research topics in relationship marketing

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Marketing Intelligence & Planning

ISSN : 0263-4503

Article publication date: 8 May 2009

The purpose of this paper is to review the academic literature on relationship marketing (RM), conduct a content analysis of the same for the purpose of classification and provides a comprehensive bibliography.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of online databases were searched to review the literature on RM. Only, 209 papers had RM as the primary research topic. The full text of each paper was taken as the unit of analysis. The classification of all the units into mutually exclusive categories was done by two independent researchers.

The content analysis led to classification of literature into five mutually exclusive categories viz. objectives, defining constructs, instruments, industrial applications and issues. The contribution of research papers has been on the rise across the time frame and there has been a sharp rise in RM research publication in the recent years. The study revealed many other useful findings.

Research limitations/implications

The findings can be generalized only to the population of selected online databases for the given time period but not to the larger universe of RM literature. The study identifies various untapped areas for further research in terms of industry, country of study, research methods, type of study, etc.

Practical implications

The paper provides a roster of field projects accompanied by a comprehensive bibliography that will be useful to both academics and practitioners for studying existing research as well as for contemplating future research.

Originality/value

This is the only paper that provides a literature review and bibliography of RM literature for the period 1994‐2006.

• Relationship marketing
• Customer relations
• Information management

Das, K. (2009), "Relationship marketing research (1994‐2006): An academic literature review and classification", Marketing Intelligence & Planning , Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 326-363. https://doi.org/10.1108/02634500910955236

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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71+ Research Paper Topics & Ideas for Marketing Students  

As a marketing student, you probably have access to a plethora of resources such as your college library and of course, the internet, to come up with great research paper topics.

However, the thought of writing your research paper can be daunting, especially if you’re still brainstorming and don’t know what to write about.

Just like any other piece of writing, start by keeping your audience in mind. Then, make a list of research paper topics that are more relevant to your interests, or a new under-developed field (for example; augmented reality, or people sentiments towards Artificial Intelligence), or a unique research topic that intrigues your audience.

But if you’re still struggling to pin down one out of the many research paper topics for your program, we’ll suggest a number of them for you to either choose from; or for you to take inspiration from and come up with your own.

Table of Contents

How to Choose the Best Research Paper Topics

Before we dive into the details, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with the basics. For starters, pick up a pen and paper and brainstorm different topics that you’d like to write about.

While personal interest is definitely important, we also suggest you opt for a topic that will intrigue your readers.  Here are a couple of factors you ought to keep in mind while selecting a topic:

Keeping your personal interest in mind

You probably won’t be able to write a stellar research paper if you’re not interested in the topic. Sit down with your peers and advisors to discuss possible ideas. It will be easier for you to discuss different themes once you’ve written down all your ideas in one place. If you’ve decided on a specific keyword for instance “consumer behaviour”, you can look for similar research papers on the internet.

A research paper isn’t a descriptive essay which you can drag aimlessly. Your research paper needs to be based on factual data and that’s only possible if you’ve conducted thorough research. While jotting down points for your first draft, ensure your statements are supported with references or examples citing credible academicals and research work.

Don’t leave it till the last day

A lot of students tend to undermine the writing process and leave for the last few days. Bear in mind that you can’t possibly write your entire research paper overnight. In order to succeed, you’ll have to devote sufficient amount of time to research.

Also, be prepared to schedule meetings with your advisor on a regular basis as you’re bound to require help along the way. At this point, make sure you only rely on credible sources that will support your dissertation.

Examples & List of Research Paper Topics

If you’re still unable to decide a topic of your interest, here is a list of 70 unique marketing research topics that you can use as marketing project topics for your MBA, or any other marketing course:

• How do organizations use CSR ( corporate social responsibility ) to reinforce brand equity?
• What manipulation tactics do brands use to get more customers?
• How can brand image be communicated via social media marketing?
• How can social media impact the buying choices of shoppers?
• Are consumers equipped to shield themselves from direct marketing strategies?
• Determine and analyze consumer buying behavior for [product name]
• How does advertising impact consumer behaviour?
• How does family orientation impact marketing communications?
• What characteristics do buyers look for when purchasing a product online?
• How does global marketing incorporate standardization?
• What attributes do consumers look for when comparing products online?
• How do financial institutions differentiate their goods and services on the basis of social class?
• Is direct marketing really the most effective form of marketing?
• What internet marketing trends can be expected for the future?
• How to marketing strategies differ across different cultures?
• Can brand advertising impact political campaigns?
• How do brands exploit impulsive buying?
• How does loyalty cards encourage sales and boost customer loyalty?
• Can well-marketed brands get away with selling substandard quality products?
• How is globalization having on impact on consumer behaviour?
• Impact of brand image on customer loyalty
• Brand attributes that lead to an increase in customer loyalty
• Successful marketing approaches that helped break through strong market monopoly
• Impact of cause marketing on brand affinity with young mothers
• Effect of consumer promotions and discount offerings on brand equity
• The outcomes of advertising in a recession
• Influence on Social Media advertising on consumer behaviour
• Effect of TV advertising on top of mind awareness
• Understanding customer perceptions around event sponsorships
• Does corporate social responsibility translate into sales?
• Canadians perspective on being targeted with mobile ads based on their browser history
• Is direct marketing welcomed by people?
• Are customers able to differentiate between various mortgage offering by competing banks?
• Does social media influence buying behaviour
• Do people like being click baited into sponsored posts?
• Understanding the impact of celebrity endorsements on ROI for CPG brands
• Women’s sentiments around comparison advertising
• How effective is comparison advertising to build brand equity?
• Do consumers prefer purchasing routine grocery products online?
• Is earned media perceived to be as important as it appears to be?
• What makes people want to share content to their friends?
• Understanding why content goes viral
• Marketing challenges around the evolving family structures
• Are we losing the emotional value and significance of money being in a cashless society?
• Is centralized global marketing a good idea for brand health in local markets?
• How is augmented reality going to enhance marketing experiences?
• How will artificial intelligence support in making better marketing decisions?
• Is immersion marketing through virtual reality technology going to be accepted?
• What does the luxury auto buyer look for in a car?
• How to instill a desire to purchase for customers in the luxury category
• Harmful effects of advertising to kids
• Impact of in-store branding on brand salience
• Effect marketing strategies for restaurant businesses
• Habit formation and ways to integrate new products in consumer lifestyles
• Is display advertising going to die?
• Can Snapchat help small business grow?
• How do customers perceive the brand who advertise on Instagram?
• The impact of humour in advertising
• Do customers pay attention to nutrition labels?
• What triggers impulse buying behaviour
• Essentials to sky rocket a new brand to heights of awareness
• The factors that lead to customer satisfaction in young adults
• Elements that help build an emotional connection with your audience
• How do males and females differ in their buying behaviour of mobile phones
• Does language targeting help in ethnic advertising?
• Customer Perceptions: Are well known brands good in quality?
• Is radio still an effective method of advertising?
• Rural vs Urban marketing challenges to be mindful of
• Impact of internal branding on employee retention and turnover
• An in-depth analysis of political marketing in Canada

More Categories of Research Topics

Still in need of some inspiration? Here are a few research paper areas that you can explore:

• Distribution
• Consumer Behavior
• Relationship Marketing
• Brand Management
• Nonprofit Marketing
• Market Segmentation & Targeting
• Internet Marketing
• Marketing Planning & Forecasting
• Product Design & Positioning
• Direct Marketing
• Advertising
• Purchasing & Materials Management

Hopefully, these marketing thesis topics will help you come up with a few topics of your own. If you’re still confused about which area, you’d like to work with, we suggest you consult your advisor for some additional help. Good luck!

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Research Topics & Ideas: Marketing

50+ Marketing Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a marketing-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Here, we’ll explore a variety of marketing-related research ideas and topic thought-starters, covering both traditional marketing (offline media) and digital marketing (including social media marketing, content marketing and the like). We’ll also look at actual dissertations and theses from marketing students to give you a view of what a well-defined research topic looks like.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the marketing domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic. 

Overview: Marketing-Related Topics

• How to find a research topic (video)
• Traditional (offline) marketing topics/ideas
• Digital (online) marketing topics/ideas
• Examples of actual dissertation topics
• Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
• Where to get extra help

How To Find A Research Topic

Before we look at specific research ideas and topics, it’s useful to first understand what the topic ideation process entails and how to go about finding and refining viable topic ideas. In the video below, we cover exactly that. So, if you’re a first-time researcher, be sure to watch this tutorial before jumping into the collection of marketing research topics we present below. 

Now that you’ve got a big-picture view of the topic ideation process, we can dive into a few research ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Please note that these research topic ideas are intentionally broad and generic, so you will need to refine them a fair deal using the techniques we discussed in the video above.

To make life a little easier for you, we’ve grouped the topic ideas based on two main categories – traditional marketing and digital / online marketing . For the latter, we’ve divided it up into a few subcategories, including social media marketing, content marketing and search marketing. That said, there is naturally some overlap between topics, so keep this in mind.

Research Ideas: Traditional Marketing

• The perceived effectiveness of different types of direct mail campaigns (e.g., postcards, catalogues, brochures) among small business owners in New York
• The perception and use of traditional marketing in creating and nurturing customer loyalty and retention among UK Financial Firms.
• The impact of demographic targeting on traditional marketing performance among green businesses
• The perception of different types of sales promotion (e.g., discounts, coupons, contests) among GenZ consumers
• The continued use of celebrity endorsements in traditional marketing campaigns, post-2020.
• Exploring factors related to outdoor advertising recall in India
• Measuring the ROI of traditional marketing efforts: a review of current methods
• Comparing the effectiveness of different traditional media channels (e.g., television, radio, print) in driving engagement and conversions among established brands
• The use of public relations in traditional marketing campaigns among large insurance companies
• The role of event marketing in building brand awareness and engagement: perceptions among marketing professionals in the UK

Research Ideas: Digital/Online Marketing

Social media marketing

• The use of artificial intelligence in social media marketing among online fashion companies in Sweden
• The impact of social media on public relations and media relations: a Case Study of Nandos
• The role of Twitter in crisis communication and reputation management: a discourse analysis
• The impact of social media influencer presence on brand loyalty and customer retention among Gen X.
• The use of social media for market research and consumer insights among SMEs in Kenya
• The impact of social media on consumer buying behaviour of fast food in Italy
• The challenges and opportunities of social media in global and multicultural marketing: perceptions of marketing departments in large corporations
• The relationship between social media engagement and website traffic: an analysis of fitness brands
• The effectiveness of influencer marketing on social media platforms for household cleaning products in the UK
• The perceptions and understanding of paid vs organic social media advertising among Gen Z consumers in San Francisco

Content marketing

• The use and understanding of micro-moments in creating personalized content experiences among content creators in the USA
• Comparing the effectiveness of methods of personalization of content marketing: an evaluation of best practice
• The experiences and use of SEO in content marketing strategy among small online businesses
• The use of social media influencers in content marketing campaigns: a Case Study of Hello Fresh
• Comparing different content distribution channels for different types of content: perceptions of best practices among content marketing experts
• The use of user-generated content in building brand trust and engagement among green companies in the UK
• Measuring the ROI of content marketing efforts among luxury brands
• The perception and use of Chat GPT in content creation among small online businesses
• The perceptions of interactive and immersive content formats (e.g., virtual reality, augmented reality) in marketing among consumers: an experimental study
• Comparing image and text-based content formats in driving engagement and conversions on social media: a multi-case study of NGOs

Search engine marketing

• The effectiveness of different ad formats (e.g., text ads, shopping ads, video ads) in Search Engine Marketing for tourist destinations
• The impact of search engine algorithm updates on Search Engine Marketing performance – who are the winners and losers?
• The perception and use of AI and machine learning in Search Engine Marketing strategy and bidding optimization within a UK marketing agency
• The use of voice search and its impact on Search Engine Marketing among food retailers in Switzerland
• The role of local SEO in driving brick-and-mortar sales: a case study of a local fashion outlet in France
• The impact of mobile optimization on Search Engine Marketing performance and conversion rates in Nigeria
• Comparing analytical tools for measuring ROI of Search Engine Marketing campaigns
• The effectiveness of different types of keywords and search queries in driving traffic towards restaurants in Italy
• The use of remarketing and retargeting in search engine marketing campaigns among marketers
• The understanding and use of schema markup and structured data in improving Search engine marketing performance among Start-Ups

Email marketing

• The perception and use of AI and machine learning in email marketing among NGOs: a focus on personalized content and dynamic segmentation
• The effectiveness of email subject line strategies in driving open and click-through rates: an experimental study
• Comparing A/B testing and multivariate testing in improving email marketing performance: a case study
• The use of personalization on email marketing performance among craft bloggers
• The impact of automated email marketing among local online retailers on customer loyalty and retention
• The use of automation and triggered emails in increasing engagement and conversion rates for online courses
• The perception and understanding of GDPR and other data privacy regulations on email marketing among SMEs
• The role of mobile optimization in email marketing targeting Gen Z consumers
• The challenges of measuring the ROI of email marketing campaigns: perceptions of SMEs
• The effectiveness of different email formats (e.g., text-based, HTML, interactive) in driving engagement: A/B testing for a small online retailer

Marketing-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding marketing-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various marketing-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The Influences of Brand Personality, Culture, and Social Media on Iconic Brand Preferences (Whelan, 2021)
• Customer Success and the Transformation of Customer Relationships (Raines, 2022)
• The Effects of Online Incentivized Reviews on Organic Review Ratings (Jeong, 2020)
• Are You For Real? The Consumption-Driven Self-Authentication Process And Its Effects On Perceived Brand Authenticity (Kuchmaner, 2020)
• You Are What You Eat: How Food Texture And Packaging Influence Consumer Well-Being (Ning, 2020)
• Social Dialogic Listening: Connecting Marketing Activity To Strategy (Collins, 2020)
• Millennials’ Attitudes Towards Influencer Marketing And Purchase Intentions (Yu, 2019)
• Cannibalization between Two Mercedes-Benz Models and Consumer Behavior (Ma, 2020)
• Selling and Buying Aspects of Used Products That Are Brand Anthropomorphized (Kim, 2019)
• Global Identity: Conceptualization, Measurement, And Implications For Marketing Strategy (Yoruk, 2022)
• The Intersection of Organizational Frontline Marketing and a High-Tech World (Krotz, 2021)
• The Unexplored Impacts of Communication Elements in Marketing (Trinh, 2022)
• Founder Social Identity As A Predictor Of Customer And Competitor Orientation In Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (Rutherford, 2021)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are far more specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Fast-Track Your Research Topic

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your marketing dissertation or thesis, check out our 1-on-1 private coaching services below.

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Marketing Dissertation Topics

Marketing is a broad and exciting field of study that intertwines with related subjects such as Psychology, Sociology, Business, and even Anthropology.

The field of marketing is always evolving, so there are plenty of ‘gaps’ in the literature to be filed by budding marketing students – whether you’re an undergrad or postgrad!

To help in the preparation of your marketing dissertation, this article suggests marketing dissertation topics that you could base your research on. These subject areas include relationship marketing, branding, direct marketing, international marketing (including influencer marketing), social listening, consumer psychology, online marketing, mobile marketing, marketing mix, social networks and marketing ethics.

Relationship Marketing Dissertation Topics

Branding dissertation topics, direct marketing dissertation topics, cultures and marketing dissertation topics, consumer psychology and marketing dissertation topics, online marketing dissertation topics, mobile marketing dissertation topics, the 4ps (price, product, promotion, place) of marketing mix.

• Social Networks and Marketing Dissertation Topics

Ethics in Marketing Dissertation Topics

Relationship marketing refers to the use of relationships rather than purely transactional means, while focusing on long term customer engagement. This lets companies acquire customers, while also maintaining customer loyalty that results in repeat custom for the firm. It is an important area for modern businesses, and a topical area on which to base your marketing dissertation with highly diverse topics:

• Digital relationship marketing in the age of COVID-19: Analysing the importance of personalisation and customisation.
• Generating customer loyalty through high-value content creation – a case study of UK fitness brands.
• What are the challenges for Tesco’s loyalty card scheme in today’s competitive business environment?
• Are switching costs effective barriers to customer retention in the airline industry?
• How can Amazon.com charge a premium price by using its diverse set of services and products?
• What are the motivations and expectations behind loyalty schemes for businesses to attract customers in the long run?
• To what extent does Café Nero’s app foster customer loyalty?
• How and why can relationship marketing be used to attract new customers through social media?
• How does product quality affect customer loyalty among high and low contact products?
• Can luxury goods retailers prevent barriers to switching by locking in customers through a unique set of services and products?
• How do retailers cope with polygamous behaviour among consumers?
• How does customer loyalty at Waterstone’s change when customers shop at their online store rather than in the high street as compared to customers of Amazon.com?
• In what ways does Waterstone’s improve its customer loyalty through its online store and smartphone apps?
• How can companies adopt social media for successful development of relationship marketing with customers?
• What are the challenges for small companies when adopting social media for increasing customer loyalty?
• Using smartphone apps to attract and retain new customers: Advantages and challenges for MNCs.
• Exploring the efficacy of customer service chatbots – helpful or frustrating?
• Exploring the effectiveness of online consumer tribes: A case-study of Tarot reading and personal development industries.

Branding is the promise of a company to its customers. Branding is an umbrella term to refer to a wide body of literature examining how businesses can use their brands to achieve a competitive advantage, through building brand equity, launching brand extensions, managing global brands, and so forth. Marketing dissertations on branding could be based on the following topics:

• An examination of the relationship between perceived risk and brand equity: A comparison of supermarket retailers in the UK.
• How does innovation impact consumer brand resonance? A case study of hospitality brands who were forced to innovate as result of COVID-19.
• Do consumers really understand a company’s brand values? The case of Starbucks vs McDonalds.
• How does the relative importance of tangible and intangible brand values vary across product types?
• Using digital methods to increase brand salience – a case study approach.
• Do leading brands need to have the products which attract a large number of customer segments?
• How is brand image affected by product availability for SME?
• Can the brand image be transferred between sectors? The case of Virgin Cola in the UK.
• How does unethical behaviour affect the brand image? The cases of Shell, Nike and Starbucks.
• How do firms use corporate social responsibility to build brand equity? The case of Body Shop.
• How can innovations sustain brands through the use of social media marketing?
• Can brand equity be transferred to a supermarket’s own branded products in the low-price segments?
• Using social media marketing to attract customers to brands of small companies.
• How can companies use smartphone apps to improve brand equity? The case of Starbucks and Café Nero.
• Targeting customers in ethnic markets: The case of Indian food customers in the UK supermarket sector.

