Relationship Between Marketing Mix Elements

Relationship Between Marketing Mix ElementsBusiness today is very competitive, some(prenominal) organizations ar facing with legion(predicate) pressures Changeable and unpredictable commerce environment, very fast change of technology, to be survival, developed and successful requires play along have to move from a increase and selling philosophy to a node and merchandising philosophy(Kotler et al., 2005).All companies try to gain the best of the guest cheer to maximize the profit because they take that guest atonement is very important for the survival of any organization. numerous look for shows that consequences of guest blessedness are numerous Customer felicity leads to verificatory word-of-mouth (Anderson, 1998 Swan and Oliver, 1989 Hoyer and MacInnis, 2001)), guest comfort leads to client re decenniumtion (Curtis et al., 2012 Hennig, 1997 Kotler, 1994, p.20 Bitner, 1990), guest rejoicing leads to loyalty (Curtis et al., 2012 Singh, 2006), Customer lead s to re acquire attention (Anton, 1996).The question for companies is how to enhance the customer satisfaction? Which factors impact on customer satisfaction and this family family is negative or validatory? To answer all these questions, companies exit have the appropriate strategies for success. many an(prenominal) lookes show that thither are many factors that affect customer satisfaction. According to Hokanson (1995), these factors including fri land uply employees, courteous employees, knowledgeable employees, helpful employees, accuracy of billing, billing timeliness, competitive pricing, avail tone of voice, good value, billing clarity and quick service impact on customer satisfaction. It is obviously that all these factors belong to Marketing integrate. Moreover Doyle also recommends that well-nigh merchandising professionals would answer that the right merchandise concoction is the one that maximizes customer satisfaction and results in the highest sales or mark et share (Doyle, 2003) also suggests that customer satisfaction and sales dismiss always be increased if companies offer much result features, lower expenditures than competition, higher promotional bud protrudes and the immediate availability of the crossing, of large(p) customer service and support (Doyle, 2003). cut across Motor Company is spheric elevator carmotive industry leader in the world based on US. crossover has its history of 109 years for existing and developing. Fords strategy is focus on developing vehicles that deliver exceptional value to our customers across global markets. Ford yield vehicles athletics bold exterior designs, while offering great handling and performance. Not only are they great to drive with interior enhancements in comfort and connectivity simply fuel economy across every vehicle in our portfolio is a reason to buy(Ford, np)Ford worldwide market share reported end of 2011 7.3%, regional Ford North America 17.3%, Ford Europe 8.3%, F ord Asia southeastern Pacific 2.7%, South America 8.3%Ford Vietnam is a joint venture naturalised in 1995 between Ford Motor Company (75%) and Song Cong Diesel Company (25%). Cumulative market share up to SEP 2012 is in ordinal position with 5.3%, meanwhile, 2 market leaders, Truong Hai and Toyota gain 30.9% and 29.1%. Fords market share in Vietnam is nearly double in comparison with its regional market share Asia South Pacific. But the gap between Ford and two market leaders in Vietnam is very huge. Since, Fords increases are diversified ranging from low end to high end compared with its big competitor that is Toyota. Fords products are known as full family of vehicles offering leading quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value (Ford, np).This big gap excites the inquiry worker to evaluate the level of customer satisfaction of Ford Car users in Vietnam, explore what factors impact on this customer satisfaction by testing the consanguinity between marketing i nter riffle genes and customer satisfaction of Ford Car users in Vietnam. Beside some reasons above, marketing integrate and customer satisfaction are two theories that investigator is very absorbing to knowledge. Finally, topic of research idler be named as belowExploring the relationship between marketing mix brokers and customer satisfaction of Ford Car users in Vietnam1.2 Research objectivesThe researcher intends to believe on Ford auto customer satisfaction in Vietnam to evaluating the level of customer satisfaction and testing the relationship between marketing mix elements and customer satisfaction of Ford auto users with below objectives To study the knowledge of marketing mix, its element and customer satisfaction purpose. To examine the relationship between marketing mix elements and customer satisfaction of Ford auto in Vietnam To measure the level of customer satisfaction of Ford auto in Vietnam To recommend some effective solutions to improve the marketing mix to gain higher level of customer satisfaction.1.3 Research questionsIn order to have a clearly understand of all queries about the topic regarding to relationship between