Prestij

Prestij is a term used in Indonesia and Malaysia to denote esteem, honor, or high social standing, as well as the perceived value or desirability of something, such as a brand or institution. It can describe both personal status and the reputational value attributed to organizations, products, or places. In social sciences, prestige refers to the respect and admiration afforded to individuals or groups by others, often influencing interactions and opportunities.

Etymology: The word is a borrowing of the English prestige into Malay and Indonesian, where the spelling prestij is common; the form reflects regional orthography. The concept is widely used in sociology, anthropology, and marketing to describe both intrinsic qualities and symbolic meanings that raise status or desirability.

Applications and implications: In business, prestige is used in branding and pricing strategies (prestige pricing, luxury brands) to signal quality and exclusivity. In education or institutions, prestige denotes their reputational standing, affecting student choice and funding. Critics note that prestige is subjective, context-dependent, and can reinforce social inequality or be exploited for marketing.