The concept of communities and the interaction between people are not new concepts. People have always gathered around common conditions shared by those in the group such as shared emotions, interests, beliefs and needs. It is however the way we interact, with whom we interact, and when and where these meetings take place which has changed. This has been a direct result of the development of the internet and exacerbated with the move to the second phase of internet development. This second phase of internet development provides users with real-time functionality enabling interaction with global users in a virtual environment. This interaction is termed online social networking and takes place in online communities.Online communities present opportunities for marketers as they give rise to a virtually unlimited number of different consumers, structured around finer consumption and marketing interests. Research indicates that online community users are market-oriented and therefore online communities provide a meaningful medium of exchange for these users. The challenge for companies today has been trying to develop ways to capitalise on this trend and raise their competitive advantage. However, in order to effectively understand these users, an understanding of their characteristics is fundamental to the development of any tailored marketing campaign. This thesis therefore aims to shed an insight into a segmentation model designed for online communities - firstly by empirically testing it and secondly, by enriching the data with a typology of online buying behaviour characterised by psychographic and behaviour variables. Therefore the research question posed is “Can online community users be classified by their online buying behaviours so that they are useful to marketers?”.The empirical data was gathered quantitatively through an online questionnaire designed to classify the respondents into meaningful segments and clusters. The report reflects a social constructionist methodology where the results have been interpreted and given meaning. The report is based on the segmentation models presented by Kozinets’ ‘virtual communities of consumption’ and Barnes et al. typology on online buying behaviour. This report combines the two models in order to enrich the segmentation model presented by Kozinets’ with attributes of online buying behaviour in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of online community users. The results indicated that the four online user profiles defined in Kozinets’ model did not show differences in their online purchasing behaviour. Rather all online community users could be categorised by Barnes et al’s three clusters of online buying behaviour.

The consumer today is affected by a considerably larger number of world surrounding factors than she used to be, borders between different cultures and other consumer differences are being erased to a growing extent. The consumer can easily get its inspiration from many different directions which become clear in the common life. We eat sushi for lunch, we’re driving German cars and we’re having dinner with international business partners. The community also exposes the consumer for a more intense noise from offers, impact and marketing. Never before have so many different actors on the market been competing about the consumers’ attention. In a community where the noise constantly grow more and more intense, the importance of the product function is decreasing to make room for an increasing importance of the brand’s position on the market. The customer no longer buys a garment for its function, but for image or perhaps even the personality it brings along. Acne Jeans and Filippa K are two successful Swedish companies that are established in both Stockholm and Gothenburg. Both of these trademarks offer the customer a lifestyle instead of just a simple product. The purpose of this study is to examine, describe and analyze what Acne Jeans and Filippa K wants to provide with their trademarks and how the customer see these brands concerning consumer buying behavior and attitude. The study will be seen partially from a sender perspective and partially from a receiver perspective. In this essay we have used a human-hermeneutic way of interpretation. We have conducted a qualitative study of how Acne Jeans and Filippa K want to provide their trademarks and what the consumers think about the both brands in Stockholm and Gothenburg. The empiric material in our essay consists of observations of Acne Jeans and Filippa K, and interviews with consumers in both Stockholm as well as in Gothenburg. Through our research we have achieved the conclusion that Acne Jeans wants trough its trademark provide fashionable garments to the customers. The respondents that have made themselves an opinion about the company have a positive image of Acne Jeans. The respondents whom cannot identify themselves with Acne Jeans have a more negative attitude to the company. In Gothenburg the customer has a stronger relationship to the trademark than the Stockholm respondents.Filippa K wants through its trademark provide timeless clothing of high quality to a commercial price to the customers. All the respondents were familiar with the trademark and in one way or another had a connection and relationship with the company. Regardless of age, respondents in both Stockholm and Gothenburg had a positive attitude towards the company; the customer has a high rank of awareness to Filippa K. The associations to the brand are strong and the consumer has a mentally loyal attitude towards Filippa K. / <p>Program: Textilekonomutbildningen</p><p>Uppsatsnivå: C</p>

