Fans View on Hibs F.C. corporate identity

[kennythehibby]

Hi everyone,

My name is Kenneth Rae and I am currently compiling a 15,000 word report on the corporate identity of Hibernian Football Club in the financial crisis within Scottish football. So far I have conducted 4 e-mail interviews with Elaine Morrison Communications Manager, John Nicol Graphic Designer, Russell Smith Commercial Executive at Hibernian Football Club and David Forsyth who handles Supporter Communications for Hibernian F.C. I have also managed to do a focus group with friends of mine that are Hibernian supporters, but it would be much more beneficial to my report if I could obtain the Northern Ireland Hibernian supporters thoughts and opinions on the corporate identity of Hibernian Football Club. My questions particularly focus on the communication of the club towards supporters, behaviour of the club both on and off the filed of play and the symbolism the club portrays. I would be extremely grateful if at least 6-10 Northern Ireland Hibs supporters would take the time out to answer my questions. You can choose to answer all the questions or just selected questions if you want. All I ask is that each question you provide the fullest answer answer you can manage. In return for doing my questions all I can offer is an acknowledgment of your help in the completed report, which I can send a copy to all that take part if supplied with your home address. Here are the questions:-

1.) What do you feel makes Hibernian F.C. more unique in its corporate
identity than other football clubs?

2.) Some writers perceive that there are two concepts of how corporate
identity functions in an organisation which are 'desired-identity' how the
organisation wants the identity of the company to look like and
an 'actual-identity' the image that the public has of a company. In your
opinion, does Hibernian F.C. effectively communicate its 'desired-identity'
to its supporters or is the 'actual-identity' of the club a more accurate
reflection of how the supporters vie the organisation?

3.) Do you feel Hibernian F.C. provides all of its supporters with the
opportunity to communicate their opinions and play an active role in the
running of the club?

4.) In your opinion, does Hibernian F.C. have a successful feedback system
which monitors the fans thoughts and opinions of the club's identity and
image?

5.) Van Riel (1995) deems communicationto be an important aspect of
corporate identity in an organisation by the way it can be used to
inform target groups directly that it is innovative. Do you think that
communication with external target groups e.g. fans, supporters clubs,
local community, local authorities, local businesses etc. plays a big part
in designing the identity of Hibernian F.C., and if so why?

6.) Some writers believe that target groups e.g. the organisation's publics
will judge the company by its actions and behaviour. They also believe
the actions and behaviour of the organisation will have a strong
influence in the constructions of its corporate identity. Do you think
this concept applies to Hibernian F.C. and is the club's behaviour
towards its supporters an important factor in defining the club's
identity?

7.) Some writers state things like logos e.g. Club emblem, colour, typeface
or house style should give an implicit indication of what an organisation
stands for or desires to stand for. What kinds of logos, colour,
typeface or symbols do you feel are important to Hibernian F.C. in
portraying its identity to its supporters?

8.) Van Riel (1995) believes that every organisation contains what he
terms the corporate identity mix (CI mix) of communication, behaviour
and symbolism and that each element of the CI mix is equally
important when expressing the overall personality of the company.
In your opinion do you think this is the case with Hibernian F.C., or do
you feel that one of the elements of either communication,
behaviour or symbolism holds more importance in the creation of
the Club's image and identity?

9.) Dowling (1986) believes that corporate image is a stakeholders'
beliefs, ideas, feelings and impressions of an organisation. In your
opinion, is Hibernian F.C.'s corporate image built round these elements
or do you feel that the club has more of a manufactured branded
identity?

10.) Kapferer (1992) beleives that a change in emblem can signal a
fresh outlook on the part of the organisation. In your opinion, has the
change, four years ago, produced a desirable symbolic identity which
is considered by the club's supporters to be a better representation of
the club's personality and identity, and if so why?

11.) In your opinion, do you feel a strong corporate identity or
favourable reputation is an important factor in preserving the club's
supporters and attracting new supporters or key external
stakeholders to the club e.g. sponsors, if so why?

12.) In your opinion, will corporate identity play a signifcant role in the club's
future?


Finally, just want to say thanks to anyone who takes part in answering my questions your help is greatly appreciated. C'mon the Hibs for next season and let's start the season with a win over Killie on the opening day!

[Scoobie]

It appears to me that your questions seem to be taken straight out of a text book and/or your own dissertation questions for your report.

I can't help feeling that if you wanted a real and honest answer to your questions, you could've taken time out to re-phrase some of them - not that I'm saying Hibs fans aren't smart - but the questions portray a feeling of true academics rather than a chat with football supporters.

I won't be participating on this occasion, not because I don't understand your questions, only because its Friday nite and I'm on my way to getting drunk.

Regards,
Scoobs.

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

Will be happy to help,

Am at work just now but will get a look at this during the week - PM or post me your email address please.

NIH

[kennythehibby]

Hi Scoobie and Northern Ireland Hibby,

Thanks for your responses I have taken on board that my questions were a bit long winded and too academic so I will revise them and make them shorter and resend them again. I will probably split them over two posts and not refer to any academic texts when resending. Hopefully you will respond to my questions this time around scoobie. Your and Northern Ireland Hibby's contribution would be gratefully appreciated.

Northern Ireland Hibby I am going to shorten the questions and put them on microsoft word, so if you prefer I could send them to you via e-mail attachment, if you give me your e-mail address. My e-mail address is kenneth_rae@hotmail.com. Thank you for offering to look at and answer my questions I really appreciate it. Thanks also Scoobie for your comments and hopefully you'll take the time out to answer the revised version.

Cheers,

Kenny.

[I Ate JamTarts]

I will give the questions a seeing to this coming weekend and email you next monday.
Hibernian Go Bragh

[kennythehibby]

Thanks for your help I ate Jam Tarts it is greatly appreciated and I look forward to reading your thoughts on the corporate identity questions I have posed.

Cheers,

Kenny.

[I Ate JamTarts]

Originally Posted by kennythehibby

Thanks for your help I ate Jam Tarts it is greatly appreciated and I look forward to reading your thoughts on the corporate identity questions I have posed.

Cheers,

Kenny.

Sorry mate bogged down with work last week, i will see to the questions this weekend.
Hibernian Go Bragh