Essays on Consumer

The concept of consumer protection can to be summarized as all efforts in developing structures and legal responses to outrage and crises developed by consumption of substandard products. Americans have in the past been subjected to consuming products that are a dangerous to the health. Once the dangerous nature of such products is known to the public, public outrage is usually the first response and such outrage is usually directed at any form of government, either federal or state. To this end, several government agencies and bureaucracies have been developed to address protection of consumers. These agencies have either Continue reading...

1.0 Introduction
The current consumer regime in Australia came into effect on 1st January 2011. The sole aim of this thesis is to compare and contrast the present day consumer regime legislations and the pre-2011 ones. This is to ascertain whether the present day legislations are progressive or retrogressive. The Australian Consumer Law of 2011 (ACL) can be defined as “a national, state and territory law from 1 January 2011 and includes unfair contract terms legislation introduced on 1 July 2010’. Under this legislation, all consumers have the same entitlements and all businesses too have the same responsibilities and Continue reading...

Abstract

The research focuses on how emotional appeals in advertising impact consumer-based brand equity. In order for a firm to efficiently communicate emotional appeals to consumers, the firm must have emotional intelligence. Emotional information management ensures that emotional intelligence can be utilized effectively in organizing consumer desires. The research demonstrates that innovative companies create emotional bonding with consumers leading to better consumer-based brand equity. This study examines both positive and negative emotional appeals in the context of emotional information management and how it relates to brand awareness, brand associations, perceived quality, and brand loyalty.
Key Words: Emotional Appeals, Consumer-Based Brand Continue reading...

There are a wide variety of different ways that consumers can participate in the spectrum of behaviors sometimes referred to as “consumer misbehavior.” Consumer misbehavior runs the gamut from criminal behavior like shoplifting to the compulsive behavior of a shopping addiction. Fullerton and Punj (1997) note that consumer misbehavior has long been accepted to be a problem in the retail world, but that little research has been done on the issue. The most common type of consumer misbehavior considered by researchers is usually shoplifting, but perhaps that is because this type of behavior is very easy to track; other Continue reading...

When I decided to indeed choose Marketing at the College, I never had the complete facts and figures about the scope, advantages and relevance of Marketing. My thoughts were literally of a lay man, I knew marketing was all and only about advertisements of goods and services. No complex judgments’ and research involved, only elements of appeal to attract consumers. Furthermore I thought it is a difficult course and only concentrates on persuasion as the main skill for success. I never knew marketing is just marketing, no departments or concentrations such as specialization existed.

The failure or success of Continue reading...

In every aspects of business, marketers should learn about consumer behavior. This is because consumer behavior is tremendously a fundamental concept to all marketers. Based on various aspects of consumer behavior, consumers are daily changing their preferences for goods and services. It should always be in the mind of marketers that a consumer is always rational in making decisions; meaning they are capable of choosing the best combination of goods and services that will provide maximum utility at the minimum price. On the other hand, the marketers have the power to influence consumers buying behavior. By definition, consumer behavior Continue reading...

Content:

Explanation of the Economics or Business Issue:
2

Hypothesis:
4
Background:
4
Data description:
5
Data sources:
5
Graphical analysis:
5
Consumer confidence:
5
Unemployment:
6
Consumption:
7
Descriptive statistics:
7
Statistical analysis:
10
Correlation
10
Regression
10
Conclusion:
12
Bibliography:
13

Independent Business Research Analysis
Explanation of the Economics or Business Issue:
This paper explores the relationship between consumer confidence, unemployment and consumption. In this paper, consumption is the dependent variable whereas unemployment and consumer index are the independent variables. Barrel, R. et al (2008) states that consumption is affected by the ability to pay and the Continue reading...

The microeconomic theory

The identified microeconomic theory was the consumer demand theory. The consumer demand theory falls under the branch of economics that deals with the study of consumer behaviors applying to decisions related to purchase of goods and services in the market. The theory provides a deep insight into understanding market demand and forms the cornerstone of the modern microeconomics (Salvatore, 2002).