The world of direct marketing is changing rapidly, as new technologies and social media allows companies to connect directly with the customer. This involves a wide range of tools and techniques that can be used to target consumers in a predominantly transactional manner. Direct marketers rely on information and a series of direct marketing media such as direct mail, magazines, newspapers, TV/radio, co-ops, telemarketing/teleservices and increasingly social media to disseminate their messages and acquire new customers. We have provided some suggested topics on direct marketing based on current trends, which you could use for your marketing dissertation:

• How do Tesco and Body Shop use their loyalty schemes to sell directly to the customer?
• How does the importance of factors that influence online selling vary according to product type in the services industry in the UK?
• Do customers respond differently to short and long-term offers in a competitive online environment? The case of online book sales.
• In what ways do free online chat rooms influence consumers’ response to direct sales promotions in social media environments?
• Assessing the effectiveness of beauty brands’ direct marketing via YouTube.
• How does the nationality (accent) of telemarketers influence customer response in an increasingly diverse international selling environment?
• Do consumers know how to protect themselves from unscrupulous direct marketing tactics used by social media marketing companies?
• How does message length affect the success of direct marketing messages? A comparison of online and offline mediums.
• Can direct online and social media marketing be used to build customer relationships or is it simply a transactional medium to acquire new customers in the short run?
• Can online marketing be as effective as a group-orientated tool as it is an individual-orientated one?
• How do prospecting methods differ in an online and offline environment? The case of the airline industry in the UK.
• Using SMS and email to connect with customers: Advantages and limitations of direct marketing.
• Social media marketing as a tool to target luxury customers: Advantages and issues for small companies.
• Using social media to reduce the cost of direct marketing: The case of small companies in the UK.

For some products and services, cultural considerations can play an important role in how marketers interact with consumers. With the increasing globalisation of business, firms have to pay greater attention to how national culture impacts upon consumer behaviour and customers’ reactions towards different types of marketing communication. Marketing across cultures is becoming more prominent in business, as more and more businesses are expanding throughout the world. This creates an ideal area to base your marketing dissertation on.

• How does innovation and culture influence the market performance of SMEs in China?
• Native advertising: Exploring its effectiveness in the UK, China, and the US.
• What are the effects of social media on organisational culture in the UK’s fashion industry?
• How is globalisation affecting the organisational culture of Toyota’s global operations?
• How does language impact upon brand identity? The case of Coca-Cola in the People’s Republic of China.
• How does culture affect the marketing of automotives? The Case of Toyota in China.
• What effect does culture have on marketing communications? The case of Coca Cola in India.
• How do marketers take into account regional differences in “national” culture? The case of banks in the Basque country and Catalonia, Spain.
• Can automotive vendors afford to treat consumers as a homogenous mass? The case of the North-South divide in Sweden.
• How does individualism-collectivism influence the sales of mobile phones? The case of the People’s Republic of China.
• How do supermarket chains overcome language differences in Switzerland?
• How can banks use pricing strategy to boost customer satisfaction and profitability?
• How can national culture explain the prominence of Scottish whiskey sales in the global whiskey market?
• How can countries use national culture to help them promote major exports? The case of the Champagne region, France.

Marketing is fundamentally underpinned by consumer behaviour, which can largely be explained by examining consumer psychology. This highlights how consumers behave in each stage of the buying process and why they react as they do. On this basis, marketers can design and implement communication strategies that target specific customer groups based on their psychological profiles. Some suggestions to base your marketing dissertation within the area of marketing and consumer psychology are as below:

• What motivates consumers to purchase products from Amazon?
• What are the uses and gratifications associated with consumer online reviewing?
• How does marketing intelligence and planning affect sports marketing?
• How can organisations make effective use of Big Data to gain an understanding of their customers’ psychology?
• What are customers’ perceptions towards green marketing?
• What are customers’ attitudes towards digital marketing activities of Burberry?
• What are the antecedents of word-of-mouth communications? The case of blockbuster marketing.
• What are the effects of negative word-of-mouth communications on organisational performance?
• How does gender effect information processing among consumers of luxury goods?
• What role does motivation play in buying behaviour? An examination of the mobile ringtone market in the UK.
• How does gender effect selective distortion among luxury goods buyers?
• What role does learning play among functional online advertisements?
• Does the importance of beliefs and attitudes vary across low and high involvement products?
• How does gender influence online purchase behaviour of luxury goods?
• How is social media affecting the buying behaviour of luxury goods in the fashion industry?

When marketing moves online the traditional rules are either broken or extended. Such extensions include the need to take into account privacy, security, the greater ability to customise and personalise user experiences, the changing nature of consumer behaviour and the interaction of online and offline mediums. Online marketing has become essential for organisations in gaining competitive advantages and enhancing their business performance. Online marketing is a useful and current area of market research. Some suggestions to base your dissertation on online marketing are as below:

• How can firms customise their products? The case of Apple.
• What are the effects of a successful digital marketing campaign on Dior’s brand performance?
• What are the benefits and challenges of using social media to market luxury goods?
• How does using web analytics for digital marketing enhance brand performance?
• What is the impact of digital marketing innovation on Apple’s performance?
• What are the benefits and challenges faced by Burberry in using digital marketing?
• How can firms personalise their products? The case of Nike.
• An assessment of the value of assortment to customers: The case of Dell Computers.
• How does a consumer’s perception of control affect their choice of brand? The case of buying computers online.
• How does visual constituency affect site identity and product attitude?
• How does gender affect online consumption behaviour?
• How can firms successfully combine online and offline shopping features? The case of Amazon.com/Toys-R-Us.
• What product attributes are most valued by consumers in search, comparison and purchase decision-making online?
• How do consumers react to brand alliances online? The case of Amazon.com and Wal-Mart.
• An investigation of the antecedents of consumer behaviour in online auctions? The case of eBay.

Mobile marketing has become the latest marketing communications medium which enables large brands such as Coca-Cola, Nintendo, MTV, New Labour, Lastminute.com, and others to attract new customers and retain existing ones in both traditional and non-traditional ways. With the lowering of mobile phone tariffs and the increased levels of Internet browsing using mobile phones, this medium has become increasingly important to marketers. Below are suggestions for dissertation topics in the area of mobile marketing:

• How does permission-based marketing impact mobile marketers when developing and implementing international marketing campaigns?
• How can brand image be conveyed in a mobile marketing environment?
• Can a strong brand image be built through mobile marketing techniques?
• What do customers want from mobile marketing messages?
• How does location influence mobile marketing communications?
• What role does timeliness play in mobile marketing communications?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of push and pull mobile marketing strategies?
• How can mobile marketing be used as a viral marketing tool?
• How can mobile payment services increase revenue for mobile marketers? The case of Vodafone.
• How can customer relationship management (CRM) be applied in a mobile marketing environment to improve customer loyalty?
• How can marketing managers drive consumer acceptance of mobile marketing?
• What impact does brand personality have on purchase intentions in the context of mobile marketing?
• What are the diffusion and success factors of mobile marketing?

The 4Ps concept represents the cornerstone of marketing is widely used by marketing managers when trying to influence consumer decision-making processes. Below are suggestions for dissertation topics in the area of the Marketing mix:

• How do price adjustment strategies vary in online and offline environments? The case of music sales.
• Can an overt international pricing strategy negatively affect the brand image? The case of iTunes.
• How effective are public relations campaigns following brand failures? The cases of Nike, Shell, and Marks and Spencer.
• The impact of firms varying the frequency of their advertisements in online and offline environments on customers’ purchase intentions? The case of Waterstone’s.
• The impact of product information availability and persuasive advertising on consumer behaviour.
• Differences between comparison and non-comparison advertising and the impact on customers’ purchase intentions? The case of the alcoholic drinks industry in the US.
• Advantages and disadvantages of online advertising in international marketing.
• Can point-of-purchase promotions be as effective in an online environment as they are offline?
• How important is location to customer choice in the UK’s airline industry?
• How has the Internet helped unsought goods build brand awareness? The case of comparison websites.
• Is word-of-mouth (i.e. online customer reviews) the new element of the Marketing mix?
• How important is the Marketing mix for non-profit organisations?
• The effect of brand awareness on consumers’ purchase intentions. The case of low and high involvement product categories.

Social Media Marketing Dissertation Topics

Social media networks (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn) are not only changing the consumers’ attitudes and behaviours, but they are also presenting marketing practitioners with new challenges when trying to reach and acquire customers online. As social media networks become more popular, a marketing dissertation in this area will be timely and in line with current marketing research trends.

• What uses and gratifications are provided by beauty brands’ social media content?
• A content analysis of Food brands Instagram posts.
• An examination of the positive, neutral and negative user comments on Facebook and their impact on future participation in discussions.
• Why have functional applications on Facebook achieved so little success compared with their fun counterparts?
• How do applications of Facebook turn users into sales? The relationship between total installs, daily active users, and application valuation.
• A comparison of the effectiveness of banner advertising on different social media networks? The cases of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• What impact does newsfeed restriction have on consumers’ attitudes and behaviours towards using Facebook?
• Is electronic word-of-mouth more persuasive than traditional word-of-mouth? An investigation into online customer reviews.
• Does traditional customer loyalty apply to consumer behaviour in social media networks?
• How do non-profit organisations execute marketing campaigns on social media networks such as Facebook?
• Can firms measure the ROI of their social media marketing?
• An investigation of the impact of brand post popularity on Facebook brand fan pages on social media marketing.
• Usage, barriers and measurement of social media marketing: Implications for marketing managers.
• The impact of social media marketing on brand loyalty.
• How do firms use social media marketing to encourage customers’ purchase behaviours?
• How do vegan brands use social listening to enhance their marketing strategy?
• Instagram, influencer marking and trust – a critical investigation.
• Partnering with YouTube content creators and influences – an effective marketing strategy for fitness brands?

The power of the media in changing consumer attitudes has a significant impact on how firms are expected to behave, as well as how they should integrate ethics into their marketing campaigns. As a consequence, marketing ethics is concerned with a range of issues from ethical business practices, to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes and cause-related marketing. Below are suggestions for dissertation topics in the area of marketing ethics and CSR:

• The role of EasyJet’s low fare online pricing strategy on changing customer demand trends?
• Exploring Patagonia’s marketing strategy – Green or Greenwashing?
• The impact of FairTrade labels on consumers’ purchase behaviours?
• Vegan vs cruelty-free: the politics of labelling and why it matters.
• What impact do published codes of conduct have on customer buying behaviour? The cases of The Body Shop, Levi Strauss, and Marks and Spencer.
• How do ethical purchase intentions and ethical awareness affect purchasing behaviour? A comparison between the sales of battery and free-range chickens.
• What impact do cause-related marketing campaigns have on consumer buying behaviour? The case of Starbucks’ Raise a cup to a good cause campaign.
• Why do some controversial marketing communications work whilst others fail? The case of PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
• How have spam laws improved marketing ethics online?
• What factors distinguish a consumer’s choice of most and least socially responsible firms?
• How do firms use public relations to recover from consumer boycotts? The case of Shell and Nestle.
• The role of gender differences in the impact of CSR perceptions on corporate marketing outcomes.
• The relationship between marketing ethics and corporate social responsibility: Serving stakeholders and the common good.
• The role of trust in building company reputation and brand equity through CSR initiatives.
• Firm performance and corporate social responsibility. An investigation into the role of marketing competence and market environment.

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Top Marketing Research Topics: Strategies for Competitive Advantage

Explore the dynamic landscape of Marketing Research and discover key strategies for gaining a competitive advantage in this insightful blog. From consumer behaviour analysis to emerging trends, delve into the latest methodologies and innovative approaches that can elevate your marketing efforts. This blog unlocks the secrets to staying ahead in the ever-evolving business world through practical Marketing Research Topics.

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Marketing Research is essential for any business that wants to understand its customers, competitors, and market trends. Marketing Research Topics are the specific questions that guide the collection and analysis of data to provide insights and recommendations for various marketing decisions.   

These topics cover a wide range of areas, such as product development, pricing, promotion, distribution, customer satisfaction, loyalty, segmentation, branding, and more. In this blog, we will discuss some of the top Marketing Research Topics that can help marketers achieve their goals and gain an edge over their competitors.   

Table of Contents 

1) Best Marketing Research Topics list 

     a) Digital Marketing Topics 

     b) Content Marketing Topics 

     c) Strategic Marketing Problems 

     d) Social Media Marketing Research Topics 

     e) Exceptional Marketing Research Topics 

     f) Unique Marketing Research Topics 

    g) Premium Marketing Research Topics 

    h) Interesting Marketing Research Ideas.  

    i) Current Marketing Research Topics 

    j) Impressive Marketing Research Topics 

2) Conclusion 

Best Marketing Research Topics list 

Here, we explore various Marketing Research Topics to uncover insights and strategies for informed decision-making and business success.  

1) Digital Marketing Research Topics 

Listed below are some of the best Digital Marketing Research topics: 

a) Digital Marketing's influence on brand recognition  

b) Social Media's function in Digital Marketing  

c) Efficiency of digital advertising  

d) Mobile technology's influence on Digital Marketing  

e) Search engine optimisation's role in Digital Marketing  

f) Utilisation of Big Data in Digital Marketing  

g) Digital Marketing's impact on customer engagement  

h) Content Marketing's position in Digital Marketing  

i) Effectiveness of strategies in Digital Marketing  

j)  Digital Marketing's impact on shopping behaviour  

k)  Artificial intelligence's role in Digital Marketing  

l)  Video usage in Digital Marketing  

m) Digital Marketing's impact on Sales  

n) Influencer Marketing's role in Digital Marketing  

o) Email Marketing's effectiveness  

p) Digital Marketing's impact on customer loyalty  

q) Social Media analytics in Digital Marketing  

r) Integration of Voice Search in Digital Marketing  

s) Digital Marketing's Effect on Return on Investment (ROI)  

t) Automation's Role in Digital Marketing  

2) Content Marketing Research Topics 

Listed below are the top Content Marketing topics: 

a) Building brand identity through Content Marketing  

b) The social media landscape in Content Marketing strategies  

c) Evaluating the impact of content advertising effectiveness  

d) Mobile technology's influence on Content Marketing strategies  

e) Search engine optimisation's significance in Content Marketing  

f) Harnessing Big Data for informed Content Marketing decisions  

g) Customer engagement strategies in Content Marketing  

h) The crucial role of Content Marketing in digital strategies  

i) Assessing the effectiveness of Content Marketing strategies  

j) Content Marketing's influence on consumer shopping patterns  

k)  Artificial intelligence: A catalyst in Content Marketing innovation  

l) Video content strategies for effective Content Marketing  

m) Driving sales through strategic Content Marketing  

n) Influencer collaboration's impact on Content Marketing success  

o) Email marketing: A pillar of effective content distribution  

p) Fostering customer loyalty through tailored content experiences  

q) Social media analytics for informed Content Marketing insights  

r) Integrating voice search into Content Marketing strategies  

s) Measuring Content Marketing ROI: A comprehensive analysis  

t) The role of automation in optimising Content Marketing effort 

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3) Strategic Marketing Research Topics  

Here’s a list of Strategic Marketing Research Topics: 

a) Strategic Marketing Research's influence on brand positioning  

b)  The role of market segmentation in Strategic Marketing Research  

c) Evaluating the effectiveness of competitive analysis in Strategic Marketing  

d) Technological innovations and their impact on strategic Marketing Research  

e) Consumer behaviour studies: Informing strategic marketing decision-making  

f) Strategic Marketing Research in the era of Big Data analytics  

g) Customer journey mapping: A strategic approach in Marketing Research  

h) The positioning of brand equity in Strategic Marketing Research  

i)  Assessing the effectiveness of pricing strategies in Strategic Marketing  

j)  The impact of environmental scanning on strategic Marketing Research  

k) Artificial Intelligence's integration in strategic Marketing Research  

l) Utilising surveys and feedback loops in strategic Marketing Research  

m) Strategic Marketing Research's influence on market penetration  

n) Stakeholder analysis: A key component of strategic Marketing Research  

o) Email surveys and their role in strategic Marketing Research  

p) Building customer retention strategies through strategic Marketing  

q) Social Media monitoring in strategic Marketing Research  

r) The integration of Voice of the Customer (VOC) in Strategic Marketing  

s) Assessing ROI in strategic Marketing Research initiatives  

t) The role of automation in enhancing Strategic Marketing Research. 

