Målet med arbetet var att undersöka och analyserad en europeiska bussmarknaden för att se om Företag A kan bredda sin verksamhet och nå denna eventuellt nya marknad. För att kunna göra det gjordes först en marknadsundersökning där alla aktörer kartlades. Dessa aktörer analyserades för att se om marknaden var intressant samt för att se vilka av dem som kunde vara potentiella kunder och potentiella konkurrenter. Även busstillverkarnas produktkrav och produktönskemål undersöktes för att se om Företag A kunde erbjuda dem några av sina befintliga produkter. Intervjuer gjordes med Företag A, deras leverantörer, deras kunder och deras kunders kunder för att få en bättre förståelse för marknaden, Företag A:s befintliga produkter, produkterna de skulle behöva och vad som faktiskt efterfrågades på marknaden. En analys av Företag A:s möjlighet till expansion gjordes med hjälp av Ansoffs teorier om tillväxtstrategi, där det framkom att enda möjligheten för Företag A att expandera till Europa i dagsläget var via en marknadsutveckling. En SWOT-­‐analys gjordes därför där  Företag  A:s  styrkor  och  svagheter  jämfördes  mot den potentiella marknadens möjligheter och hot. Där såg vi att Företag A:s största styrkor idag inte var egenskaper som efterfrågades på marknaden, att Företag A idag inte hade möjlighet att konkurrera om möjligheterna på marknaden och att hoten på densamma var överhängande. En konkurrenskraftsanalys gjordes utifrån Porters fem  krafter där det framkom  att den europeiska bussmarknaden har låga inträdes-­‐    och utträdesbarriärer, kraftfulla köpare och hög industrikonkurrens vilket ger en teoretiskt oattraktiv marknad med chans till stabil men låg avkastning. Slutsatsen blev därför att marknaden inte var så intressant som det i begynnelseläget hade verkat och rekommendationen till Företag A blev således att de inte borde satsa på att försöka expandera dit i dagsläget. För att avsluta rapporten i en mer positiv klang så adderades även några rekommendationer för vad Företag A skulle kunna göra istället. / The purpose of the  project was to research and analyse the European bus market to see if Company A could expand their business and reach the potential new market. In order to do so all the market players were first mapped. These were then analysed to see if the market was attractive and to see which of them could be potential customers and potential competitors. The bus manufacturers' product requirements and product preferences were examined to see if Company A could offer them  some of their existing products. Interviews were  conducted with Company A, their suppliers, their customers and their customers' customers to get a better understanding of the market,  Company A's existing products, the products they need and what actually was requested on the market. An  analysis  of Company A's potential expansion was made using Ansoff's theories of growth strategy, where it appeared that the  only possibility for Company A to expand to Europé in the current situation was through a market development. A SWOT analysis was therefore made where Company A's strengths  and weaknesses were compared to the potential market opportunities and threats.  There  it was clear that greatest strengths of Company A today were not the qualities that were wanted on the market. Company A did not currently have the opportunity to compete for the market opportunities present and the market threats were imminent. A competitive analysis based  on  Porter's five forces made it clear that the European market for buses have low entry and exit barriers, powerful buyers and a high industry competition.  His makes it an unattractive market where there is chance for a stable but low  return.  It was therefore  concluded that the market was not as interesting as it had been in the initial position. The recommendation for Company A was  therefore  that they should not focus on trying to expand to the European bus market in their present situation. To conclude the report with a more positive connotation some other recommendations for what Company A could do instead were added.

Традиционная модель, при которой производители продают оптовым или розничным продавцам, которые, в свою очередь, продают конечному потребителю, существует уже сотни лет - все это способствовало установлению тесных, лояльных и выгодных отношений с третьими лицами, но Интернет все это изменил: электронная торговля открыла новые каналы распространения. Сегодня развитие технологий не только меняет жизнь людей, но и открывает новые возможности для ведения бизнеса за рубежом и если производители хотят оставаться актуальными, они также должны развиваться. / The traditional model, in which manufacturers sell to wholesalers or retailers, who in turn sell to the end consumer, has been around for hundreds of years - all of which have fostered close, loyal and profitable relationships with third parties, but the Internet has changed it all: e-commerce has opened up new distribution channels. Today, the development of technology not only changes people's lives, but also opens up new opportunities for doing business abroad and if manufacturers want to remain relevant, they must also develop.