marketing mix and Ford users customer satisfaction. This research tries to answer below questionsIs there possible relationship between marketing mix and customer satisfaction of Ford Car users in Vietnam?What is the level of customer satisfaction of Ford auto in VietnamIn what way is the marketing mix can be improved to enhance Fords customer satisfaction in Vietnam.1.4 The significance of studyMany academic research are conducted in testing the relationship between marketing mix and customer satisfaction in different areas, especially in service sector such(prenominal) as Tourist, university, caf, banking,..But a few of them are ground the automobile industry. Moreover, just about of academic research is out of Vietnam market.Although the study result reflects somewhat the real situation of level of customer sa tisfaction on Ford users in Vietnam, but the target nation is kind of small and limited in small region, so that the research decisions and result only is used for reference or partly apply in the customer satisfaction enhancement for Ford Motor Vietnam or suggesting for further research in future.1.5 Boundary of the studyAuto market in Vietnam is quite huge, due to geographical dispersion and time constraint, the researcher only conducts the survey on customers who own Ford Car in Ho Chi Minh City. Further more than, the respondents be very busy with the things. The study focuses on 4 elements of marketing mix and their impact on customer satisfaction. So the result only presents partly for auto market in Vietnam.1.6 The organization the study..Chapter 1, the introduction part of research including footing of study, why the researcher choose this topic, the research aims and objectives is buildn, the research questions is identified, the large of study is discussed, Finally h ow this research can be applied in practices, the boundary of study and structure of study are presented.In the Chapter 2, the belles-lettres redirect examination tie in to marketing, marketing mix and its elements, customer satisfaction, the relationships between customer satisfaction and marketing mix, the recommended solutions for improving marketing mix elements in order to gain high level of customer satisfactionThe Chapter 3 provides the methodology and procedures which used to collect data for the study. The researcher give perform the surveys with the customers who are using Ford Car in Vietnam, by this survey, researcher forget measure the level of customer satisfaction, to explore the relationship between marketing mix elements and customer satisfaction. By this study, the author will use quantitative method to design the questionnaires and use them during the surveys. These data will be the main data to support the answer of the second and third base research questi on.The researcher will conduct one survey which will be conducted with customers who are using the car of Ford to evaluate the level of customer satisfaction and explore the relationship between marketing mix and customer satisfaction. The purpose of this survey is to get the quantitative data to support the answer for the second and third research questions, whereby to give the best solutions for improving marketing mix effectively for Ford Vietnam in enhance its customer satisfaction.In the chapter 4, Microsoft excel 2007 and SPSS 16 bundle will be used to input all the raw data of the respondents and do the analysis, statistic and present them using table, charts, or graphic. Then the researcher will give out and discuss the findings base on the responses. And present the meaning and reason of the result as well as link with the knowledge in the literature look back to support the answers for the research questions and compass the research objectives.Chapter 5 contains a summ ary of the findings of this research providing the conclusions for the findings and discussion and suggest for further research.The reflective statement will be in the Appendix A which provides the reflection on research results and personal development that the researcher had gained from this study. The following pages will present the chapter Review of the Literature that will review all existing literatures and knowledge to support data to achieve the objectives of this research.Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEWChapter IntroductionAccording to Saunders et al. (2007) A critical review of the literature review is critical part of any research. It is necessary to help the researcher to develop a thorough understanding of and insight to previous researches that related to research questions and objectives. By critically discussing, evaluating what are strengths and weakness, referencing works or studies that has already been undertake, drawing out key points and presenting them in logicall y argued way. To complete the literature reviewing, the researcher has not only the skill of search relevant knowledge but also appraise it.Sharp et al. (2002 cited in Saunders et al. 2007) suggests that there are two major(ip) reasons exist for reviewing the literatureFirstly, the preliminary search that help