No description available.

South Africa is an exporter of groundnuts (Arachis Hypogaea). The domestic market reaps the spinoff advantage that export quality reaches store shelves, but unfortunately at a price that is directly linked to the price traders achieve on the export market. The local edible groundnut demand is relatively stable, but some processors saw a dramatic decline in the demand for groundnuts within the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. Businesses in the groundnut industry have a specific objective to create a turnaround strategy for groundnut production in South Africa, in an attempt to increase exports of locally produced groundnuts. This directly results that importance of the domestic market, compared to the export market is secondary. Since retail buyers are the “gatekeepers of consumer choice”, it is important to understand buying behaviour and brand loyalty, as well as the factors that influence buyers’ decisions in a business to business context. Limited literature exists for the domestic South African that highlights or indicates specific buyer preferences towards branded edible groundnuts. Furthermore, a general conceptual model to measure or to provide insight on retailer buyer preferences and buying behaviour lack, or are generally unrelated. An adapted model was used to analyse retail buyer behaviour, perceptions, and brand loyalty influences and data was collected by means of a self administrered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics as well as factor analysis were utilised to identify which factors influence retail buyers’ purchase behaviour and loyalty towards an edible groundnut brand. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy, Bartlett’s test of sphericity and Cronbach Alpha was used to determine whether the collected data was appropriate for factor analysis. Through the factor analysis the following ten factors were identified as having a significant influence on retailers’ buying behaviour as well as brand loyalty towards branded edible groundnuts: * Long-term relationship with a preferred brand. * Brand Loyalty. * Brand trust. * Brand performance. * Satisfaction. * Intentional repurchase. * Brand affect. * Company reputation. * Involvement. * Value for money. More research on this topic is required to develop a single conceptual model in order to measure and analyse retail buyer behaviour and preference for a specific brand on a larger scale within the FMCG industry. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Title: Factors influencing a customer’s loyalty in B2B relationships: A qualitative study of relationship marketing Authors: Klara Karlström & Pia Andersson Advisor: Svante Andersson Level: Master thesis in marketing (15 Swedish credits). Spring 2014. Keywords: Customer loyalty, Behavior, Relationship marketing, B2B Purpose: The purpose of this study is to get a deeper understanding of which factors that influence a customer’s loyalty in the relationship between a supplier and a customer in B2B and how these factors are achieved? Frame of Reference: In the following chapter we present theory from previous research related to our research questions and purpose. First, a conceptualization of relationship marketing is outlined followed by theory regarding customer loyalty. Second, the selected factors of relationship marketing that can indicate customer loyalty are presented one by one. Methodology: In this chapter all the method choices to fulfill the thesis’ purpose and to answer the research questions are discussed and motivated. The choices for this study are comprehensive approach, qualitative method, a case study with one case company interviewing three informants. Empirical Study: In this chapter we present primary data that is collected for our study. It is collected through personal interviews with three informants at Getinge. Conclusion: Our conclusion is that satisfaction is more important that the other nine factors and that shared value and bonding are less important then the other factors. How they are achieved depend on the situation, the employee at Getinge and the customer in specific and there are no clear guidelines on how the should be achieved. Although there are no guidelines there are directions and the achievement of the factors are based on Getinge’s core values. The employees of Getinge are using the core values together with their individual common sense to reach the best result of customer loyalty.

Franchising has been widely accepted as an effective way to conduct and expand businesses. However, a franchise system is not a guarantee of success in the market. A successful franchise system should rely on a close and strong franchising relationship. Franchising is an important relationship management business. Franchising arrangements normally last for a number of years, so the franchisor and franchisee in the arrangement relationship are usually motivated to cooperate with each other. In addition, highly loyal franchisees may be obtained through a successful long-term franchising relationship. Over the last few decades, there has been a tremendous wave of interest in franchising relationships. However, little research has been conducted to determine the reasons for long-term franchising relationships. As a result, this study focuses on the important elements that might lead to a successful long-term franchising relationship. This study attempts to examine empirically three essential constructs (relationship quality, cooperation and customer loyalty), which might lead to successful long-term franchising relationships between franchisees and franchisors among the convenience stores in Taiwan. Mailed questionnaires were utilised to collect the research data. A total of 500 surveys were mailed randomly to the manager/supervisor of convenience stores’ franchisees among the four main franchisors (7-ELEVEN, Family, Hi-Life and OK) in Taiwan. The final sample size is 120, yielding a response rate of 24 per cent. The results show that relationship quality positively influences the cooperative relationships between franchisors and franchisees. Relationship quality is also positively correlated with franchisees’ loyalty. Additionally, the results indicate that the cooperative relationships between franchisors and franchisees are significantly associated with franchisees’ loyalty.

Store image and customer satisfaction become increasingly important factors in modern retailing - a market characterized by fast growth and intense competition. 7-11, Taiwan; Family-Mart and Hi-Life are already present as the top three in Taiwan retail market. This development will demand even more focus on the relationship between store image and customer satisfaction in order to stay in business and even more to create some new coalitions for future market. Therefore, chain convenience stores have to find a new way how to stand firm under this intense competition. The only way is to strengthen customers' perception through store image and provide the various services and products to satisfy customers' demands than increase customer satisfaction / Thesis (DBusinessAdministration)--University of South Australia, 2005

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of customer satisfaction and switching costs of customer loyalty through an empirical study of the health care and service industry in Taiwan. The significance of the research will affect hospital management throughout Taiwan and academics majoring in the field of customer loyalty and satisfaction. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2005

Consumer brand loyalty has been a topic of interest among both academics and business executives in recent times. A business's main concern is how to sell its products and services. With a large number of available alternatives in today's competitive world, consumers generally do not stick to a specific product for life. Advertising and an increased feeling of empowerment might make consumers switch brands as soon as they feel the need to do so. The challenge is for businesses to maintain their consumer brand loyalty. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2006.

Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2002.

Store image and customer satisfaction become increasingly important factors in modern retailing - a market characterized by fast growth and intense competition. 7-11, Taiwan; Family-Mart and Hi-Life are already present as the top three in Taiwan retail market. This development will demand even more focus on the relationship between store image and customer satisfaction in order to stay in business and even more to create some new coalitions for future market. Therefore, chain convenience stores have to find a new way how to stand firm under this intense competition. The only way is to strengthen customers' perception through store image and provide the various services and products to satisfy customers' demands than increase customer satisfaction / Thesis (DBusinessAdministration)--University of South Australia, 2005

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of customer satisfaction and switching costs of customer loyalty through an empirical study of the health care and service industry in Taiwan. The significance of the research will affect hospital management throughout Taiwan and academics majoring in the field of customer loyalty and satisfaction. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2005