4) Social Media Marketing Research Topics 

Here’s a list of Social Media Marketing Research Topics: 

a) Exploring Social Media's impact on brand recognition  

b) The role and function of Social Media in Digital Marketing  

c) Measuring the effectiveness of Social Media advertising  

d) Influence of mobile technology on Social Media Marketing  

e) Optimising Social Media presence through SEO strategies  

f) Leveraging Big Data for insights into Social Media Marketing  

g)  Enhancing customer engagement through Social Media Marketing  

h) Positioning Content Marketing within Social Media strategies  

i) Evaluating the effectiveness of Social Media Marketing strategies  

j) Understanding Social Media's influence on consumer shopping behaviour  

k) The integration of Artificial Intelligence in Social Media Marketing  

l) Utilising video content for effective Social Media Marketing  

m) Analysing the impact of Social Media Marketing on sales  

n) Role and impact of Influencer Marketing in Social Media  

o) Effectiveness of Email Marketing in Social Media context  

p) Fostering customer loyalty through Social Media Marketing  

q) Utilising Social Media analytics for strategic insights  

r) Integrating voice search in Social Media Marketing strategies  

s) Measuring Social Media Marketing's Return on Investment (ROI)  

t) The role of automation in Social Media Marketing 

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5) Exceptional Marketing Research Topics 

Given below are Research Topics for Exceptional Marketing: 

a) Offshore marketing and evaluating optimal distribution strategies for new companies 

b)  Marketing distribution channels and potential mistakes to avoid 

c) Examination of online shopping in China, discussing its influence and opportunities 

d) Explanation of the concept of Artificial Intelligence in marketing 

e) Discussion of the components of a competitive marketing strategy 

f) Impact assessment of augmented reality on the marketing experience 

g) Pricing and positioning strategies for marketing effectiveness 

h) Description of the role of Social Media in lead generation 

i) Development and execution of investment banking in developing markets 

j) Impact analysis of European financial supervision on cross-border financial investment 

k) Consumer purchase decision and the influence of e-marketing 

l) Customer buying behaviour and the role of sensory marketing 

m) Gender influence on business startups 

n) Analysis of the significance of leadership and culture in organisational change 

o) Case study of Nike, evaluating the role of CSR 

p) Analysis of the use of Omni-channel tracking in marketing 

q) Comparison of Augmented Reality (AR) and Immerse Technologies in Marketing 

r) Comparison of the use of User-Generated Content and Content Mapping in Marketing 

s) Application of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in marketing 

t) Pros and cons of using Predictive Analytics and Browser Push Notifications in marketing 

6) Unique Marketing Research Topics 

Here’s a list of unique Marketing Research Topics: 

a) Analysing the impact of cultural shifts on consumer behaviour  

b) Unveiling the power of neuro-marketing in understanding consumer choices  

c) The role of augmented reality in enhancing market research  

d) Green marketing: sustainability as a critical factor in consumer preferences  

e) Cross-cultural marketing: navigating diverse global markets  

f) The influence of gamification on market research strategies  

g)  Ethical considerations in contemporary market research practices  

h)  Examining the role of blockchain in revolutionising marketing data security  

i) VOC analysis: Strategies for effective implementation  

j) The impact of virtual events on market research dynamics  

k) Harnessing the potential of chatbots in gathering customer insights  

l) Understanding the psychology of brand loyalty in changing market landscapes  

m) Market research in the age of privacy concerns: navigating regulatory challenges  

n) Evaluating the effectiveness of experiential Marketing Research  

o) Innovations in mobile market research: adapting to the smartphone era  

p) The intersection of market research and artificial intelligence  

q) Measuring emotional engagement in Marketing Research  

r) The role of predictive analytics in anticipating market trends 

7) Premium Marketing Research Topics 

Here, we discuss the premium Marketing Research Topics in the contemporary world: 

a) Crafting an exclusive brand experience: Beyond digital channels 

b) Strategic utilisation of luxury influencers in marketing 

c) Innovative approaches to premium Content Marketing 

d) Augmented reality in premium branding strategies 

e) Customised user journeys: Personalisation in Premium Marketing 

f) Blockchain technology in ensuring brand authenticity for premium products 

g) Neuro-Marketing: Understanding the premium consumer's mind 

h) Exclusive partnerships and collaborations in premium branding 

i) Data privacy and security concerns in premium customer relationships 

j) Sustainability as a premium brand value: Strategies and challenges 

k) The role of experiential marketing in premium product launches 

l) Psychological pricing strategies for premium goods 

m) Virtual reality experiences for premium brand engagement 

n) Ultra-personalisation: Tailoring premium services to individual needs 

o) Emerging trends in premium customer retention strategies 

p) Cultivating a sense of exclusivity: Membership programs in premium marketing 

q) The impact of limited-edition releases on premium brand image 

r) Luxury branding in the digital age: balancing tradition and innovation 

s) Premium market positioning: Differentiating in a crowded landscape 

t) Strategies for niche market penetration in premium sectors 

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8) Interesting Marketing Research Ideas 

Discussed below are a few interesting Marketing Research ideas: 

a) Utilising pillar content for sales growth: An exploration of effective strategies 

b) Examining the roles of Mobile Marketing in driving business success 

c) The intersection of internet security and its implications for online marketing 

d) Determining the optimal social media platform for marketing baby products 

e) The role of social media in business survival and growth 

f) The importance of competitor analysis in shaping brand marketing strategies 

g) Political campaigns as a factor in brand marketing dynamics 

h) Assessing the viability of centralised marketing for international brands 

i)  Exploring brand salience and its impact on in-store branding 

j) Social class distinctions and their influence on company service perception 

k) Exploring commonly used methods for predicting consumer behaviour 

l) Investigating the influence of advertising during economic recession periods 

m)  Strategies employed in the marketing landscape of the fashion industry 

n) In-depth exploration of targeted marketing using paid search engine ads 

o) Assessing the impact of television advertisements on consumer moods 

9) Relevant Marketing Research Topics 

Here’s a list of relevant Marketing Research Topics: 

a) Impact of Covid-19 on the marketing initiatives of the organisation 

b) Effect of the Covid-19 emergence on business communities 

c) Influence of the Covid-19 emergence on marketing operations 

d) Examination of the impact of brand promotion and celebrity usage on ROI 

e) Analysis of how lockdown situations impact an organisation's PR activities 

f) Significance of the marketing mix on organisational performance 

g) Discussion on the importance of STP analysis for any business entity 

h) Analysis of the impact of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown on the hospitality sector 

i) Effects of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown on the aviation industry 

j) Importance of an environmental audit for formulating effective marketing strategies 

k) Impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown on the service sector 

l) Exploration of the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown on the sports industry 

m) "Just Do It" - one of the most successful environmentally conscious advertising taglines 

n) Examination of the successful marketing strategies of Apple, Southwest Airlines, and Budweiser 

o) Importance of personalisation in marketing 

10) Impressive Marketing Research Topics 

Listed below are some of the impressive Marketing Research Topics: 

a) Impact of consumers' implicit and explicit knowledge on their purchasing behaviour 

b) Implementation of centralised global marketing 

c) Integration of IoT, wearables, or smart devices for automated customer service 

d) Definition and application of e-CRM in marketing 

e) Interconnection between brand awareness and repeat purchases 

f) Establishing a company's brand image through Guest Blogging 

g) Strategies for managing marketing and company reputation effectively 

h) Examination of Corporate Social Responsibility as a marketing tactic 

i) Optimal social media approaches to enhance customer engagement 

j) Analysis of social media marketing's influence on customer behaviour 

k) Relationship dynamics between influencer marketing and lifestyle branding 

l)  Technologies pivotal in improving customers' online decision-making processes 

m) Exploring efficient marketing strategies to mend a damaged reputation 

n) Human Resource Management and the motivational factors crucial for future leaders 

o) Influence and importance of performance management in large and diverse organisations 

Conclusion 

Marketing Research Topics vary from how Digital Marketing influences what we buy to whether traditional methods still work. You can also explore Social Media's role, how online ads perform, and the impact of loyalty programs. Other areas include product placement, celebrity endorsements, and how pricing affects what consumers choose. Regardless of the topic, thorough and organised research is crucial for accurate and reliable findings. 

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Marketing Management Research Paper Topics

This page is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide to marketing management research paper topics , offering insights into various dimensions of marketing that are essential in today’s globalized business environment. It includes an exhaustive list of topics divided into categories, practical tips on choosing and writing on marketing management subjects, and an exclusive section dedicated to iResearchNet’s specialized writing services. Whether a student, academician, or professional, this guide aims to provide a resourceful pathway to explore the multifaceted world of marketing management research, emphasizing the need for empirical inquiry, analytical thinking, and innovative approaches.

100 Marketing Management Research Paper Topics

Marketing management is a diverse field encompassing various aspects of marketing, such as strategy, consumer behavior, product development, branding, and more. Below is a comprehensive list of marketing management research paper topics divided into 10 different categories, each containing 10 specific topics. These topics cater to different levels of complexity and interest and can be explored for detailed research.

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• The Impact of Digital Marketing on Traditional Advertising Methods
• An Analysis of Guerrilla Marketing Techniques in Small Businesses
• The Role of Social Media in Influencing Consumer Behavior
• Evaluating the Success of Viral Marketing Campaigns
• Personalization in Marketing: Trends and Challenges
• The Influence of Environmental Sustainability on Marketing Strategies
• Brand Positioning and Differentiation Strategies
• The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Decision Making
• B2B vs B2C Marketing Strategies: A Comparative Analysis
• Ethical Considerations in Influencer Marketing

Consumer Behavior

• The Psychology of Consumer Buying Behavior
• Impact of Cultural Factors on Consumer Preferences
• How Pricing Strategies Influence Consumer Choices
• The Effect of Online Reviews on Consumer Purchase Decisions
• Consumer Loyalty Programs and Their Impact on Retention
• Generational Differences in Consumer Behavior
• The Role of Emotions in Consumer Decision Making
• Ethical Consumerism and its Influence on Purchasing Behavior
• The Impact of Social Proof on Consumer Trust
• Understanding the Impulse Buying Behavior in Retail Settings

Product Management

• Product Life Cycle Analysis and Strategies
• New Product Development Processes: A Case Study
• The Role of Packaging in Product Perception
• Product Line Extension vs Brand Extension: A Critical Evaluation
• Managing Product Recalls Effectively
• Pricing Strategies for New Product Launches
• Role of Consumer Feedback in Product Improvement
• The Impact of Quality Management on Product Success
• Product Differentiation in Competitive Markets
• Strategies for Managing Obsolete Products
• Building Global Brands: Strategies and Challenges
• The Role of Storytelling in Brand Building
• Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Brand Image
• Rebranding Strategies and Their Impact on Consumer Perception
• The Importance of Brand Equity and How to Measure It
• Building Brand Loyalty Through Customer Engagement
• Co-branding Strategies and Their Effectiveness
• The Influence of Brand Personality on Consumer Preferences
• Managing Brand Reputation in the Digital Age
• The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Branding

Sales Management

• The Art of Sales Forecasting: Methods and Accuracy
• Sales Training Techniques and Their Effectiveness
• Relationship Selling vs Transactional Selling
• Sales Promotion Strategies and Their Impact on Revenue
• The Role of Sales Automation Tools in Enhancing Performance
• Managing Sales Territories for Optimal Performance
• The Effect of Sales Incentives on Employee Motivation
• Integrating Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in Sales
• The Impact of Cross-Selling and Up-Selling Strategies
• Ethical Considerations in Sales Management

Digital Marketing

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Strategies
• Effective Content Marketing for Online Engagement
• Social Media Advertising: Trends and ROI Measurement
• Email Marketing Best Practices for Conversion
• The Role of Analytics in Digital Marketing
• Influencer Marketing in the Age of Social Media
• Mobile Marketing Strategies for Consumer Engagement
• The Future of Virtual Reality in Digital Marketing
• The Use of Big Data in Personalized Marketing
• Ethical Considerations in Digital Advertising

International Marketing

• Strategies for Entering Emerging Markets
• Cultural Sensitivity in International Marketing
• The Role of Global Marketing in Expanding Business Horizons
• International Pricing Strategies and Currency Considerations
• Managing International Marketing Partnerships and Alliances
• The Effect of Political Factors on International Marketing
• Standardization vs Localization in International Marketing
• The Role of E-commerce in Global Marketing Strategies
• Cross-Cultural Communication in International Business
• The Impact of Globalization on Local Brands

Services Marketing

• Quality Management in Service Delivery
• Strategies for Enhancing Customer Satisfaction in Service Industries
• The Role of Technology in Service Innovation
• Marketing Strategies for Professional Services
• Measuring Customer Expectations and Perceptions in Services Marketing
• The Effect of Online Platforms on Service Distribution
• Service Recovery Strategies and Customer Loyalty
• The Role of Employee Training in Service Excellence
• Relationship Marketing in Service Industries
• Ethical Considerations in Healthcare Services Marketing

Retail and E-commerce

• Omnichannel Retailing Strategies and Customer Experience
• E-commerce Growth and the Future of Traditional Retail
• The Role of Artificial Intelligence in E-commerce Personalization
• Consumer Trust and Security in Online Shopping
• Strategies for Reducing Shopping Cart Abandonment
• Mobile Commerce Trends and Consumer Behavior
• The Impact of E-commerce on Supply Chain Management
• Social Commerce: Integrating Social Media and Online Sales
• The Role of User Experience (UX) Design in E-commerce Success
• Ethical Considerations in E-commerce Operations

Marketing Ethics and Social Responsibility

• Ethical Challenges in Targeted Advertising
• The Role of Green Marketing in Sustainable Development
• Social Marketing Campaigns for Public Health
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Brand Image
• Ethical Considerations in Market Research Practices
• The Influence of Ethical Leadership on Marketing Strategies
• The Impact of Fair Trade Practices on Consumer Perception
• Social Responsibility in Alcohol and Tobacco Advertising
• Ethical Considerations in Children’s Advertising
• The Role of Ethics in Product Development and Testing

In conclusion, marketing management is an extensive and multifaceted field that encompasses a wide range of research topics. From strategies and branding to ethics and international considerations, there is a rich array of subjects that students and researchers can delve into. The above topics offer a starting point for insightful inquiry, practical applications, and critical evaluation. Whether you are aiming for academic excellence or professional development, these topics can help foster a deeper understanding of marketing management and its integral role in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Marketing Management and the Range of Research Paper Topics

Introduction to marketing management.

Marketing Management is a complex and dynamic field that lies at the heart of business operations. It involves the planning, execution, and monitoring of marketing strategies, tailored to meet customer needs and business goals. The success of any product or service in the market largely depends on the effectiveness of marketing management.

Key Principles and Concepts

• Strategic Planning : Marketing management starts with the identification of target markets and the development of a marketing mix to satisfy consumers within that market. This includes the 4Ps of marketing: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion.
• Consumer Behavior Understanding : It’s essential to understand consumer behavior to create strategies that resonate with the target audience. This includes demographics, psychographics, and behavioral aspects like needs, preferences, and purchase behavior.
• Digital Marketing and Social Media : With the advent of the internet, digital marketing has become an indispensable tool. It includes SEO, content marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, and more.
• Branding and Brand Management : Building a strong brand image is vital for long-term success. Branding strategies include creating a unique brand identity, consistent messaging, and managing customer perceptions.
• Marketing Analytics and Metrics : Utilizing data and analytics helps in making informed decisions. Metrics such as customer lifetime value (CLTV), customer acquisition cost (CAC), and return on marketing investment (ROMI) are crucial.

Range and Depth of Research Paper Topics

The field of marketing management offers a plethora of research paper topics reflecting its multifaceted nature. Here are some broad categories:

• Strategic Marketing Management : Topics here may include SWOT analysis, competitive strategies, market segmentation, and differentiation.
• Digital Marketing and Social Media : Research on emerging digital marketing trends, social media strategies, influencer marketing, etc.
• Consumer Behavior : This includes studying consumer buying habits, cultural influences on purchasing, customer satisfaction, and loyalty programs.
• International Marketing Management : Topics related to global marketing strategies, cross-cultural communication, international branding, etc.
• Marketing Analytics and Metrics : This covers data-driven marketing, predictive analytics, performance metrics, and big data in marketing.
• Ethical Issues in Marketing : Exploring ethical considerations like deceptive advertising, privacy concerns, green marketing, and social responsibility.
• Emerging Trends in Marketing Management : Investigating newer trends like AI in marketing, omnichannel marketing, virtual reality, personalized marketing, etc.

These categories provide students with various angles to approach marketing management, from traditional strategies to current technological advancements.

Marketing management, with its diverse and ever-changing landscape, offers a wealth of intriguing and challenging topics for research. Whether one is drawn to the more traditional aspects or the innovative, technology-driven facets, the opportunities for exploration and analysis are boundless.

Understanding marketing management is crucial for anyone venturing into the business world. It combines creativity with analytics, strategy with execution, and always keeps an eye on the changing tides of consumer behavior. For students, academics, and professionals alike, delving into this field can provide valuable insights and skills that are applicable across various domains and industries.

Through this article, we have touched upon the key concepts and principles, and explored the extensive range of research paper topics within the realm of marketing management. These concepts and topics not only form the basis of academic study but also act as foundational pillars for businesses aiming to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

How to Choose Marketing Management Research Paper Topics

Choosing the right research paper topic can be a daunting task, especially in a field as broad and dynamic as marketing management. A well-chosen topic can be the difference between a research paper that’s engaging and insightful, and one that falls flat. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you choose the ideal marketing management research paper topic:

Selecting a research paper topic in marketing management is not merely about picking something that seems interesting. It’s about aligning the topic with your interests, the course requirements, the targeted audience, and the current trends in the field. Here’s how to navigate this complex decision-making process:

• Identify Your Interests : Choose a topic that genuinely excites you. Whether it’s digital marketing or consumer behavior, aligning with your interests will make the research process more engaging.
• Consider the Relevance : Make sure the topic is relevant to your course and the current landscape of marketing management. Trending topics like social media advertising or AI in marketing might be more appealing.
• Check the Availability of Resources : Research the availability of credible sources on the topic. Libraries, academic journals, and online databases should have ample material for your chosen subject.
• Assess the Complexity : Balance complexity with your level of expertise. A topic that’s too simple may lack depth, while something too complex might be overwhelming.
• Align with Your Career Goals : If you have specific career goals in marketing, select a topic that adds value to your professional development.
• Evaluate the Scope : Define the scope of your research. A too broad topic will lack focus, while a narrow topic might lack content.
• Seek Guidance from Professors or Experts : Don’t hesitate to consult with professors or industry experts. They can provide insights that align with academic expectations and industry trends.
• Consider Ethical Implications : If your topic involves sensitive issues like consumer privacy, ensure that you approach it with the necessary ethical considerations.
• Analyze Existing Research : Look at existing research to identify gaps or areas for further exploration. Building on previous work can add depth to your paper.
• Create a Preliminary Thesis Statement : Once you’ve narrowed down your topic, create a preliminary thesis statement. This will guide your research and keep you focused on specific aspects of the subject.

Choosing the right topic for a marketing management research paper is a critical step in the research process. It sets the tone for the entire project and can greatly influence the quality and relevance of the work. By following these tips and giving careful thought to aspects such as interest, relevance, complexity, scope, and ethics, you can select a topic that not only meets academic requirements but also resonates with your passions and professional aspirations.

Remember, the chosen topic is not just a subject of study but a chance to contribute to the field, offering insights or solutions to existing challenges. Engage with the process, explore various avenues, and you’ll find a topic that’s not just suitable but truly inspiring and rewarding to work on.

How to Write a Marketing Management Research Paper

Writing a research paper on marketing management requires a thoughtful approach that balances theory, practice, analysis, and creativity. It’s not just about presenting facts but weaving them into a coherent narrative that adds value to the field of marketing management. Below you’ll find a guide that covers essential steps in crafting a high-quality research paper.

Embarking on a research paper in marketing management is an opportunity to delve into various aspects like market strategies, consumer behavior, digital marketing, or branding. It’s about unearthing insights, exploring theories, analyzing trends, and presenting them in an academically rigorous and engaging manner. Here’s how to structure and compose a standout marketing management research paper:

• Understand the Assignment : Read the assignment instructions carefully. Understand the requirements, deadlines, formatting guidelines, and grading criteria. Reach out to your professor if anything is unclear.
• Start with a Strong Thesis Statement : Develop a clear and concise thesis statement that defines the purpose of your research. It should articulate the main argument or question you intend to explore.
• Create an Outline : Plan the structure of your paper by creating an outline. Break it down into sections like introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, conclusion, and bibliography.
• Conduct Thorough Research : Use reputable sources like academic journals, books, and industry reports. Validate information through multiple sources to ensure accuracy.
• Write the Introduction : Open with a compelling introduction that provides background on the topic, states the research question, and outlines the scope of your paper.
• Develop the Literature Review : Present an overview of existing literature on your topic. Compare and contrast different theories, methodologies, and findings, and highlight the gaps your research will address.
• Detail the Methodology : Explain the research methods you used. Whether qualitative or quantitative, describe the approach, tools, data collection, and analysis techniques.
• Present Findings and Analysis : Summarize the research findings and analyze them in the context of your thesis statement. Include charts, graphs, or other visuals to enhance understanding.
• Conclude Thoughtfully : Sum up the main findings, reflect on the implications, suggest areas for future research, and restate the thesis in the light of the research.
• Edit and Proofread : Pay meticulous attention to grammar, punctuation, and style. Consider seeking feedback from peers or professionals to ensure clarity and coherence.