M.. Tech. (Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / Store choice has become an area of concern for a retailer, with no clear verdict as to what drives customers in the selection of a store. Shopping at the right store with the right social reputation may be essential for many customers. Therefore, the dynamic store choice decision can be conceptualised as a problem of deciding where and when to shop. The primary objective of this study was to determine the influence of perceived social risk and buying behaviour on apparel retail store choice among Generation Y female students within the Sedibeng district. This study focused on perceived social risk, as the literature shows that publically consumed products are the ones with a high level of social risk and the consumer’s need for social acceptance with regards to brand and store choices. This study also looked at the buying behaviour of apparel by Generation Y female students within the Sedibeng district because in today’s increasingly complex retail environment, an understanding of consumers’ buying behaviour and their knowledge of products and services is critical for high quality business decisions. In addition, an understanding of consumers’ buying behaviour will assist retailers to segment their client base and target specific customer groups with strategies designed to meet their retail needs. A quantitative research approach was used for this study and a non-probability convenience sampling procedure was adopted in this study. A structured questionnaire was utilised to survey 400 students from the two universities in the Sedibeng district. The target population for this study was restricted to Generation Y female students within the two universities, namely Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and North West University (NWU). Pre-testing and a pilot study preceded the main survey and reliabilities were measured using the Cronbach alpha coefficients. Out of 400 questionnaires sent to the participants, a total of 370 responses were received and this resulted in a return rate of 92.5 percent for the main study. The statistical analysis of the collected data included descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling to test the posited hypothesis. The analysis results of the factor analysis showed that based on the Kaiser-Guttman rule, for each of the constructs (perceived social risk, buying behaviour and retail store choice) only two factors that have intrinsic value greater than one were extracted. For the perceived social risk construct, two factors, which were labelled anxiousness and significant others were extracted and for the buying behaviour construct two factors, which were labelled acceptance and reaction were extracted. Lastly, for the retail store choice construct, two factors, which were labelled word of mouth as well as convenience and physical characteristics of the store were extracted through the exploratory factor analysis technique. According to the results of the structural equation modelling analysis, the tested relationships produced satisfactory results consistent with how they were hypothesised. Specifically, it appeared that there is a direct relationship between perceived social risk and buying behaviour. Buying behaviour also has a positive effect on retail store choice and finally, perceived social risk has a good impact, but there is no significant influence on retail store choice as indicated by the findings. Insights gained from this study will assist marketers of apparel products to increase the patronage levels in their stores by expediting the factors identified in this study. Moreover, these findings may enable apparel retail store managers to comprehensively understand how perceived social risk influences a consumer’s retail store choice and to predict as well as develop a current view of the buying behaviour of female Generation Y consumers, thereby facilitating the evelopment and implementation of more effective marketing strategies in their stores. Implications of the findings are discussed and limitations and future research directions are alluded to.

No description available.

<p>This thesis aims at investigating consumers’ perceptions on the incorporation of an established brand and how the general attitude and buying behaviour is altered in the course of an acquisition. The combination of two or more brands in a newly formed conglomerate implies a combination of values, principles and associations that might affect a company’s appeal. Therefore, underlying reasons for M&As will be elaborated upon as well as branding concepts based on brand image, loyalty and reputation in order to bridge the two theoretical areas with a case study. The acquisition of Body Shop International by L’Oréal represents the practical case, which will be analysed in reference to consumers’ reactions towards it. Quantitative consumer questionnaires will be conducted in order to collect representative data on consumers’ perceptions and associations of the brand Body Shop. Moreover, an expert interview with a Body Shop representative will be executed in order to add the company’s perspective. By analysing the results of the questionnaire, the thesis reveals an observable trend towards a correlation of the awareness of the acquisition and a negative shift in customer perception. The buying behaviour is however not found to be influenced by the combination of the two firms. In conclusion, it can be stated that the need for pre-acquisition analysis regarding strategic fit and compatibility of values and associations is assured. The study clearly identifies that brand dilution is a possible threat for established brands and implies the risk of lost credibility and loyalty.</p>

<p><strong>Syfte:</strong> Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga kundernas köpbeteenden i en inredningsbutik, Divas Boning och att diskutera hur dessa kan påverkas och bidra till ökad konsumtionsnivå hos kunderna.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Metod: </strong>Vi har valt att använda oss av både en kvalitativ metod i form av en intervju samt en kvantitativ metod i form av en enkät. Dessa presenteras var och en för sig i empirikapitlet. Analyser har sedan gjorts också uppdelat i kvantitativ- och kvalitativ data.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Resultat & slutsats: </strong>Vår studie visar att det är av stor vikt att Divas Boning tydligt positionera sig och arbetar med sina kundrelationer. Vår studie visar även att valet av sortiment i hög grad påverkar hur butiken uppfattas och att det är viktigt att som mindre inredningsbutik inte bara se liknande butiker som konkurrenter utan även större kedjor. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Förslag till fortsatt forskning:</strong> Som fortsatt forskning skulle vi finna det intressant och lärorikt att studera branschen ur ett vidare perspektiv och göra en grundlig konkurrensanalys av Divas Bonings alla konkurrenter. I denna studie kan vi endast beröra köpbeteendet hos Divas Bonings kunder. Det skulle även vara intressant att studera skillnader mellan handel i fysisk miljö och på Internet.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Uppsatsens bidrag: </strong>Förutom kunskapen att arbeta med teoretiska modeller har vår studie framförallt bidragit med kunskap om Divas Bonings nuvarande kunder. Vi har fått en god uppfattning om kundernas köpbeteenden, vad de har för uppfattningar och behov. Denna studie kommer också att vara användbar för Divas Boning i deras marknadsplanering.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

