Systems Theory And Agile Brand Management

"Brands started out as communication tools to influence the image of companies or products (inside- out thinking) but have developed into channels of social forces. Powerful brands impact not just customer decisions, but also markets and social institutions, such as fashion trends, city life or even social movements. This book explores the implications of Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems for the theory and practice of agile brand management, in particular highlighting the central role of brand aesthetics and of brands as channels for mutual education between companies and consumers. Since the rise of social media, "perfect" brands have become the mirror of community values as the communities themselves develop brand content. Brands themselves become "living systems" and evolve like systems do. The author introduces systems theory to provide a conceptual framework which integrates the different views of branding: inside-out and outside-in thinking. This Luhmannian theory of branding is discussed against the current background of (western) societies, which are undergoing a broad shift from hard to soft selling within marketing, influenced by social media. The book is not about whether closed systems analysis and discussion can or should replace traditional management, moreover it emphasizes the fruitful insights and demonstrates that the power of management is limited and should be extended by looking at the means of closed systems. This book will be of primary value to scholars with an interest in systems theory and thinking, brand theory and management. The interdisciplinary approach also makes the book a valuable resource for those researching change management, agile management, and sociology"--

Brands started out as communication tools to influence the image of companies or products (inside-out thinking) but have developed into channels of social forces. Powerful brands impact not just customer decisions but also markets and social institutions, such as fashion trends, city life, or even social movements. This book explores the implications of Niklas Luhmann’s theory of social systems for the theory and practice of agile brand management, in particular highlighting the central role of brand aesthetics and of brands as channels for mutual education between companies and consumers. Since the rise of social media, “perfect” brands have become the mirror of community values as the communities themselves develop brand content. Brands themselves become “living systems” and evolve like systems do. The author introduces systems theory to provide a conceptual framework that integrates the different views of branding: inside-out and outside-in thinking. This Luhmannian theory of branding is discussed against the current background of (Western) societies, which are undergoing a broad shift from hard to soft selling in marketing, influenced by social media. The book is not about whether closed systems analysis and discussion can or should replace traditional management; moreover, it emphasizes the fruitful insights and demonstrates that the power of management is limited and should be extended by looking at the means of closed systems. This book will be of primary value to scholars with an interest in systems theory and thinking, brand theory, and management. The interdisciplinary approach also makes the book a valuable resource for those researching change management, agile management, and sociology.

It is well understood that many business operations are evolving to fit within the mold of society’s technological advancement. This is no different for marketing. While there are indicators proving the evolution of marketing, there are still many questions that must be addressed when examining the changes made to the field: whether this evolution will force new tactics, whether it will be reduced to technological tools, and more. These questions must be answered in order to allow organizations to be more customer-oriented and competitive. Promoting Organizational Performance Through 5G and Agile Marketing provides knowledge and skills to allow readers the ability to understand the evolution and trends of marketing, as well as its implications in organizations and customer relationships. It consolidates concepts introduced in recent years and examines possible opportunities to broaden the breadth of marketing, demonstrating its interdisciplinarity. Covering topics such as loyalty programs, brand attachment, and purchase intention, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for business leaders and executives, brand managers, IT managers, marketers, communications professionals, students and faculty of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

In the rapidly changing business world, only a small percentage of firms are able to survive and prosper despite recessions, industrial evolutions and economic changes. An often-asked question is: What determines a firm’s sustainable competitive advantage? One of the most popular competitive strategies is partnering with other firms. So: How do firms make intelligent and informed decisions when it comes to selecting business partners, to utilizing available resources and capabilities in partnerships, and to managing relations to maximize partnership benefits? This book studies 300 firms across various industries, providing readers with a comprehensive view of how firms develop sustainable competitive advantages by establishing business partnerships. Young academics and experienced researchers alike will find solid theoretical foundations and fresh business insights.