Ultra fast fashion är ett relativt nytt fenomen som definieras som företag som producerar kläder på kort tid och säljer dessa till lågt pris. Snabb förändrade trender i kombination med korta marknadsföringsvägar gör det möjligt för ultra fast fashion att växa.    Granskningar har visat inhumana arbetsförhållanden för arbetare på fabriker som tillverkar produkterna och med tanke på att kläderna produceras så snabbt och billigt blir det även stora negativa konsekvenser för miljön. Trots att konsumenter kan känna till detta finns det många som ändå konsumerar ultra fast fashion.    Den här studien har studerat konsumtionsbeteenden inom ultra fast fashion för att ta reda på vilka demografiska faktorer som gör att människor handlar ultra fast fashion samt om de har handlat ultra fast fashion tidigare, vad får dem att handla igen. Detta är en kvantitativ studie där data har samlats in genom en enkät. Undersökningen är utformad med demografiska frågor i början och med en betingad fråga i mitten som delar upp respondenterna.    Den insamlade datan visar att den demografiska faktorn som gör att man handlar ultra fast fashion är kön då kvinnor visade sig handla ultra fast fashion i större utsträckning än män. Det kan inte sägas säkert att ålder spelar in om man handlar fast fashion eller inte, inte heller hur konsumenternas köpbeteende av ultra fast fashion påverkas av hur miljömedveten man känner sig eller hur hög socioekonomisk status man har. Studien behandlar även konsumentens känsla efter att ha handlat ultra fast fashion samt beslut att handla i framtiden. Det visar sig att det är låg sannolikhet att konsumenten som har handlat ultra fast fashion tidigare handlar ultra fast fashion igen, men vad det beror på kan inte med säkerhet sägas. / Ultra fast fashion is a relatively new phenomenon defined by companies that produce clothes in a short time and sell them at a low price. Rapidly changing trends and short marketing paths allow ultra fast fashion to grow and shorten the production line.   Studies have shown inhumane working conditions for workers in factories that manufacture ultra fast fashion products. Long working hours and low wages are just two of many negative aspects. As the garments are not manufactured in a sustainable way and are consumed in abundance, its consumption has a large negative environmental impact. Most consumers are aware of the negative impact on the environment and the poor working conditions for workers, while many continue to consume ultra fast fashion. This study has analyzed ultra fast fashion consumption behaviors to find out which demographic factors make people buy ultra fast fashion and if they have bought ultra fast fashion before, what makes them buy it again.    This is a quantitative study where data has been collected through a survey. The survey is designed with demographic questions at the beginning and with a conditional question in the middle that divides the group of respondents.  Collected data shows that the demographic factor that makes one buy ultra fast fashion is when women were found to buy ultra fast fashion to a greater extent than men. The age of the consumers is not significantly proven to affect whether the consumer chooses to buy ultra fast fashion or not, neither are the factors environmentally aware or socioeconomic status. The study also deals with the consumer's feelings after shopping ultra fast fashion and decisions to shop in the future. It turns out that there is a low probability that the consumer who has shopped ultra fast fashion before will shop ultra fast fashion again, however there is no sure connection as to what this is due to.

This thesis employed a series of surveys of Asian Americans residing in the Inland Empire to determine their personal views towards direct marketing. Data is broken out by age, gender, ethnicity and employment status.

