Wong Pui Lam. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-89). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii / Chinese Abstract --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vii / List of figures --- p.ix / List of tables --- p.xi / Introduction --- p.1 / Background of the Study --- p.1 / Statement of the Problem --- p.4 / Research Questions --- p.4 / Significance of the Study --- p.4 / Hypotheses --- p.5 / Assumptions --- p.6 / Delimitations --- p.6 / Limitations --- p.7 / Operational Definitions --- p.7 / Review of Literature --- p.8 / Introduction of Literature Review --- p.8 / Literature Review on Soccer --- p.9 / Introduction --- p.9 / Movements in Soccer --- p.9 / Soccer Injury --- p.9 / Design of Soccer Shoe --- p.15 / Playing Surface of Soccer --- p.18 / Summary --- p.19 / Literature Review on Perceived Comfort --- p.20 / Introduction --- p.20 / Perceived Comfort --- p.21 / Assessment of Perceived Comfort --- p.23 / Summary --- p.25 / Literature Review on Plantar Pressure --- p.26 / Introduction --- p.26 / Plantar Pressure --- p.26 / Assessment of Plantar Pressure --- p.27 / Summary --- p.31 / Summary of Literature Review --- p.32 / Methodology --- p.34 / Subject --- p.34 / Shoe --- p.34 / Experimental Design --- p.36 / Instrumentation --- p.40 / Procedures --- p.41 / Parameters --- p.44 / Data Reduction --- p.44 / Data Analysis --- p.46 / Results --- p.49 / Perceived Comfort Rating (Experiment 1) --- p.49 / Perceived Comfort Rating (Experiment 2) --- p.52 / Plantar Pressure (Experiment 2) --- p.55 / Relationship between Perceived Comfort Rating and Plantar Pressure (Experiment 2) --- p.63 / Discussion --- p.68 / Perceived Comfort Rating (Experiment 1 and Experiment 2) --- p.68 / Plantar Pressure (Experiment 2) --- p.71 / Relationship between Perceived Comfort Rating and Plantar Pressure (Experiment 2) --- p.75 / Limitations and Recommendations --- p.76 / Conclusion --- p.78 / References --- p.80 / Appendix A --- p.90 / Appendix B --- p.91 / Appendix C --- p.92 / Appendix D --- p.93 / Appendix E --- p.94 / Appendix F --- p.96 / Appendix G --- p.97 / Appendix H --- p.98 / Appendix I --- p.102 / Appendix J --- p.106 / Appendix K --- p.109

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology: Quality, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Football boot manufacturers can have an advantage over their competitors if they gain knowledge about the purchase decision-making process of their consumers. It is significant that marketers understand the important criteria of a consumer’s purchase decision. This study aimed to investigate consumer behaviour in the football boot industry, to support football boot manufacturers with information of the purchasing behaviour of their consumers in order to establish product development and novel marketing strategies. The objective of the study was to identify expectations of survey respondents in terms of the factors which influence their purchasing behaviour of football boots in the federal state of Bavaria in Germany. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, a quantitative study was conducted by means of self-administered questionnaires. A sample of 400 questionnaires was administered. The respondents were purposively selected. Conclusions and recommendations were thereafter drawn from the literature and the findings of the study. The results showed that quality and brand names were the major influential factors in the purchase decision. Adidas was the most popular brand, followed by Nike and Puma. Citing satisfaction with their purchases, consumers were brand loyal and repeated purchases occurred. The research recommended that football boot manufacturers need to invest constantly in its development and quality management program in order to meet consumers’ expectations and international standards.