Jonathan AJ Wilson

Regent's University London · Department of Business Management

Although academic marketing literature exists on the value of hip hop as a marketing tool, there appears to be less on hip hop’s philosophical roots and why it proves to be so effective. This study attempts to fill this gap, investigating the apparent natural synergy with brand theory – in that they are both able to captivate and engage consumer-ce...

'Halal', an Arabic word from the Muslim holy book of the Qur'an, can be translated simply as meaning permissible, according to the teachings of Islam. However, the call to certify products and practices formally, and subsequently label them, has given rise to a new cultural phenomenon. Demands to carry overt labels and messages, and expectations as...

Ever since Veblen and Simmel, luxury has been synonymous with conspicuous consumption. In this conceptual paper we demonstrate the rise of inconspicuous consumption via a wide-ranging synthesis of the literature. We attribute this rise to the signalling ability of traditional luxury goods being diluted, a preference for not standing out as ostentat...

Halal Branding is a culturally-centric approach to championing branded lived experiences and intersectionality. Professor Wilson offers a nuanced and fresh philosophical approach - packed with branding toolkits, practical advice and a touch of creative hip-hop/grunge flair, on how clusters of people, influenced by Muslims and Islam, can build authe...

While robust conceptualizations of Islamic leadership are covered in Islamic studies and the humanities, its nascence within Business and Management and the Social Sciences presents both arguments and opportunities for further investigation. In response, this paper explores the notion of balanced leadership. We aim to fill a gap in knowledge throug...

Despite continuous public interest in leadership studies as well as the abundance of extant literature, the world continues to face leadership predicaments. Given the global crises mankind has been recently exposed to, which include the financial crisis of 2008 as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, further exploration of leadership concepts seems warra...

Purpose This paper aims to examine practical wisdom from the Islamic religion elaborating on how it pertains to the sustainability mind-set. The purpose is to assess whether the Islamic and sustainability mind-sets coincide and if so, how they do. Design/methodology/approach The first two chapters of the Holy Qur’an were divided into parts based o...

Purpose This paper aims to equip professionals and researchers in the fields of advertising, branding, public relations, marketing communications, social media analytics and marketing with a simple, effective and dynamic means of evaluating consumer behavioural sentiments and engagement through Arabic language and script, in vivo. Design/methodolo...

As a tribute to the African American, Latino, and Caribbean-origin global Hip-hop cultural phenomenon, the body of this paper is written as a Spoken-word RAP (Rhyme And Poetry) treatise on the current branding landscape. Grounded in rhetoric, analogies, and allegories, the aim is to present a didactic passage for discussion and reflection, that thr...

The aim of this chapter was to analyse the strategic role of employee empowerment in enhancing quality and competitiveness within the tourism industry. Starting with a discussion that reviews some current definitions of empowerment, it provides a practical understanding of what empowerment means within the service industry and what this entails. Th...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and definitions of culture and its relationship to language and cultural sensitivity in hospitality management services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a critical literature review followed by a phenomenological exploratory pilot study, using template analysis....

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a new conceptualization of sustainability. The authors adopt a macromarketing perspective based on Islamic traditions while delving into divine attributes ( Asmaa ’ Allah-ul-Husna ) as an extension to the foundational principle of God-consciousness that lies at the heart of Islamic theology and jurisp...

This study examines Vietnamese female consumers’ attitudes towards counterfeit branded products; by investigating the influence of brand image, product involvement and price advantage towards decision-making processes associated with purchasing and ownership. An inductive anti-positivist approach was adopted, employing qualitative methods; drawing...

Following a phenomenological Expert Delphi Study of academics and practitioners, findings suggest that: a by-product of post-industrialism, Globalization, and Web2.0 is the value of investigating culture from an associated, rather than a disassociated state; cultural understanding and its application beyond simply defining and classifying has becom...

This ethnographic study in Qatar and United Arab Emirates addresses a particular Islamic consumptionscape as well as a related commodified practice: that of Arab hospitality. This much vaunted Arab virtue is examined in three contexts: home hospitality, commercial hospitality, and hospitality toward foreign guest workers and visitors. We find that...

The purpose of this paper is to document and disseminate the full experiences of the author following a series of events hosted by UiTM MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor; and attending World Halal Week, Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia; during the first week of April 2013. The paper shares the content and key findings presented at these events, which took the for...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to debate what (if anything) is Islamic marketing? And link developments in this field to the wider marketing paradigm. Design/methodology/approach A phenomenological antipositivist review of key case examples, drawing from 40 years of the authors' collective professional experiences; and field notes investigat...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to bring together the thoughts and opinions of key members of the Journal of Islamic Marketing's ( JIMA ) Editorial Team, regarding the recently branded phenomenon of Islamic marketing – in the interests of stimulating further erudition. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopted an “eagle eye” method to i...

Customer lifetime value (CLV) is an established relationship marketing-centric approach to evaluating performance: based upon the significance of a customer, and what resources should be allocated towards maintaining relations - beyond short-term transactional views. The conceptual argument presented in this paper contributes one very simple, yet s...

