Brands may be perceived as possessing a set of distinct traits or characteristics, i.e., a personality, similar to a person. Thus, the personality of a brand is relevant as a source of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market environment. In this study, the authors explore the dimensions of brand personality proposed by J. Aaker (1997), seeking to discover the particular evaluation dimensions of the Brazilian context. The study was conducted in exploratory stages, beginning with a preparatory stage that was carried out by professionals and academics from the fields of communication and marketing. This was followed by stages of conclusive research using an online survey with a sample of 1,302 Brazilian consumers. Two sub-samples were extracted: one calibration sample for exploratory factor analysis and a validation sample to perform confirmatory factor analysis in order to verify the convergent and discriminant validities of the final scale. Five dimensions of brand personality in Brazil were detected: credibility, joy, audacity, sophistication and sensitivity. These dimensions showed some differences in comparison with similar studies that had been carried out in other countries. The study led to a scale of 28 items for measuring brand personality and made it possible to compare competing brands in terms of brand personality.

Este artigo tem por objetivo realizar ampla análise comparativa sobre os métodos de avaliação da Satisfação do Consumidor e da Qualidade Percebida. Mediante revisão detalhada da literatura que trata dos modelos de mensuração de ambos os construtos, três grupos principais foram categorizados: a) modelos baseados no Paradigma da Desconformidade; b) modelos fundamentados na multiplicidade de Indicadores da Satisfação; c) modelos apoiados em Métodos de Equações Estruturais. Essa tipologia permitiu a avaliação de vantagens e desvantagens de cada abordagem, discutindo em que situações a aplicação de cada uma delas pode ser mais viável. ABSTRACT

RESUMOEste artigo apresenta o Modelo de avaliação da Satisfação do Consumidor quanto ao Setor Elétrico Brasileiro, baseado em Modelo de Equações Estruturais. Nele, inseriram-se os construtos da Desconformidade com os serviços de distribuição de energia elétrica, avaliados a partir da percepção dos seus diversos componentes e do valor percebido como antecedentes da Satisfação. Também criou-se uma variável latente, representando a Satisfação Global, que foi utilizada para avaliar os resultados globais de cada concessionária de energia. Complementando o modelo, inseriu-se também o construto da fidelidade, avaliado por meio de cenários em que o consumidor era exposto a vantagens, verificando-se se este tinha intenção de troca. Os resultados obtidos indicam um modelo de grande validade e consistência interna, bem como flexibilidade para mensurar a Satisfação em diversas situações (para diferentes portes de empresa, regiões do país etc.). Da mesma forma, a replicação desta metodologia em outros setores da economia brasileira permitem a comparação de desempenho entre elas e com benchmarks internacionais, hoje difundidos pelo mundo.Palavras-chave: satisfação do consumidor; serviços de distribuição de energia elétrica; modelo de equações estruturais. ABSTRACTThis article presents the Consumer Satisfaction Model for the Brazilian Electric Utility Industry, based on Structural Equations Method. There were used the evaluation of the Distribution Service Quality, and of the Perceived Value as Satisfaction antecedents. There was also created a latent variable representing the Global Satisfaction and it was used as the global score of each energy provider. Complementing the model, it also was inserted the loyalty construct, evaluated through some sceneries in which the consumer was exposed to some advantages and measured his intention to change to other option. The obtained results indicated a good model validity and internal consistency, as well as flexibility to measure the Satisfaction in several situations (for different companies, country regions, etc). In the same way, for the methodology replication in other Brazilian economic industries, it is allowed the performance comparison among them and with international benchmarks.

This study develops and tests a model of information search in complex buying. We incorporate three categories of influences of organizational, personal and situational factors that affect information searching efforts. A sample of 96 of the largest Brazilian firms reported their use of the various influences in the decision to purchase integrated business management systems. Findings show that formalization of the organization is a key driver of information search efforts. Situational characteristics of importance, novelty and bargaining power increased the level of information search. Also, conformity of the purchasing agent and organizational centralization reduce information search efforts among the sampled Brazilian firms.

Purpose-Our focus in this paper was to analyze the activities inherent in marketing strategy making. We aimed to sequentially test the relationships between the activities belonging to the formulation and implementation processes of marketing strategy. Design/methodology/approach-We collected data from 105 firms through an online cross-sectional survey, using Partial Least Squares (PLS) path modeling for the data analysis. Findings-Considering the formulation of marketing strategies, our results show that communication quality positively influences crossfunctional integration, which in turn affects strategic consensus. About strategy implementation, we have found that resource commitment is influenced by strategic consensus, and it influences the emphasis on marketing capabilities. Originality/value-The main contribution of this study is the relationships established between the marketing strategy process activities. We have changed the focus of the investigation from the causes and consequences of the strategy process to the analysis of how each element contributes to the process dynamics. We also contribute to the research stream on marketing strategy making by explaining how marketing strategy formulation and implementation may be related through strategic consensus.