A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing, 2016 / Word-of-mouth (WOM) has been seen to be one of the most powerful resources of transmitting information. Progression in Information technology and the rise of online social network sites have changed the way information is being conveyed. This phenomenon sways consumers as this effortlessly accessible information could significantly influence their consumption decision. The purpose of this paper is to investigate Social Media factors impacting purchase intention of mobile devices amongst Working Generation Y in South Africa. The target population for this study was defined those who are between ages of 24-35 years of age and are employed. This paper relies on a quantitative analysis of the results gathered through an online survey. Measurement of items have been adapted from existing scales found in the marketing literature. Researchers reviewed the items for validity and readability. A multiple regression model procedure and Structural Equation Model is applied to test the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The research model was tested using a sample of 250 people who are South Africa’s Working Generation Y consumers and are regular social network users. Based on the resulted yielded from this research paper, it is reasonable to argue that consumer engagement will affect eWOM which may influence consumer purchase intentions. The paper outlines ways to promote a brand effectively through online consumer communities’ also known as virtual communities, as well as general guidelines for website and forum moderators for facilitating such presentation in a manner useful to the members of their online communities. While there is a substantial research stream that examines the branding of consumer’s goods and an increasing literature on product brands, little is known about social media, brand image and purchase intention in the context of online communications. This paper therefore extends existing measurement of these variables. / XL2018

Aim: To determine the use and interpretation of the nutrition information on the food label of selected fat spreads by female consumers aged 25 to 45 years, living in Pietermaritzburg. Objectives: This study set out to determine the following objectives regarding the food label: what the demographics of the consumers making use of the label were; how these consumers used the label and their motivation behind this label use and did the use of the label alter the purchase of that product? Method: One hundred and fifty women aged 25-45 years were chosen from an accidental, non-probability sample of consumers shopping at selected supermarkets within Pietermaritzburg. Respondents were presented with a four part questionnaire surrounding the purchase of selected fat spreads. Results: The greatest number of respondents were from the white population group (n = 65), followed by black respondents (n = 46), Indian respondents (n = 29) and then coloured respondents (n = 10). Results showed that the respondent who was most likely to use the nutrition information on the food label had a tertiary education; was a primary food purchaser, lived with other people, had more than R1000 a month to spend on food and was conscious of choosing the healthier option. Fifty five percent of this study sample (n = 82) claimed to use the nutrition information on the label to assist with purchases and 68% (n = 102) found the nutrition information important for purchasing a new product. Of the potential factors that have previously been found to impede the use of the nutrition information label:-inadequate print size, lack of education as well as lack of nutrition information on the food label were found to be factors restricting label use in this study. The most commonly used sources of nutrition information were the media as well as friends and family and the most trusted source was the Health Professional. Discussion: If the nutrition information is to be used both correctly and effectively, there must be a major educational campaign that sets out to meet the needs of the population that are most vulnerable, especially those with an inadequate education. Conclusion: The consumer most likely to use the nutrition information on the food label has a tertiary education, is a primary food purchaser with a large amount of money available for groceries and is conscious of choosing a healthier option. The label is most likely to be used when purchasing a fat spread for the first time. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

