Skip to main content
Log in

Nordic brands towards a design-oriented concept

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

Abstract

The author presents an empirical study conducted through the analyses of three Nordic brands, BoConcept, H&M and Ikea, following a design-oriented concept/scheme of analyses. The concepts of brand image and brand identity are shown relevant to the analyses and intimately connected to the country image as a key asset to the brand itself. The paper aims to show that Nordic brands are differentiating themselves from competitors in a globalised market opting for design-shaped goods and for the promotion of Nordic heritage through communication. This study adds new insights to the brand management literature, focusing on brands that have a high level of knowledge in the market.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Schultz, M. and De Chernatony, L. (2002) ‘Introduction: The challenges of corporate branding’, Corporate Reputation Review, Vol. 5, No. 2/3, pp. 105–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aaker, D. A. and Joachimsthaler, E. (2000) ‘Brand Leadership’, The Free Press, New York, p. 43.

  • Aaker, D. A. (1996) ‘Building Strong Brands’, The Free Press, New York.

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faust, W. H. and Eilertson, A. (1994) ‘You've got a logo, you need a brand’, ABA Banking Journal, Vol. 86, pp. 86–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, F. and de Chernatony, L. (2001) ‘Corporate branding and corporate brand performance’, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 35, pp. 441–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Riel, C. B. M., Stroeker, N. E. and Maathuis, O. J. M. (1998) ‘Measuring corporate images’, Corporate Reputation Review, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 313–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, G., Chun, R., Silva, R. V. and Roper, S. (2001) ‘The personification metaphor as a measurement approach for corporate reputation’, Corporate Reputation Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 113–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Djelic, M. -L. and Ainamo, A. (2005) ‘The Telecom Industry as cultural industry: The transposition of fashion logics into the field of mobile telephony’, in Jones, C. and Thornton, P. (eds.) Transformations in Cultural Industries, Research in the Sociology of Organizations Series, Vol. 23, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 45–82.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Anholt, S. (2005) ‘Brands beyond business’, The brands Lecture, British Brands Group, pp. 12–13.

  • Traynor, T. and Breehl, R. (2006) ‘There's no place like Notre? A visit to destination branding’, The Brand Channel.com, Vol. 2, Issue 15.

  • Lindholm, M. R., Prehn, A. and Jønson, A. H. (2005) ‘The Nordic region as a global winner region tracing the Nordic competitiveness model’, House of Monday Morning (2005), pp. 4–6.

  • Richardson, P. S., Jain, A. K. and Dick, A. S. (1996) ‘Household store brand proneness: A framework’, Journal of Retailing, Vol. 02, No. 72, pp. 159–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Roncha.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Roncha, A. Nordic brands towards a design-oriented concept. J Brand Manag 16, 21–29 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1057/bm.2008.16

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/bm.2008.16

Keywords

Navigation