Writing a research paper in marketing management is more than an academic exercise; it’s a rich intellectual experience that calls for curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. The process outlined above is not rigid but provides a framework that you can adapt to your specific topic and interest.

Remember, a great research paper is not just about meeting academic standards but contributing something meaningful to the field of marketing management. Engage with the material, think critically, argue persuasively, and present your ideas with clarity and flair. Your research paper can be a reflection of your passion for marketing and a testament to your scholarly rigor and intellectual insight.

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• What Relationship Marketers Can Learn From the Mittelstand Ethos Nick Worth Relationship marketers at big companies can learn a lot from successful small and midsize German companies that take a leaner approach to work, saving time and money in the process. Customer Relationships , Management , Marketing Budgets , Marketing Plans , Relationship Marketing , Thought Leadership , Time Management
• Three Ways Niche Players Can Connect With the C-Suite Tom Whatley We all have dream clients—company logos we'd love to place on our homepage. The only way to get there, in most cases, is by engaging with senior decision-makers over time—starting ... B2B Marketing , Customer Acquisition , Customer Relationships , Lead Generation , Lead Nurturing , Networking , Positioning , Relationship Marketing , Sales , Value Propositions
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• Marketers' Perceptions of Real-Time Marketing [Infographic] Verónica Jarski Some 88% of marketers say real-time marketing is important in 2014, according to a recent survey. So, why is it important? And how are marketers using real-time marketing? Customer Relationships , Email , Marketing Strategy , Relationship Marketing , Social Media
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• Email Open and Click-Through Rates: Benchmarks by Vertical Ayaz Nanji Education, retail, and computer hardware/electronics are the best-performing verticals in email marketing, according to a new study that benchmarked open rates, click-through rates, and churn metrics across 14 industries. Customer Behavior , Email , Email Campaigns , Email Marketing , Newsletters , Relationship Marketing , Research Summaries
• Omnichannel Loyalty: The New Customer Connection [Infographic] Verónica Jarski With omnichannel loyalty, companies engage customers with personalized messages at each touchpoint across various channels; businesses also offer rewards for customers' loyalty, which often results in lifelong brand loyalty. Brand Loyalty , Brand Management , Customer Experience , Customer Loyalty , Customer Relationships , Relationship Marketing , Sales , Social Media
• The Liquor Store Model for Social Media Marketing Success Becky McCray I run a liquor store in a small town, and I've always dealt with instant communication among customers. An unhappy customer, can go down to the coffee shop and spread ... Community , Customer Behavior , Customer Experience , Customer Relationships , Local Marketing , Marketing Tips , Relationship Marketing , Small Business , Social Business , Social Media
• Humanizing the Web With Personalization 2.0: Three Tips to Get Started John Kottcamp We're not talking "Welcome back John" and certainly not "Dear Valued Customer." Real personalization goes much deeper than that today. Call it Personalization 2.0: it means the delivering the right ... Brand Loyalty , Content , Customer-Centric , Customer Experience , Customer Loyalty , Customer Relationships , Digital Theory , Marketing Strategy , Relationship Marketing , Web Content

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150+ Unique Marketing Research Topics for Your Upcoming Projects

Marketing has developed into a massive industry with various specialized sectors. It is a broad field of study that includes different sectors of marketing. In the current era, marketing encompasses digital marketing, and, along with digital and traditional marketing, it is associated with various other marketing branches. Understandably, you feel speculative in this challenging position. After all, finding relevant marketing research topics is not that easy for most students.

When you write a research paper on marketing, you have to prove that you can systematically articulate your thoughts, find appropriate sources of information, and analyze data accordingly. But do not forget that this is only possible if you have a relevant research topic in marketing. In such a situation, we have got you covered!

This article will find some non-trivial and equally unique marketing research topics. We included topics on every possible marketing niche because we wanted topics from every niche.

Table of Contents

Selecting Marketing Research Topics

Before you begin sifting through the offered marketing topics, we suggest you first become acquainted with the selection procedure. The upcoming research paper will discuss your hard work, efforts, and skills. So, the research topic should also be about something that interests you. Take your time. Start researching certain research areas. So, for starters, brainstorm different marketing fields for which you wouldn’t mind delving deeper into the details.

Navigate Different Branches of Marketing

Nowadays, with marketing getting widespread, there are many marketing fields to accommodate your research. Analyze different marketing branches and then think about what fascinates you the most. Next, narrow those lists and start researching more about those topics. Just because marketing is complex doesn’t mean you must be stuck swimming in executive suite jargon to try to make sense of it. We are sure that in the end, you will come up with something extravagantly interesting and unique simultaneously.

Look For Your Marketing Interests

Reading and writing come with a few terms and conditions, and the most important is that the topic must be fascinating .  So, the initial step would be to sit and jot down topics in marketing that you’re interested in. When you are interested in something, you automatically become passionate about that field of study. It will constantly motivate you to dig deeper and find relevant sources to support your research theories.

Investigate Factual Topics

Remember, a research paper is not a comprehensive narrative that can be dragged out indefinitely. A lot of research and hard work are required to draught a successful research paper. It is more than just assignment writing , which we used to do in high school. So, ensure that your research topic concludes with practical data and information. Conduct thorough research to make sure you can go a long way to providing comprehensive research about your topic. Enumerate a list of credible sources to support your hypothesis and arguments.

For Conceptualized Ideas, Google Marketing Research Topics

When you start browsing for “marketing topics for research,” you will get a whole list of Scholarly Ideas Based On Such Topics. Scrolling Through Those Lists Would Be The Best Approach For you. There are hundreds of possible themes for your paper, and you’ll undoubtedly find at least a handful that intrigues you.

Narrow Down Your Topic’s Approach

When you have compiled a few marketing topics, your next step will be narrowing them down. See if the following research topics consist of enough credible sources or not. For successful research, it is essential to choose a topic that will create an impact in your prescribed field. So select a research field that has never been invested in before or at least something in which you can show a whole new perspective.

 Select the Topic

Topics that have been well examined will give you many references for blackening your arguments. To make your contribution to the discipline, look for research elements that have yet to be thoroughly investigated.

150+ Research Topics in Marketing

We understand finding marketing topics for research can be a tough job to handle. After all, marketing is such a vast field that sometimes deciding what topic you want to work on can be challenging. In such cases, we have enumerated a list of marketing topics to help you frame an excellent research paper.

We have classified these topics into different sections, which can help you choose according to your field of interest. Explore these lists of hot marketing research topics to ensure you select a topic that piques your interest.

Marketing Research Topics Related to Consumer Behavior

Marketing goods and services for personal consumption refers to consumer marketing. Or at least this is the first thing that pops up in our minds. Similarly, consumer behavior refers to studying consumers’ behavioral changes or individuals associated with a purchase.

The following topics are intended to be diverse, fascinating, and captivating for your marketing research. Have a look at them and select whatever suits you the best.

• An integrative framework for cross-sectional consumer behavioral
• Self-concept in consumer behavior
• The significance and measurement of attachment in consumer behavior
• Luxury goods and sustainability issues
• Impact of brand equity and consumer behavior
• The cultural influence of luxury consumption behavior among Italian consumers
• The evolving behaviors of luxury consumption
• Coca-Cola customer purchasing behavior: analysis and prediction
• Consumer responsiveness towards environmental claims for clothing brands
• A conceptual framework prestige- seeking consumer behavior
• Symbolism and marketing performance: a theoretical approach
• Assessment and evaluation of successful and failed instances of luxury marketing techniques
• A symbolic interactions perspective on the function of products as social stimulants
• Convergence and divergence in consumer behavior
• Understanding the consequences of global retailing
• Dimensions of consumer expertise: mapping a consumption constellation
• The influence of sustainability declarations on customer ecological perception and performance expectancy: A detailed work on H&m
• A symbolic interactionism perspective on the empirical models of consumer behaviors
• Sensory marketing strategies and power in advertising
• The impact of word of mouth and electronic word of mouth on consumer purchase intension

Read Also –

Influential Marketing Topics Regarding the Digital Market

In this digital age, digital marketing is undoubtedly becoming the most crucial aspect of the marketing world. If you are interested in digital marketing, the following juicy digital marketing research topics might guide you in the right direction.

• Understanding the critical aspects of opportunities and challenges of digital marketing
• Opportunities and challenges of marketing research in the 21st century
• Assess digital marketing trends over the last 20 years and the future research directions.
• A critical review of the effectiveness of internet marketing initiatives
• A theoretical analysis of digital marketing techniques adopted by startups
• Accessing the metrics of digital marketing strategies, transformation, trends, and realities
• Study on digital marketing technique
• What inspires college students to use Pinterest? A model with consequences for academics and marketers
• Mapping the international qualitative marketing research
• Investigating the transition from word-of-mouth marketing to electronic word-of-mouth and its consequences on customer behavior.
• The significance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in marketing strategy
• Conceptualizing influencer marketing as a modern phenomenon in reputation management
• Analyzing the impact of search engine optimization on web accessibility
• Addressing marketers’ over-reliance on digital content to boost revenues
• Digital marketing strategy implementation: examining the digital marketing infrastructure
• Ethical issues concerned with fundamentals of marketing research: a detailed study
• Content marketing: the fundamental tool for design, advertising, and marketing: a systematic literature review
• The influence of content writing in marketing communication: anatomy of digital marketing infrastructure

Distribution Marketing Topics for Research

Every firm, either new or established, requires a well-defined distribution channel for distributing its products or goods to customers. Have a look at these top-notch topics for your marketing assignment writing :

• The distribution mechanism in SMEs and large-scale corporations
• The impact of strategic and tactical causes marketing on brand loyalty among customers
• Best strategies for incorporating new items into the lifestyles of the targeted clients
• A comparative analysis of the distribution systems of SMEs and multinational corporations
• Marketing 4.0: How technological advancements are transforming marketing organizations
• Distributional channels: understanding and managing the structure of distribution channels
• Brand manipulation techniques employed by marketers: learning organizational strategies
• Understanding the sustainability of distributional marketing: an overview
• Marketing mix modeling of Facebook
• The distributional and promotional approach of winemakers
• Identifying distributional changes in the Interactive Digital Media Ecosystem
• Analyzing the best distribution techniques for new offshore marketing organizations.
• Market segmentation: issues and perspectives
• Rediscovering industrial market segmentation
• The challenges of marketing logistics: Product distribution, Price, and Promotion
• Contemporary commercial marketing strategies and concepts.

Social Media Marketing Research Topic Suggestions

In this digital era, more than one-fourth of the population is connected to some social media platform. Here are some suggestions for marketing research questions or topics regarding social marketing.

• Social media marketing communication: efficiency and usage
• Incorporating social responsibility and marketing strategy: a critical overview
• The Most Notable Successes in the history of Social Media Marketing
• Starbucks marketing analysis: a process that guarantees growth
• Measuring the visual turn in social media campaigns
• Social media influence on purchasing decisions: a case study on e-commerce sites
• The effect of social media marketing on brand loyalty
• The impact of Instagram content marketing on advancements in reach and engagements

Sports Marketing Research Topics

Sports marketing is a substantial source of revenue, which is why research in this field is essential for different researchers. Here are some sport marketing ideas for you to examine.

• Sports marketing: The strategic perspective behind marketing communication
• Mapping the role of sports marketing in attracting individuals
• How intelligent chatbots’ outstanding content might help sports teams boost fan loyalty
• Opportunities in sports marketing that are emerging and how to leverage on them
• The psychology of sports marketing: a critical analysis
• A handbook on sports marketing and social media
• Examining the motives and restrictions of Twitter users in the context of social media and sports marketing.
• Using social media to investigate the determinants of consumer reaction to sport marketing
• Sports marketing and social media: a review on the motivation and constraints of Twitter users

Topic Ideas for Content Marketing

With the constant evolution in digital marketing, there has also been a significant boost in content marketing. In recent years, many students have used content marketing as their MBA dissertation topics . Let’s have a look at some excellent content marketing topics:

• Essential content marketing strategies for SMEs
• Understanding a theoretical approach to content marketing for engaging more organic traffic
• Content marketing in SMEs: significance of entrepreneurial sensemaking
• Content marketing as a fundamental tool of digital marketing: an overview of digital strategies for marketing
• New opportunities for engaging strong brands on online platforms
• Canvas’s design school content marketing strategies: exploring strategies
• Identifying the dynamics of the same content across borders
• Content marketing strategies for breaking through the clutter and winning more organic traffic
• The rise of storytelling as an essential element of content marketing strategy

Marketing Topics for Research on Print Media

Print media is the most traditional and fundamental alternative for public communication. You can use print media research topics as your marketing project topics or dissertation topics. Let’s have a look at the following print marketing research topics that can be valuable for you:

• Policies and attitudes in print media: mapping a consumption constellation
• Effectiveness of print media industry in this evolving age: an analysis into the implications
• Analyzing print media advertising in the era of social media
• Is the global print media sector expected to expand or decline in 2021? An examination of the ramifications
• The influence of print media on millennials and GenY: a comprehensive overview
• Print media and digital media: a comparative analysis
• Print-media advertising and selling smartness in a knowledge economy: understanding the economics of print media
• Understanding the language of pictures in print media advertising: a historical preview

Relationship Marketing Project Topics

Relationship marketing is a Client Relationship Management (CRM) approach that focuses on customer retention, satisfaction, and lifetime value. Here is a list of some unique relationship marketing project topics for you:

• Importance of customer relationship management: a thorough examination
• Loyalty points as the unrivaled monarch of relationship marketing for retailers: a comprehensive synopsis
• Conversion of print media into digital media: taking the Indian market as an example
• Understanding the social media presence for effective relationship management
• A strategic framework for customer relationship management
• Relationship marketing management: a study on issues and challenges of the US market
• Adopting customer relationship management: from strategy to implementation
• Storytelling in content management: Using content marketing to create customer connections effectively
• Relationship marketing in the post-pandemic era: expectations and realities
• Understanding emotions in relationship marketing: looking backward towards the future
• Customer gratitude in relationship marketing: a survey of the existing relationship marketing
• The evolution of relationship marketing

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Non-Profit Marketing Research Topic Ideas

Non-profit marketing is continuously increasing day by day. In the last few years, various researchers have chosen non-profit marketing research areas as their research topics. Let’s have a look at some of the excellent research topics regarding NPOs:

• Why are non-profits easier to promote on social media: The significance of warmth and brand representation
• Non-profit marketing strategies: an exploratory study
• Marketing in the non-profit organizations
• Internet presence for NPOs in the current digital era
• Social event marketing via internet platforms welcomes a new age for non-profit organizations.
• Inspiring young people through dynamic and engaging call-to-actions – analyzing the contemporary non-profit strategies
• In-person and virtual events: A two-pronged strategy for engagement in a fast-paced environment
• The applications of marketing for non-profit organizations
• Rethinking the framework for marketing strategies for NPOs from a global perspective
• Methodology for assessing the relational dimension of a relationship marketing strategy: A research work of non-profit organizations

Strategic Marketing Questions and Topics for Research

If you are someone with a strategist’s attitude, then chances are that you’ll find these strategic marketing research topics intriguing.

• Considerable factors behind a poorly executed market research
• Strategic marketing management: an overview
• An exploratory investigation of black Friday deals
• Inconsistency in service value or communication of products: a social exchange perspective
• Strategic marketing insights for creating a competitive advantage
• Contemporary strategic marketing for non-profit organizations
• Understanding strategic marketing planning for radically new products: an international perspective
• The international marketing strategy of Starbucks: a case study
• The theory, practices, and research agendas of strategic marketing planning
• Determinants and benefits of global product marketing
• Relationship between marketing research and marketing strategy: understanding the ins and out of strategic marketing
• Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Understanding digital strategies of organizations

Read Also – 150+ Business Research Topics

Marketing Research Topics Regarding Advertising

Still not able to select your marketing topics? Hang up! We’re sure this list of exciting marketing research topics will help you.

• The negative and positive impacts of advertising on the youth: a research overview
• Understanding the relationship between advertising and the application of humor
• The effect of advertising on the recession period
• Understanding the influence of advertising on consumer behavior
• Impact of brand advertising on political campaigns
• An ethical examination of advertising deception
• Addressing false and misleading advertising: an empirical investigation
• A comparative analysis of the dove campaign promoting natural beauty with other misleading advertisements
• Unethical practices of advertising: a case study of some selective products
• Understanding the advertising law of The united states

International Marketing Research Paper Topics

Marketing is the global stage where most entrepreneurs get to connect. If you are considering choosing international marketing as your research area, then the following international marketing research topics are a win-win for you!

• International market entry: a case study on Tim Horton’s
• Social media as a game changer for global marketing: an overview
• Global market entry strategies: understanding the internalization approach
• Marketing athlete’s events across international borders: a comprehensive approach
• Environmental determinants of international market entry strategies
• Understanding the international market segmentation: issues and perspectives
• Financial market development: International evidence
• Liberalization of capital controls and expansion of the stock market
• Entrepreneurial businesses’ effectuation and global markets expansion
• The social networks of international entrepreneur firms

Pandemic-Related Marketing Research Paper Topics

The COVID-19 pandemic upended the rule book of several entrepreneurs. It questioned the established norms of the current human relationship and brand development. So much has recently changed that there’s no turning back to the old routine. Here are some new pandemic-related marketing topics for research:

• The influence of covid-19 on marketing and its philosophy
• How online marketing assisted companies during the epidemic
• Pandemic marketing story: Mapping a retailing constellation
• Long-term vs. short terms marketing approach by businesses: a comprehensive overview
• Internet marketing during the pandemic: new trends and policies
• The globalization of the international economy in the post-pandemic decade
• Post-pandemic recovery strategies for organizations: stimulating lifestyle entrepreneurship
• A systematic review of the marketing strategies during and after the pandemic
• The influence of covid-19 on changing the marketing world

Summing Up!!

Hopefully, these topics in marketing will inspire you to create some exciting research areas. Our sole purpose behind aggregating these marketing topics was to provide students with a clear perspective on marketing research that is relevant in this existing world. In other words, we intended to publish the most recent marketing research issues that would benefit readers and researchers.

If you’re still unsure about your research field, we recommend you consult your adviser or a paper help service provider. Your professor and an online expert can help you make the best decision. So, don’t hesitate to use their expertise and guidance.