This study is focused on identifying cultural typologies of the Indian population group. These typologies or dimensions are analysed from a consumer behaviour perspective with strong implications for marketers who need to take cognisance of these typologies when developing new product offerings and devising marketing campaigns targeted at this population group. The consumption behaviour of Indians are compared and contrasted with the other predominant race groups in South Africa (namely Whites, Blacks and Coloureds), in terms of expenditure and buying power. Further, an analysis of Indian culture typologies provides marketers with insight into cultural issues that have a bearing on the development of marketing strategies. The findings that have emerged from this study are important for various reasons. Over 75% of the total Indian population live in KwaZulu-Natal (Census 1996). Further, compared to other race groups, the Indian population has a high rate of urbanisation with 96.8% of the population living in metropolitan areas (ibid.). Education levels supercedes those of the Black and Coloured population groups with 30.4% of Indians having completed matric and l0.4% having furthered their education (South Africa in Transition: StatsSA). In keeping with this trend, in comparison with the other race groups, Indians have a high penetration of English spoken as a first language (93.2%). While 21% of the Indian population are characterised as middle to upper income earners, occupying LSM's 6 to 10, Indian households in the Durban Metropolitan area have more earners (33.2%) per household in comparison to the Black and White population groups (Stats South Africa). In addition, an increasing number of Indian women are entering the workforce and are becoming more active in decision-making. Findings related to Indian culture have unearthed that while Indian culture has imbibed a global culture as far as dress, entertainment and lifestyle are concerned, traditional beliefs and values, including that of religion, are steadfastly held onto. However, this dissertation also finds that the Indian population group is highly materialistic and great attention is focussed on the accumulation of possessions. Further, materialism within the Indian population, is seen as a reflection of status. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

This research study put together was based on whether marketing media strategies have an effect on consumption.The purpose of this investigation would provide alternate methods of improving product advertising and client service in the consumer market, as well as influencing the advertising and marketing industry.Marketing media strategies provides a series of tactical actions, which are applied during strategy sales of the product and create awareness in the market amongst the consumer. This will provide an organization with an opportunity to concentrate on the scarce amount of resources and energies available,to apply the best approachfor utilizing these resources, to efficiently target the consumer market. The research approach utilised is the quantitative method, which involves a non-probability sampling technique and a descriptive research type. The research tool implemented is a questionnaire, which consists of two sections, a profile of the participant and the survey section. The survey section explores the perceptions of these participants relating to the awareness of the marketing media strategies and how consumers perceive brands and media consumption in the market currently. Questionnaires were selected based on a high response rate when distributed to respondents. It also provides a possibility of anonymity because the respondent’s names are not required on the completed questionnaires. This research tool wasdistributed in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal to random consumers,media and marketing strategists and people in different professions. The method in which the questionnaire was distributed provides an insight on how people in the market perceive advertising of brands and influences their consumption. A consumer’s insight on advertising would be based on a shopper influence compared to a professional individual who would create a strategic insight. Information in this study was collected from primary and secondary sources, which consist of books, internet sources and past dissertations. From the findings which were collected during this study, it concludes that marketing media strategies play an instrumental role in consumption. These strategies provide a foundation for brands that are advertising and competing in the market, by tactically targeting the consumer market. Consumers’ value advertising in the market, as it provides a guideline before a purchase decision is made. Advertising also serves as a direct method of communicating the emotional and functional benefits of brands and products. Individuals make purchase decisions, which would improve their lifestyle based on emotions; therefore marketing media strategies serve as an awareness mechanism in the market, and drive education to the consumer about the product. The outcome of this study will serve as a guideline for future marketing and media strategists. The key findings gathered during this study states marketing media strategies play a substantial role in brand life and consumption; it allows organizations to focus more on limited resources and energies available and to utilize these resources to their best ability to gain competitive advantage and drive sales in the market which contributes to a higher share of volume and market leadership. The main reasons for executing marketing media strategies in the market is based on developing relationships between the consumer and the brand, which is essentially to expand on repeat purchase from new acquisitions and current consume. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Retailers are turning to loyalty marketing to attempt to sustain profitability by encouraging consumer loyalty. This study aimed to explore the factors that influence consumer loyalty towards Edgars, the largest clothing retailer in South Africa. The study found that the strongest influence of consumer loyalty towards Edgars was price, followed by service and then merchandise selection. The effect of method of payment on loyalty was also measured and it was concluded that the more closely consumers are contractually tied to a retailer, the less of an influence price has on their loyalty towards the retailer. The results can guide retail organisations in determining the focus areas of their marketing efforts for consumers that favour different payment methods. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

