KOREASCHOLAR

The purpose of this study is to discuss the concept of brand authenticity by examining how Harley-Davidson motorcycles became popular in the Japanese market. My particular focus will be on interactions among consumers, corporations, and distributors regarding brand authenticity. Not all Harley-Davidson stores are authorized. There are unauthorized stores throughout Japan. The advertisements made by unauthorized distribution channels sometimes emphasize brand elements that are clearly not endorsed by Harley-Davidson. Some of these dealers are even critical of Harley-Davidson’s own marketing activities. All this raises the following questions: How did they manage to interact with consumers and increase sales in Japan, home of well-known motorcycle manufacturers? More specifically, what obstacles did they encounter and how did they overcome these obstacles as they sought to expand sales? To answer these questions, this study focuses on the concept of brand authenticity. In a field of research known as Consumer Research, or more specifically Consumer Culture Theory (Arnould & Thompson, 2005), there is a theoretical viewpoint that consumers have a hand in creating brands, which are understood to be social constructs. Among various concepts that exist, brand authenticity is particularly relevant to, and is thus the focus of, this study. Authenticity as used herein is related to the concept of something being genuine, real, and true (Belk & Costa, 1998). Authenticity is a socially constructed interpretation of the essence of what is observed and a set of expectations regarding how such a thing ought to look and feel (Beverland & Farrelly, 2010). These kinds of beliefs regarding brands are closely tied to the formation of identity (Thompson, Rindfleisch, & Arsel, 2006). For example, sometimes there is a conflict in the brand community between those who seek to pursue profits through an expansion of the brand’s market share and those who seek to protect the authenticity of the brand (Muñiz & Schau, 2005). Companies that provide products and services must consider this tension when building brand authenticity. This is because the excessive use of brand traditions and stories around those traditions can lead to a loss of authenticity as consumers view such actions as exploitative (Brown, Kozinets, & Sherry, 2003) This study uses qualitative research methods, specifically participant observation, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and documents. I performed a comparative analysis on this data based on individuals and organizations that deal with Harley-Davidson. Data compiled through continuous observation was particularly valuable. The sites surveyed were authorized dealers, non-authorized dealers, various events, and motorcycle parts shops. The following two points were found in this case study. First, many owners classify the Harley-Davidson brand in two ways: authentic and unauthentic. Certain owners are actively expressing their opinions as to which brand is authentic. Harley-Davidson Japan, which was established in 1989, has expanded the number of authorized dealers that help operate the group. Harley-Davidson motorcycles that had been sold before the manufacturer strengthened its marketing activities are commonly called “vintage,” while those that were sold thereafter are known as “current.” Some owners seek authenticity in “vintage” Harleys. These owners believe that brand authenticity belongs to products that are sold in small shops. The existence of fan clubs at the grassroots level is also important to them. “Vintage” Harleys have those. In other words, whether a motorcycle has authenticity is not necessarily determined by its physical characteristics. Given these circumstances, Harley-Davidson Japan and its authorized dealers make efforts to emphasis their continuity with the past and convey the tradition to owners by holding various events to introduce the brand’s history. “Vintage” Harleys are also on display at such events. In Japan, authenticity among owners is not necessarily a matter of perspective based on one’s identification with an outlaw versus an enthusiast perspective (cf Schouten & McAlexander, 1995). “Vintage” Harley owners are not necessarily “outlaw bikers”. Most of them regard outlaw bikers as unauthentic. The lack of modern marketing is valued among them. Second, certain unauthorized dealers selling “vintage” motorcycles differentiate themselves from competitors and build their businesses by reinterpreting and strengthening the brand classification. These dealers were critical of Harley-Davidson Japan’s marketing activities, and viewed themselves as the proper flag bearers of the Harley brand. One reason for this was that they felt that the quintessential nature of Harley-Davidson — the individuality of the dealers — was lost in the expansion of authorized dealers and the resulting homogeneity. Thus, these dealers don’t seek to become authorized, but rather to propagate the Harley image to the next generation and maintain their shops as in the past. They focus on sales and repair of models not handled by authorized dealers. Against this background, Harley-Davidson Japan and the authorized dealers set up booths at events where many distributors and owners that provide authenticity to “vintage” models participate, and expanded their contact with the diverse group of owners and potential customers. In addition, they make an effort to expand the use of authorized parts made to legal standards, and sponsor traffic safety activities in an effort to expand their customer base and rid themselves of the negative image caused by illegal modifications and noise pollution. As noted above, while there is some conflict around brand authenticity, the efforts of Harley-Davidson Japan, authorized dealers, and unauthorized dealers to differentiate from competing dealers and other motorcycle manufacturers have contributed to the expansion and maintenance of their customer base. This study showed that brand authenticity is a shared set of beliefs about the nature of things we value in the world.

• Mitsutoshi Otake(Meiji Gakuin University)