By Alex Brown

I'm an ambitious, seasoned, and versatile author. I am experienced in proposing, outlining, and writing engaging assignments. Developing contagious academic work is always my top priority. I have a keen eye for detail and diligence in producing exceptional academic writing work. I work hard daily to help students with their assignments and projects. Experimenting with creative writing styles while maintaining a solid and informative voice is what I enjoy the most.

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233 Marketing Research Topics To Come Up With An Impressive Paper

Marketing is everywhere nowadays – from TV adverts to the pop-up ads that appear on our web browsers. No matter how much you may try to ignore it, marketing knocks still knocks at your door.

Despite all these, however, many students still struggle to develop top-notch marketing research paper topics. You might say, how is that even possible? Well, my friend, let me bring it to your attention that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of post-graduate students struggling to find such writing ideas.

But this where we draw the battle lines.

Marketing Topics For Research Paper: What You Need To Know

To be certain of a top grade in any field of study, you have to go the extra mile. Marketing is one of those flooded fields with stiff competition. Therefore, you have to come up with something fresh and original to convince your reader.

• Create interest in the reader’s mind of a particular offering
• Be precise and to the point
• Not repeat what is already out there
• Not offer the reader what is not there

Unlike any other topic, these are unique because they intend to sell a product or service to potential buyers. Thus, it would help if you handled it with a lot of care.

What To Avoid When Writing Marketing Paper Topics

Below are crucial points to consider for your marketing research topic:

• Do not be too wordy
• Avoid using words that are uncommon among the famous market
• Beware of being sensational

When writing your research paper’s marketing topics, the end goal should be to sell the product and build a reputable brand for yourself.

Explore these writing ideas for your inspiration:

Marketing Research Topics For College Students

• Marketing strategies for integrating new products into segmented markets
• The impact of coronavirus on marketing communication strategies
• How can companies best advertise their products overseas?
• Pitfalls to avoid when crafting marketing messages for children and other minors in the society
• Factors that determine client satisfaction in new markets
• Discuss the effectiveness of using discounts and loyalty cards in the marketing of products
• The impact of using black Friday offers in the wake of the Black lives matter movement
• Is it practical to contact clients via email subscriptions and newsletters?
• The role of conducting marketing research before attempting to bring a new product on board
• Define market segmentation and the essential pointers that segment various markets
• Compare and contrast marketing strategies in developing countries versus developed countries
• How do multinational companies carry out marketing as compared to local enterprises?
• The role of technology in marketing: A case study of simulations and virtual reality
• Evaluate the effectiveness of consumer education and awareness in marketing
• How does the marketing of food items vary from other products in the market?
• Discuss the effectiveness of various marketing channels and strategies
• Emerging opportunities and challenges in the field of marketing
• Modern tactics and paradigms used in business and consumer marketing
• Why it is essential to understand the culture of a market before venturing into it
• The role of academic papers of marketing in the business world

Professional List of Marketing Research Topics

• How CSRs help companies to make inroads into communities
• The impact of brand manipulation on the company’s reputation
• The role of social media in marketing: A case study of Twitter marketing
• How the fashion industry markets its product to potential clients
• The impact of gender and stereotypes in creating marketing and promotional messages
• How global marketing varies from local and national marketing strategies
• The role of political campaigns in impacting marketing and sale of products
• Techniques used by the gaming industry to attract teenagers and youths
• Analyzing successful business enterprises: A case study of Apple industry
• Adverse impacts of advertising alcoholic related products to children
• What makes a brand stay in the market for years without losing its meaning?
• Has technology replaced traditional marketing tools and strategies?
• The role of smartphone advertising in reaching the digital natives and tech-savvies
• The impact of radio and TV marketing on getting middle and working-class
• Compare and contrast new market entry strategies versus traditional ones
• How companies take advantage of impulsive or exorbitant buyers
• Evaluate the effectiveness of in-store branding
• Discuss the advertising strategies used by hotels and restaurants in attracting potential clients
• The impact of social class on preparing marketing and promotional messages
• How centralized marketing affects global brands and products

Sport Marketing Research Topics

• The role of sports hubs in the management of sports organizations
• Facilities and services that help save costs on sports
• Sourcing of funding for sporting activities in developing countries
• The part of the World Cup and Olympic games on marketing strategies and promotional messages
• Marketing strategies that work best for football fans
• The effect of sports celebrities on marketing and promotions
• How effective is branding on sportswear as a marketing strategy?
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Adidas advertising in the Olympic Games 2008 in China
• The role of marketing and modern challenges in advertising decisions in the sports industry nowadays
• Consumer buying behavior with brand loyalty and types of sports buying behavior.
• Factors that cause people to buy certain sports products: A case of Nike
• Explore the historical overview of the exciting development of Nike in providing athletes with equipment for their sports.
• Analyze the interior structure of a sports company and how this affects its marketing strategies
• Specific characteristics of companies that have excelled through sports branding and marketing
• The impact of the orientation of sports heritage, performance, and style in marketing
• Critically analyze the impact of using Chelsea as a brand name in product advertising
• The production and replacement of goods and services: A case of sportswear
• How sports brands operate effectively and competitively in international markets
• Creating the relevant skills for sports advertising and branding
• The impact of practical knowledge about innovative techniques of production in sports marketing

Best-Rated Research Papers Topics in Marketing

• Evaluate the effectiveness of online shops as compared to the physical ones
• How multinational companies compete in the markets by creating an international marketing orientation
• Discuss how certain companies gain a competitive advantage in comparison to other companies
• Analyze the importance of concentrating on the needs of consumers when composing marketing messages
• The essence of feedback from clients in a marketing strategy
• How have giant companies remained and strengthened their leading position in the European sports industry?
• Discuss the underlying aspects of modern advertising
• The effectiveness of poster advertising on bus stations before the launch of a product
• Slogans’ role in marketing: A case study of Adidas’ saying: ‘Impossible is nothing.’
• Evaluate the effectiveness of commercials with sports personalities: A case of David Beckham
• How companies adapt cultural incidents and attention to individualistic attractions in marketing messages
• Ways of determining the budget for a marketing campaign
• Assess the workability of creating an innovative and creative marketing message
• Discuss how companies strike a balance between making profits and effective marketing strategies
• Should modern marketing messages be informative or persuasive?
• The impact of comparative marketing messages on the behavior of a product in the market
• Why an evaluation of the company’s strength and weaknesses is essential in developing its marketing plan
• The role of integrated marketing information of an organization on its marketing plans
• How to discover management trends in market segments
• Why companies need to build units for marketing information that are concerned with trends and developments within the marketplace

Research Topics in Real Estate Marketing

• Why finance is a critical consideration in real estate marketing
• Reasons for the fluctuating financial system in real estate
• The impact of coronavirus and recession on the real estate industry
• Is the curriculum on real estate marketing effective in producing talented minds?
• The effects of property finance marketing on the modern society
• The role of business investors in helping people own homes
• Owning a Home and the Effect of Credit Unions
• Challenges and benefits of mortgages and loans on the real estate industry
• Explain how real estate companies can cope with business financial loans
• Give a detailed analysis of potential customers in real estate marketing messages
• Discuss the various property financing versions in the USA
• Evaluate the importance of studying Geography and finance in real estate marketing
• Discuss the slow rate of growth of real estate industries in developing countries
• Why have real estate marketing messages been greeted with a cold shoulder?
• Discuss the unexploited possibilities and opportunities in rural areas
• How to maintain equity and still control debt funding in real estate industries
• The role of investors together with institutional traders in managing the real-estate companies
• Technologies advances in real estate that are transforming the industry
• How the fiscal sector is affecting property market developments
• Assess how real estate companies are coping with the changing market demands

Sample Marketing Research Project Ideas

• Distinguish between brand loyalty as a behavior and as an attitude in marketing
• The importance of rankings concerning the popularity of brands
• Discuss marketing strategies that create a higher self-confidence in buying decisions
• Analyze the higher level of risk in purchasing decisions
• Why some customers are more store loyal than others
• The role of global brands in creating a marketing ecosystem
• Discuss the history of world commerce and how marketing strategies have evolved over time
• How has the internationalization of finance and business affected marketing?
• The importance of geographical extension among marketers
• Why do customers pay keen attention to the price of products
• The role of mass production in determining the marketing strategies
• How to balance between demand and supply when creating marketing messages
• How to create a suitable image for a brand, product, or service
• The impact of global brands communicating in worldwide sports events
• A primary investigation of what motivates people to buy certain products over others
• How virtual communities help marketers communicate their messages
• An exploration of using cinematic media to promote food products
• The impact of personal styles and preferences on marketing messages
• What effect do personal statements from celebrities have on marketing strategies?
• An analysis of sponsorship based on marketing

High-Quality Marketing Thesis Topics

• The implications of social media marketing on cost and speed of delivery
• An investigation of the relationship between marketing messages and customer emotions
• Examine the relationship sources of income and buying behaviors
• Research into the causes of the decline of newspaper advertising
• Are marketing messages overrated?
• The impact of brand ambassadors on user-generated branding programs
• Explore the effects of integrating relationship marketing strategies
• Effects of increased commercialization
• How often should a promotional notice be posted in a day?
• Do global warming and its consequences have anything to do with marketing?
• How to create an emotional appeal in marketing messages
• Analysis of strategic success factors in the internalization of marketing messages
• The impact of repetitive advertising upon consumers
• International business management strategies that work well for start-ups
• The effect of marketing messages on the physically disabled
• Evaluate how marketing messages have been used to spread sexual messages
• Discuss the legal and ethical implications of marketing
• How to craft compelling marketing messages that do not discriminate against race
• What causes the relevant authorities to ban particular marketing messages?
• The impact of creating controversial sports messages

Motivating Marketing Research Questions

• Opportunities and threats to marketing products and services overseas
• How long have you been a customer, and what has kept you going back?
• How can companies attract their target audience more often?
• Factors that necessitate one company to stand out from another
• How to improve your product and service delivery
• Practical ways of better serving your clients
• Discuss how big is your potential market
• Will this market segment grow or shrink in the future?
• What other products and services out there are similar to the ones we are offering?
• Who are our top competitors, and what are they doing differently from us?
• What portion of the market share do our competitors own?
• What part is available for you to own or take?
• What is the educational level of the people you are writing the promotional message to?
• What is the household income of your potential market?
• What is the impact of the household size on the kind of marketing strategy to compose?
• What are the hobbies and interests of your potential clientele?
• What are the most significant challenges you are likely to encounter when marketing?
• What is your preference when it comes to making purchases?
• What determines the shop or boutique where you buy your products?
• How will the product fit the needs of the potential clients?

Must-Have Marketing Research Topics For College Students

• Latest marketing strategies in the light of the changing mobile customer experience
• How country relations impact the marketing communication messages used at the cross-border level
• The new way to boost sales through conversational strategies
• The impact of marketing conferences and conventions on the practice
• Why most companies slash marketing budgets at the expense of profits
• The role of marketing automation in reaching out to more clients
• The importance of social networking in developing contacts for marketing
• Discuss the effectiveness of content marketing for the entertainment industry
• The essence of tag lines in creating memorable marketing messages
• Why should a company have customer evangelists?
• How to incorporate value prepositions in marketing messages
• The impact of marketing messages on millennial and Generation X
• How companies are using blogs and YouTube to market their products
• Discuss the effectiveness of online marketing among the youth
• Should nonprofit organizations prepare marketing messages?
• The importance of web analytics in determining the performance of a marketing message
• Do companies follow procedure when it comes to permission email marketing?
• Explore the various challenges of email campaigns
• Discuss the effectiveness of word-of-mouth marketing strategy
• Why the voice of the consumer is necessary for a marketing campaign

Hot Topics in Marketing

• Analyze the developments made in B2B marketing
• Discuss the qualities of a top-notch advertisement copy
• What is the importance of benchmarking in business marketing?
• The role of brand management in keeping it afloat
• Discuss the effectiveness of corporate blogging
• Evaluate marketing strategies that consider customer engagement
• How to retain customer through marketing campaigns
• How to market products amid economic crisis
• The impact of 5G on high-tech marketing
• How does hiring outside resources affect marketing?
• The essence of keywords in online marketing
• The rise of personal branding on Instagram and YouTube
• How to collaborate marketing operations in different localities
• Analyzing the consumer buying behavior of apple laptops
• The impact of family orientation on the consumer behavior
• Features that clients look for when purchasing online products
• Why companies should understand customer perceptions of their products
• Discuss the relationship between corporate social responsibility and sales
• Evaluate the acceptance of direct marketing from people
• The impact of click baits on marketing strategies: Are they ethical?

Marketing Class Project Ideas

• The impact of sentiments from brand ambassadors on the performance of products
• Consider the behavior of consumer purchases online and offline
• What makes a person refer his/her to a particular product?
• Why products go viral
• The emotional value of marketing messages
• Significance of a cashless society
• Augmented reality and marketing
• Understanding car buyers
• How humor affects advertising
• Triggers to impulsive buying behavior
• Customer satisfaction among young adults
• Male and female marketing techniques
• Impact of customer perceptions
• Political marketing in the USA
• Brand management
• Market targeting
• Market forecasting
• Purchasing management
• Product positioning
• Nonprofit marketing

Digital Marketing Research Topics

• Social media marketing
• Telemarketing
• Smartphones and relationship marketing
• Pitfalls of e-marketing
• Marketing timing across social media platforms
• Digital market segments
• Customer privacy
• Confidentiality
• Black Fridays
• Snapchat marketing
• Virtual reality technology

We hope that the over 200 marketing topics were able to meet your needs. If not, we offer affordable thesis help online for college students.

Try it today and get to enjoy cheap but quality thesis help!

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25 Marketing Management Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 18, 2023

Are you a marketing or management student looking for specific marketing management dissertation topics? If yes, your search is over because this article provides 25 highly focused marketing management dissertation ideas and examples for your consideration.

Marketing management refers to planning, organising, coordinating, and controlling marketing functions within a company. Sales, distribution, and customer service are all related to marketing management because they connect a brand with customers, suppliers, and other partners. Other areas of marketing management include public relations and direct advertising activities.

Furthermore, marketing management involves planning for the marketing mix, which is essential for promoting any business. It encompasses various responsibilities, from product development to pricing strategies and channel selection.

Marketing managers perform:

• Detailed market research
• Develop product and service branding strategies
• Develop strategies for targeting customers
• Identify the marketing activities to be undertaken within the budget.

Increased sales revenue and market share are the primary goals of marketing management. Therefore, improving product quality and service levels will improve customer satisfaction.

Also read Sports management dissertation topics , event management thesis ideas , operations management thesis ideas , management thesis topics , and asset management thesis topics .

Marketing Management Research Areas For Dissertation

Marketing management can be divided into four main types as categorized by the American Marketing Association (AMA):

• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Product lifecycle management (PLM)
• Supply chain management (SCM)
• Market analytics.

These are briefly explained below.

Customer Relationship Management

Customers who have not engaged with a company for a long time can be won back through CRM strategies—providing personalized products, services, and communication to create a long-term relationship with the customer.

Product Lifecycle Management

The PLM process adds new features, services, and components to existing products over time to create more value. Maintaining consumer needs helps companies improve their margins.

Supply Chain Management

SCM uses technologies like supply chain software to manage inventory flows throughout their supply chain, which extends the company’s internal resources into all aspects of their external relationships with vendors, suppliers, distributors, and retailers.”

Market Analytics

Companies use market analytics to gather insights into consumer behaviour and preferences to make better business decisions. Business Intelligence: Business intelligence collects, analyses, and interprets data from multiple sources to understand how the business performs.

Furthermore, if you are studying business, you may also want to look at the list of business dissertation topics  and  finance dissertation topics .

Benefits of Marketing Management

There are various benefits of using Marketing Management. Some of them are as follows:

• It increases sales and profits.
• It improves customer satisfaction.
• It reduces costs
• It helps you to identify the problems in your business.
• It improves the quality of products and services.
• It builds a competitive advantage.
• It makes processes more efficient.
• It increases customer satisfaction.
• It improves sales
• It helps to identify new markets.

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List of Dissertation Topics for Marketing Management

Marketing management is a vast field, and it can be challenging to know where to start! Luckily, we’ve done the work for you. Here is a list of the latest marketing management dissertation topics to help you out.

• Using financial products in the UK retail banking sector
• A study of how service quality and customer satisfaction affect brand equity
• A study of the antecedents and consequences of a firm’s reputation
• Impact of social media marketing on consumer behaviour
• The role of internet advertising as a marketing tool
• A study of how supermarket retailers can use customer relationship management (CRM) data to identify consumers and predict buying behaviour
• The influence of reference groups on purchasing patterns among British consumers
• Factors that influence product packaging decisions
• An investigation into how organizational culture influences employee behaviour
• A preliminary study examined how sales assist the marketing role of security solutions.
• A thorough analysis of the literature on the term “Coopetition.”
• The function of marketing management in maintaining efficient supply chains
• Review of the literature on product innovation in multinational companies
• The psychology of consumers, how to evaluate it, and how it relates to digital marketing
• Several of the most prevalent errors are made today in email marketing.
• Correlation between marketing problem-solving techniques and marketing management support systems.
• A comparison of marketing management practices in industrialized and developing countries.
• A comprehensive review of the connection between management sciences and marketing management.
• Exploring the potential link between corporate financial success and corporate social responsibility
• A comparison of the regional strategic management of fashion apparel brands.
• Analysis of market segmentation’s effect on hotel industry customer loyalty.
• The analysis of the influence of social media on customer relationship management in the hotel industry.
• The analysis of supply chain management on operational efficiency in the hotel industry.
• The relationship between customer satisfaction, market share, and profitability
• An empirical study into the relationship between brand image and consumer perception.

Marketing management has a broad scope as it is not confined to one industry or market. It is necessary to effectively market goods and services in any economic sector. In marketing, strategic thinking, management practices, and techniques are used to develop and implement marketing programs that help businesses flourish and grow. We hope you can pick one from the aforementioned marketing management dissertation topics.

Alternatively, you may want to read about the dissertation proposal writing service and the full dissertation writing service to see how our services can ease your workload by completing your dissertation to the required criteria.

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How to find dissertation topics about marketing management.

For dissertation topics in marketing management:

• Study recent marketing challenges.
• Explore consumer behavior trends.
• Analyze digital marketing innovations.
• Investigate branding strategies.
• Examine market segmentation.
• Consider ethical marketing issues.

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Need interesting and manageable science dissertation topics or thesis? Here are the trending science dissertation titles so you can choose the most suitable one.

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Types of market research: Methods and examples

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Here at GWI we publish a steady stream of blogs, reports, and other resources that dig deep into specific market research topics.

But what about the folks who’d appreciate a more general overview of market research that explains the big picture? Don’t they deserve some love too?