Inconspicuous consumption – where brand signals are not readily apparent, available or visible to most consumers – is on the rise, even in Asia, which has typically favored conspicuous brands. This appears to be an oxymoron which challenges conventional branding theory; we argue it is redefining constructs such as luxury and class.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to document a reflective commentary on observations concerning the phenomenon of researching and practicing Islamic marketing, in the absence of dedicated formal courses and instruction. Design/methodology/approach Grounded theory phenomenological critical reflection; based upon academic and practitioner anecdo...

Purpose – To present a real-world industry perspective on the Halal market, which sits within several industry sectors, across the globe – with the aim of capturing expert knowledge and stimulating further research areas. Methodology/approach – Iterative face-to-face and email interviews with two international key experts and conference organiser...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is first, as a sort of “health check”, to examine the research approaches, aims and sentiments of academics in the field – based upon their output. Second, to raise key questions with the aim of elevating scholarship within Islamic marketing and its sub‐disciplines – through encouraging thought leadership, ground...

This conceptual paper draws from phenomenological inductive reasoning and syllogisms, as a basis for conceptual metaphor theory and critical discourse analysis. It highlights a global phenomenon – which transcends national and cultural boundaries. De facto: sports participation and support necessitate that uniforms distinguish and identify associat...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is two‐fold: first, to reflect on the subject discipline of Islamic marketing and connecting activities in the Journal of Islamic Marketing. And, second, to capture key discussions and experiences, with the aim of refining definitions and approaches; in order to set a clear vision for scholarship in the field. D...

This conceptual paper presents a phenomenon, which considers how professionalism encourages athletes to associate image with performance. A by-product of this observes that athletes consider alternative careers, spearheaded by their sponsorship activities. A general assumption exists, that if offered sponsorship, athletes and agents will invariably...

With the emergence of schools of thought which examine brands and branding according to relationships, brand communities, and popular culture, consumers are becoming more significant in shaping the brand agenda. Furthermore, the evolutionary growth and mutations spawned by Web 2.0 draw nonbrand users, social networks, and anti-branding movements to...

The role of training and education in the development of senior management and leaders is critical to the long-term development of organisations. This paper seeks to explore and discuss the methods used for training and developing senior and executive managers across Africa, China, Europe and the Middle East. The paper outlines the methods used to...

Although academic marketing literature exists on the value of hip hop as a marketing tool, there appears to be less on hip hop's philosophical roots and why it proves to be so effective. This study attempts to fill this gap, investigating the apparent natural synergy with brand theory – in that they are both able to captivate and engage consumer-ce...

Increasingly, brands are able to embed themselves in consumer brand-centric communities. Subsequently, through networks and socialisation processes, convergences around a brand serve as conduits for defining meaning and identity. Using a methodological approach drawing from inductive reasoning and syllogisms, as a basis for conceptual metaphor theo...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the challenges which the concept of halal presents – when attempting to understand how halal ‐conscious consumers behave and what it takes to maintain an emotive, credible and authentic brand proposition. Design/methodology/approach Interpretive phenomenological analysis and syllogisms, as a basis fo...

This second-edition text offers new insights, updated concepts and a new articulation of themes in tourism management. Part I (chapters 1-4) is now an enlarged element of the text and combines an analysis of the new tourism environment, economic development, tourism forecasting and new trends in tourism. Part II (chapters 5-11) now involves consume...

Purpose Multiculturalism and diversity are both evident and encouraged in the UK. However, this paper highlights evidence pointing towards the passive and sporadic transmission of unifying values – especially prevalent when interacting with individuals across cultures, or in culturally diverse settings. The aim is to stimulate debate surrounding da...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review current literature and practices concerning the usage and consumption of Halal, within marketing and branding. Following this, the paper is to both stimulate discussions and encourage further thinking within this field. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses inductive reasoning and syllogisms,...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into how branding is used in an innovative manner, when looking to generate equity and strengthen stakeholder relations – by a global car manufacturing company, governed by Iranian Islamic law. Following this, suggested areas of discussion are offered, in the interests of stimulating new think...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review current literature and practices concerning the usage and consumption of Halal, within marketing and branding. Following this, the paper is to both stimulate discussions and encourage further thinking within this field. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses inductive reasoning and syllogisms,...

The following is a conceptual paper, reflecting on the author’s own experiences whilst lecturing in marketing at London universities and, as a marketing professional. In addition, it provides current, supporting academic literature with the aim of stimulating further thinking and discussion. Finally, the paper offers suggestions for future activiti...

In global marketing and international management, the fields of Branding and Culture are well discussed as separate disciplines; within both academia and industry. However, there appears to be limited supporting literature, examining brands and culture as a collective discipline. In addition, environmental factors such as ethnicity, nationality and...

A growing number of consumers are choosing to wear sporting merchandise, from an ‘other’ nation – whom they have no geographic or ethnic affiliation with. In addition, nation sports branding appears to have scaled pandemic heights; by reaching fever pitch, when actively carrying its message across boarders. Consumer preferences are being driven pas...

With the emergence of schools of thought which examine brands and branding according to relationships, brand communities and popular culture; consumers are becoming more significant in shaping the brand agenda. Furthermore, the evolutionary growth and mutations spawned by Web 2.0 draw non brand users, social networkers and anti-branding movements t...