Thesis (M. Tech. ( Business administration )) - Central University of technology, Free State, 2012 / Proliferation of the hair salon business in the Bophirima region has led to intense competition for customers and this can have unfortunate consequences for hair salon’s competitiveness hence survival and economic performance. The only choice left for hair salons in the words of owner/managers who were informally interviewed is to obtain accurate information on market trends and customer preferences so as to tailor products and services to meet customer preferences. From a strategic management perspective, it makes perfect sense that in the highly competitive arena that hair salons in the Bophirima find themselves, research on industry environment to obtain accurate information on market trends and customer preferences so as to tailor products and services that meet customer preferences is a must if they are to prosper. In other words, hair salons in the Bophirima region need to conduct marketing research if they must prosper. Conceptually, it is argued in this study that market research will reveal variables such as market demand, market opportunities, market threats, etc. which if scientifically analysed can produce information that can aid management in making informed decision that can lead to superior business performance. Unfortunately, there is the perception among the few hair salon operators informally interviewed in the Bophirima region that for small businesses such as hair salons, engaging in marketing research will be too expensive, cumbersome, and time consuming hence unnecessary. However, this perception may not be true as normative assertions and research evidence elsewhere suggests that for service organisations, regardless of size, marketing research leads to superior performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of marketing research within the hair salons in the Bophirima region and the impact that hair salon’s engagement in generally accepted (conventional) elements of marketing research activities have on the economic performance (as measured by profitability). Analysis of data obtained from 118 owner managers suggest that marketing research may not be something they engage in although they are very much aware of the business benefits of engaging in marketing research. The findings also suggest possible positive link between marketing research activity and profitability. Details of the research as well as conclusions and recommendations are presented and discussed in the report that follows.

The master thesis deals with strategy of luxury professional hair care brand Kérastase Paris on the Czech and Slovak market. The focus of this thesis is on the brand's current position and its communication strategy on these markets. Based on own research, suggestions how to improve this strategy are then made. The work could be divided into three sections. The first one brings theoretical base for the next sections. The second one introduces the brand Kérastase Paris and its current position on the local market by analyzing the secondary data sources. The last part of the thesis focuses on the actual research, interpretation of its results and suggestions of the improvements of the communication strategy of the brand on our market.

Para el presente trabajo de investigación se realizó un análisis de los principales costos y problemas de la gestión del almacén de una empresa comercializadora de productos de belleza capilar. Como resultado, se halló que existía una oportunidad de mejora en el indicador O.T.I.F. (86.6%, 2019) para alcanzar el 95% (Benchmark del mercado), es decir un aumento del 8.4 puntos porcentuales en el proceso de distribución de los productos a los clientes. Se utilizó la metodología PDCA para investigar y determinar las causas raíz del problema, proponer las mejoras en el proceso de objeto de estudio, así como también los indicadores y actividades que permitan monitorear la propuesta de mejora desarrollada en el presente trabajo. En cada una de las etapas del PDCA se utilizaron las herramientas de lean management tales como Diagrama de Pareto, los cinco porqués, flujogramas, entre otras. De acuerdo con el análisis realizado, se desarrollaron propuestas de mejora basado en el desarrollo de una estrategia de fidelización de clientes, la estandarización de procesos y una adquisición de una herramienta tecnológica para la programación de rutas de despacho. El beneficio económico de las propuestas es de un ahorro estimado anual proyectado de S/. 144,889 y un potencial de aumento en ventas de S/. 167,667, mientras que el beneficio cualitativo potencial es el aumento del nivel de percepción de la satisfacción al cliente y la mejora del ambiente de trabajo con menos reprocesos, recarga operativa y aumento en la motivación. Finalmente, es importante mencionar que la investigación, recolección y análisis de la información se realizó en los primeros meses del año 2020 en Lima, Perú, antes de que el Estado promulgara el Decreto Supremo Nº 008-2020-SA de fecha 11 marzo del 2020, que declara la Emergencia Sanitaria a nivel nacional por el plazo de noventa (90) días calendario y dicta medidas para la prevención y control para evitar la propagación del COVID-19 y sus consecutivas prórrogas. / For this research paper, an analysis of the main costs and issues related to the warehouse management of a trading company of hair care products was conducted. As a result, it was found there was an opportunity for improvement in the O.T.I.F. indicator (86.6 %, 2019) to achieve 95 % (market benchmark), that is, an increase of 8.4 percentage points in the product distribution process to customers. The PDCA methodology was applied to investigate and define the root cause of the issue, propose improvements in the process under study, as well as indicators and activities to monitor the improvement proposal developed in this paper. At each of the PDCA stages, lean management tools such as the Pareto chart, 5 Whys, flowcharts, among others were used. According to the analysis performed, proposals for improvement were based on the development of a customer loyalty strategy, process standardization and selection of a technological tool for the delivery route scheduling. Thus, the economic benefit of the proposals represents an estimated projected annual savings of S/.144,889 and a potential for increased sales of S/.167,667, while the potential qualitative benefit consists of the increased level of customer satisfaction perception and the enhanced work environment with less reworks, operational load and increased motivation. Finally, it must be noted that the data research, collection, and analysis was conducted during the first months of 2020 in Lima, Peru, before the State issued the Supreme Decree No. 008-2020-SA dated March 11, 2020 which declares national Health Emergency for ninety (90) calendar days and enacts measures aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 and its following extensions. / Tesis