to generate and refine the research ideas.Secondly, often referred to as the critical review or critical literature review,Moreover, Saunders et al. (2007) emphasizes that any researches and finding will be judged in relation to others peoples research and finding. Main purpose of literature review is to help researcher to develop a good understanding and insight into relevant previous research and the trends that have emerged.Gall et al (2002, quoted in Saunders et al.,2007) provides some other purposes of literature review such asTo help researcher refine further the research question and objectivesTo highlight research possibilities that has been overlooked implicitly in re search to date,To happen definite recommendations for further researchTo help researcher avoid simply repeating work that has been done already,To sample current opinions in newspapers, professional and trade journals, thereby gaining insight in to the aspects of the research questions and objectives that are beted newsworthy,Discover and provide an insight into research approaches, strategies and techniques which are appropriate to own research questions and objectives. It could be said that virtually of researches argue that the critical review is very necessary. Briefly, review the literature relates to Searching academic research, theories which must be relevant to research questions and objectives. Profound understanding, critical review, give arguments, appraisal, evaluating, discussing, referencing But it is not just descript and list down the any literatures.Comment the above paragraph is not necessaryThis chapter aims to provide a theoretical background bases on existin g academic knowledge for research topic Exploring the relationship between marketing mix elements and customer satisfaction of Ford auto in Vietnam. By doing this, the researcher could further refine three research questions and four research objectives which had been specified in Chapter 1 to highlight research possibilities that have been overlooked, discover explicit recommendations for further research. It helps to avoid repetition to sample current opinions, provide an insight into appropriate research strategies and methodologies. A good literature review expands on the reasons behind selecting a peculiar(a) research question. Thus the researcher plans to find a material theoretical foundation provided for the study from a wide double of sources which relates to previously published researches Books, journals, some ideas in newspaper, then assess the strengths and weaknesses of previous works, justifying arguments by referencing previous researches. The sources of literatu res were cited following the required standard. In this Chapter, some hypotheses will be proposed for testing to answer research questions and archive research objectives in Chapter 1.MarketingMarketing is very critical for every business. Kotler, (2002) suggests that the scope of marketing relates to ten types of entities Goods, services, experiences, events, persons, places, properties, organizations, information, and ideas. It shows that marketing gets involved to all activities of the business from identify the customers and customer needs, creating product and services, communicating to customers, sell its products to target customers, making its customers snug The researches and studies regarding marketing are numerous. infra are some definitions about marketing concept.An earliest definition of marketing is the performance of business activities that direct a flow of goods or services from producers to consumers (AMA,1935). This concept generally mentions about performance of activities, but these activities were not clarified, the concept is quite wide with simply mention about goods and services from producer to consumers. Since marketing becomes an interest topic that many scholars get involved to study. A lot of definitions were come up by researchers Perreault McCarthy (2002), Kotler P Levy SJ (1969) Kotler et al. (2005) Another concept of marketing which get many opposed debates is that Marketing is simply figuring out what you have to do to sell your product or service for a profit Keefe (2004 p.17). Generally, the most accepted recently is the newest definition of AMA is that Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large (AMA,2007).2.2 Marketing mix conceptThe term of marketing mix firstly developed by Bornden (1964), the sources of his inspiration come from the concept of his colleague Jam e Culliton (1948, cited in Borden, 1984) which described the business executive is a mixer of ingredients, the marketing elements are the same with ingredients and marketing manager mixes some of these together to become the marketing mix strategy. Borden (1964) also identified twelve governable elements of marketing mix Product planning, pricing, branding, demarcation of dissemination, personal selling, advertising, promotion, packaging, display, servicing, physical handling, fact finding and analysis. This is a list of elements or ingredients to make up a marketing program. Depending on separately situation, the