Two decades of research on nation branding: a review and future research agenda. Issue 1 (30th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hao, Andy W.; Paul, Justin; Trott, Sangeeta; Guo, Chiquan; Wu, Heng-Hui
• Is Part Of: International marketing review. Volume 38:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 46
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2019-08-30
• Subjects: Country image -- Nation branding -- Literature review -- Nation brand personality; Export marketing -- Periodicals; Export marketing -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 658.84805
• DOI: 10.1108/IMR-01-2019-0028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-1335

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Despite the growing interest by scholars, practitioners and public policymakers, there are still divergent and fragmented conceptualizations of nation branding as the field is still developing. In response, the purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize nation branding research and to provide directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach: The authors review peer-reviewed theoretical and empirical journal articles published during the last two decades – from 1998 to 2018. Selected journal articles on nation branding were subsequently synthesized for further insights. Findings: The field of nation branding is fragmented and has developed in the course of the last two decades in different directions. This paper identifies key publication outlets and articles, major theoretical and methodological approaches and primary variables of interest that exist in the nation branding literature. The findings also highlight several research themes for future research. Originality/value: This research fills a need to summaries the current state of the nation branding literature and identifies research issues that need to be addressed in the future.