Properties and characteristics of the theory

The consumer demand theory generally analyzes consumer behavior in terms of market purchases that are based on satisfaction of needs and wants achieved after consuming a product. The main property of the theory is utility maximization. Economists are most Continue reading...

Independent Business Research Analysis

Explanation of the Economics or Business Issue:
This paper explores the relationship between consumer confidence, unemployment and consumption. In this paper, consumption is the dependent variable whereas unemployment and consumer index are the independent variables. Barrel, R. et al (2008) states that consumption is affected by the ability to pay and the willingness to pay, this means that even with high income levels in the economy, consumption may still be affected by their perception of the economy which is reflected by the confidence index. There is also a relationship between consumer confidence and unemployment rates. Continue reading...

Arguably, consumer behavior is tremendously fundamental concept to all marketers. In the 21st century, consumers keep on changing their preferences for goods and services depending of various reasons. As a matter of fact, marketers have the responsibility to influence the consumers to buy services or goods in the market. Consumers are always rational, meaning they have the power to choose the best combinations of products in the market, which gives them maximum utility at the minimum price; but, the marketers, in one way or another can change consumer behavior in various ways. Generally, consumer behavior refer to be study Continue reading...

Introduction

The psychology of the consumer is important for a company that hopes to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors. This is especially the case with the increased blitz of a marketing environment that is highly competitive. Companies are thus required to understand the reasons behind the consumer’s decision. For companies to survive in the competitive economic system, they require accurate descriptions of consumer behavior. This entails what the consumer buys, where he buys from, why he buys the product and what product he buys. Modern managers aspire to know who makes up their customers why the consumer Continue reading...

Consumption and Citizenship as it existed in the U.S. between 1930s and 1970s - Lizabeth Cohen

Introduction

Lizabeth Cohen’s monumental book clears any lingering doubt on the legitimacy of the consumer history. According to Cohen, Consumers’ Republic refers to an economy, politics and culture built on a strong belief that through mass consumption of goods, prosperity and a greater degree of democracy and equality will be achieved. Through her book, Cohen gives an account of the developments in the consumer and the marketplace since the 1930s. She describes the intersection between commercial lives and other various domains in surprising Continue reading...

Introduction
Being a marketing manager at Lacoste, the marketing director requested a report to be prepared that describes the interlocking components of the attitudes that influence relationships between consumers’ attitudes and behaviors. In addition, the report tries to discuss some of the factors that may influence the purchasing of footwear.
According Continue reading...

Abstract

Negative Word-of-mouth (NWOM) communication, often used as term to denote the negative feedback given by consumers on public online platforms, has emerged to be an important area of study. However, an important dimension of NWOM has so far been ignored in academic literature – the experiences and attitudes of customer service executives towards online consumer complaints. In studying these attitudes and emotions, the current study uses Davidow’s six dimensions of managing and handling complaints by organizations as a theoretical justification. More than half of the six dimensions involve communication between employees and customers. Hence, the employee attitudes and the Continue reading...

Introduction

In the current era of globalization, brands are major drivers of the financial performance of companies. Brands enable an organization to add value to the products of a company, and increase market performance of the products offered. Brand equity is therefore an effective measure for marketers who are active in developing strategies for particular brands to enable them understand past and future courses of action. Customer-based equity refers to the differential result of brand knowledge on customer response to the brand marketing (Keller 212). When customers react more favorably to an aspect of the marketing mix for the brand Continue reading...

Introduction

Mental health statistics around the world are indicative that in the twenty- first century we seem to be heading for a pandemic. The starling reality according to World Health Organization figures is that I in every 4 persons living today have developed a mental health disorder within their life time. This accounts for 25% of the world’s population. (World Health Organization, 2004)
Precise studies have revealed that to date some 450 million people around the globe are affected by some mental disorder of one type or the other irrespective of whether they live in developing countries, underdeveloped Continue reading...