marketing manager will blend the number of these elements to constructing and formulating an appropriate marketing program to satisfy their customer needs and wants in target market. By this way, some(prenominal) company and customers objectives are achieved.McCarthy (1964) regroups twelve elements of Borden to four categories or usually called 4Ps now Product, price, promotion, place. Each of these elements comprises some of 12 elements of Borden. And some research also suggested that if manage this mix properly, company will be successful. Mccarthys concept of marketing mix rapidly began to appear in marketing text. Judd (1987) suggested one more new important P is People. Furthermore, Boom Bitner (1981) extend 4Ps to 7Ps, he argues that product and service are different, so 4Ps is inadequate, so it is new marketing mix paradigm for service is Product, outlay, maculation, Promotion, People, physical unequivocal and process.The later definition is that marketing mix is the controllable variables the company puts together to satisfy its target group (Perreault MCCarthy, 2002). This definition is similar with definition is tha marketing mix is the set of controllable tactical marketing tools product, price, place and promotion that the firm blends to produce the response it wants in the target market (Kotler et al., 2005). Both definitions mentioned about controllable factors to satisfy the customer in target market. Each mix element includes its factors as belowProduct Variety, quality, design, feature, brand name, packaging, service, warranty. worth List price, discount, allowance, payment period, computer address term.Place Channel, coverage, assortment, location, inventory, transport.Promotion Advertising, promotion, personal selling, publicity.Kotler et al. (2005) also suggested that An effective marketing program blend marketing mix elements into a coordinated programme design to achieve the companys marketing objective. When marketing mix concept is introduced, there are many researches to evaluate and criticise on it. Constantinides (2006) identified two significant limitations of marketing mix is internal orientations and lack of personalization.Both Gronroos (1989) and Popovic (2006) suggest that the 4 Ps and the marketing mix are production-oriented definitions, companies focus much on internal product, th e market whitethorn be neglected. According to Mller (2006) marketing mix too focus internally instead of customer behavior. Many researches show that the limitations of marketing are on Production-oriented or too focusing on internal instead of standing on customer point of view. Therefore, Kotler et al. (2005) recognizes that 4Ps represent sellers view of marketing tool visible(prenominal) for influencing buyer, it is not from customer point of view. In fact that each marketing tool must deliver a customer receipts, company should view 4Ps as customers 4CsProduct Customer need and want,Price Cost to the customer,Place Convenience,Promotion Communication.Doyle (2000) argues that marketing mix approach leads to unprofitable decisions, because it is coordinated with financial objectives such as Increasing shareholder value. Kotler (1984) proposes two additional Ps of political power and Public Relation to the marketing mix to cover more factors that is important for business as wel l, those are Political power and Public Relation.According to Schultz (2001) the 4 Ps are increasingly less relevant in todays market, despite of what they are still learned in marketing courses, academics write and res each about themSince marketing becomes a vital role in success of any business. Many researches are conducted on marketing mix and its element, more extend elements are suggested, it is obviously that marketing mix or some researches show many limitations or debates, but marketing mix is still the practice model to deploy company strategies effectively. And up to date, there is no any new models can completely replace for marketing mix 4P.2.3 Marketing mix elements2.3.1 ProductA product as defined by Armstrong and Kotler (2005) that is anything that can be offered to a market for attention, acquisition, use, or consumption that might satisfy a want or need. The latter can be best understood in cost of the manner of delivery of the particular service. Ferrell (2005) opines that the product is the core of the marketing mix strategy where retailers can offer unique attributes that differentiates their product from their competitors. According to Borden (1984) product is characterized by quality, design, features, brand name and sizesAlso from Kotler et al.,( 2005) product can be divided into two categories Tangible and intangible product, the tangible product is a merchandise that can be touched, hand, feel it, the intangible product or normally call service, which could not be touched or hand, unobservable. Product concept in this research refers to tangible product that is a car of Ford auto Vietnam. According to Kotler et al, (2005), product concept is including Core product, augmented product and actual product.Core product regarding to