African American children are disproportionately over-represented in the child welfare system. Many of these children linger in the system and experience disconnection from their biological families, communities, cultural beliefs, values, and practices. Familial socialization and cultural exposure are essential to developing a positive ethnic identity and self-concept. For African American female adolescents, hair and hair care are critical areas for such socialization and support. This qualitative study explored the hair and hair care perceptions and experiences of African American female adolescents in foster care. The goal was to examine hair and hair's connection to, and influence on, sense of self and self-esteem for African American female adolescents in foster care. Eleven African American female adolescents participated in individual interviews, and grounded theory was used to analyze the data. Four major themes emerged: hair care, perception of hair and identity as an African American female, societal influences on self-awareness, and influence of the foster care system. Results from the study indicated African American female adolescents in foster care identify hair as important. Participants noted hair is connected to appearance and shapes who they are and how they view themselves as African American females. Participants addressed the complexity of hair and politics associated with hair. The findings further emphasized the role of racial socialization and the importance of a supportive hair care environment. Participants also discussed their awareness of societal influences on their perception of African American women. They offered recommendations for improving the hair care experiences of African American children in foster care, for supporting positive development of identity and self-esteem, and for implementing standards of practice that will ensure these youths' cultural needs are addressed in the child welfare system.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to determine a perception of the brand Kérastase Paris by consumers in Czech republic and Slovakia and compare it with the identity of the brand. I want to expose consumer habbits in the field of hair care and find out opinion about marketing communication of the brand Kérastase, that is supposed to correspondent with the brand strategy. I also want to expose main characteristics of loyal customer of the brand and propose some marketing recommendation for the brand Kérastase Paris.

Álbia es una marca eco amigable de shampoos sólidos naturales creada por cinco estudiantes de la Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, que cursan con gran compromiso sus carreras universitarias. Este proyecto final tiene como objetivo validar e implementar nuestra idea de negocio sobre shampoos sólidos naturales al mercado peruano. Álbia, nombre del proyecto creado, se basa en la elaboración y comercialización de shampoos naturales en presentación sólida, dirigida a un segmento de hombres y mujeres que prefieren alternativas de shampoos libres de sales y parabenos. Para la evaluación respectiva del negocio, se aplicaron metodologías aprendidas como Design Thinking, con el fin de conocer profundamente las necesidades, deseos y pensamientos que tienen los clientes sobre los productos naturales para el cuidado del cabello y, de esta manera, poder ofrecer una propuesta distinta y efectiva que satisfaga dichas necesidades de forma innovadora. Asimismo, se empleó la metodología Lean Startup para lograr la validación del modelo de negocio, persiguiendo el éxito y alcance de objetivos con la venta de nuestros productos. Para la sustentación de Álbia, se han realizado diversos experimentos en canales digitales con la finalidad de desarrollar estrategias y tácticas que ayuden a lograr un crecimiento óptimo del negocio. Adicionalmente, con los debidos conocimientos del mercado y la comercialización, se obtuvieron resultados positivos para la empresa, desenvolviéndose favorablemente con proyecciones futuras como un proyecto rentable y sostenible. / Álbia is an eco-friendly brand of natural solid shampoos created by five students from the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, who are pursuing their university careers with great commitment. This final project aims to validate and implement our business idea on natural solid shampoos to the Peruvian market. Álbia, name of the created project, is based on the production and commercialization of natural shampoos in solid presentation, aimed at a segment of men and women who prefer salt and paraben-free shampoo alternatives. For the respective evaluation of the business, learned methodologies such as Design Thinking were applied, in order to deeply understand the needs, desires and thoughts that customers have about natural hair care products and, in this way, be able to offer a proposal different and effective that meets these needs in an innovative way. Likewise, the Lean Startup methodology was used to achieve the validation of the business model, pursuing the success and achievement of objectives with the sale of our products. To support Álbia, various experiments have been carried out on digital channels in order to develop strategies and tactics that help achieve optimal business growth. Additionally, with due knowledge of the market and marketing, positive results were obtained for the company, developing favorably with future projections as a profitable and sustainable project. / Trabajo de investigación