ABSTRACT

This academic exploration of the underpinnings of the psychology of marketing provides timely research outcomes providing understanding for consumer marketing focus connected to human behaviour. In doing so, the literature provides historical and contemporary scientific findings about human cognitive abilities used by marketing schemas focused on sales through consumer buying models. In addition, this academic investigation looks at marketing research from a critical perspective offering further insights by professionals in the field of human behaviour in marketing. Included in this discourse is a perspective of where marketing research and human psychological behaviour need further investigation for creating ethical, substantial, Continue reading...

Introduction:

Marketing managers should be aware of their customers. In this competitive world, it becomes hard for marketing and sales management team to understand what is the reason that customer selects those products that have no consumer orientation. To move ahead with the competition, a firm needs to remain on top when it comes to wants, needs and desires. The buying behaviors of the consumers will permit the firm to accomplish its development in the market. Basic concern of the producer is the insatiable wants of the consumer as explained by psychology of consumer behavior. For example, majority of the Continue reading...

Declaration
This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “Gaining Strategic Advantage through Customer Value”, presented by me to the University of South Africa for the award of the degree of Master of Business Leadership is a bona fide record of research work which was carried out by me under the supervision of Dr Sidney Shipham. The contents of this dissertation in full or in parts have never been submitted to any other Institution of higher learning for the award of Continue reading...

The same is a federal law that controls the use of consumer information, dissemination and collection which also includes the consumer’s credit information. It was first passed in 1970 but became effective on 25th of April, 1971. However, it had originally been proposed to amend the Truth in Lending Act in 1968 but the plan did not succeed during the voting process to enact it. As a result, therefore, there was a new realization on the need for a legislation that would address the abuse of consumer credit reporting and which would also protect the privacy and confidentiality Continue reading...

Law

A credit card agreement is a legal contract between a bank or financial institution that issues the credit card and the consumer who uses the credit card. On the one hand the banks want “freedom of contract,” while on the other hand the consumer wants transparency from the banks and the right to negotiate terms. (Talking, 2009, thecitizens.blogspot.gr) From the banks point of view consumers have the option to accept or to not accept the terms of the agreement. This is true because consumers can theoretically choose to never use credit cards. But from the consumers’ point of view Continue reading...

Introduction

Consumer behavior is a study of groups, individuals and organizations based on the processes they use to select, dispose and secure products, ideas, experiences and services. The satisfaction of needs and the impacts that the processes have on the entire society and the consumers is considered when talking about consumer behavior. The behavior of consumers blends elements from marketing, economics, psychology, social anthropology and sociology. Besides, consumer behavior attempts to understand the decision making processes that buyers apply both in groups and individually including how emotions affects the behavior of purchasing by consumers. The characteristics of an individual consumer Continue reading...

Introduction

Global business arena offers numerous opportunities for the organizations to develop on national and international markets. External pressures, such as a competitive environment, political and economic factors, however, place a lot of emphasis on long-term general and marketing planning, which enable affiliation and guaranteed profits over the strategically relevant periods of time. Companies are becoming more dependent on their ability to meet the constantly changing market needs, and consumer expectations and loyalty becomes an increasingly valuable asset for the organizations in contemporary business environment (Rust, Moorman & Bhalla 2010). The markets differ by the average size and segmentation of the Continue reading...

Abstract:

Since the advent of globalization in the last two decades, market oriented companies has intensified competition to pursue internalization strategy for their supply management, human resources, and product policy. Because of the cutthroat competition at the global stage, aspiring companies must make decisions where their companies can attain competitive advantage over other corporations in the country that they want to explore. Several factors determine the choice of location. First, the company must have an edge over its rivals in terms of technology, distribution system, market base, and efficiency. Companies must have efficient organization skills and distribution skills to realize Continue reading...

