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Understanding the meaning of corporate identity: a conceptual and semiological approach

B. Olutayo Otubanjo (Brunel Business School, Brunel University, London, UK)
T.C. Melewar (Brunel Business School, Brunel University, London, UK)

Corporate Communications: An International Journal

ISSN: 1356-3289

Article publication date: 16 October 2007

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to examine how corporate identity (one of the elements of Balmer's 6Cs of corporate marketing) could be better understood, whilst also addressing how the deconstruction of one of the other elements (i.e. communications: corporate advertising) could provide deeper insight into what corporate identity truly means.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines various theoretical approaches which have compartmentalised the meaning of corporate identity. It also highlights how these compartments interrelate. The paper introduces the semiotic method and illustrates how this method could deconstruct firms' perception of corporate identity.

Findings

Two conceptual models and a semiotic method process were contributed. The first model reveals three main constructs of corporate identity, namely symbolism, behaviour, and corporate communications, and the second model reveals the corporate personality construct. The semiotic method reveals the positioning of corporate identity as a corporate personality construct.

Originality/value

This paper provides a better understanding of the meaning of corporate identity by developing two conceptual models and a semiotic method. The conceptual models provide an analysis of how various theoretical approaches which have compartmentalised the meaning of corporate identity interrelate. The semiotic method provides a stage‐by‐stage process of how a firm's perception of corporate identity is deconstructed. The conceptual models and the semiotic method give a better understanding of the meaning of corporate identity.

Keywords

Citation

Olutayo Otubanjo, B. and Melewar, T.C. (2007), "Understanding the meaning of corporate identity: a conceptual and semiological approach", Corporate Communications: An International Journal, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 414-432. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563280710832542

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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