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The general objective of this study is to examine the evolution of the concept of brand literacy and measure the independent variables by collecting empirical data through purposively developed instrument. The primary data collected through the instrument will be validated using the appropriate statistical tools. The study aims at describing the brand literacy among consumers in reinforcing brand choices in reference to brand image, brand attributes, brand communication (verbal and non-verbal), and brand etymology. The analysis of data of the study is expected to reveal the role of brand literacy perceived by the consumers as a driver of decision making with the constructs of the study to create brand value.

This paper discusses the social communication process of consumer brands through the conventional and non-conventional networks. Retail industry and companies promoting consumer products are highly engaged in developing brand literacy through both networks in the global marketplace today. This paper critically examines the most recent research contributions on the brand literacy, identifies gaps, and aims at discussing the strategic model building process around social marketing approaches and integrating brand socialization within the up-and downstream markets.

Plasma sprayed coatings have been considered as one of the important surface modification processes to improve the tribological properties of materials used in extreme conditions. NiCrBSi composite coatings on stainless steel are known to offer good abrasive wear resistance in service conditions. Graphite is the material which has many potential advantages when processed and used in different forms. This paper describes the effect of graphite addition on the microstructure; hardness and abrasive wear behavior of plasma sprayed NiCrBSi coatings. The mechanical and tribological properties of the coatings can be significantly improved by refinement of grain structure of the coatings. The XRD results show that the NiCrBSi–graphite composite coatings are mainly composed of γ -Ni, CrB and Cr 7 C 3 . With addition of graphite, phases such as CrB, Cr 7 C 3 emerge in composite coating. The study was conducted, using an abrasive wear test rig according to ASTM G65 on uncoated as well as coated SS304 samples at room temperature. The samples were analyzed for volume loss and wear rate with respect to increasing content of graphite in the coatings. The results suggest that addition of graphite in the coatings resulted in reduction of volume loss and wear rate significantly. The NiCrBSi–8 wt %C composite coating presents excellent abrasion resistance.

This paper aims innovative perspectives on strategy development in financial institutions to overcome the current global financial recession. Organizational restructuring is argued in reference to proactive and reactive financial and human resource strategies. It is observed that growth of many financial institutions is jeopardized due to primary market downfall, falling investor confidence, liquidity crisis, misjudged lending, high operational costs and blurring corporate image among markets. Authors suggest proactive and reactive measures which may be employed in responding to the current financial crisis. Among many proactive roll-on strategies, banks need to urge government to provide a guarantee that bonds and securities created out of mortgages or out of loans to companies do not become irrecoverable and seize yielding. Financial institutions may manage human resource during the period of economic crisis in a financial institution is to pursue defensive downsizing rather than strategic restructuring, as a result of both internal and external constraints on restructuring strategies.

Latin American corporate executives are faced with a serious problem the low trust and peer confidence. The factors of criticism at workplace, increased corporate controls, and growing expectations for improved performance and accountability have accompanied this decline in trust. Traditional approaches to corporate governance epitomized by organizational behavior theories have focused on short-term profits and organizational systems which fail to achieve desired results. This paper presents the analysis of behavioral dimensions of cross-cultural team performance in corporate environment in Mexico. This study is based on literature review of previous research contributions focused on the managers of multinational companies operating in Latin American countries in a cross-cultural environment. The success of the corporate ventures in Mexico has been evaluated from the perspectives of economic and relational attributes. The discussion in the study revealed that the degree of fit between a corporate parent and venture affects the success of the venture. In the study variables of economic and relational dimensions of external and internal fit have shown greater association with venture success.