Customer Inserts His/Her Name

Customer Inserts Tutot’s Name
- Introduction
- Background
The Chinese market is growingly rapidly. By the end of 2009, its population was at 1,334.74 million. This was an increase of 6.72 million people from the previous year. The income of urban households rose from RMB 10,493 to RMB 17,175 between 2008 and 2009.the expenditure on clothing among the urban households increased from RMB 801 to RMB 1,284 between 2005 and 2009. Therefore China is ranked as the world’s largest fibre consumer. Figure 1 below shows statistics of the country’s expenditure on clothing ( Continue reading...

Psychology: Luxury Goods

Psychology: Luxury Goods

Executive Summary

Luxury products is a niche segment of marketing and is not focussed not pricing strategy alone. To effectively market these products, it is important to understand the psychology of today’s youth towards these products. The paper reviews the article “The behaviour of the young towards luxury products” written by Allérès in 1999, in the context of understanding consumer behaviour.
The review of the article establishes three points. First, the young people do aspire for luxury products. Second, the youth is familiar with luxury products and effortlessly recall names of the famous luxury brands. Continue reading...

Summary

Global automobile industry is growing with a very fast pace. Technological advancements are very common in this industry, as the disruptive rate has increased. An advancement will be implemented in such a way that it could lead to sustainable competitive advantage. Hybrid cars are one of the most significant technological advancement in the automobile sector. However, people still prefer fuelled cars for personal use due to many underlying reasons. Despite the many benefits attached to hybrid cars such as environmental friendliness, status symbol and fuel efficiency, people living in Indian geographical boundaries are less adaptable to it. This research Continue reading...

Arguably, businesses and doing business has tremendously changed today. The digital era has led to an accelerated range of branded services and products, as well as consumerism. The manufacture, producers and businesses advertise their services and products by employing the digital media, which include cell phones, electronic billboards, internet, as well as celebrity endorsement. One of the prominent way of marketing during the digital era is the e-marketing. E-marketing complements entire marketing strategy that is perfect, and at the same time offers advertising opportunities that are proven and is in a position to take the marketing process to the Continue reading...

Introduction

Reality TV shows such as American Idol and the Bachelorette are amongst the top rated shows which attract the youth. The reason of appeal maybe accredited to the satisfaction consumers achieve by watching these shows as they relate and identify with these depictions. Marketers often use advertisements during these shows (such as the Coke can in the American Idol show) to promote their brands on a channel being highly viewed by the consumers. People engage in different behaviors when they are about to purchase a product and their consumption behavior is often affected by the advertisements, promotional deals, price, Continue reading...

The Consumer Price Index is a more direct approach of measuring the living standards in any given country compared to the per capita GDP approach. The Consumer Price Index measurement is based on the overall total cost of goods and services in a basket purchased by a typical consumer in the country, that cost is related to the prices of goods and services of that same basket in a given base year. With the inclusion of a wide range of goods and services in the fixed basket, the consumer price index can produce a precise and accurate estimation of Continue reading...

Literature Review

Literature Review:
Introduction
There is a vast literature available that explains how brand image should be develop? Moreover, how image of a brand should be created? In order to understand the importance of brand image and methods and strategies to create an image of any brand, the literature review will provide strategies and examples. The literature review contains information that will be collected from various studies that are based on research done by scholars and authors for the development of image for any brand. The airline companies are also using concepts related to brand image creation. Therefore, airline brand Continue reading...

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Economic Indicators and Wal-Mart Strategy
Introduction

Any business entity operates within a specific economic environment that significantly impacts its success and strategies. Thus, it is imperative for any organisation to conduct an in-depth analysis of its economic situation for successful strategy formulation. Economic indicators present a broad overview of an economy’s well-being. They are statistics about specific aspects of an economy, like unemployment rate, gross domestic product, consumer spending and inflation rate. These indicators not only reflect the health of an economy, but also serve as specific inputs to organizations to devise their investing strategy. This process of Continue reading...

