Applying Game Theory to Strategic Personal Branding: A Case Study of "Kaizen"

In a world where personal brands compete for attention, this thesis shows how game theory can help individuals stand out, build credibility, and form lasting audience relationships. The brand Kaizen illustrates how continuous improvement can be a strategic advantage.

Michel Abreu Arias, 2025

Type of Thesis Bachelor Thesis
Client Weber's
Supervisor Ulrich, Michael
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Digital platforms have intensified competition for visibility, making personal branding a key success factor for professionals, entrepreneurs, and athletes. Yet, many brands lack a structured, evidence-based approach to stand out and build trust.
This thesis applies microeconomic and game-theoretic models, signaling games, coordination games, and repeated games, to the author’s personal brand, Kaizen. A single-case qualitative design combines literature analysis with audience questionnaires, reflective journaling, planning documentation, and prospective social media metrics.
Results show that costly, consistent signals, such as transparent improvement routines, enhance credibility and trust. Strategic differentiation reduces comparability with competitors, enabling premium positioning. Long-term cooperative strategies foster resilient audience relationships. The Kaizen case demonstrates that combining continuous self-improvement with multicultural identity can yield a defensible market position. Game theory offers a clear framework for designing credible, distinctive, and scalable personal brands in competitive digital environments.
Studyprogram: Business Administration International Management (Bachelor)
Keywords Personal Branding, Influencer, Game Theory, Sports
Confidentiality: öffentlich
Type of Thesis
Bachelor Thesis
Client
Weber's, Basel
Authors
Michel Abreu Arias
Supervisor
Ulrich, Michael
Publication Year
2025
Thesis Language
English
Confidentiality
Public
Studyprogram
Business Administration International Management (Bachelor)
Location
Olten
Keywords
Personal Branding, Influencer, Game Theory, Sports