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The Nobel Prize: A 'Heritage based' Brand-oriented Network

Urde, Mats LU and Greyser, Stephen A (2014) In Harvard Business School working papers series 15-010(15-010).
Abstract
Purpose – Understanding the Nobel Prize as a ‘true’ heritage brand in a networked situation and its management challenges, especially regarding identity and reputation.

Methodology – The Nobel Prize serves as an in-depth case study and is analysed within an extended corporate brand identity framework that incorporates reputation.

Findings – The Nobel Prize is a ‘true’ corporate heritage brand (in this case, organizational brand). It is the ‘hub’ of a linked network of brands – “a federated republic”. The brand core of the Nobel Prize is its set of core values supporting and leading to its promise; “for the benefit of mankind”. The core constitutes a hub around which the essential award-granting institutions, as well as... (More)
Purpose – Understanding the Nobel Prize as a ‘true’ heritage brand in a networked situation and its management challenges, especially regarding identity and reputation.

Methodology – The Nobel Prize serves as an in-depth case study and is analysed within an extended corporate brand identity framework that incorporates reputation.

Findings – The Nobel Prize is a ‘true’ corporate heritage brand (in this case, organizational brand). It is the ‘hub’ of a linked network of brands – “a federated republic”. The brand core of the Nobel Prize is its set of core values supporting and leading to its promise; “for the benefit of mankind”. The core constitutes a hub around which the essential award-granting institutions, as well as the Nobel Foundation and other related entities and stakeholders gravitate. The laureates represent the Nobel Prize track record. The Will of Alfred Nobel, described as “The Nobel Prize federation’s constitution” is interpreted by us as indicating a brand-oriented approach within a network of interrelated institutions and organisations.

Research implications – The concept of ‘brand-oriented networks’ is introduced. An individual organisation’s approach to its marketplace, brand-resources and strategy may to varying degrees be brand-oriented. This study suggests that brand-orientation also applies to a network of brands. Separately, the extended version of the “corporate brand identity matrix” provides a corporate brand framework for identity and reputation management, including networked brands.

Practical implications – The new extended framework and the definition of a brand network with a ‘hub’ provide logic for managing the network. Essential managerial questions on how to leverage brand heritage or not are placed in perspective. Identifying and understanding one’s brand heritage and the importance of brand stewardship are reinforced.

Suggestions for further research – The investigation of brand networks (market-oriented and/or brand oriented) and the application of the new “Corporate Brand Identity and Reputation Matrix”.

Originality / Value – The first case study of the Nobel Prize from a strategic brand management perspective. The articulation and characterisation of it as a ‘brand-oriented network”. The development and application of the new CBIRM.

Type of paper – Conceptual blended with empirical case study research (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Working paper/Preprint
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Nobel Prize, heritage brand, brand network, networked brand, brand within a network, brand orientation, brand stewardship, corporate brand identity, reputation
in
Harvard Business School working papers series
volume
15-010
issue
15-010
pages
51 pages
publisher
Harvard Business Publishing
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5b17b343-b8ee-47fa-b6f1-6bae1ac6fc1c (old id 8311062)
alternative location
http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/15-010_137eb91c-9f35-4b6d-bb6c-eca5b6f0bc30.pdf
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:31:16
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:05:22
@misc{5b17b343-b8ee-47fa-b6f1-6bae1ac6fc1c,
  abstract     = {{Purpose – Understanding the Nobel Prize as a ‘true’ heritage brand in a networked situation and its management challenges, especially regarding identity and reputation.<br/><br/>Methodology – The Nobel Prize serves as an in-depth case study and is analysed within an extended corporate brand identity framework that incorporates reputation.<br/><br/>Findings – The Nobel Prize is a ‘true’ corporate heritage brand (in this case, organizational brand). It is the ‘hub’ of a linked network of brands – “a federated republic”. The brand core of the Nobel Prize is its set of core values supporting and leading to its promise; “for the benefit of mankind”. The core constitutes a hub around which the essential award-granting institutions, as well as the Nobel Foundation and other related entities and stakeholders gravitate. The laureates represent the Nobel Prize track record. The Will of Alfred Nobel, described as “The Nobel Prize federation’s constitution” is interpreted by us as indicating a brand-oriented approach within a network of interrelated institutions and organisations.<br/><br/>Research implications – The concept of ‘brand-oriented networks’ is introduced. An individual organisation’s approach to its marketplace, brand-resources and strategy may to varying degrees be brand-oriented. This study suggests that brand-orientation also applies to a network of brands. Separately, the extended version of the “corporate brand identity matrix” provides a corporate brand framework for identity and reputation management, including networked brands. <br/><br/>Practical implications – The new extended framework and the definition of a brand network with a ‘hub’ provide logic for managing the network. Essential managerial questions on how to leverage brand heritage or not are placed in perspective. Identifying and understanding one’s brand heritage and the importance of brand stewardship are reinforced. <br/><br/>Suggestions for further research – The investigation of brand networks (market-oriented and/or brand oriented) and the application of the new “Corporate Brand Identity and Reputation Matrix”.<br/><br/>Originality / Value – The first case study of the Nobel Prize from a strategic brand management perspective. The articulation and characterisation of it as a ‘brand-oriented network”. The development and application of the new CBIRM.<br/><br/>Type of paper – Conceptual blended with empirical case study research}},
  author       = {{Urde, Mats and Greyser, Stephen A}},
  keywords     = {{Nobel Prize; heritage brand; brand network; networked brand; brand within a network; brand orientation; brand stewardship; corporate brand identity; reputation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Working Paper}},
  number       = {{15-010}},
  publisher    = {{Harvard Business Publishing}},
  series       = {{Harvard Business School working papers series}},
  title        = {{The Nobel Prize: A 'Heritage based' Brand-oriented Network}},
  url          = {{http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/15-010_137eb91c-9f35-4b6d-bb6c-eca5b6f0bc30.pdf}},
  volume       = {{15-010}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}