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Corporate Brand Management: Aligning Core Values, Strategic Vision, Corporate Culture and Image

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CORPORATE BRAND ALIGNMENT 1
Corporate Brand Management: Aligning Core Values, Strategic Vision, Corporate Culture and Image.

Abstract
Although the importance of corporate brand alignment is generally recognised, only a limited number of tools are available to assess and manage corporate brands proactively. In this article the
Vision, Culture and Image (VCI) method by Hatch and Schultz (2001) was used to assess corporate brand alignment. The main research objective was to investigate the role of core values in gaps identified using the model. An alternative model, with core values at the centre of the VCI model is proposed. Data was collected in a manufacturing organisation in the Netherlands. A selected group of
39 employees …show more content…

Hatch and Schultz’s (2001) method depitcs a process that is focused on the cohesion and consistency between the three elements: strategic vision, corporate culture and the image. They noticed during their work at LEGO and British Airways, that a strong cohesion between all three elements is vital for effective corporate branding (Hatch and Schultz, 2001). Hatch and Schultz (2001) state that inadequate or faulty alignment of these three factors is in many cases an indicator for poor or faulty brand management and branding.
Hatch and Schultz (2001) call this corporate branding approach the VCI method. The key for a strong corporate brand are closed or small gaps between vision, culture and image. The relations between strategic vision, corporate culture and the image are key problem areas for corporate branding, e.g. relations must be monitored and maintained for effective corporate branding (Hatch and
Schultz, 2001).
Firgure 1: Hatch and Schultz’s VCI method
CORPORATE BRAND ALIGNMENT 5
Core Value Approach
Another theory that approaches corporate branding is based on core values. Urde (2003) speaks about core value based corporate brand building. Urde (2003) describes that well established and maintained core values influence all kinds of decisions varying from product related matters to internal or external

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