Abstract This paper concerns product bundling and offers a few examples. It defines brief benefits to customers as well as to companies providing the bundling. The examples that are reviewed are software and a few financial examples as well as practical reasons for why companies like to bundle their products. The writer also discusses that more often than not, companies lose money on the products themselves but gain on a customer basis.
From the Paper "In an economy that is extremely price sensitive, most consumers have turned into very conservative shoppers. This affects not only the way their purchase clothing and food but also when they are purchasing items considered to luxury items such as software and sporting goods. Often consumers find themselves being placed in a position that in order to purchase one item, which might only cost $100, they must increase their spending. This is rare but can be seen during the introduction of a new product, which will be sold later individually. However in order to gain it initially, the consumer will need to purchase it with another product at a higher price. If one analyzes the price of each item the customer may indeed gain a large saving but is basically forced to purchase another product that he may or may not use."
Abstract This paper discusses the Bundle Theory of the self. As well the Bundle Theory has serious implications with respect to ideas about human responsibility and conscience. Examples are used to President Clinton to prove this point.
Abstract This paper tackles the issue of "universals" from all sides, looking at both the Platonic and Aristotelian models to understand the theories that arose from those bases. The idea of a universal is thoroughly defined, explored in terms of different theories (Bundle Theory, Nominalism, Classic Platonism, etc.), and finally boiled down to a discussion of the implication that the idea of "universals" has in regards to the more general notions of "nothingness" and "somethingness".
From the Paper "The following essay is focussed on exploring all aspects of the theory of universals as it applies to metaphysical investigation. I will proceed in defining universal in general terms, presenting the arguments that support universal theory, presenting the opposing arguments, briefly defining the individual nominilist theories, and finally presenting my own thoughts concerning universals. I have tried to present the following material logically and comprehensibly, to eliminate as many assumptions as possible, hopefully providing a coherent step by step exploration of universals and related issues."
Tags: aristotle, bundle, nimonalism, objective, philosophy, plato, subjective, theory
Abstract This paper discusses the three types of payment options in the healthcare industry used by practicing physicians: fee for service, bundled service arrangements and capitation arrangement. This paper further examines the importance and benefit of each type of payment system in relation to several criteria, such as utilization rates and delineation of services."
From the Paper "The ebb and flow in the healthcare industry regarding payment systems and arrangements for practicing physicians has been especially pronounced in the last twenty years. With the constant rise in healthcare costs, the increased reliance on managed care systems and ever improving technology, the payment strategies used by physicians has become an important component of the business aspect of healthcare: "Insurance carriers are introducing an unending stream of new caps and conditions... Hospitals are undergoing a major restructuring... doctor groups are forming, breaking up, reforming and restructuring...to meet...demands of insurers..."(Galbick, 1996, par.1). This flux in the industry has only intensified which has had a pervasive impact on the healthcare industry in terms of payment strategies and systems. Physicians in managed care programs are often tasked to, either directly or indirectly, increase utilization rates of other services that the facility or program offers."
Abstract This paper relates that marketing is a vital part of the successful cases of BMW Films, Prozac/Paxil, Sony's EyeToy and Tivo. The author points out that, because BMW's customers are technologically oriented, BMW Films must consider marketing collateral based on pod-casts, blogs and an RSS news/advertisement campaign distributed via the Internet. The paper relates that the strategy of marketing pharmaceutical product for diseases, like "social phobia", whose discovery were at least partially funded by the major pharmaceuticals themselves, is highly effective and creates a market where previously none existed. The author underscores that the strategy of bundling the EyeToy product with Sony's existing computer game stations eliminates the consumer perception that EyeToy is a low cost device. The paper realizes that Tivo's marketing department is limited by the confines of its retail distribution and manufacturing agreements.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Case Analysis
BMW Films
Marketing Antidepressants Case Study
Sony EyeToy Case
Tivo Case Study
From the Paper "BMW's target market differs somewhat with each of its product lines although in all cases its overall target market is considered affluent to some degree. For the 3 series product line, BMW's target market is described as the upwardly mobile, young professional who declaring him or herself to be on the way up the ladder of success. For the 5 series product line, BMW's target market is largely a repeat customer who has reached a degree of established success and can afford the added accoutrement of the mid-range BMW luxury product."
Abstract For many, automated teller machines (ATMs) are simply a way of life. There were introduced nearly 20 years ago and today, many bank customers never go into a branch after opening their account. But today's ATM cards can also be used to make purchases at retail outlets and even on the World Wide Web, another innovation which was not envisioned 20 years ago. The videophone has become video conferencing, and cameras which use film may be made obsolete by cameras which use a floppy disk for recording images. Electronic pagers, once the purview of doctors and others who needed to be notified in case of emergencies, have now become commonplace and are used to summon diners to their table.
From the Paper "Introduction
For many, automated teller machines (ATMs) are simply a way of life. There were introduced nearly 20 years ago and today, many bank customers never go into a branch after opening their account. But today's ATM cards can also be used to make purchases at retail outlets and even on the World Wide Web, another innovation which was not envisioned 20 years ago. The videophone has become video conferencing, and cameras which use film may be made obsolete by cameras which use a floppy disk for recording images. Electronic pagers, once the purview of doctors and others who needed to be notified in case of emergencies, have now become commonplace and are used to summon diners to their table. This research examines each of these technologies and considers how the impact of technology extends beyond its stated use."
Abstract This paper examines the origin of the modern presidency. Modern presidents, much more than traditional presidents, are expected to initiate and seek support for legislative action. In the arena of foreign policy, Roosevelt's nationalism eventually lost out to Wilson's internationalism. The United States became a world power along idealist lines. Wilson bundled these Anglo-American ideas together and presented them as the solution the world was seeking. Wilson feared a second world war after experiencing the horrors of the first. International liberalism was a towering presence in the post-Cold War world. It was the world's orthodoxy.
Abstract This paper takes a look at advances in cell phone technology and how these advances are leading to the ability to access home control systems through the mobile phone. The paper also provides an overview of what a home control system is, lists the critical issues concerning this type of application, looks at two major current mobile commerce providers, and takes a brief look at the future potential of this type of mobile phone service.
From the Paper "For better or for worse, the cell phone technology has changed modern communication and modern life. Mobile communication systems have undoubtedly made modern human beings more "connected" to one another, or at least more able to talk to, or to reach one another, at any point in time. Now, an individual with a "switched on" cell phone can always be accessed through the use of mobile cell phone technology--barring any interference from poor connections or poor service, of course! However, besides simply being able to talk to others more easily, mobile phones can also make it easier to access other aspects of one's daily existence, from one's calendar, list of frequently called numbers, and yes, one's home."
Tags: connect, cellular, technology, ecommerce, multiple, services, bundle, security, systems
Abstract This paper discusses a group of bundled attributes on cards presented to consumers as a survey on a new product. The paper examines the new product, a convertible slipper that can be made into an outdoor shoe, noting the attributes consumers want and how some of the attributes of this new product are too new to be readily understood by the consumer. The paper explores how these problems can be overcome by marketing.
From the Paper "The eight attribute bundles used for this research cover the following areas for the sneaker design. The cross trainer sole style is presented with two different color schemes and with laves and as a slip-on. The running sole has two color schemes and is either an athletic shoe or lace shoe. The convertible slipper with a sneaker sold is another style. The seventh type is a running sole with two color schemes as a slip-on. The last is a cross trainer sole athletic show with three color schemes. The various shoes are also differentiated by price, ranging from $60 to $110 and up."
Abstract This paper contends that in today's hyper-competitive music industry, the pricing strategies implemented, for CDs, by music manufacturers are crucial to their success. It explains that the threats from the plethora of music labels now producing music, as well as substitutes to CD purchase, such as online downloads, are significant. The paper focuses on the implementation of a variety of tactics to ensure their success in the industry like,product bundling to segmented pricing. The author claims that a sound pricing strategy in the CD industry not only gains competitive advantage, but can also place a company in a leadership position.
From the Paper "In today's hyper-competitive music industry, the pricing strategies implemented, for CDs, by music manufacturers are crucial to their success. Threats from the plethora of music labels now producing music, as well as substitutes to CD purchase, such as online downloads, are significant. As such, organizations have implemented a variety of tactics to ensure their success. From product bundling to segmented pricing, a sound pricing strategy in the CD industry not only gains competitive advantage, but can also place a company in a leadership position. Pricing Strategies Overview: Pricing strategies occur as one facet of a product's marketing strategy. Different pricing strategies are often employed, despite the marketing of very similar products, due to the unique targeted customer demographics, for the product. These generic strategies include: skim pricing, penetration pricing, and neutral pricing. Skim pricing produces high margins and low sales volume for products ..."
Abstract This paper discusses consumer behavior dynamics that are starting to emerge from the pervasive outsourcing of services. The paper particularly focuses on the outsourcing of plastic surgery and describes the way in which consumers from wealthier countries fly to South Africa and combine surgery with safari, in order to receive cheaper, but quality services.
From the Paper "For any business model or even the strategies that support them to survive, there has to be more of a balance between the 4 Ps of marketing which include promotion, place or distribution, and product in addition to price. In fact price is the most volatile and over-used of differentiators in many companies and entire industries. This has been exacerbated by global outsourcing strategies in many industries, with many looking for the 40% reduction in costs to justify moving their services spending, manufacturing operations, or both offshore. Yet pricing cannot sustain a business model for more than several quarters, even in the most commoditized of industries, according to research completed by Marn, Roegner, and Zawada of McKinsey and Company (The Power of Pricing, Pages 27 - 36)."
Abstract This paper explains that the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and the arbitrage pricing theory (APT) both depend on the identification and quantification of risk vis-a-vis a given financial device or product and thereby a financial product's volatility. The author points out that the primary assumption of the CAPM is that there exists a relationship between risk and the expected rate of return (ERR) and this relationship is then factored into the pricing structure of financial securities. The paper relates that APT is a model that relies on the integration of several factors at once rather than bundling all factors into a single beta. The paper concludes that the APT is the model of preference because the APT is the only valuation model, which can account for the full spectrum of market and asset-specific factors that can affect price and risk determination within the context of the global economy.
Table of Contents:
Overview
The Capital Asset Pricing Model
The Arbitrage Pricing Theory
From the Paper "There are several weaknesses with the CAPM, which has limited its effectiveness in the financial services industry. The most prominent of these weaknesses is that it is primarily a single-factor risk assessment method which relies on a single covariance to the overall financial market the security is traded in. This single covariance is the CAPM's beta which is effective in ideal market conditions but when extra-market factors affect change in the market or to the industry in which the security functions, this single-factor aspect becomes less accurate because it cannot accommodate such variance."
Tags: identification quantification risk, rate of return, integration
This paper provides a straight forward customer profile analysis that includes target market, product usage and purchasing motivation for the three Canadian-based telecommunication companies of Telus, Rogers and Bell.
Abstract This paper shows a customer profile analysis for the Canadian based telecommunication companies of Telus, Rogers and Bell. The paper compares the market strategies of the three companies within a shared target and space, and determines that each of the companies rely heavily on phone communication as a necessity, for building their businesses. The paper also shows the slight differences in strategies: Telus as a growing global performer, Rogers as offering a host of commercial solutions and Bell as being the leader due to its long-standing presence in the market, its recognized brand, and its array of bundled services.
From the Paper "The motivation for Rogers' wireless solutions is centered on the company's target market's desire to remain connected with both peers and family. Increasingly, wireless phones are being employed as the sole means of communication between family members as well as peer groups. The residential and business phone accounts are subscribed to out necessity since many customers and certainly most businesses still rely on the traditional phone line as their main form of communication. Likewise, Rogers' cable television service is purchase more for its entertainment value than for any form of communication method even when packaged with Internet services."
Tags: communication, target market, customer motivation, customer usage, entertainment