main problem solving benefit or core benefit that consumer really wants to buy. When they obtain, this product will resolve their problems. The main purpose of buying a car is for travelling, safety and protec tion for health.The actual product is related to Parts, features, design, product quality, styling, brand name and packaging or some more attribute that combine to core benefit of product. For a car, these attributes are most important for manufacturer attract and retain its customersThe augmented product which including Additional consumer service or benefit build around the core and actual product Solution, warranty and repair service, instruction how to install or using, help desk, call center, free delivery. In those attributes, customer service and repair is more important that auto manufacturing have to pay attention.In order to satisfy the need of customer, the product designer have to consider all three components of product, because customer expect to buy three of benefit and they feel happy or satisfy when gain enough all the benefit. Many researches tried to find down the impacts of all above attributes of product to customer satisfaction.Kotler et al. (2005) suggested t hat Outstanding marketing companies go out of their way to keep their customers satisfied. Companies know that satisfied customers make repeat purchases and tell others about their good experiences with the product. Regarding to product quality and customer service factors in automotive industry in India, Asghar et al. (2011) found that the quality of products in Tata Motors Company enhances customer satisfaction, and also found that there is a domineering relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the context of the Indian automotive industry. Product quality is one of factor of Product in marketing mix. The research shows that the more customers satisfied with quality of product, the more loyal they are with this product. And this may lead to the repurchasing companys product. Customer service is also a factor of Product element, since it becomes very important for any manufacturing company, especially in auto industry.Bastos and Gallego (2008) also provid e evidence that customer service quality directly affects satisfaction and satisfaction directly affects the positive behavioral intentions. Rodoula (2005) finds that consumers perceiving a product being of high quality are more satisfied with the product than consumers perceiving a product being of low quality. There are a positive relationship between perceived quality and customer satisfaction in Shoes industry. It is suggested by Lien-Ti and Yuching (2001) that there is a positive relationship between product quality and customer satisfaction on automotive industry. Yelkur (2000) also finds that the critical elements in the services marketing mix influence and positively effects customer satisfaction.Moreover, the relationship between marketing and customer satisfaction is highly expressed among researchers (Zineldin Philipson, 2007). Cengiz and Yayla (2007) find that marketing mix having a positive effect on satisfaction and loyalty on word of mouth communication from accounti ng offices in Turkey. Mohammad et all (2012) suggests that Product and tourists Satisfaction are positively related to each other.Although not all attributes of product such as Quality, design were tested if any relationship or impact on customer satisfaction, but at least, there are so many studies show that product generally positive impact on customer satisfaction, and quality of product, customer service were tested, especially in automotive industry.So far there are no any research found that no any relationship between Product element or its factors with customer satisfaction. Or the negative impact of Product on customer satisfaction. So in this research the author tries to do the research the relationship between Fords product which were sold in Vietnam market and its customer satisfaction. So the hypothesis will be proposed as belowH1 There is a positive relationship between Fords Product and its customer satisfaction.2.3.2 PricePrice is one of very important element in mar keting mix and the only element that produce the revenue to company. Price is very the most flexible element in mix, it can be change very fast to adapt with every stage of product life cycle, or to stimulate demand in short time, or can reduce to support selling of other product in production line or set to keep loyalty of customer. So that pricing may play an important role in share to accomplish the companys objectives at many levels. (Kotler et al., 2005. p.668).Price decisions must be coordinated with product design, distribution and promotion decisions to form a consistent and effective marketing program. The definion of price that is the amount of money charged for a product or service, or the total values that consumers exchange for the benefits of having or using the product or service(Kotler et al, 2005)Similarly with Product element, Price also gets many scholars involved to study the relationship with customer satisfaction. A