<p>American Express initiated a new marketing strategy twenty-five years ago. Forevery new card user the company donated one cent for the recovery of the Statueof Liberty. The success of the campaign exceeds the expectations. This strategywhere a company declares to spend a defined amount of money for a special causein order to push up its sales is called Cause-Related Marketing. Now more andmore companies use the cause-related marketing strategy as a way out of saturatedmarkets and growing consumer awareness. Billions of dollars are spent every yearin cause campaigns.</p><p>Because it is a relatively new approach many researches has shown interest in thismarketing communication strategy. However, there is still lack in the field ofcause-related marketing and especially in the consumer part.</p><p>This is also the field of interest for this dissertation and in particular how doescause-relates marketing strategy shape consumer attitude, perception and buyingbehaviour? In order to find out the answer of this question we relied on differenttheories and in addition we conducted a questionnaire among international students.</p><p>The results, even though restricted trough the sample, showed that there is aconnection between the cause-related marketing and buying behaviour andattitude. Consumers are more likely to support companies which are engaged incause campaigns and tend to develop positive attitude toward this company and itsproducts. The research was limited to sample of students who took part in thequestionnaire. A further investigation in this field could deliver deeperinformation and be useful for companies and researchers in the field of marketingcommunication and marketing strategies.</p>

This thesis aims at investigating consumers’ perceptions on the incorporation of an established brand and how the general attitude and buying behaviour is altered in the course of an acquisition. The combination of two or more brands in a newly formed conglomerate implies a combination of values, principles and associations that might affect a company’s appeal. Therefore, underlying reasons for M&amp;As will be elaborated upon as well as branding concepts based on brand image, loyalty and reputation in order to bridge the two theoretical areas with a case study. The acquisition of Body Shop International by L’Oréal represents the practical case, which will be analysed in reference to consumers’ reactions towards it. Quantitative consumer questionnaires will be conducted in order to collect representative data on consumers’ perceptions and associations of the brand Body Shop. Moreover, an expert interview with a Body Shop representative will be executed in order to add the company’s perspective. By analysing the results of the questionnaire, the thesis reveals an observable trend towards a correlation of the awareness of the acquisition and a negative shift in customer perception. The buying behaviour is however not found to be influenced by the combination of the two firms. In conclusion, it can be stated that the need for pre-acquisition analysis regarding strategic fit and compatibility of values and associations is assured. The study clearly identifies that brand dilution is a possible threat for established brands and implies the risk of lost credibility and loyalty.

Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga kundernas köpbeteenden i en inredningsbutik, Divas Boning och att diskutera hur dessa kan påverkas och bidra till ökad konsumtionsnivå hos kunderna.   Metod: Vi har valt att använda oss av både en kvalitativ metod i form av en intervju samt en kvantitativ metod i form av en enkät. Dessa presenteras var och en för sig i empirikapitlet. Analyser har sedan gjorts också uppdelat i kvantitativ- och kvalitativ data.   Resultat &amp; slutsats: Vår studie visar att det är av stor vikt att Divas Boning tydligt positionera sig och arbetar med sina kundrelationer. Vår studie visar även att valet av sortiment i hög grad påverkar hur butiken uppfattas och att det är viktigt att som mindre inredningsbutik inte bara se liknande butiker som konkurrenter utan även större kedjor.    Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Som fortsatt forskning skulle vi finna det intressant och lärorikt att studera branschen ur ett vidare perspektiv och göra en grundlig konkurrensanalys av Divas Bonings alla konkurrenter. I denna studie kan vi endast beröra köpbeteendet hos Divas Bonings kunder. Det skulle även vara intressant att studera skillnader mellan handel i fysisk miljö och på Internet.   Uppsatsens bidrag: Förutom kunskapen att arbeta med teoretiska modeller har vår studie framförallt bidragit med kunskap om Divas Bonings nuvarande kunder. Vi har fått en god uppfattning om kundernas köpbeteenden, vad de har för uppfattningar och behov. Denna studie kommer också att vara användbar för Divas Boning i deras marknadsplanering.

American Express initiated a new marketing strategy twenty-five years ago. Forevery new card user the company donated one cent for the recovery of the Statueof Liberty. The success of the campaign exceeds the expectations. This strategywhere a company declares to spend a defined amount of money for a special causein order to push up its sales is called Cause-Related Marketing. Now more andmore companies use the cause-related marketing strategy as a way out of saturatedmarkets and growing consumer awareness. Billions of dollars are spent every yearin cause campaigns. Because it is a relatively new approach many researches has shown interest in thismarketing communication strategy. However, there is still lack in the field ofcause-related marketing and especially in the consumer part. This is also the field of interest for this dissertation and in particular how doescause-relates marketing strategy shape consumer attitude, perception and buyingbehaviour? In order to find out the answer of this question we relied on differenttheories and in addition we conducted a questionnaire among international students. The results, even though restricted trough the sample, showed that there is aconnection between the cause-related marketing and buying behaviour andattitude. Consumers are more likely to support companies which are engaged incause campaigns and tend to develop positive attitude toward this company and itsproducts. The research was limited to sample of students who took part in thequestionnaire. A further investigation in this field could deliver deeperinformation and be useful for companies and researchers in the field of marketingcommunication and marketing strategies.