  • Brown, T. J. and Dacin, P. A. (1997) ‘The company and the product: Corporate associations and consumer product responses’, Journal of Marketing, Vol. 61, pp. 68–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya, C. B. and Sen, S. (2003) ‘Con-sumer–company identification: A framework for understanding consumers’ relationships with companies’, Journal of Marketing, Vol. 67, pp. 76–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen, J . (2000) ‘Corporate image: An audience centred model’, Corporate Communications: An International Journal, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 119–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dacin, P. A. and Brown, T. J. (2002) ‘Corporate identity and corporate associations: A framework for future research’, Corporate Reputation Review, Vol. 5, No. 2/3, pp. 254–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson, A. and Balmer, J. M. T. (1996) ‘Corporate and generic identities: Lessons from the co-operative bank’, The International Journal of Bank Marketing, Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 22–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bick, G., Marciene, M. C. and Abbratt, R. (2003) ‘The corporate identity management process revisited’, Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 19, pp. 835–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen, J. and Elving, W. J. L. (2003) ‘Managing corporate identity: An integrative framework of dimensions and determinants’, Corporate Communications: An International Journal, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 114–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poiesz, T. B. C. (1988) ‘The image concept: Its place in consumer psychology and its potential for other psychological areas’, Proceedings of the XXIV International Congress of Psychology, August–September, Sydney.

  • Bernstein, D. (1984) ‘Company Image and Reality: A Critique of Corporate Communications’, Cassell Educational Ltd, London.

  • See Van Riel, ref. 18 above, p. 78 for other definitions of image.

  • Johnson, M. and Zinkhan, G. M. (1990) ‘Defining and measuring corporate image in Dunlap, B.J. (eds.) Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Conference of the Academy of Marketing Science. New Orleans, Academy of Marketing Science, pp. 346–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, K. L. (2002) ‘Branding and brand equity In Weitz, B.A. and Wensley, R. (eds.) Handbook of Marketing. Sage, London, pp. 151–178.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Grunig, J. E. (1993) ‘Image and substance: from Symbolic to Behavioural Relationships’, Public Relations Review, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 121–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zinkhan, G. M., Ganesh, J., Jaju, A and Hayes, L. (2001) ‘Corporate image: A conceptual framework for strategic planning’, in Marshall, G and Grove, S. (eds.) Enhancing Knowledge Development in Marketing, Vol. 12, American Marketing Association, Chicago, pp. 152–160 (Quotation on p. 154).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, ref. 10 above, p. 110.

  • Albert, S. and Whetten, D. A. (1985) ‘Organisational identity’, Research in Organisational Behaviour, Vol. 7, pp. 263–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olins, W. (1978) ‘The Corporate Personality: An Inquiry into The Nature of Corporate Identity’, Kynoch Press, UK.

  • Abratt, R. (1989) ‘A new approach to the corporate image process’, Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 63–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ind, M. (1990) ‘The Corporate Image: Strategies for Effective Identity Programmes’, Kogan Page, London.

  • Stuart, H. J. (1995) ‘Moments of Truth: Exploring the Corporate Identity/Corporate Image Interface’, PhD Thesis, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.

  • Stuart, H. J. (1995) ‘Moments of Truth: Exploring the Corporate Identity/Corporate Image Interface’, PhD Thesis, University of New England, Armidale, Australia, p. 38.

  • Christensen, L. T. and Askegaard, S. (2001) ‘Corporate identity and corporate image revisited’, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 35, No. 3/4, pp. 292–315 (Quotation on p. 304).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, M. J. and Schultz, M. (1997) ‘Relations between organisational culture, identity and image’, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 31, No. 5/6, pp. 356–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birkigt, K. and Stadler, M. M. (1986) ‘Corporate Identity. Grundlagen, Funktionen und Beispielen’, Lansdberg am Lech Verlaga, Moderne Industrie, (cited in Christensen and Askegaard, ref. 35 above, p. 306).