高齡化及少子化的人口結構改變帶來了龐大的銀髮商機，社會總體消費行為以及價值觀亦隨之轉變。惟銀髮市場並非同質性的，其中又以單身女性銀髮族的利基市場最有前景；然而國內鮮少針對特定銀髮族利基市場進行相關的消費者研究。目前對銀髮市場的開發多鎖定現今的銀髮族；然而未來20年將逐漸進入退休生活之40~60歲的族群，平均教育程度及經濟能力較現今的銀髮族為高，思想比上一代開明，加上近年來智慧科技的突飛猛進，其所想望的退休生活勢必與現今的銀髮族大為不同。 因此本研究鎖定此一族群高學歷、高所得、及高資歷的單身熟齡女性進行先驅調查。其思想開明、經濟獨立、可以自由運用時間及金錢、並且願意投資自己，具有很強的消費能力。企藉由了解目標族群的需求與期望，提前開發對應的潛在商機。 本研究先藉由文獻分析，分析目前的總體社會數據、人口結構改變、相關理論模型及市場現況；再採用個別深度訪談法了解每位受訪者的家庭狀況、生活型態、對於退休的想法等等。研究結果顯示受訪者可區隔成四個集群：主流且內向居家的小確幸、心理年輕最願意嘗新的探險家、關心社會注重品質的女鬥士、及控制慾強愛奢侈品的女領導。而受訪者對未來的想望已超越低階的生理及安全需求，而偏向於較高層次的社交、尊重及自我實現需求。 就實際需求面而言，可分成五大層面：健康美麗的緩老需求、安適終老的居住需求、經濟自主的理財需求、教育休閒的娛樂需求、及自我實現的價值需求。根據這五大需求，分別衍生出22項潛在商機，分屬醫療保健、智慧科技、居住交通、金融服務、生活支援及工作休閒等六大構面。 / The changing population structure caused by population aging and low fertility rate has created numerous opportunities for business targeting the elders, which also changes consumer behavior and values in the society. At the moment, the development of silver market mostly focuses on the elders today. However, the forty-to-sixty-year-olds who are going to be retiring in the next twenty years have higher educational background and economic power; moreover, they are more open-minded and have experienced the boost of modern technologies, which gives them much more different expectation for life in retirement than the elders today. Also, the silver market is not homogeneous, and the niche market for single elder women has the brightest prospect. Nevertheless, there is barely any consumer research for the elder niche markets in Taiwan. Therefore, this pioneer research targets at single mature females with high educational level, high income, and high qualifications. They are open-minded, financially independent, able to use their time freely, willing to invest in themselves; above all, they have strong consuming capacity. Through exploration of the expectation and demand of the target customers, the potential business opportunities can be uncovered. The research starts with literature review, analyzing the current social data, the change of population structure, relevant theoretical models, and the current market conditions. Then it adopts the method of individual in-depth interview to understand the family condition, life style, and ideas about retirement of every interviewee. The result of the research shows that the interviewees could be divided into four clusters: the small happiness holders with introverted housebound disposition, the adventurers who stay mentally young and love to try something new, the fighters who care about the society and life quality, and the leaders who love luxuries and to control everything. The interviewees’ expectations of future have already overpassed the most fundamental levels of needs: physiological and safety needs, and are inclined to higher levels needs: social, self-esteem, and self-actualization needs. There are five aspects regarding the practical demands: the ways to slow aging and keep health and beauty, a nice shelter to enjoy the comfortable retirement life, the finance-management to be financially independent, education and entertainment, and the chances of self-actualization. Twenty-two potential business opportunities can be derived from these demands, which respectively belong to the following six categories: medical and health care, intelligence technology, housing and transportation, financial service, living support, and work and entertainment.

The Living Standards Measure (LSM), a South African marketing segmentation method, is a wealth measure based on standard of living. This research study investigates whether a rationale can be found for the inclusion of value-related variables in this type of multivariate segmentation approach. Schwartz’s (1992; 2006) values model was used to operationalise personal values and individual-level culture – focusing on two of its dimensions, ideocentrism and allocentrism. The current positive psychology research trend manifests in the inclusion of subjective wellbeing (SWB), as measured by satisfaction with life (SWL). The primary objective of this research was to investigate at individual (and not group or societal) level whether values and SWL can be used to discriminate among multivariate consumer segments. Data were collected by means of a survey from a nationally representative sample (n = 2566) of purchase decision-makers (PDMs). The measurement instruments used were the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). A multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was used to assess the psychometric properties and test the equivalence of the scales across cultural groups. MGCFA was also used to test for differences across LSM groups on the PVQ and SWLS. Centred value scores were used to test for differences between LSM groups in terms of their values and SWL, using MANOVA. The findings supported Schwartz’s theory of basic human values, and small differences were found in the PVQ values between LSM groups using the MGCFA approach. MANOVA analyses showed stronger differences across LSM groups. PDMs in the higher LSM segments were more satisfied with their lives. No significant relationships between values and SWL were found, and the effect of individual-level culture, as a higher-order dimension of four values, showed a small but significant effect on SWL. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology))