Of course they do. That’s why we’ve created this overview guide focusing on types of market research and examples. With so many market research companies to choose from, having a solid general understanding of how this sector works is essential for any brand or business that wants to pick the right market research partner.

So with that in mind, let’s start at the very beginning and get clear on…

Market research definition

At the risk of stating the slightly obvious, market research is the gathering and analyzing of data on consumers, competitors, distributors, and markets. As such it’s not quite the same as consumer research , but there’s significant overlap.

Market research matters because it can help you take the guesswork out of getting through to audiences. By studying consumers and gathering information on their likes, dislikes, and so on, brands can make evidence-based decisions instead of relying on instinct or experience. 

What is market research?

Market research is the organized gathering of information about target markets and consumers’ needs and preferences. It’s an important component of business strategy and a major factor in maintaining competitiveness.

If a business wants to know – really know – what sort of products or services consumers want to buy, along with where, when, and how those products and services should be marketed, it just makes sense to ask the prospective audience. 

Without the certainty that market research brings, a business is basically hoping for the best. And while we salute their optimism, that’s not exactly a reliable strategy for success.

What are the types of market research?

Primary research .

Primary research is a type of market research you either conduct yourself or hire someone to do on your behalf.

A classic example of primary research involves going directly to a source – typically customers or prospective customers in your target market – to ask questions and gather information about a product or service. Interviewing methods include in-person, online surveys, phone calls, and focus groups.

The big advantage of primary research is that it’s directly focused on your objectives, so the outcome will be conclusive, detailed insights – particularly into customer views – making it the gold standard.

The disadvantages are it can be time-consuming and potentially costly, plus there’s a risk of survey bias creeping in, in the sense that research samples may not be representative of the wider group.

Secondary research 

Primary market research means you collect the data your business needs, whereas the types of market research known as secondary market research use information that’s already been gathered for other purposes but can still be valuable. Examples include published market studies, white papers, analyst reports, customer emails, and customer surveys/feedback.

For many small businesses with limited budgets, secondary market research is their first choice because it’s easier to acquire and far more affordable than primary research.

Secondary research can still answer specific business questions, but with limitations. The data collected from that audience may not match your targeted audience exactly, resulting in skewed outcomes. 

A big benefit of secondary market research is helping lay the groundwork and get you ready to carry out primary market research by making sure you’re focused on what matters most.

Qualitative research

Qualitative research is one of the two fundamental types of market research. Qualitative research is about people and their opinions. Typically conducted by asking questions either one-on-one or in groups, qualitative research can help you define problems and learn about customers’ opinions, values, and beliefs.

Classic examples of qualitative research are long-answer questions like “Why do you think this product is better than competitive products? Why do you think it’s not?”, or “How would you improve this new service to make it more appealing?”

Because qualitative research generally involves smaller sample sizes than its close cousin quantitative research, it gives you an anecdotal overview of your subject, rather than highly detailed information that can help predict future performance.

Qualitative research is particularly useful if you’re developing a new product, service, website or ad campaign and want to get some feedback before you commit a large budget to it.

Quantitative research

If qualitative research is all about opinions, quantitative research is all about numbers, using math to uncover insights about your audience. 

Typical quantitative research questions are things like, “What’s the market size for this product?” or “How long are visitors staying on this website?”. Clearly the answers to both will be numerical.

Quantitative research usually involves questionnaires. Respondents are asked to complete the survey, which marketers use to understand consumer needs, and create strategies and marketing plans.

Importantly, because quantitative research is math-based, it’s statistically valid, which means you’re in a good position to use it to predict the future direction of your business.

Consumer research 

As its name implies, consumer research gathers information about consumers’ lifestyles, behaviors, needs and preferences, usually in relation to a particular product or service. It can include both quantitative and qualitative studies.

Examples of consumer research in action include finding ways to improve consumer perception of a product, or creating buyer personas and market segments, which help you successfully market your product to different types of customers.

Understanding consumer trends , driven by consumer research, helps businesses understand customer psychology and create detailed purchasing behavior profiles. The result helps brands improve their products and services by making them more customer-centric, increasing customer satisfaction, and boosting bottom line in the process.

Product research 

Product research gives a new product (or indeed service, we don’t judge) its best chance of success, or helps an existing product improve or increase market share.

It’s common sense: by finding out what consumers want and adjusting your offering accordingly, you gain a competitive edge. It can be the difference between a product being a roaring success or an abject failure.

Examples of product research include finding ways to develop goods with a higher value, or identifying exactly where innovation effort should be focused. 

Product research goes hand-in-hand with other strands of market research, helping you make informed decisions about what consumers want, and what you can offer them.

Brand research  

Brand research is the process of gathering feedback from your current, prospective, and even past customers to understand how your brand is perceived by the market.

It covers things like brand awareness, brand perceptions, customer advocacy, advertising effectiveness, purchase channels, audience profiling, and whether or not the brand is a top consideration for consumers.

The result helps take the guesswork out of your messaging and brand strategy. Like all types of market research, it gives marketing leaders the data they need to make better choices based on fact rather than opinion or intuition.

Market research methods 

So far we’ve reviewed various different types of market research, now let’s look at market research methods, in other words the practical ways you can uncover those all-important insights.

Consumer research platform 

A consumer research platform like GWI is a smart way to find on-demand market research insights in seconds.

In a world of fluid markets and changing attitudes, a detailed understanding of your consumers, developed using the right research platform, enables you to stop guessing and start knowing.

As well as providing certainty, consumer research platforms massively accelerate speed to insight. Got a question? Just jump on your consumer research platform and find the answer – job done.

The ability to mine data for answers like this is empowering – suddenly you’re in the driving seat with a world of possibilities ahead of you. Compared to the most obvious alternative – commissioning third party research that could take weeks to arrive – the right consumer research platform is basically a magic wand.

Admittedly we’re biased, but GWI delivers all this and more. Take our platform for a quick spin and see for yourself.

And the downside of using a consumer research platform? Well, no data set, however fresh or thorough, can answer every question. If you need really niche insights then your best bet is custom market research , where you can ask any question you like, tailored to your exact needs.

Face-to-face interviews 

Despite the rise in popularity of online surveys , face-to-face survey interviewing – using mobile devices or even the classic paper survey – is still a popular data collection method.

In terms of advantages, face-to-face interviews help with accurate screening, in the sense the interviewee can’t easily give misleading answers about, say, their age. The interviewer can also make a note of emotions and non-verbal cues. 

On the other hand, face-to-face interviews can be costly, while the quality of data you get back often depends on the ability of the interviewer. Also, the size of the sample is limited to the size of your interviewing staff, the area in which the interviews are conducted, and the number of qualified respondents within that area.

Social listening 

Social listening is a powerful solution for brands who want to keep an ear to the ground, gathering unfiltered thoughts and opinions from consumers who are posting on social media. 

Many social listening tools store data for up to a couple of years, great for trend analysis that needs to compare current and past conversations.

Social listening isn’t limited to text. Images, videos, and emojis often help us better understand what consumers are thinking, saying, and doing better than more traditional research methods. 

Perhaps the biggest downside is there are no guarantees with social listening, and you never know what you will (or won’t) find. It can also be tricky to gauge sentiment accurately if the language used is open to misinterpretation, for example if a social media user describes something as “sick”.

There’s also a potential problem around what people say vs. what they actually do. Tweeting about the gym is a good deal easier than actually going. The wider problem – and this may shock you – is that not every single thing people write on social media is necessarily true, which means social listening can easily deliver unreliable results.

Public domain data 

Public domain data comes from think tanks and government statistics or research centers like the UK’s National Office for Statistics or the United States Census Bureau and the National Institute of Statistical Sciences. Other sources are things like research journals, news media, and academic material.

Its advantages for market research are it’s cheap (or even free), quick to access, and easily available. Public domain datasets can be huge, so potentially very rich.

On the flip side, the data can be out of date, it certainly isn’t exclusive to you, and the collection methodology can leave much to be desired. But used carefully, public domain data can be a useful source of secondary market research.

Telephone interviews 

You know the drill – you get a call from a researcher who asks you questions about a particular topic and wants to hear your opinions. Some even pay or offer other rewards for your time.

Telephone surveys are great for reaching niche groups of consumers within a specific geographic area or connected to a particular brand, or who aren’t very active in online channels. They’re not well-suited for gathering data from broad population groups, simply because of the time and labor involved.

How to use market research 

Data isn’t an end in itself; instead it’s a springboard to make other stuff happen. So once you’ve drawn conclusions from your research, it’s time to think of what you’ll actually do based on your findings.

While it’s impossible for us to give a definitive list (every use case is different), here are some suggestions to get you started.

Leverage it . Think about ways to expand the use – and value – of research data and insights, for example by using research to support business goals and functions, like sales, market share or product design.

Integrate it . Expand the value of your research data by integrating it with other data sources, internal and external. Integrating data like this can broaden your perspective and help you draw deeper insights for more confident decision-making.

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• Americans’ Changing Relationship With Local News

As news consumption habits become more digital, U.S. adults continue to see value in local outlets

Table of contents.

• 1. Attention to local news
• 2. Local news topics
• Americans’ changing local news providers
• How people feel about their local news media’s performance
• Most Americans think local journalists are in touch with their communities
• Interactions with local journalists
• 5. Americans’ views on the financial health of local news
• Acknowledgments
• The American Trends Panel survey methodology

The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Knight Foundation is a social investor committed to supporting informed and engaged communities. Learn more >

Pew Research Center conducted this study to better understand the local news habits and attitudes of U.S. adults. It is a follow-up to a similar study conducted in 2018 .

The survey of 5,146 U.S. adults was conducted from Jan. 22 to 28, 2024. Everyone who completed the survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories.  Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Refer to the topline for the questions used for this survey , along with responses, and to the methodology for more details.

This is a Pew Research Center report from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Find related reports online at https://www.pewresearch.org/pew-knight/ .

The local news landscape in America is going through profound changes as both news consumers and producers continue to adapt to a more digital news environment. We recently asked U.S. adults about the ways they access local news, as well as their attitudes toward local journalism, finding that:

• A growing share of Americans prefer to get local news online, while fewer are getting news on TV or in print. And newspapers are no longer primarily consumed as a print product – the majority of readers of local daily newspapers now access them digitally.
• The share of U.S. adults who say they are paying close attention to local news has dropped since our last major survey of attitudes toward local news in 2018, mirroring declining attention to national news.
• Americans still see value in local news and local journalists. A large majority say local news outlets are at least somewhat important to the well-being of their local community. Most people also say local journalists are in touch with their communities and that their local news media perform well at several aspects of their jobs, such as reporting the news accurately.
• At the same time, a relatively small share of Americans (15%) say they have paid for local news in the last year. And many seem unaware of the major financial challenges facing local news: A 63% majority (albeit a smaller majority than in 2018) say they think their local news outlets are doing very or somewhat well financially.
• Majorities of both major parties say local media in their area are doing their jobs well. While Republicans and GOP-leaning independents are slightly less positive than Democrats and Democratic leaners in their opinions of local media, views of local news don’t have the same stark political divides that exist within Americans’ opinions about national media .
• Most Americans say local journalists should remain neutral on issues in their community, but a substantial minority say local journalists should take a more active role. About three-in-ten say local journalists should advocate for change in their communities, a view that’s especially common among Democrats and younger adults.

These are some of the key findings from a new Pew Research Center survey of about 5,000 U.S. adults conducted in January 2024. This is the first in a series of Pew Research Center reports on local news from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Americans largely hold positive views of local news organizations

At a time when many local news outlets are struggling and Americans’ trust in the news media has waned, the vast majority of U.S. adults (85%) say local news outlets are at least somewhat important to the well-being of their local community. This includes 44% who say local journalism is extremely or very important to their community

About seven-in-ten U.S. adults (69%) say that local journalists in their area are mostly in touch with their community, up from 63% who said this in 2018. And most Americans also say their local news organizations are doing well at four key roles:

• Reporting news accurately (71%)
• Covering the most important stories (68%)
• Being transparent (63%)
• Keeping an eye on local political leaders (61%).

These are relatively positive views compared with how Americans see news organizations more broadly. For instance, a 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that fewer than half of U.S. adults say that news organizations in general do a very or somewhat good job of covering the most important stories, reporting the news accurately and serving as a watchdog over elected leaders.

What’s more, views toward local news are not as politically polarized as Americans’ opinions about the news media overall. While Republicans and GOP-leaning independents are not quite as positive as Democrats and Democratic leaners in some of their assessments of local journalists, most Republicans still say the local media in their area are doing their jobs well.

For example, roughly three-quarters of Democrats (78%) say their local media do well at reporting news accurately, compared with about two-thirds of Republicans (66%).

By comparison, the 2022 survey found that 51% of Democrats and just 17% of Republicans say that news organizations in general do a very or somewhat good job of reporting the news accurately.

Jump to more information on views toward local news organizations.

Fewer Americans are closely following local news – and other types of news

Despite these positive views toward local news organizations, there are signs that Americans are engaging less with local journalism than they used to.

The share of Americans who say they follow local news very closely has fallen by 15 percentage points since 2016 (from 37% to 22%). Most U.S. adults still say they follow local news at least somewhat closely (66%), but this figure also has dropped in recent years.

This trend is not unique to local news – Americans’ attention to national and international news also has declined.

The local news landscape is becoming more digital

The ways in which Americans access local news are changing, reflecting an increasingly digital landscape – and matching patterns in overall news consumption habits .

Preferred pathways to local news

• Fewer people now say they prefer to get local news through a television set (32%, down from 41% who said the same in 2018).
• Americans are now more likely to say they prefer to get local news online, either through news websites (26%) or social media (23%). Both of these numbers have increased in recent years.
• Smaller shares prefer getting their local news from a print newspaper or on the radio (9% each).

Specific sources for local news

The types of sources (e.g., outlets or organizations) Americans are turning to are changing as well:

• While local television stations are still the most common source of local news beyond friends, family and neighbors, the share who often or sometimes get news there has declined from 70% to 64% in recent years.
• Online forums, such as Facebook groups or the Nextdoor app, have become a more common destination for local news: 52% of U.S. adults say they at least sometimes get local news from these types of forums, up 14 percentage points from 2018. This is on par with the percentage who get local news at least sometimes from local radio stations.
• Meanwhile, a third of Americans say they at least sometimes get local news from a daily newspaper, regardless of whether it is accessed via print, online or through a social media website – down 10 points from 2018. The share of Americans who get local news from newspapers is now roughly on par with the share who get local news from local government agencies (35%) or local newsletters or Listservs (31%).

Not only are fewer Americans getting local news from newspapers, but local daily newspapers are now more likely to be accessed online than in print.

• 31% of those who get news from daily newspapers do so via print, while far more (66%) do so digitally, whether through websites, apps, emails or social media posts that include content from the paper.
• In 2018, just over half of those who got news from local daily newspapers (54%) did so from print, and 43% did so via a website, app, email or social media site.

There is a similar move toward digital access for local TV stations, though local TV news is still mostly consumed through a TV set.

• In 2024, 62% of those getting news from local TV stations do so through a television, compared with 37% who do so through one of the digital pathways.
• An even bigger majority of local TV news consumers (76%) got that news through a TV set in 2018.

Jump to more information on how people access local news.

The financial state of local news

The turmoil for the local news industry in recent years has come with major financial challenges. Circulation and advertising revenue for newspapers have seen sharp declines in the last decade, according to our analysis of industry data , and other researchers have documented that thousands of newspapers have stopped publishing in the last two decades. There also is evidence of audience decline for local TV news stations, although advertising revenue on local TV has been more stable.

When asked about the financial state of the news outlets in their community, a majority of Americans (63%) say they think their local news outlets are doing very or somewhat well, with a third saying that they’re not doing too well or not doing well at all. This is a slightly more pessimistic view than in 2018, when 71% said their local outlets were doing well, though it is still a relatively positive assessment of the financial state of the industry.

Just 15% of Americans say they have paid or given money to any local news source in the past year – a number that has not changed much since 2018. The survey also asked Americans who did not pay for news in the past year the main reason why not. The most common explanation is that people don’t pay because they can find plenty of free local news, although young adults are more inclined to say they just aren’t interested enough in local news to pay for it.

Jump to more information on how people view the financial state of local news.

Other key findings in this report

Americans get local news about a wide variety of topics. Two-thirds or more of U.S. adults at least sometimes get news about local weather, crime, government and politics, and traffic and transportation, while smaller shares (but still at least half) say they get local news about arts and culture, the economy, schools, and sports.

Relatively few Americans are highly satisfied with the coverage they see of many topics. The survey also asked respondents who at least sometimes get each type of local news how satisfied they are with the news they get. With the exception of weather, fewer than half say they are extremely or very satisfied with the quality of the news they get about each topic. For example, about a quarter of those who consume news about their local economy (26%) say they are extremely or very satisfied with this news. Read more about different local news topics in Chapter 2.

When asked whether local journalists should remain neutral on community issues or advocate for change in the community, a majority of Americans (69%) say journalists should remain neutral, reflecting more traditional journalistic norms. However, 29% say that local journalists should be advocating for change in their communities. Younger adults are the most likely to favor advocacy by journalists: 39% of those ages 18 to 29 say that local journalists should push for change, as do 34% of those 30 to 49. Read more about Americans’ views of the role of local journalists in Chapter 4.

Americans who feel a strong sense of connection to their community are more likely to engage with local news, say that local news outlets are important to the community, and rate local media more highly overall. For example, 66% of those who say they are very attached to their community say local news outlets are extremely or very important to the well-being of their local community, compared with 46% of those who are somewhat attached and 31% of those who are not very or not at all attached to their community.

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Approach to the sense of belonging: construct for the marketing of entrepreneurships in higher education

• Open access
• Published: 20 May 2024

Cite this article

You have full access to this open access article

• Jose Luis Matarranz   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1966-8102 1 ,
• Jesús García-Madariaga   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9073-0482 1 &
• Marisol Carvajal   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9639-4136 2  

This article investigates the potential of belonging as a marketing argument, focusing on customer behaviors driven by this sense of connection with brands. This variable is explored using six robust indicators to define the sense of belonging and its relationship with customer behavior. The research was carried out in the context of Higher Education, highlighting the transformation of this area to offer continuous training and innovative skills. The article highlights the importance of incorporating belonging into marketing strategies, especially for educational institutions seeking to optimize student engagement, especially in those institutions that are the result of ventures and that have given rise to new institutions. This study reveals the sense of belonging of graduates to their institutions and highlights its importance in various sectors. Companies must strive to cultivate a sense of belonging among their customers, using marketing strategies and policies to build lasting relationships and consolidate their ventures. This latent variable has the potential to influence customer behavior and therefore deserves further study.

