Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification Peer reviewed

Distinctive paths of branding in early-stage firms: insights from a bibliometric review

Ahmad Nasiri, Nastaran N. Richards-Carpenter

Journal of Contemporary Marketing Science | May 29, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose Branding in early-stage firms is an emerging area of research that differs fundamentally from branding in established firms. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the thematic structure of research in this domain by identifying key themes, trends and gaps. Design/methodology/approach A combined bibliometric analysis – co-occurrence and co-citation – was conducted to systematically examine the literature on branding in early-stage firms. Findings The analysis reveals three central themes: co-creative brand building, entrepreneurial identity and reputation and digital dialogic communication. These themes reflect the distinct, dynamic and uncertain environment in which new firms operate, highlighting how branding practices differ fundamentally from those in established firms. Originality/value By synthesizing fragmented insights, this study addresses overlooked aspects in the current literature and introduces a thematic framework that enhances understanding of branding in early-stage contexts. The framework not only advances theoretical perspectives on branding early-stage firms but also provides actionable guidance for practitioners navigating the early stages of brand development.

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Authors

Researchers on this paper

Ahmad Nasiri

first | University of Tehran | ORCID 0009-0000-9778-1533

Nastaran N. Richards-Carpenter

last | London Metropolitan University

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Citation

BibTeX

@article{Nasiri2026Distinctive,
  title = {Distinctive paths of branding in early-stage firms: insights from a bibliometric review},
  author = {Ahmad Nasiri and Nastaran N. Richards-Carpenter},
  journal = {Journal of Contemporary Marketing Science},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1108/jcmars-09-2025-0045},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1108/jcmars-09-2025-0045}
}

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