How to boost place branding leveraging on community relations: An exploration of the banking sector in Ghana
ISSN: 1352-2752
Article publication date: 5 February 2020
Issue publication date: 11 December 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the relationship between community relations (CR) and the concept of place branding (PB) by analysing several companies in a developing sub-Saharan country – Ghana, and developing a framework that links the selected concepts together.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides an analysis based on a multiple case study approach, with an interpretivist analysis of secondary and primary data derived from archival documents and in-depth interviews of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and brand managers from purposefully selected cases of private financial institutions. The data gathered were qualitatively analysed to identify and interpret common themes about CR, PB and other relevant factors such as culture. Based on analysis of the qualitative data, a comprehensive framework for CR and PB was formulated.
Findings
Findings show that in the developing sub-Saharan country Ghana, the process of establishing a place brand is complex because of influences exerted on CR practices by culture, management agenda of private organisations, government intervention and the fragmentation of efforts to generate a coherent dialogue with numerous stakeholders.
Practical implications
The study shows that managers can leverage on an array of CR elements, including moral and ethical obligations of the company, provision of economic benefits, integration, common goals between the corporation and its communities, responsibility to stakeholders, proactive action, partnerships across sector lines and active leadership, to boost PB. Thus, this research will help policymakers, country brand managers and communication professionals in structuring a proper PB starting from the efforts made in the CR field.
Originality/value
This research can be considered one of the few studies undertaken with a view to understanding and developing a CR framework that links with PB in a developing country. The study identifies several important moderators of PB and factors influencing CR. All issues are approached from the study of PB that promotes economic, commercial and political interests at home and abroad.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Although the views and ideas expressed in this article are those of Maria Palazzo, Linda Deigh, Pantea Foroudi and Alfonso Siano, “Mapping the field of community relations”, “The notion of community relations and its boundaries within place branding”, “Research questions”, “Findings and discussions”, “Moral and ethical obligations of the company”, “Responsibility to stakeholders” and “Theoretical contributions and managerial implications” are attributed to Maria Palazzo; “Methodology, research design and sample”, “The approach”, “Purposeful sampling”, “Proactive action”, “Partnerships across sector lines”, “Integration, common goals between corporation and its communities”, “Active leadership” and “Provide economic benefits” are attributed to Linda Deigh; “Conclusions” and “Limitations and future studies” are attributed to Pantea Foroudi; while “Introduction” is attributed to Alfonso Siano.
Citation
Palazzo, M., Deigh, L., Foroudi, P. and Siano, A. (2020), "How to boost place branding leveraging on community relations: An exploration of the banking sector in Ghana", Qualitative Market Research, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 933-960. https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-01-2018-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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