The 4D Model of the country image: An integrative approach from the perspective of communication management

• Published in: The international communication gazette Vol. 77; no. 1; pp. 102 - 124
• Main Authors: Buhmann, Alexander, Ingenhoff, Diana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2015; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Attitudes; Business; Communication; Communication research; Communications technology; Comparative Analysis; Domestic; International relations; Jargon; Management; Media; National Identity; Political Communication; Political Science; Politics; Prestige; Psychology; Public relations; Reputation; Social Psychology; international relations; construct specification; communication management; country of origin; country image dimensions; nation branding; public diplomacy; international public relations
• ISSN: 1748-0485; 1748-0493
• DOI: 10.1177/1748048514556986

This conceptual article proposes a new integrative model of the country image by drawing on advances from the fields of business studies, social psychology, political science, and communication science. To interrelate different approaches, a communication management perspective is applied, providing a basic terminological framework systemizing the central constructs of country image, country reputation, country brand, and country identity. On this basis the authors develop the ‘4D Model' of the country image by integrating well-established concepts from national identity theory, attitude theory, and reputation management. The new model is suited for application in comparative analyses of country images both on the level of different groups (such as a country’s domestic and foreign publics) as well as different societal levels (such as individual attitudes on the one hand and mass-mediated prestige information on the other).