This book targets the critical issue of decision making in uncertain conditions and situations. The aim is to increase readers’ understanding of complexity and of socio-economic interactions through the application of systems thinking perspectives. Among the various areas and topics addressed are complexity and sustainable management, markets as complex adaptive systems, the impacts of psychological and emotional factors upon value co-creation exchanges, and ICT enablers of service network performance and service exchange fulfillment. Thanks to the chosen perspectives, all of which are based on different systems research streams, the book will support more consistent and robust decisions, leading to sustainable, wise, and viable systems dynamics. It will aid managers, practitioners, and consultants in their decision-making processes and will also be of interest for academics and scholars in management, systems, computer science, engineering, and marketing.

Transform your organization using Agile principles with this proven framework The Six Disciplines of Agile Marketing provides a proven framework for applying Agile principles and processes to marketing. Written by celebrated consultant Jim Ewel, this book provides a concise, approachable, and adaptable strategy for the implementation of Agile in virtually any marketing organization. The Six Disciplines of Agile Marketing discusses six key areas of practical concern to the marketer who hopes to adopt Agile practices in their organization. They include: Aligning the team on common goals Structuring the team for greater efficiency Implementing processes like Scrum and Kanban in marketing Validated Learning Adapting to Change Creating Remarkable Customer Experiences The Six Disciplines of Agile Marketing also discusses four shifts in beliefs and behaviors necessary to achieving an Agile transformation in marketing organizations. They include: A shift from a focus on outputs to one based on outcomes A shift from a campaign mentality to one based on continuous improvement A shift from an internal focus to a customer focus A shift from top-down decisions to de-centralized decisions Perfect for anyone in a leadership position at a marketing agency, The Six Disciplines of Agile Marketing also belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in improving the efficacy and efficiency of their own marketing efforts. Full of practical advice and concrete strategies that have been successfully implemented at Fortune 500, Silicon Valley, and non-profit organizations alike, this book is an indispensable resource to help your organization make the leap to Agile.

Welcome to the proceedings of the Seventh International Conference of the UK Systems Society being held at York University, United Kingdom from July 7th to 10th, 2002. It is a pleasure to be able to share with you this collection ofpapers that have been contributed by systems thinkers from around the world. As with previous UKSS conferences, the aim ofthis conference is to encourage debate and promote development of pertinent issues in systems theory and practice. In current times where the focus has moved from 'information' to 'knowledge' and where 'knowledge management', of everyday speak, it seemed fitting to 'knowledge assets' and so on, have become part offer a conference title of'Systems Theory and Practice in the Knowledge Age'. In keeping with another tradition of previous conferences, the UKSS Conference 2002 Committee decided to compile a collection ofdelegates' papers before the event as a platform from which to launch discussions in York. Ideas presented in the following papers will, undoubtedly, be developed during the dialogue generated at the conference and new papers will emerge. In his abstract for his plenary at this conference, Professor Peter Checkland throws down the gauntlet to systems thinking and its relevance in the knowledge age with the following statement: "30 Years In The Systems Movement: Disappointments I Have Known and Hopes/or the Future Springing from a lunchtime conversation at an American University, the Systems Movement is now nearly 50 years old.

Who should read this Book? This book is written for anyone who is interested in agility or needs to be agile. It is for those who seek deeper knowledge about what keeps the agile world together. You can read it from the perspective of a top manager or decision maker who feels the urge to be more agile. But you can also take the book and just follow it from the perspective of a user. What do you get? - A systemic picture of agility - to enable you to analyse your system (your team, your department, your company or your business network) and identify fields of agile application and the specific need for agility. - The ingredients of an Agile Mindset - this allows you to transform your organization and develop an agile culture for your organization. - The theoretical foundation of agile principles - so that you can really understand and assess the value of all the expert ideas for you and your organization. You will get the necessary skills to tailor organization specific agile frameworks without losing essential ingredients. - Input for your own reflections - you will be capable of innovating agility and be ahead of the main stream.