The role of brand has evolved to take on a broader application as a post-modern management concept and has attracted increasing attention in the 21st century as a key component for the development of competitive advantage. Far removed from its origins as an identity device, branding now transcends the pure marketing interpretation and is increasingly seen as a catalyst for corporate strategy and a tool for holistic reputation management and business performance. This thesis evaluates the extent to which brand is being adopted as a mechanism to align with corporate strategy, internal culture and supporting behaviours and external delivery or organisational performance: in essence, the concept of a brand-driven organisation that deploys brand as a core capability in pursuit of competitive advantage. This evaluation takes into account defined South African perspectives and examples in a case research approach. It seeks to evaluate how the brand alignment methodology can advance current theory and be applied as a management practice. The research argues that brand extends beyond the marketing function or the end-point of organisational systems and delivery. Rather, it suggests that brand becomes integrated as one of the primary elements of corporate strategy and seeks to embrace strategic organisational intent, internal culture and external manifestation of the business vision and results. The organisational architecture model is adapted to suit this research and offer a brand alignment framework that facilitates the effective and efficient implementation and realisation of strategic intent. This links brand alignment to resource-based theory and posits that it is considered as a core capability within the firm, enabling the attainment of competitive advantage. iv This thesis concludes that brand is not confined to an aspect of marketing, but should be deployed holistically in the organisation as a core capability and opportunity for competitive advantage. The research demonstrates an emerging body of thought and advances theory and practice in this area of business, both academically and in a professional management context, offering possibilities for continued further research in this field of management. / Business Management / D.B. L.

The role of brand has evolved to take on a broader application as a post-modern management concept and has attracted increasing attention in the 21st century as a key component for the development of competitive advantage. Far removed from its origins as an identity device, branding now transcends the pure marketing interpretation and is increasingly seen as a catalyst for corporate strategy and a tool for holistic reputation management and business performance. This thesis evaluates the extent to which brand is being adopted as a mechanism to align with corporate strategy, internal culture and supporting behaviours and external delivery or organisational performance: in essence, the concept of a brand-driven organisation that deploys brand as a core capability in pursuit of competitive advantage. This evaluation takes into account defined South African perspectives and examples in a case research approach. It seeks to evaluate how the brand alignment methodology can advance current theory and be applied as a management practice. The research argues that brand extends beyond the marketing function or the end-point of organisational systems and delivery. Rather, it suggests that brand becomes integrated as one of the primary elements of corporate strategy and seeks to embrace strategic organisational intent, internal culture and external manifestation of the business vision and results. The organisational architecture model is adapted to suit this research and offer a brand alignment framework that facilitates the effective and efficient implementation and realisation of strategic intent. This links brand alignment to resource-based theory and posits that it is considered as a core capability within the firm, enabling the attainment of competitive advantage. iv This thesis concludes that brand is not confined to an aspect of marketing, but should be deployed holistically in the organisation as a core capability and opportunity for competitive advantage. The research demonstrates an emerging body of thought and advances theory and practice in this area of business, both academically and in a professional management context, offering possibilities for continued further research in this field of management. / Business Management / D.B. L.

