The Cause-related marketing is a new marketing strategy that is not limited to current and traditional methods and use from more complex fact or such as a sense of altruism and generosity. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between Cause- related marketing (CRM) and brand image perception among customers of well-Known brands in garment industry. Conceptual model has been tested through distributing 260 questioners among consumers in fivefold of Mashhad. Data analysis has been done in two levels: descriptive analysis and inferential analysis. The result of data analysis confirmed all assumptions and show that Cause- related marketing (CRM) has a direct and positive effect on brand image. Firm motivations in Cause- related marketing, which is under the suspicious of consumers, is effective on the consumer's mental image of the brand. In addition, consumers make judgment about the product quality based on mental utility of the quality. Therefore, a charitable name of a brand that cooperate in CRM represents something extra to the consumer that increases the utility and higher perceived quality for consumers.
References
Berger, I. E., Cunningham, P. H., & Kozinets, R. V. (1999). Consumer persuasion through cause-related advertising. Journal of Advances in Consumer Research, 26, 491-497.
Brønn, P. S., & Vrioni, A. B. (2001). Corporate social responsibility and cause-related marketing: an overview. International Journal of Advertising, 20(2), 207-222.
Dean, D. H. (2003). Consumer perception of corporate donations effects of company reputation for social responsibility and type of donation. Journal of Advertising, 32(4), 91-102.
Ellen, P. S., Mohr, L. A., & Webb, D. J. . (2000). Charitable programs and the retailer: do they mix? Journal of Retailing, 76(3), 393-406.
Enderle, G., & Tavis, L. A. (1998). A balanced concept of the firm and the measurement of its long-term planning and performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 17(11), 1129-1144.
Fellman, M. W. (1999, April 26). Cause marketing takes a strategic turn. Retrieved from Marketing News.
File, K. M., & Prince, R. A. . (1998). Cause related marketing and corporate philanthropy in the privately held enterprise. Journal of Business Ethics, 17(14), 1529-1539.
Fombrun, C., & Shanley, M. (1990). What's in a name? Reputation building and corporate strategy. Academy of management Journal, 7(3), 233-258.
Garretson Folse , J ., Niedrich, R., & Landreth, S. (2010). Cause-Relating Marketing: The Effects of Purchase Quantity and Firm Donation Amount on Consumer Inferences and Participation Intentions. Journal of Retailing, 86 (4) 295–309.
Higgins, K. T. (2002). Marketing With a Conscience. Marketing Management, (July/August), 12-15.
Kalligeros, M. (2005). Choose wisely: Partnering for cause-related marketing. Public Relations Tactics, 12(8), 18.
Meyer, H. (1999). when the cause is just. Journal of Business Strategy, 20(6), 27-31.
Mohr, L. A., Webb, D. J., & Harris, K. E. . (2001). Do consumers expect companies to be socially responsible? The impact of corporate social responsibility on buying behavior. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 35(1), 45-72.
Roy, D. P., & Graeff, T. R. (2003). Consumer attitudes toward cause-related marketing activities in professional sports. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 12(3), 163-172.
Shabbir, S., Kaufmann, H. R., Ahmad, I., & Qureshi, I. M. (2010). Cause related marketing campaigns and consumer purchase intentions: The mediating role of brand awareness and corporate image. African Journal of Business Management, 4(6), 1229-1235.
Thomas, M. L. (2007). Cause-Related Marketing partnerships: An application of associative learning theory principles for both short and long-term success for the brand. doctoral dissertation. Southern Illinois University(UMI No. 3291648).
Varadarajan, P. R., & Menon, A. (1988). Cause-related marketing: A coalignment of marketing strategy and corporate philanthropy. Journal of Marketing, 52(7), 58-74.
Heidarian, E., & Bijandi, M. (2015). The Role of Cause-related Marketing on Brand image Perception in the Garment Industry. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 5(6). 374-379.
Copyright: © 2015 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode