Abstract This paper explains that, for the retail industry, globalization, the integration of the global supply chain and improvements in transportation and logistical planning are making it easier to ship products from different facilities and warehouses to any outlet point around the world. The author points out that the Wal-Mart stores use centralized warehouses, electronic data interchange (EDI) systems and a cross-docking strategy to maintain the required inventory levels. The paper relates that Wal-Mart uses high technology (1) to plan effectively and schedule workers shifts, which permits a larger usage of part-time workers, and (2) to identify products that are preferred by the customer and offering them at prices much below departmental and specialty stores through consumerinformation systems.
From the Paper "Technology and common platforms for information transfer also require greater transparencies in operation from the supplier. In turn, this allows retailers greater knowledge of the operations and the costing offering them insights into the manner in which the supplier conduct their business and in some cases forcing some changes to better suit their own retailing operations. Wal-Mart mandates that all its suppliers ship their products with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags on them to the three Wal-Mart distribution centers in the Dallas, Texas. Kerry Pauling, director of Wal-Mart Information Systems Division, pointed out that the new RFID tags would "determine simply if we have merchandise that is in the back room of a store, or if that merchandise has been moved out to the sales floor and what the status of that is."
Tags: operations, consumer-information, human-resources, edi, rfid
Abstract This study investigates the decision process of consumers purchasing property in Spain. The paper focuses on the underlying reasons for purchasing a property in Spain, the methods used by the purchaser to gather information and the overall satisfaction with the purchase process. The paper links a report about current theories on consumer purchasing behaviour to the purchase of property abroad.
The investigation reveals a clear link between the level of satisfaction of the purchase process and the level of information and advice sought. The paper includes flow charts, tables, and graphs. It also appends the questionnaire used in the research and data analysis pages.
Outline:
Abstract
Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
1.1 Aspects and Foundation of the Research
1.2 Aim of the Research
1.3 Objectives of the Research
1.4 Hypothesis
2. Literature Review
2.1 Consumer Behaviour
2.2 The Consumer Decision Process
2.3 Problem Recognition
2.4 Information Search
2.4.1 Do Consumers Always Search Rationally?
2.4.2 Determinants of Information Search
2.4.3 Type of search
2.4.4 Evaluation of Alternatives
2.5 The Decision
2.5.1 Affect Referral Rules
2.5.2 Non Compensatory Decision Rules
2.5.3The Lexicographic Rule
2.5.4 Compensatory Decision Rules
2.5.5 Modified Rules for Research
3. Methodology
3.1 Methodology in Similar Research
3.2 Research Approach
3.3 Research Strategy
3.4 Method
3.4.1 Channels of Distribution
3.4.2 Ethics
3.4.3 Data Collection and Analysis
3.4.4 CHI-Square Test
3.4.5 Elements of Bias
3.4.6 Sampling
3.4.7 Pilot Study
3.4.8 Research Constraints
3.4.9 Response Rate
3.4.10 Variables
3.5 Null Hypothesis
4. Results
4.1 CHI Square Test
4.2 Data Interpretation
4.3 Summary of Key Findings
5. Discussion
5.1 Pre Purchase Process
5.1.1 Information Search
5.2 Purchase Process
5.3 Post Purchase Process
5.3.1 Consumer Behaviour Models
5.4 Consumer Profile
6. Conclusion
7. Recommendations and Further Research
8. References
9. Appendices
10. Glossary
From the Paper "Nicosia proposed a model that concentrated on the buying decision for a new product (illustrated in figure 2). The first stage of the model concentrated on the marketers' attempts to communicate with the consumer and the consumer's predisposition to act in a certain way. The scope of this research did not allow for the exploration of marketers' communication methods. However, the second stage of the model involved the consumer in a search evaluation process, which is influenced by attitudes. This follows a similar process to the Andreason model but it allowed the consumer to evaluate the process."
Abstract This paper explains that research indicates that, in the United States, perceptions factors in the purchase of organic foods relating to food safety concerns are environmental contaminants, disease-causing organisms and pesticide residues. The author points out that useful knowledge for anyone wishing to introduce consumers to organic foods is that the consumer would not perceive much risk in food until after he or she has heard about some problem; however, once that happens, it would be likely that they would make biased judgments. The paper indicates that, in contrast to nutrition knowledge, perceptions about attributes of organic foods, such as importance of nutrition, appear to be good predictors of dietary behavior; therefore, consumerinformation programs must be careful to reiterated nutrition as a "salient attribute" of organic food if they want to be successful in encouraging consumers to behave in a certain way.
Table of Contents
What is Consumer Behavior?
Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior
What is Perception?
Perceived Risk in Food
Price Perception
What are Attitudes?
Willingness to Pay
Resource Deficit Model
Organic Food as a Strategy to Deal with Worries about the Safety and Quality of Food
Consumer Buying Decision Process
From the Paper "Dean (1999) investigated three factors-advertising cues-he believed affected consumer perceptions (and therefore behavior) concerning product quality, uniqueness, manufacturer reputation and manufacturer corporate citizenship. It is likely the last of this list would have some effect on consumer behavior regarding organic foods, especially. The three cues Dean investigated were third-party product endorsement, brand popularity and event sponsorship. He found that the popularity cue lacked significant effect; also, he found that the three cues do not interact with each other significantly in forming a basis for consumer perception and arguably behavior."
Tags: reconstructionist, nutrition, perceptions, food-safety, information
This paper examines the public relations practices of three pharmaceutical companies: Merck and its product VIOXX, Pfizer and its product Celebrex and Johnson & Johnson and its Direct-to-the-Consumer (DTC) marketing campaign.
Abstract This paper explains that companies often encounter ethical issues and product problems, which open them to criticism and challenge; therefore, the way they handle the issue can help or hinder their public relations process and the image the public has of the company. The author points out that, in general, companies, which take responsibility quickly and work to get out all the facts, fare better than those that stonewall, which for many executives seems to be their first action as in the case of both Merck and its product VIOXX, Pfizer and its product Celebrex. The paper praises Johnson & Johnson's Direct-to-the-Consumer (DTC) marketing campaign because it shows concern for what concerns its customers and offering the consumerinformation to be used in making decisions; however, the same danger applies if a problem erupts, but the strategy fits well with current public attitudes and with business methods that burnish a company's image.
From the Paper "Critics of Pfizer note not only that the company may have had information on the dangers long before the issue was revealed and did nothing but that the company advertised in a way that minimized any risks and so lulled the public into accepting the safety of the product:
Several of the medical experts convened last month by the Food and Drug Administration to review Vioxx, Pfizer Inc.'s Celebrex and related painkillers lashed out against advertising that minimized the risks of the medicines and led many patients to use them unnecessarily."
This paper uses a case study to examine United Kingdom Consumer Laws and Consumer criminal laws. The laws are meant to protect consumers against defective and unsafe products and services.
Abstract United Kingdom Consumer Laws and Consumer criminal Laws are meant to protect consumers against defective and unsafe products and services. They can be invoked if a consumer feels he was taken for a ride and given product or service, which did not meet his needs or was faulty in any sense. We need to understand that certain conditions apply when these laws are made use of to bring charges against a trader. For example, the nature of product or service doesn't count at all but the length of use; special seller instructions, representation of a product etc. play a dominant role in determining the exact nature of breach of contract between the seller and the consumer.
Proposal-Introduction
Executive Summary
-------Rights and Liabilities-Used car
-------Rights and Liabilities-Seat cover
-------Rights and Liabilities- Cell batteries
-------Rights and Liabilities-Re-roofing
-------Rights and liabilities-Dogs
Conclusions/Recommendations
From the Paper "Eleanor and Nicos needed to purchase a second-hand car and visited Solid Cars for this purpose. There they found a Range Rover, which was being offered for ?2,000. The salesman informed them the original engine of the Rover had been replaced with a reconditioned engine. After initial discussions with the salesman, they agreed to purchase the vehicle through their debit card. The salesman however told them few things, which later proved to be incorrect and caused them several problems during test-drive."
Tags:Consumers, Laws, United, Kingdom, Merchants, Legal, rights
Abstract Marketers and business researchers are becoming increasingly aware of the way that emotional factors affect and influence consumer behavior. The paper's author contends that the term 'emotion" brings with it a great degree of ambiguity and misunderstanding that often confuses the way that this aspect is seen to relate to consumer behavior. The writer discusses some of the aspects of the interaction between emotion and consumer behavior in both a practical and theoretical sense.
Outline:
Introduction and Overview
Theoretical Perspectives
Practical Aspects
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "The theories of emotional behavior posited by Zajonc and others have very real practical implications for contemporary marketers and for the general understanding of consumer behavior. In essence, the significance of emotions or affective patterns of behavior, according to theorists like Zajonc, are that these feelings or emotional aspects of decision-making are the first and most primary component of consumer behavior. Another essential aspect is that in theory affective behavior takes place before reasoning and cognitive aspects. This has obvious repercussions in terms of understanding and determining consumer behavior patterns."
Abstract In this paper, the writer considers twelve articles focusing on consumer behavior, primarily in South Africa. The writer discusses factors that affect consumer behavior (such as, family values, peer pressure, cultural mores and economic trends).
From the Paper "There are many different factors that affect consumer behavior, family values, peer pressure, cultural mores, economic trends among others. Understanding how various factors affect consumer behavior is critical if companies are to be successful in their marketing efforts. These factors become both more complicated and more critical when international marketing is taken into account. This research considers the issues of need and motives values and attitudes and how these factors are both influenced and how they influence consumer behavior particularly with ..."
An essay on the rising health care costs associated with moral hazard and why, despite some skepticism, consumer driven health plans (CDHP) can provide a solution.
Abstract The paper discusses Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHP) and how these plans can reduce medical spending. The paper examines the rising cost of health care and how health insurers have developed new and innovative ways of dealing with the ever pressing issue moral hazard has had on overall medical spending. The paper further analyzes how through consumer driven health plans, health insurers hope to encourage more conservative and responsible consumerism as patients are forced to pay higher out of pocket costs for medical services.
From the Paper "Year after year, as the cost of health care continues to rise and the American public's frustration continues to grow, those with influence over the market have begun to offer new and innovative solutions in the hopes of curbing the ever rising prices a broken system has helped to create. In a flawed design where everyone but the consumer is picking up the tab - the employers, health insurers, and government, it's of no surprise that Americans have been more than indulgent in their consumption of medical services. Unfortunately, this careless consumption, driven by moral hazard, is what continues to drive the overall cost of health care up at a rate of inflation higher than that of other goods and services. Now, in an effort to reduce the most costly of effects attributing to the rising cost of medical services, health insurers have focused on reducing moral hazard through the introduction of consumer driven health plans (CDHP)."
Abstract This paper relates, that the history of big business enterprises in the United States is the sacrificing of consumer safety for profit. The author points out the example of the Corvair automobile of the 1960s. The paper reviews historic events that shaped the consumer protection movement of the American twentieth century.
From the Paper "There are a myriad of reasons why we need consumer protection in our modern world. Chiefly, we need consumer protection because those who profit from mass-consumption - and from cost-cutting measures at all levels of production - cannot be counted upon to put the interests of the consumer first unless compelled to do so. This paper explores why it is that consumer protection is so vitally important for American consumers by high-lighting instances when business avarice superseded concerns about the well-being of ordinary citizens."
Abstract The Consumer Advocacy Model Program (CAM) is a substance abuse program offered by the Substance Abuse Resources and Disabilities Issues program (SARDI) and the University Medical Services Association. It is a consumer-oriented program, with a team approach. This paper is an on-site evaluation and review of CAM. The paper argues that CAM does provide a valuable resource for the disabled population, but the success rate needs improvement before it can be called a viable treatment provider.
From the Paper "The person that I interviewed was Melissa Jones, CCDC-IIIE, clinical director at the program. Ms. Jones has a number of different certifications and professional qualifications, including a Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC). Program and Services Provided CAM is a consumer-oriented outpatient program that is also community based. According to the website, this program offers a large number of services to its clients, including "advocacy, support, case management, vocational services, and chemical dependency treatment for people with disabilities who are concurrently experiencing alcohol or other drug-use problems" (What is CAM?, 2003, par. 2)."
Abstract This paper examines Georgia Flight's brief article "Companies tap into consumer passion", and reviews what it portends for business customer relations. The paper explains that the article discusses a new type of relationship between the businesses and their customers, with the customer taking control of the innovation process as well as the creative process to produce work uniquely suited for their particular needs and concerns.
From the Paper "There can be little doubt that superior customer service is at the heart of any successful organization. With that in mind, it is increasingly apparent that customer service today entails something radically different than its predecessors. To wit, the effective customer service of the present and certainly the future will be focused upon reversing the flow of information. in short, it will now be the customer directing the creative process and marketers and advertisers who will merely be serving as conduits and receptors; incidentally, this new phenomenon also lies at the heart of the following paper."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the practices of banks and credit unions regarding different types of consumer loans. An argument is made that the types of products offered by these different institutions is driven by their institutional make-up and their operational goals. Some scenarios are considered to determine what consumers might expect from these product offerings.
From the Paper "When consumers decide to borrow money in today's financial marketplace, they face more choices and must navigate around more dangers than ever before. Not only are there numerous instruments available to people of different financial means, each marketed in various ways and with varying levels of disclosure, there are also many different types of institutions accessible to them. This paper will compare and contrast the two most common institutions that make consumer loans, banks and credit unions, in terms of their structure, general loan policies, and common instruments. After laying the groundwork for each type of institution, several generic scenarios will be presented for typical consumers wishing to obtain a loan, in order to determine what kinds of offers might be made by a typical bank or credit union."
Abstract This paper examines the differences and similarities of consumer behavior in Japan and Indonesia in terms of their natural system, political system, economic system, social system, knowledge system, educational system, executive system and marketing system. Marketing implications are also provided.
From the Paper "It can be argued that Indonesia and Japan are two of most attractive markets in Asia. Indonesia has a fast growing population and Japan can be considered as the most developed Asian country. This paper will analyze, evaluate and note differences and similarities of the natural system, political system, economic system, social system, knowledge system, educational system, executive system and marketing system of Indonesia and Japan. Consumer behavior topics and marketing implications relevant to the systems mentioned above will also be discussed in details. It is believed that changes in consumer behavior in both countries over the recent years will help marketers to analyze consumers? increasing influence, to educate and protect consumers, formulate public and personal policy."
Abstract This paper deals with consumer behavior, dealing specifically with Latinos and marketing the benefits of nutritional bars. The paper looks at the type of marketing techniques used during the initial marketing phase of the introduction of this product group.
From the Paper "Individuals interested in purchasing snack, nutrition, breakfast or any other type of bar are looking to satisfy three things, tastes, nutrition and price. If nutrition were not an important element in the consumer's mind then any quick stop to a McDonald's or Burger King would have sufficed in solving the problem of being hungry. However when nutritional values as well as economics are involved it is easy to see why these products would have high involvement but even though high involvement behaviors are present so are low involvement ones. In addressing the high involvement behaviors it is acceptable to say that the thought processes involved in snack bar purchases are high due to the consumers fear of sacrificing tastes. Consumers want to determine, how many calories the bars contain, what are their ingredients, are they all natural, and do they taste good etc."