The varied scope of applications, inconsistency and complexity of current legislation relating to exemption clauses in Contracts has caused much consternation. This paper examines such issues encountered in the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (UCTA) and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (UTCCR) which should be addressed by future legislation. It has become apparent that three significant issues should be addressed: accessibility (ensuring concepts are easily understood); the scope of legislation; and limitation of negligence (adequacy of terminology).

For coherence, this paper is organized in the following manner: first, an examination of accessibility relating to the abovementioned Continue reading...

Introduction

In this essay, the studying consumer behaviour important for a marketer has been thoroughly discussed. As there is an intrinsic link between a marketer and consumer behaviour, it is an imperative for marketers to grasp this key concept. Marketers need to study consumer behaviour to understand how individuals or organizations the make decision to select, consume and dispose of products and services which satisfy their needs. Consumer behaviour has an immense impact on the business organization selling products or services (Neal et.al, 2004, p.7).

Discussion

Studying consumer behaviour is important for a marketer as each consumer is unique and posses Continue reading...

Today, the most popular media through which the public get to know about the pharmaceutical products is through Direct-to-Consumer Advertising. Since drugs and other pharmaceuticals are involved, it is consequently referred to as ‘Direct-to-Consumer pharmaceutical advertising DTCPA’ (Pardun, 2009). Though the Federal Drug Agency ‘FDA’ regulates this sector, there are many critics that have been leveled against it. The critics say that the rules and regulations are too relaxed. Some also say that DTCPA is both detrimental and beneficial to the society. These arguments are balance, with opposes and proposers both making good points. There have been actions aimed Continue reading...

Part A

1. Julianne was a social person despite the fact that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia five years ago. For that reason, there is a reason to be concerned by the sudden change in Julianne’s behaviors. She has exhibited some characteristics that indicate that she is in a crisis. For instance, she has changed the usual pattern of relating to other people, she has withdrawn from people by wanting to be left alone, and she has shown apathy in her dressing and appearance.
2. Julianne is at risk of suicide. The reason why I have come to this conclusion Continue reading...

Consumer Behavior Process of Android powered Samsung Mobile

A marketing process involves buying and selling of goods and services characterized by consumer behavior activities in order to meet potential needs and wants of consumers. Effective marketing of Samsung requires an understanding of taste, preferences, likes and dislikes, purchasing power, quantity among other traits of the consumer. Consumers have different tastes regarding their choice of mobile phones due to likes and dislikes. Similarly, different people prefer different brands as such each consumer is unique as reflected in their purchasing patterns. Some prefer to use a Samsung mobile phone; others prefer Nokia mobile phone, whereas others prefer other brands. Continue reading...

Legal Issues Affecting Business Organizations in Australia

Recurrently, business entities engage in fraud or unfair practices in an attempt to gain advantage over their competitors. It is not always that these practices benefit consumers- on several occasions, business entities disregard the rights of the consumer. It is in this light that most governments, inclusive of the government of Australia, require business to submit information about their various products in a bid to ascertain if the products, in any way, infringe the rights of consumers. This is bid by governments to safeguard the rights of consumers is conventionally referred to as consumer legal protection.

The Level of Consumer Protection in Australia

However, even Continue reading...

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate on the necessity and feasibility of conducting a consumer privacy education program in colleges, universities, or in any other form of educational institution in the form of a complementary module that will be presented to the students as an addition to whatever subjects and topics are outlined in their course syllabus. In this paper, the author will conduct interviews and focus group discussions with a total of five college and or university students who are taking up any of the bachelor’s degree offerings in their respective college and or university.

Present status of the problem

Continue reading...

Assignment 5

- Why is it difficult to place a product in a consumer’s evoked set after it has already been rejected? What strategies might a marketer use in an attempt to accomplish this goal?
It may be difficult to place a product in a consumer’s evoked set after it has already been rejected because of the following reasons:
- Consumer decision making process consists of the steps 1) problem recognition; 2) information search; 3) evaluation of alternatives; 4) product choice; and 5) post purchase evaluation . Habitual decision making involves the consumer problem solving in which the consumer has Continue reading...