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

Introduction

Today, the potential of using belonging as a marketing argument lies in the ability to build meaningful relationships with consumers. When brands make consumers feel part of something bigger, they are not just selling products, they are creating experiences and emotional connections that can last over time. Belonging thus becomes an essential element to build and maintain strong relationships with customers.

In entrepreneurship, building a strong brand identity is essential. Marketing plays a crucial role in communicating this identity effectively. When entrepreneurs manage to convey an authentic and engaging narrative (Cegarra-Navarro et al., 2024 ) through marketing, the foundation is laid for the consumer's emotional connection and sense of belonging to the brand. In both entrepreneurship and marketing, creating communities around the brand is an effective strategy. Communities not only create a sense of belonging, but also facilitate direct feedback, customer loyalty, and word-of-mouth promotion (Surej & Rouxelle, 2022 ). Successful entrepreneurs use marketing strategies to encourage engagement and build strong communities.

To address these concerns in the context of entrepreneurship, it was decided to study the field of Higher Education (HE), as universities and other educational institutions seek strategies to guarantee their sustainability. In the last two decades, universities have faced globalization, which implies worldwide competition. Innovation, through new programs and methodologies, is key to standing out among institutions. To respond in a more entrepreneurial way to the growing demand for higher education, it is suggested that universities be more entrepreneurial and seek external resources, being more financially independent from states.

Large international investors intensify the purchase of national educational groups who seek high returns in a sector in full transformation. Footnote 1 Virtual schools or online courses as new forms of education stimulate entrepreneurs to invest in education and are known as “ edupreneurs ” (Lacatus & Staicuslescu, 2016 ) whose entrepreneurial motivation is passion driven towards emotional experiences and creative process (Galindo-Martín et al., 2023 ).

True financial independence for educational institutions will only be achieved if they generate the revenue necessary to maintain their activities, such as programs and degrees. Attracting students becomes a challenge, comparable to more traditional business contexts, highlighting the importance of considering pre-admission as a business process in the management of Higher Education institutions (HEi) and their rapid development of public and private together with competence of competition, high registration fees and limited government financing exert pressure on universities and institutions of higher education to embrace market-oriented relationship management strategies (Gordan et al., 2012 ). Universities are aware that strong relationships with all interested parties, including students, will help them face market challenges, face the environment in constant change and capitalize on the opportunities that these changes present. To achieve this goal, universities also use different online communication channels, including websites, email and social media channels to interact with their students (John & De Villiers, 2022 ), moreover the connection of alumni with their HEi is a multidimensional variable that can capture the complexity of student´s relationship. The connection consists of relatability, dependence and a sense of community, which combine the experiences of the students with the university services (Maulana et al., 2023 ).

Brand branding, understood as the ability of companies to generate recognition and admiration in their customers, raises questions about how it can go beyond simply being known and influence attitudes and feelings. Despite the controversies that may arise when addressing this variable as an explanatory argument for behavior, we propose future research along this line to deepen the understanding of this dynamic.

Understanding customer behavior is crucial in marketing research, and advances in technology and data analytics open new opportunities for deep insights. In this article, it is explored the inclusion of sense of belonging as a significant variable in marketing science and examine its potential impact on customer behavior toward brands and companies. Traditionally, marketing research has focused on factors such as price, quality, convenience, and promotion to influence customer decisions. However, recent advances highlight the importance of emotional and psychological drivers in customer actions. Sense of belonging, encompassing connection, identity and affiliation, emerges as a key factor in understanding customer behavior. This article seeks to integrate the sense of belonging into existing marketing models, presenting it as a valuable argument and, the sense of belonging is proposed as a useful marketing tool in HEi. To this scope, a survey was applied to these organizations, in order to integrate the sense of belonging into marketing models, given the potential to transform customer relationships with brands and companies.

In this way, the main question addressed is whether the sense of belonging can influence repurchasing decisions. The article aims to shed light on the potential use of the variable as an effective marketing tool. In marketing, continuous efforts are made to improve customer-related decision-making processes and measure variables such as perceived quality, value and satisfaction, which have become key arguments for managers. But, also the membership idea has great potential as a complement to the exhaustive list of variables that marketers, both in academia and the field, need to monitor and control as a component of the belonging. Although belonging has often been associated with customer loyalty, it goes beyond mere attitudes and represents a distinct form of behavior exhibited by highly engaged customers deeply connected to a particular company. In the context of HEi, strategies focused on promoting student identification are gaining importance, with the aim of improving student progression and engagement (Mahoney et al., 2022 ).

In summary, the current article provides information to address the following research question: how does the sense of belonging influence the repurchase intention of the alumni to return to Higher Education institutions?

However, before asking this question, it will be necessary to configure the sense of belonging variable, proposing several indicators that allow this pride to be measured. That is, the article has been developed by proposing six indicators as components of the sense of belonging and whose levels can be measured through the responses given by clients, or in this case, alumni of the HEIs. These components are: positive references, participation in events, membership in an association, following on social networks, donations to institutions and recommendation for recruitment, with the community of alumni of the institution being the one that carries out these actions in relation to your Institution.

Therefore, these considerations allow us to propose several hypotheses about the components of the sense of belonging such as:

H 1 : Positive reference is an indicator of the sense of belonging variable.

H 2 : Participation in events is an indicator of the sense of belonging variable.

H 3 : Membership to an association is an indicator of the sense of belonging variable.

H 4 : Follow up on social media is an indicator of the sense of belonging variable.

H 5 : Donation to the institution is an indicator of the sense of belonging variable.

H 6 : Recommendation for a recruiting is an indicator of the sense of belonging variable.

Theoretical framework

Today, marketing refers to customer communities and uses the concept of affiliation to create links between companies and their customers (McAlexander et al., 2002 ). Affiliation, based on pride in belonging to a brand, can be used as a strategy to retain customers and change repurchase behavior. Creating a marketing strategy based on pride, or the sense of belonging, can be one possibility among others to increase the profitability of companies and brands.

Sentiment-based marketing proposes that what customers feel about a product or brand can be used as an argument for loyalty marketing. The variable pride or sense of belonging has been studied from points of view based on psychology or sociology, but to date there are no relevant references that include the sense of belonging as a useful tool for marketing studies. On the other hand, in the education context some researches begin to point out that a strong social presence should be created in online learning communities (Swan,  2003 ; Swan et al., 2009 ), in which a sense of belonging and connection develops and strengthens the motivation and involvement of students (Lee, 2021 ). Online cooperation with other students gives a feeling of belonging to a group” and this element is valued higher, incredibly, by students with a low level of academic performance than by those who obtain better results (Arsenijević et al., 2023 ).

Communities tend to identify themselves based on similarity or identification among their members (neighbourhood, occupation, taste, or devotion to a brand) (McAlexander et al., 2002 ). Assuming that a sense of belonging develops in a market community, what effects would the sense of belonging have on customer behavior? Would a sense of belonging influence repurchase behavior?

Repurchase as a consequence of a sense of belonging is a fascinating phenomenon in consumer behavior. When customers feel emotionally connected, valued, and part of a community associated with a brand, they are more likely to choose to make a repeat purchase. The sense of belonging creates deep-rooted loyalty, where identification with the brand goes beyond the commercial transaction. This loyalty based on emotional and social connection can translate into repeat purchasing decisions, contributing significantly to the sustained success of a company. Repurchase, in this context, becomes a tangible indicator of the strength and depth of the relationship between the brand and the consumer, highlighting the strategic importance of cultivating a sense of belonging in marketing strategies.

Belonging is a concept that has not been widely discussed or researched. The literature on the concept is scarce and much of it is narrative rather than empirical (Hagerty et al., 1992 ). Membership involves the recognition and acceptance of one member by another member of a group (Anant, 1966 ).

Although academic literature has explored belonging as an influential variable in human behavior from the perspectives of psychology and sociology (Bachrach & Zautra, 1985 ; Doolittle & MacDonald, 1978 ; Hillery, 1955 ; Kasarda & Janowitz, 1974 ; McMillan & Chavis, 1986 :9), has rarely been approached from an economic perspective. The connection between the sense of belonging and repeat purchase, evidenced by brands that generate loyalty through a pride of belonging, has been scarcely explored in economic terms. Academic literature cites the need to identify as many uses of the concept as possible; an initial stage of concept analysis (Walker & Avant, 2005 ). Belonging can be considered from psychological, sociological, physical, or even spiritual perspectives. Anant ( 1966 ) pointed out that belonging, from a psychological point of view, is an internal affective or evaluative feeling or perception. It is the feeling of belonging when a person perceives themselves valued by an external reference, experiencing an adjustment between themselves and that reference. Sociologically, it implies affiliation to significant groups or systems, observable through behaviors such as participation in a group or social networks.

This component of belonging, closely linked to educational institutions, connects students and alumni with them. In addition to the sociological aspect, belonging encompasses physical possession, including objects, people, or places (Hagerty et al., 1992 ). This concept aligns with the corporate brand approach (Curtis et al., 2009 ), where brands, in addition to connecting with users, must foster belonging through interaction and engagement. This engagement can be achieved through content tailored to specific groups (Lasorsa et al., 2012 ), such as future students (Rutter et al., 2016 ). Thus, pride, in terms of the emotional connection that some brands generate in consumers, is essential. Brands like Harley-Davidson exemplify this pride, evident in owners' strong emotional connection to these recognizable motorcycles. This sense of belonging and pride extends to other brands in different sectors, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche, being used strategically in customer relationship marketing.

Pride of ownership marketing goes beyond relationship marketing which, when it first appeared, was a business idea that earned the favour and loyalty of customers by satisfying their wants and needs (Berry, 1995 ).

Therefore, in order to frame the concept of belonging, there are also references for this works as Strayhorn ( 2018 ) defined: "In university terms, sense of belonging refers to the social support perceived by students on campus, a feeling or sense of connection, and the experience of caring or feeling cared for, accepted, respected, valued, and important." For the campus community or others on campus, such as faculty, staff, and peers" and other definitions have emerged from the reflections of scholars, as a feeling validated by students through program design and interactions with peers and faculty (Santangelo et al., 2022 ; Santa-Ramirez, 2022 ).

Pride of belonging: the theory of community feeling

In Hillery ( 1955 ) the first definitions of community and group cohesion appeared. From 1955 to the second decade of the twenty-first century, the idea of community has changed a lot. McMillan and Chavis ( 1986 :9) defined belonging as a feeling of community: "a feeling that members care about each other and the group, and a shared belief that members' needs will be met by their commitment to being together."

Previously, other authors had developed Sense of Community Scales (SCS) such as:

Doolittle and MacDonald ( 1978 ) designed a 40-item scale to measure communicative behaviors and attitudes at the community or neighbourhoods’ level of social organization.

Glynn ( 1981 ) designed a questionnaire distributed to randomly selected members of the Division of Community Psychology of the American Psychological Association.

Bachrach and Zautra ( 1985 ) and Kasarda and Janowitz ( 1974 ) developed a measure with seven items: feeling at home in the community, agreement with the values and beliefs of the community, satisfaction with the community, feeling of belonging to the community, interest in what happens. in the community, feeling an important part of the community and attachment to the community. The authors found this scale to be internally consistent.

A sense of belonging, although intrinsically powerful in its ability to forge emotional and social connections, can be a temporary and highly context-sensitive phenomenon (Dost & Mazzoli, 2023 ). The ephemeral nature of this feeling manifests itself in specific situations or moments in which people experience a momentary connection with a brand, community, or group. Factors such as events, marketing campaigns, or changes in the environment can influence the intensity and duration of the sense of belonging. Furthermore, sensitivity to context means that what creates belonging at one time may not be equally effective at another. This dynamic nuance highlights the importance for companies to understand the temporality of belonging and adapt marketing and engagement strategies based on changes in the environment and the changing needs of consumers.

To develop the sense of belonging applied to marketing we will take as a reference the pride of belonging of the graduates, a good starting point to build a model based on the sense of belonging in a HEi, which could be in professional schools. The authors Gruen et al. ( 2000 ) conceptualized and empirically examined the relationship-building efforts of professional associations, which are the provision of basic services, rewards for contributions, dissemination of organizational knowledge, member interdependence-enhancing activities, and dependence on external requirements of membership.

In line with this theme, the commitment relationship between alumni and IES reinforces the importance of strengthening aspects related to a weak alumni culture (Pedro et al., 2021 ). HE providers must adopt customer-centric, service-oriented tactics and actions and must earn the trust and loyalty of customers from their marketing practices (John & De Villiers, 2022 ), the result of which can also be the alumni membership development.

It is also theorized that three components of commitment: affective, permanence, and normative differentially mediate the correlation between associations' relationship-building efforts and their members' relational behaviors (member retention, exchange-based participation, and exchange-based co-production). cooperation) (Gruen et al., 2000 ).

In the HE context, there are multiple forms of membership and membership organizations; professional associations provide an interesting and important context for developing and testing theories about membership relations, some of them very similar to an alumni organization, for example. These relationships are characterized by a formalized agreement that includes regular payment of dues and annual membership renewal. Members choose their level of participation and consumption of the benefits offered by the association (Gruen et al., 2000 ).

Also, if a former student is a follower of a social network (X-before Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Tik-Tok), it can be assumed that there is a link and interest in the institution: a feeling of belonging, without a doubt. The importance of social networks as a platform for social interaction, communication and marketing is evident today. More and more companies in various sectors have already integrated or plan to integrate social media applications into their marketing programs. Institutions are showing growing interest in the potential of social networks as a marketing tool (Constantinides & Stagno, 2011 ).

On the other hand, some authors have studied how social networks influence teacher-student relationships within educational institutions (Arteaga-Sánchez et al., 2014 ; Roblyer et al., 2010 ).

Aaker et al. ( 2004 ) have made significant contributions to the understanding of brand-consumer relationships and sense of belonging. Their research has explored how people develop emotional connections with brands and how these connections affect consumer behavior. Similarly, Muniz and O’Guinn ( 2001 ) have addressed the construction of brand communities and how these communities contribute to the consumer's sense of belonging. They have highlighted the importance of consumer interactions and participation in forming online communities that reinforce brand loyalty.

Cornwell ( 2020 ) focuses on the connection between sense of belonging and sports marketing. His studies have shown how identification with sports teams and events can generate a strong sense of belonging and loyalty among consumers. Finally, Nardini et al. ( 2022 ) have explored how community-based marketing strategies can influence consumer sense of belonging. Their work highlights the importance of creating shared brand experiences that strengthen emotional ties to the brand.

Our research develops the pride of belonging to an institution, considering that it can be built on six components: WOM, presence at events, membership in an association of the institution, recommendation for recruitment, financial support and following on social networks of some platforms. of the institution.

Components of the sense of belonging

With the advent of social media, customer relationship management strategies have changed, and companies have been forced to consider new ways of interacting with their consumers and customers. Although sense of belonging and other behaviours related to human pride have been described to a large extent by some disciplines (psychology, sociology, politics), this concept has been little addressed by companies and even less by marketing.

By developing the sense of belonging in this research, we aim to demonstrate that, through pride of belonging to styles, fashions and brands, companies can encourage repurchase in their customers. This is in line with our objective: to model repurchase behaviour through pride of ownership in HE institutions. The review literature and the state of the art show some ideas that we will apply to define the sense of belonging variable and model it: among them, we can highlight word of mouth, membership in associations, following institutions on social media, collaboration with non-profit causes, recommendation of grantees to hire, etc.

Thus, following the first study on belonging-based marketing, the construct of sense of belonging based on the following components, which can be measured in the survey, has been used and studied in different researches. Matarranz ( 2021 ) points out the components of the sense of belonging variable of alumni of HEi and the references related to the components.

Moreover, the authors, Hsu et al. ( 2015 ) highlighted the importance of satisfied alumni in providing financial support to their educational institutions, creating employment opportunities for subsequent graduates, and engaging in positive word-of-mouth communication.

The components identified by Matarranz ( 2021 ) are discussed in more detail below:

Word of mouth (WOM)

Word of mouth plays a crucial role in the relationship between students, graduates and potential applicants to a university or college (Alves & Raposo, 2007 ; Athiyaman, 1997 ; Bean & Bradley, 1986 ; Hsu et al., 2015 ; McAlexander & Koenig, 2001 ). Like employees in labour organisations, university students share membership criteria and interact frequently with other members of the institution (Bean & Bradley, 1986 ).

Alves and Raposo ( 2007 ) suggest that high levels of student satisfaction lead to favourable word-of-mouth communication, such as recommending programmes or returning as graduate students. These behaviours align with a graduate's pride or sense of belonging requirements. They also argued that student satisfaction influences loyalty and positive word-of-mouth actions. Satisfied students tend to show loyalty to their institution and engage in positive word-of-mouth actions (Athiyaman, 1997 ). It is important to note that satisfaction directly influences word-of-mouth actions and not only indirectly (Alves & Raposo, 2007 ).

Social media network (SNS) monitoring

The use of online marketing, in particular social media marketing has gained significant attention in HE marketing (Brech et al., 2017 ; Constantinides & Stagno, 2011 ,  2012 ; Kuzma & Wright, 2013 ; Leng, 2012 ; Palmer, 2013 ; Rekhter, 2012 ; Rutter et al., 2016 ; Sandlin & Peña, 2014 ). Most universities have a presence on at least one social media platform, with Facebook and Twitter being the most widely used platforms (Brech et al., 2017 ). Universities usually have a main Facebook page to target various interest groups, such as potential students, current students, and alumni. In addition, specific brand pages are also established (Brech et al., 2017 ).

Universities use social media platforms to increase the authenticity of their recruitment marketing materials. For example, student-written blogs are used on admissions websites to provide authentic experiences and views about campus life, thereby fostering connection and identification with university students by prospective students (Sandlin & Peña, 2014 ). The authenticity of blogs is perceived when student bloggers share personal details and feelings about campus life, even when the main topic is admissions and university-related activities.

Sandlin and Peña ( 2014 ) highlighted the role of connection and identification with university students in shaping prospective students' expectations and feelings of belonging during the university search process. Several studies have explored the use of social media channels, including Twitter, by universities for purposes such as marketing, student recruitment, student support and communication with alumni (Kimmons et al., 2017 ; Lackovic et al., 2017 ; Palmer, 2013 ; Ricoy & Feliz, 2016 ; Sarwar et al., 2019 ; Tur & Marn, 2015 ). However, in our research, we focus specifically on the role of social media as a marketing and communication tool with alumni according to Table  1 .

If interaction with social media networks prior to student recruitment fosters an early sense of pride in belonging to the university (Rutter et al., 2016 ), it is reasonable to assume that the feeling of belonging should persist as students complete their studies and become alumni, while maintaining interaction with the university's social media network.

These components of word of mouth and social media network monitoring contribute to our understanding of the feeling of belonging and its relationship to repurchase intention in the context of higher education institutions.