  • Shelby, A. N. (1993) ‘Organisational, business, management, and corporate communication: An analysis of boundaries and relationships’, Journal of Business Communication, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 241–258 (Quotation on p. 251).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, H. J. (1999) ‘Toward a definitive model of the corporate identity management process’, Corporate Communications: An International Journal, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 200–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (1997) ‘Corporate Identity: Past, Present and Future’, Working Paper, Department of Marketing, University of Strathclyde.

  • Williams, S. L. and Moffit, M. A. (1997) ‘Corporate image as an impression formation process: Prioritizing personal, organisational and environmental audience factors’, Journal of Public Relations Research, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 237–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, B. H., Simonson, A. and Marcus, J. (1995) ‘Managing corporate image and identity’, Long Range Planning, Vol. 28, No. 5, pp. 82–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melewar, T. C. and Saunders, J. (1999) ‘International corporate visual identity: Standardization or localization?’ Journal of International Business Studies, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 583–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, J. M. T. (1995) ‘Corporate branding and connoisseurship’, Journal of General Management, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 24–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markwick, N. and Fill, C. (1997) ‘Toward a framework for managing corporate identity’, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 31, No. 5/6, pp. 396–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Argenti,, P. A. (1998) ‘Corporate Communications’, 2nd edn, Irwin McGraw-Hill, USA.

  • Hunt, T. and Grunig, J. E. (1994) ‘Public Relations Techniques’, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, USA.

  • In order to be able to assess this relationship, the company's corporate identity statement, which describes its major values and mission, should be stated first to the consumers and their views about how well marketing communication activities that company reflect all the qualities stated in that particular sentence should then be asked.

  • Balmer, J. M. T. and Soenen, G. B. (1999) ‘The acid test of corporate identity management’, Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 15, pp. 69–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. J. and Reingen, P. H. (1987) ‘Social ties and word-of-mouth referral behavior’, Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 14, pp. 350–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cristiansen, T. and Tax, S. S. (2000) ‘Measuring word-of-mouth: The questions of who and when?’ Journal of Marketing Communications, Vol. 6, pp. 185–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bristor, J.M. (1990) ‘Enhanced explanations of word-of-mouth communications: The power of relationships, in Hirschman, E.C. (ed.) Research in Consumer Behaviour, Vol. 4, Greenwich, CT: JAI, pp. 51–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duhan, D. F., Johnson, S. D., Wilcox, J. B. and Herrel, G. D. (1997) ‘Influences on consumer use of word-of-mouth recommendation sources’, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 283–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fombrun, C. J., Gardberg, N. A. and Sever, J. (2000) ‘The Reputation Quotientsm: A multi-stakeholder measure of corporate reputation’, Journal of Brand Management, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 241–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brewer, M. B. (1991) ‘The social self: On being the same and different at the same time’, Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 17, No. 5, pp. 475–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel, H. and Turner, J. C. (2000) ‘The social identity theory of intergroup behavior’, in Worchel, S and William, G (eds.) Psychology of Intergroup Relations’, Nelson-Hall, Austin, Chicago, pp. 6–24.

  • Kramer, R. M. (1991) ‘Intergroup relations and organisational dilemmas: The role of categorisation processes’, Research on Organisational Behaviour, Vol. 13, pp. 191–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, M. G. (1998) ‘To Be or Not To Be: Central Questions in Organisational Identification’, in Whetten, D.A. and Godfrey, P.C. (eds.) Identity in Organisations: Building Theory Through Conversations. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 171–207.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, S. G. and Lane, V. R. (2000) ‘A stakeholder approach to organisational identity’, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 43–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashfort, B. and Mael, F. (1989) ‘Social identity theory and the organisation’, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 20–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, J. E., Dukerich, J. M. and Harquail, C. V. (1994) ‘Organisational images and member identification’, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 39, pp. 239–263 (Quotation on p. 244).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Karaosmanoglu, E., Melewar, T. Corporate communications, identity and image: A research agenda. J Brand Manag 14, 196–206 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.bm.2550060

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.bm.2550060

Keywords

Navigation