In this Thesis, from the disciplinary vantage point of English Studies, I explore some of the complex meanings that may be attributed to several forms and practices of South African consumer culture: magazines, malls and themed leisure. While these contemporary cultural 'texts' are often ephemeral, and people's attachments to them fractured, transient or at least ambivalent rather than unproblematic, my argument takes issue with the pessimism that informs much local and international criticism of consumer culture. My Thesis turns to concepts of affect, image, sign and discourse which have become features of current English Studies in order to generate readings of commercial culture more nuanced than the 'hard analyses' favoured by dominant practitioners of 'radical' South African cultural studies. At the same time, though, my analyses have learnt through disparate forms of local cultural study the necessity of grounding textuality in the structures of political economy. By means of manageable yet conceptually-suggestive South African instances, I consider how commodities and commodified experiences - generated in the first instance by the vested interests of Capital and related ideologies - may nevertheless be experienced by people in a plethora of ways not directly tied to the commercially-expedient construct of the 'target audience'. This experiential process entails a rampant volatility typical of a mass-mediated lexicon which challenges boundaries between high and low, formal and unofficial, propriety and the improper. While advertising and promotion, for instance, function as corporate attempts to contain proliferating signifiers and to secure a preferred, 'authorised' meaning for cultural goods or services, it is also the case that consumers themselves, perhaps creatively and certainly in clandestine ways that escape the supposed authorities of either market researcher or academic intelligence, author meanings that rework the limitations of what still tends to be construed within the university as a culture industry at once banal and insidious. The meanings of the contemporary cultures with which I deal, then, are highly mediated and many-layered, rather than constituting the mere surface announcement often imagined by scholars of both literary culture and of media- and cultural studies. The contexts of my Thesis are particular: it was completed in 1998, and has been produced from a university in KwaZulu-Natal by an academic formally trained in English Studies. In some respects, then, the interpretations I offer are narrow: geographically, historically and disciplinarily focussed. Yet in working on South African examples of commoditised forms and practices that derive from metropolitan vectors and have convoluted international genealogies, I have also sought to theorise the shifting interrelations of regional and national, local and global, discipline-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge. Drawing widely on studies into consumer relations - and at apposite points identifying conceptual connections and differences between 'foreign' figures like Michel de Certeau and influential South African thinkers such as Njabulo S. Ndebele - I suggest that for all its shortcomings consumerism needs to be understood as active process rather than as passive effect. My argument implies that such a rethinking of the conventional binaries of production and consumption is appropriate in a South Africa which is gradually giving substance to a democratic social order. Even within a politics premised on the individual, forms of consumption such as magazine reading and shopping need not necessarily be scorned as the selfish, even hedonistic pursuits caricatured by ideological purists: the Thesis seeks to demonstrate that people are at once citizens and consumers, individuals searching after distinctive identity and style as well as desirous of achieving a variety of community inflected bonds. Overall, the commercial culture examined in the Thesis is represented not as inevitably marred by cultural deficiency and degraded value - despite the dissatisfactions, irritations and deferred pleasures which for many of us form at least one facet of consumption - but as an everyday spectacle which is available for symbolic interpretation and aesthetic investment. This investment may be emotional as well as cognitive, sensuous as well as critical, mundane as well as exceptional, since individuals come to commodity culture with a range of longings, dreams, fears and sedimented allegiances. As my readings demonstrate, it is such diversity of response - provisional and elusive rather than predictable and guaranteed - which gives the lie to theories which are 'always-already' premised on the prior inscription and encoding of consumerism as manipulation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