Event participants and social life

Social life emerges as a dimension to measure the satisfaction of university students and for most students, social life is an important and satisfying activity at university (Betz et al., 1970 ) and, therefore, students who view their social life positively are expected to be more satisfied with their university experience (Bean & Bradley, 1986 ). Betz et al. ( 1970 ) included as social life opportunities to achieve socially relevant goals, such as dating, meeting compatible or interesting people, making friends, participating in campus events and informal social activities. The role that a sense of belonging plays in educational contexts and living environments is essential. Involvement experiences reveal how students' sense of belonging can be inspired or diminished, such as when they run for office in student government or pledge a sorority (Strayhorn, 2018 ), and in general a sense of belonging should be considered to be present when students participate in social events and engage in the social life of their universities (Astin, 1984; Bean & Bradley, 1986 ; Mael & Asforth, 1992 ; Strayhorn, 2018 ; Wolf-Wendel et al., 2009 ).

Student engagement refers to both academic and social (e.g., extracurricular) activities: the investment of physical and psychological energy in different objects or activities, occurring along a continuum (Strayhorn, 2018 ). Activities such as "working on campus, living on campus, interacting with peers, being a member of clubs, and socialising with faculty members are types of engagement that are measured according to Engagement Theory" (Wolf-Wendel et al., 2009 ).

In relation to the feeling of belonging, engagement is conceptually distinguished in at least two ways according to Strayhorn ( 2018 ):

Engagement refers to the amount of time and effort students devote to their academic responsibilities, such as studies, and to other activities, such as sports and clubs "that lead to the experience and outcomes that constitute student success" (Wolf-Wendel et al., 2009 ).

Engagement refers to how institutions invest resources and structure learning opportunities to "encourage students to participate in and benefit from such activities" (Wolf-Wendel, et al., 2009 ).

Involvement in the social life of the university is positively associated with students' sense of belonging to the university, according to the positive correlations found between students' participation in campus activity (e.g. working on a committee/organisation) and their perception of campus support and belonging (Astin, 1984 ; Strayhorn, 2018 ). All of this development is based on students' participation and engagement during their time at the institution and as undergraduates. However, we will try to apply this idea to alumni and how they could also get involved and participate in some university activities for them, as a sign of belonging.

Membership of alumni associations

There are many forms of membership and membership organizations (Bhattarcharya et al., 1995 ; Gruen et al., 2000 ; Mael & Asforth, 1992 ; Newman & Petrosko, 2011 ; Strayhorn, 2018 ; Stuart, 2009 ). These relationships are characterised by a formalised agreement that includes the payment of regular dues and an annual renewal of membership (Gruen et al., 2000 ).

Identification is defined as the "perception of belonging to an organisation" of which the person is a member. Alumni, as future customers, in their role as members, identify with organisations (Bhattarcharya et al., 1995 ). The latter authors pointed out that organisations can resort to more direct strategies to ensure identification by consumers: for example, non-profit organisations, such as museums, try to create identification by attracting consumers "to themselves" by making them members. The phenomenon of identification also occurs in the case of an organisation's employees as in the case of alumni of an educational institution according to some organisational researchers such as (Dutton et al., 1994 ; Dutton & Dukerich, 1991 ; Mael & Asforth, 1992 ; O'Reilly & Chatman, 1986 ).

Mael and Asforth ( 1992 ) stated that when a person identifies with an organisation, they perceive a sense of connection to it and define themselves in terms of the organisation. The existence of both formal and informal alumni organisations in American educational institutions dates back to the early nineteenth century (Brubacher, 2017 ). For the alumnus, continued affiliation with the alma mater often provides intellectual stimulation, prestige, identity stability and a vehicle for altruistic or tax-motivated giving (Pickett, 1986 ), while alumni provide various types of support: financial donations, recruitment, career counselling or job placement for graduates, participation in alumni events, and volunteer support for funding applications and organisational events (Mael & Asforth, 1992 ).

Authors Mael and Asforth ( 1992 ), together with the other authors cited above, explained that affiliation entails several affiliation behaviours included in our variable, such as: financial support, recruitment, career counselling or job placement for graduates, which are described below.

Grants for institutional development

In recent decades, HEi increasingly consider their alumni as valuable sources of both information and financial support (Cabrera et al., 2005 ; Gaier, 2005 ; Hsu et al., 2015 ; Mael & Asforth, 1992 ; Volkwein, 2010 ; Weerts & Ronca, 2008 ). Since the 1980s, more and more campuses have been using alumni surveys to assess the impact of the university experience on students' cognitive and non-cognitive development (Cabrera et al., 2005 ). It has been said that alumni are the financial backbone of educational organisations (Bakal, 1979 ) and that "few constituents are more important to an institution than its alumni" (Ransdell, 1985 ).

However, positive experiences with institutions are not enough to drive alumni financial support; the most important indicators are: age, family, income, vocational and educational background, current job duties and responsibilities, board membership in profit and non-profit organisations, honours, achievements, publications, creative works, leisure activities and hobbies, spouse's vocational and educational background, board membership, activities, achievements and awards, as well as age and schooling of children and grandchildren (Cabrera et al., 2005 ).

Consistent with this argument, Weerts and Ronca ( 2008 ) also suggested that ability variables related to gender, residence and general civic engagement tend to predict alumni donors. Donor alumni often play important roles as volunteers and political advocates.

In recent years, HE institutions increasingly treat their alumni as sources of valuable information and financial support (Volkwein, 2010 ). Hsu et al. ( 2015 ) referred to alumni satisfaction as a factor related to financial support. Satisfied alumni can help educational institutions financially (Gaier, 2005 ).

Recommending the recruitment of scholarship holders

A sign of belonging is the belief that the best professionals a recruiter can hire as employees for a company have studied at the same university or college as the recruiter (Hsu et al., 2015 ; McAlexander & Koenig, 2001 ; Volkwein, 2010 ; Weerts & Ronca, 2008 ). Alumni can offer good prospects for academic asset programmes and are often used as mentors in student recruitment (Volkwein, 2010 ).

McAlexander and Koenig ( 2001 ) noted that satisfied alumni generate a positive word-of-mouth effect and provide jobs for subsequent graduates. Alumni volunteers also provide other important services, such as mentors, recruiters and leaders of alumni clubs that raise the profile of the institution in their areas (Weerts & Ronca, 2008 ). If the recruiter had a good experience during the stay at your university and considers the level of knowledge acquired to be high, he/she will select a graduate from your institution. This criterion would be related to the feeling of belonging that we want to investigate in this paper.

The importance of alumni is great in this role, as they can provide a more objective view and better assess the appropriateness of curricula to job requirements (Hsu et al., 2015 ).

The literature shows that sense of belonging can be used in two circumstances. On the one hand, Strayhorn's ( 2018 ) sense of belonging theory refers to the student's academic success (Cisneros et al., 2019 ) and, on the other hand, the sense of belonging is prolonged after the stay at the university if alumni satisfaction is high (Hsu et al., 2015 ).

And so, after leaving the university, alumni may continue to maintain a relationship with the institution through cooperation by offering internships to students, offering employment to recent graduates, or cooperating in research projects (Dlacic et al., 2014 ), beyond WOM as a cause of loyalty (Alves & Raposo, 2007 ; Hsu et al., 2015 ).

To address this question, in this study we suggest breaking down the sense of belonging into six parts. We suggest that these parts would represent alumni behaviours and attitudes that can be applied to marketing of HEi.

In short, we hope that a sense of belonging will become an important issue in a sector such as HE, where links between alumni themselves and between alumni and their institutions can grow and be maintained over time. We believe that this topic will be very important for entrepreneurial projects for new higher education institutions that will try to link alumni so that they want to return to the institutions.

Methodology

To design the belonging variable and its explanation for this paper, the HE context has been used. Research conducted in three HEi sought to link the repurchase intention variable through alumni's sense of belonging. The introduction of pride in belonging or sense of belonging as a model variable for the research is because we believe it can explain some behaviours related to repurchase intention.

The consolidation of all the data allowed us to obtain a sample of 359 participants. Three universities participated in this research by organising a survey of their graduates (one Spanish, one American and one Colombian higher education institution).

The fieldwork was carried out in three universities by means of a survey sent to alumni of the institutions: in Spain, the United States and Colombia. A total of 359 responses were received, enough responses for the number of relationships that have been proposed in the model.

The questionnaire consists of three parts. The first one is divided in four blocks, one block for each of the independent latent variables that are integrated into the model: quality service perception (20 questions), perceived value (6 questions), satisfaction (8 questions) and sense of belonging (6 questions). To answer these questions, a Likert scale from 1 to 7 is used, considering that 1 represents total disagreement or that the probability that it occurs is 0% and 7 represents a total agreement or that the probability that it happen is 100%.

Method of analysis

The tool for this study is PLS-SEM for a multivariant analysis, and SmartPLS was the software used. The sense of belonging variable was constructed with six indicators, as explained above: WOM (SOB1), participations in events of the institution (SOB2), membership in institutional associations (SOB3), following in social networks (SOB4), donations for the institution (SOB5) and recruitment of grantees for the companies themselves (SOB6).

The first step in this research was to check the external loading factors of the reflective indicators of the sense of belonging variable. The indicator will remain part of the variable if its loading factor is higher than 0.7 (Carmines & Zeller, 1979 ), but a loading factor higher than 0.6 can also be considered part of the variable measure (Bagozzi & Yi, 1988 ).

For the research, the tool based on PLS analysis was used to determine which indicators can be included in the sense of belonging variable. The conditions of the PLS technique require a prior analysis of the measurement of the model and its variables, showing the relationships between the latent variables and their measurements (indicators).

This work has its origin in a model that includes other variables also linked to repurchase intention. This model included perceived quality, perceived value, student satisfaction and sense of belonging to study how they influence students' intention to repurchase their educational institutions.

The research used as a reference for this article was a reflective analysis of the measurement model that included: the calculation of internal consistency reliability, convergent validity (examining the external landings of the indicators to determine the average variance extracted (AVE) of each construct) and discriminant validity (Fornell-Larcker criterion) (Hair et al., 2017 ) (Fig.  1 ). 

Source: Matarranz ( 2021 )

General study model.

However, the scope of this article will only be the calculation of the factor loadings for the sense of belonging variable. This first step will be a validation of the quality of the measure using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The variable to be assessed is valid when its indicators measure what it is really intended to measure and involves considering two types of validations: content and convergent, the former depending on the researcher's criteria and the latter related to the shared variance of the indicators for the latent variable (Aldás & Uriel, 2017 ).

To test whether the convergent validity of a model measuring pride of belonging is good, the mean of the standardised factor loadings should be around 0.7 or higher (Hair et al., 2017 ) and each one separately should be above 0.6 (Bagozzi & Yi, 1988 ). In the PLS, item reliability is assessed by examining the loadings and all of them exceeded the recommended threshold of 0.7 (Carmines & Zeller, 1979 ). On the other hand, the average variance extracted (AVE) of the indicators for the latent variable should be greater than 0.5 (Fornell & Larcker, 1981 ).

Another aspect to take into account in these indicators is their internal consistency (as part of the reliability of the tool), which can be assessed using Cronbachs' alpha and the composite reliability coefficient (CR), as defined (Aldás & Uriel, 2017 ).

Figure  2 and Tables 2 and 3 show the results of the external load indicators and the CA, RC and AVE that have been obtained for the case studied.

Source: Own elaboration

Reflective indicators of the sense of belonging variable.

These results obtained through the PLS-SEM model, using SmartPLS, in a first evaluation yielded the convergent validity of the proposed model: since all the indicators that are part of the variable and the mean of the extracted variable (AVE) were values above 0.7 or very close to it (Carmines & Zeller, 1979 ; Hair et al., 2017 ), which would allow explaining more than 50% of the variance of the variable. Cronbach's Alpha, as a measure of internal consistency, and the composite reliability obtained will also serve to confirm the validity of the model for the measurement of this construct (Hair et al., 2017 ; Martínez Avila & Fierro Moreno, 2018 ). Therefore, these results allow us not to reject the hypotheses proposed above. Initially, for this work, the six planned components can be considered as possible parts of the sense of belonging that can be used to predict repurchase in the context of HE.

Conclusions and discussion

This study focuses on measuring alumni's sense of belonging to their institutions and highlights the importance of this variable in various sectors. Sense of belonging has been related to Psychology and Sociology over time, but we intend that the sense of belonging can be associated with products, services or brands that have meaning for customers, providing them with status, differentiation, emotional ties, and loyalty to the client.

The indicators used to construct the sense of belonging variable may vary depending on the circumstances and nature of the customer-company relationship. This study aims that sense of belonging can be hold by six indicators: WOM, social media network (SNS) monitoring, event participants and social life, membership of alumni associations, grants for institutional development and recommending the recruitment of scholarship holders.

While different indicators may be required for specific relationships, some aspects should be universally represented when measuring ownership. These include following the brand or company on social media, participating in brand-sponsored events or being a member of brand clubs. Therefore, incorporating some of these indicators into the measurement of belonging sense is often advisable.

Sense of belonging can be a valuable approach to marketing as it aligns with the objectives of building customer loyalty and encouraging repeat purchases. As a driver, belonging can contribute to customer profitability. Therefore, companies should focus on fostering a sense of belonging among their customers. Managers can drive this objective through their marketing strategies and policies, thereby building long-lasting customer relationships.

Different industries and sectors can benefit from measuring sense of belonging, as higher levels of ownership are often associated with higher customer repurchase and retention. However, specific considerations will arise depending on the sector and the benefits that customers derive. For example, the benefits offered by banks or insurance companies may differ from those associated with brands in the automotive industry. Sense of belonging may also be influenced by factors such as the origin of the company and how customers can identify with it. These points highlight the need for further studies and research to explore the various aspects of belonging over time.

Equally, entrepreneurial projects or new business can gain more profitable if they get that customers are loyalty, and they have developed certain sense of belonging to the companies. Different factors can influence the sense of belonging, and investigating these factors can provide valuable information.

In conclusion, this research was focused on understanding alumni behaviour and proposes the sense of belonging as a predictive variable in marketing. The study establishes the internal consistency and validity of the variable using multivariate analysis techniques. Sense of belonging is defined by six indicators, five of which exceed the recommended threshold of 0.7 in the analysis of a sample of 359 respondents.

Sense of belonging is a latent variable that holds potential for studying customer behaviour. As marketing science continues to explore customer-company interactions, understanding the role of belonging can offer insights into loyalty and repurchase. While this study focuses on the HE sector, and the unique relationship between students and institutions, similar attitudes, preferences, and communication tools can be applied in other sectors, particularly where there is a long-standing customer-company relationship, high perceived value, and a sense of differentiation.

Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate these indicators in the evaluation of the variable for other studies in which a certain sense of belonging can be measured with all or, one of the six indicators shown in this article.

Limitations and future lines of research

The fieldwork that serves as the basis for this article, although it has an international dimension, was limited to three institutions, which is a limitation as a basis for the study. This would give rise to the application of similar models to those used in other educational institutions. Furthermore, it raises the possibility of further exploring new dimensions of this sense, or pride of belonging and how it can be used in other areas. Brands such as Ferrari or Harley-Davison have managed to develop customer pride in the brand over time and the management of this effect on the customer could be positive. The development of this concept we believe can be useful, above all, to take initiatives that seek to foster the links and bonds of belonging of customers towards companies or service provider brands, mainly as an economically profitable decision, which helps the financial sustainability of these.

In this research, the variable sense of belonging has been modelled with six indicators or components that allow us to understand it. The components are a set of behaviors related to Alumni and we admit that others could be used for the model of this variable. However, given that some of our components are closely linked to new Marketing trends, such as the monitoring of social networks or WOM and, on the other hand, others are classic arguments of human behavior (membership, donation, recommendation…), we argue that using these components in future research will be interesting.

And finally, we hope that some entrepreneurial projects can obtain advantages since of a first moment if they can detect the following of customers in social media or membership for customer clubs.

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Marketing: Stop Creating So Much Content

One thing is clear: the B2B buying journey is increasingly resembling its B2C counterpart. With B2B buyers spending a significant portion of their time online, the temptation for marketers to flood the digital sphere with content is strong.

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Successful content must withstand scrutiny from three critical factors: search engines, social sharing platforms, and trust. To truly make an impact, content must not only be optimized for search engine visibility but also be compelling and shareable across social media channels. Communities and networks matter. Additionally, trust is paramount – content must be credible, reliable, and resonate with the audience, on a persona level, to establish and maintain trustworthiness.

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• Unduplicable Content: In the current digital age, marked by an unprecedented surge in online content largely fueled by AI-generated material, the synergy between human creativity, in the form of thought leadership, and AI capabilities has never been more critical. Thought leadership , characterized by original, insightful, and forward-thinking content, distinguishes itself in a sea of generic and often repetitive information. While AI can swiftly generate vast quantities of content, it’s the human touch that infuses it with authenticity and nuanced understanding. As AI continues to streamline content creation, making it more accessible and abundant, the challenge for individuals and organizations is to produce content that is unduplicable—content that resonates on a deeper level, offering unique perspectives and fostering trust and engagement among audiences.
• Leverage Rich Industry Insights: In today’s information-driven world, B2B buyers crave content that is backed by credible research and insights. By leveraging the latest industry research , you can create content that not only educates but also positions your brand as a trusted authority in your field. From white papers to interactive tools, there are various formats you can utilize to deliver valuable insights to your audience.

For example, consider partnering with a reputable research firms like IDC to develop content that is grounded in unbiased data and analysis. Here are a few successful tools we use:

IDC InfoBrief – A source for data-driven insights presented in a visually captivating format! Dive into essential audience data derived from published and primary research, all expertly analyzed by IDC analysts. Whether it’s market trends or technology analysis, each InfoBrief provides a high-level assessment of audience needs and strategic recommendations for technology adoption.

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Content marketing services play a crucial role in building and nurturing your customer connections through the creation and distribution of valuable, relevant, and consistent content. The goal is to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, ultimately driving profitable customer action.

Content marketing services should focus on understanding the audience’s needs and interests to develop a strategic content plan that includes a mix of formats such as blogs, videos, infographics, and case studies. By providing content that educates, informs, and entertains, businesses can establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry, build trust with their audience, and support their overall digital marketing strategy. Effective content marketing services are about telling a brand’s story in a way that resonates with the target audience, encouraging engagement, and fostering long-term relationships.

To truly captivate B2B buyers in today’s digital landscape, marketers must shift their focus from quantity to quality. So, before hitting the publish button on your next piece of content, take a step back and ask yourself: does this add genuine value to my audience? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track to success in your B2B digital marketing.

Learn More About IDC’s:

Content Marketing Practice

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,200 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives.

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