Exploring brand management strategies in Chinese manufacturing industry

The purpose of this paper was to empirically explore how Chinese private manufacturers make strategic branding decisions. We develop a conceptual framework to investigate the branding decisions undertaken by Chinese manufacturers. Interview data were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative categorical principal component analysis. Data reveal a branding schema that illustrate four types of B2B brander: achievement competencies branders, awareness competencies branders, novice competencies branders, and no-competencies branders. The schema describes the trajectory of the progressive evolution of B2B branders. This paper contributes to the long-called-for formation of a theoretical framework of B2B branding from the amorphous literature and provides a direction for manufacturers to undertake branding practice. The exploratory nature lays foundations for further research to investigate B2B branding in other contexts.