Retailers are turning to loyalty marketing to attempt to sustain profitability by encouraging consumer loyalty. This study aimed to explore the factors that influence consumer loyalty towards Edgars, the largest clothing retailer in South Africa. The study found that the strongest influence of consumer loyalty towards Edgars was price, followed by service and then merchandise selection. The effect of method of payment on loyalty was also measured and it was concluded that the more closely consumers are contractually tied to a retailer, the less of an influence price has on their loyalty towards the retailer. The results can guide retail organisations in determining the focus areas of their marketing efforts for consumers that favour different payment methods. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Abstracts in English and Venda / Online shopping gained importance with the increase in Internet adoption. The development in the e-commerce industry, with opportunities created for retailers, demanded research on factors influencing online shopping behaviour. The purpose of the study is to determine factors influencing consumers’ behaviour towards online shopping for consumer electronics in Gauteng, South Africa. The study employs a descriptive research methodology involving a quantitative research design. The study adopts a convenience sampling method for collecting data by intercepting individuals in Cresta Mall in Johannesburg and Sunnypark Shopping Centre in Pretoria. Self-administered, printed questionnaires were distributed, and data were collected from 207 respondents. This research followed the correct protocol for administering surveys, questionnaire design, measures to ensure data integrity and appropriate analysis strategy, providing reliable and valid research. The data were subjected to factor analysis and the descriptive statistics were also conducted. The parametric, independent sample T-test and Analysis of variance tests were employed for hypothesis testing. The study results suggested that demographic, utilitarian and hedonic factors affect consumers’ online shopping behaviour. This study concludes that demographic factors affect online shopping consumer behaviour traits of electronic goods. It also found statistical differences amongst demographic factors, against hedonic and utilitarian factors. The study also tested whether utilitarian values influence consumer behaviour towards online buying of electronic goods, concluding the existence of a significant relationship between utilitarian values towards online shopping behaviour. Lastly, the study determined if hedonic factors influence consumer behaviour when shopping online. It is concluded that hedonic factors influence consumer behaviour when shopping online. Findings of this study provide a positive contribution to e-commerce research in South Africa by assessing practices of online consumers and factors influencing online shopping adoption. The study recommends further longitudinal research concerning customer behaviour towards online shopping while supporting further studies to focus on the identified factors influencing online shopping. / Ku xava eka inthanete ku vile ka nkoka ku ya hi engetelo wa inthanete. Nhluvukiso eka swa indhasitiri yo xava hi inthanete, ni ku tumbuluxiwa ka miintirho ka vaxavisi, ndzavisiso wa swilo swo kucetela mahanyelo yo xava hi xielekitironiki. Nkongomelo wa dyondzo leyi i ku kumisisa swilo leswi kucetelaka mahanyelo ya vatirhisi loko va xava eka inthanete switirisi swa xielekitironiki eGautengi, Afirika-Dzonga. Dyondzo yi tirhisa endlelo ya ndzavisiso wo hlamusela hi ku hlawulekisa ku katsa na dizayini ya ndzavisiso wa nhlayonhlayo. Dyondzo yi tirhisa endlelo ra kahle ro sampula ku hlengeleta data hi ku vutisisa vanhu emolweni wa le Joni wa Cresta na Senthara ya Sunnypark yo Xava ePitori. Swivutiso leswi u swi lawulaka, no swi kandziyisa swi hangalasiwile, na swona data yi hlengeletiwile ku sukela ka 207 wa vavutisiwa. Ndzavisiso wu landzelerile maendlelo yo hetiseka ku lawula milavisisontsongo, tidizayini ta swivutiso, swipimelo ku endlela leswaku data yi va hi xiyimo xa kahle na xitirateji analysis lexinene, lexi nyikaka ndzavisiso lowu kamberiweke no khorwisa. Data a yi fanele ku analayiziwa na nhlayonhlayo wo hlamusela hi ku hlawulekisa wu endliwile. Mimbuyelo ya ndzavisiso yi nyikile miehleketo ya leswaku nhlayonhlayo ya vanhu na swilo swa utilitarian na hedonic swi khumbaka mahanyelo ya vatirhisi yo xava emolweni hi xielekitironiki. Dyondzo leyi yi gimeta leswaku swilo swa nhlayo ya vanhu hinkwavo swi khumbanaka mahanyelo yo xava tinhundzu Ku kumeka na ku hambana ka nhlayonhlayo exikarhi ka nhlayo ya vanhu hinkwawo mayelano na timhaka ta hedonic no tirhiseka. Dyondzo yi kamberile loko mikoka ya swithirisiwa yi kucetela mahanyelo ya vanhu eku xaveni ka tinhundzu hi xielekitironiki, no gimeta vukona bya nkoka wa vuxaka exikarhi ka mikoka yo tirhiseka ka mahanyelo yo xava hi xielekitironiki. Xo hetelela, dzondzo yi kumisisa loko timhaka ta hedonic ti kucetela mahanyelo ya vatirhisi loko va ri ku xaveni hi xielekitironiki. Ku gimetiwile leswaku timhaka ta hedoniki ti kucetela mahanyelo ya vatirhisi loko vax ava hio xielekitironiki. Leswi swi nga kumeka ka dyondzo swi na xiave xa kahle ka ndzavisiso wa e-commerce eAfirika-Dzonga hi ku xopaxopa mintolovelo ya vatirhisi ya xielekitironiki na timhaka to kucetela ku tirhisa ku xava ka xielekitironiki. Dyondzo yi bumabumela ku yisa emahlweni na ndzavisiso wa longitudinal mayelana mahanyelo ya vashavi eka ku xava hi xielekitironiki na ku seketela ku yisa emahlweni tidyondzo to kongomisa ka timhaka to kucetela ku xava eka inthanete. / Business Management / M. Com (Business Management)