The mature market presents challenges to marketers because much of the information about the marketplace is based on younger consumers, differing from older consumers in many important ways. The research project was commisioned with two main objectives: to determine what is required to cater for customers falling into the age bracket of 60-75, enabling marketers to successfully target the mature consumer and retain these customers. A qualitative methodology was selected to collect and analyse information to enhance understanding of the perceptions with regard to the functional, social and emotional needs of the mature market sector. Abraham Maslow is known for postulating the 'Hierarchy of Needs Theory', stating that human beings are motivated by their unsatisfied needs. It is necessary to understand and investigate the relative importance of the functional, emotional and actualisation components of mature consumer needs. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology ))

The mature market presents challenges to marketers because much of the information about the marketplace is based on younger consumers, differing from older consumers in many important ways. The research project was commisioned with two main objectives: to determine what is required to cater for customers falling into the age bracket of 60-75, enabling marketers to successfully target the mature consumer and retain these customers. A qualitative methodology was selected to collect and analyse information to enhance understanding of the perceptions with regard to the functional, social and emotional needs of the mature market sector. Abraham Maslow is known for postulating the 'Hierarchy of Needs Theory', stating that human beings are motivated by their unsatisfied needs. It is necessary to understand and investigate the relative importance of the functional, emotional and actualisation components of mature consumer needs. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology ))

The aim of this thesis is to determine the strategy and partial steps that are needed to introduce the product on the market. The theoretical part defines the basic terms, which were described in accordance with professional literature related to this topic. The thesis describes SWOT analysis, BCG Matrix, market segmentation and Marketing Mix. In the practical part, the current state of the Marketing Mix is evaluated and it is pointed out how it should be newly set up correctly. The product development strategy was chosen based on Ansoff matrix. The market share of old brilliant watercolours gradually decreased, so the company took a step that innovated this product (saturation, pigment expansion and new packaging). Changes made to the product should have a positive impact on the volume of units sold and the gradual increase in market share. Furthermore, it is important that the company follows the new steps that are suggested based on the marketing mix. It is crucial that the company segment the market properly. In the Market Segmentation section, 11 categories are newly introduced. Brilliant watercolours are newly categorized as Creative, designed for a wide range of elementary art schools and creatives who are not satisfied with plain watercolours and products from ART category (professional products) are, in terms of price, inadequate to use. The new steps to introduce the product on the market include the costs that are reflected in the break-even point calculation. The resulting value is to show whether the payback time has been extended or shortened.

Die vorliegende Dissertation behandelt in fünf wissenschaftlichen Artikeln Grundfragen aus dem Themenfeld der Konsumenten-Marken Beziehung. Artikel 1 befasst sich mit der Fragestellung, was Konsumenten dazu führt, eine Marke in Betracht zu ziehen. Artikel 2 untersucht den Zusammenhang von Kundenzufriedenheit und Loyalität. Artikel 3 analysiert Konsumentenreaktionen auf Beziehungsverstöße und die Rolle von Beziehungsnormen. Artikel 4 untersucht den Einfluss negativer Informationen auf die Stärke der Markeneinstellung von Konsumenten. Im abschließenden 5. Artikel werden schließlich Kommunikationsstrategien für den Fall negativer Markenvorfälle entwickelt. / This dissertation consists of five articles concerned with different aspects of consumer-brand relationships. Article 1 looks at what makes consumers consider a brand in the first place, the precondition for a brand to establish a relationship with a consumer. Article 2 deals with sustaining consumer-relationships and the role of satisfaction in retaining customers. Article 3 looks at whether consumers stay with the brand in the case of a relationship problem, actively work to sustain the relationship or silently let it deteriorate. It shows that relationship norms constitute an important factor in how consumers react to such negative incidents in a relationship. Article 4 investigates the effect of negative brand information on consumers’ attitudes and article 5 develops communication strategies for companies to employ when negative brand incidents occur.