research of Oliver Swan, (1989) shows that perceptions of price unfairness lead to dissatisfaction and the purchase intention is influenced by satisfaction. This was consolidated by later search of Campbell (1999) that perception of price unfairness may trigger consumers negative emotions such as dissatisfaction, disappointment, and anger. So as a result, customers do not come back for repurchasing this product any more. Augene (1996) investigated the association between customer satisfaction and willing-to-pay or price tolerance, the finding shows that negative association between level of customer satisfaction provided by company and the degree of Price tolerance. In the telecommunication sector, Muzammil et al. (2010), also finds that both the factors Price fairness and customer service significantly contributed to explain customer satisfaction but comparatively price fairness had the larger impact on customer satisfaction than customer services.In another study of Herrmann et al.,(2007) on automobile concludes that custo mer satisfaction is directly influenced by price perceptions while indirectly done the perception of price fairness , demonstrate the influence of perceived price fairness on satisfaction judgments, Buyers price perceptions positively influences their perceptions of the fairness of price offers. Price is an important element in consumers purchases therefore it has a large influence on consumer satisfaction judgments. Homburg et al., (2005) investigates the effects of price increases at an individual level, the authors argued that customers oppose to price increases are strongly driven by two factors the magnitude of the price increase and the perceived fairness of the motive for the price increase.Soedijati Pratminingsih (2011) indicated that marketing mix has significant and positive relationship with students decision making for selecting a university for marketing mix. Another research of Muala Qurneh (2012) on Tourist sector shows that product, place, personnel and process s ignificant impact on tourist satisfaction. It is less impact of Price on customer satisfaction, or it could be said that there is no any relationship with customer satisfaction. Because the tourists usually expect more on quality of tourist, instead considering price carefully. Martin Consuegra (2007) finds price fairness influences price acceptance indirectly through customer satisfaction and loyalty.According to Cheng et al (2011, consumers perceived price has a negative impact on customer satisfaction, which is that the higher the fast food industry product price is, the more it will reduce customer satisfaction. This result is consistent with the study result of Dargay (2007), and Hopkins (2007). Moreover, Cheng and Wu (2011) finds that when price increase reduces customer satisfaction in the global service market. Price increases as same as customers perceived price increase, it means that price fairness reduces. As a result, customers become dissatisfied with company goods or service. Kotler and Lane (2009) also proposed that there is a positive relationship between perceived price fairness and satisfaction. The more consumers perceive a price as gain, the higher their satisfaction. These findings also supports the idea that higher price may reduce customer satisfaction or consumption capacity. Martin-Consuegra et al. (2007) asserts that decision of customers to accept particular price relate directly to satisfaction level.Research on how price impact on customer satisfaction is very huge, most studies show that having the strong impact of Price and customer satisfaction in many areas, and this is the positive relationship. The more customer perceived fairness (or less customer perceived price), the more increase in customer satisfaction. The hypothesis will be tested at belowH2 There is the positive relationship between price of Ford auto and its customer satisfaction.2.3.4 PlaceAccording to Kotler et al.,(2005) Place related to all the company activiti es that make the product or service available to target customers. Place refers to channel, coverage, assortment, location, inventory, transport. In the service sector, Place decisions refer to the ease of access which potential customer to a service such as location (distance to services sites) and distribution (e.g., home delivery, 24-hour availability) (Hirankitti et al., 2009). As same as with Product and Price, there are many previous researches to test the relationship between Place and customer satisfaction. Cheng et al., (2011) found that convenience has a positive impact on fast food industry customer satisfaction. It indicated that the more convenient, the more customer satisfaction will increase. This study result has corresponded with the study conclusion of Mahon et al. (2006) and Martinez-Ruiz et al. (2010). Gilaninia et al. (2012) also finds that the supply chain management has direct relationship with customer satisfaction. Mohammad et all (2012) points out that Plac e and customer satisfaction are positively related to each other. According to Kotler and Amstrong (2010) when channel is used in marketing system that maximizes efficiency, effectiveness, maximizes costs and delivers the great customer satisfaction for companies, because the channel is link between producers and final consumers. Palmer (2000) also believes that physical distribution (order processing, warehousing, inventory, transport) affect on customer satisfaction. Ryu Han (2009) proposed that customers perception of physical environment factors facility aesthetics, lighting, layout, and social factors had significant effects on disconfirmation and disconfirmation directly influence to cust

Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme Analysis

Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme AnalysisHISTORY OF ECONOMIC THEORY PAPERPHILOSOPHISING A LAW VOLUNTARY TAX disclosureJoanna ThomasA. THE LAWThe Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme was launched by on the 18th of June, 1997. It continues for six months until the 31st of December, 1997. It was launched by The Central Board of Direct Taxes. Its channelize was to unearth disclosed income, to provide income tax and wealth tax defaulters an opportunity to disclose their income at the prevailing tax evaluate, while under the umbrella security system of freedom from all major laws relating to economic offences, and to mobilise resources and channel funds into priority sector of the economy.Those opting for the VDIS would be granted immunity from prosecution under the distant Exchange Regulation Act, 1973, the Income Tax Act, 1961, the riches Tax Act, 1957, and the Companies Act, 1956.1In the six months of its existence, 4,75,477 people disclosed their assets and incomes under VDIS. This garnered a revenue of 33,697.32 crore rupees to the Indian Finance Ministry on which Rs. 9,729.02 crore were paid as tax.While some saw the system as a success that boosted the governments coffers, separates were outraged. A Public Interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court under the argument that organizations like VDIS penalised h one(a)st tax payers while at the same time, it encouraged tax evaders.A. 1. FEATURESThe salient fetters of the scheme include1. The declarant would have to file a declaration before the Honourable Commissioner of Income Tax. The Commissioner would then grant him a certificate, setting forth the particulars of the voluntarily disclosed income and the enumerate of income tax paid in prize of the same. This provided the declarant immunity from prosecution under the Income Tax, 1961. A person may make a declaration in respect of any income chargeable to tax for any judgement year prior to the assessment year 1998-99for which h e has not filed a return under partition 139 of the Income Tax Act.for which he has failed to disclose in a return of income furnished by him under the IT Act before the date of commencement of the Act.which has escaped assessment in terms of section 147 as it stood prior to 1.4.1989 and thereafter.2. The scheme covered all persons, both corporate and non-corporate. The tax payable on the disclosed income was 30% for individuals and 35% for all other declarants, i.e., corporates and firms. The tax on the voluntarily disclosed income or wealth would have to be paid before making the declaration, and consequence of such payment was to be attached along with the declaration.3. Those who opted for the VDIS would be granted immunity from prosecution under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973, the Income Tax Act, 1961, the Wealth Tax Act, 1957, and the Companies Act, 1956.4. A person in whose case a search under section 132 of the Income Tax Act has been initiated or where books of account, other documents or other assets have been requisitioned under section 132A will not be entitled to make a declaration in respect of the previous year in which the search was made or any earlier previous year.B. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKINGSP. Chidambaram, the mastermind behind the VDIS, claimed that broadening the tax-net by VDIS was a more destruction than how much the scheme could net. Of the 4,66,031 respondents from VDIS, most were part of the 12 million who formed the tax-net. Most of these 12 million were grossly under-reporting their revenues and with this free pardon they were able to change their caustic money to white money at a much lower rate. Chidambaram ended up protecting the right of tax evaders. This goes against the philosophy of equitous taxation.The pardon scheme hampered the governments regular tax collection as tax-evaders, specially businessmen, non-salaried professionals who could opt out of the tax net, found it cheaper to declare their incomes wi th the lower tax rates of the amnesty schemes. In addition to that, as this scheme was anticipated in advance, the tax evaders were able to dodge paying taxes which could be seen by a ramble in revenue collections before the scheme actually arrived. This was what happened with the VDIS. Evaders were aware from March that the tax pardon was on its way and hence, personal income tax collections in the head start seven months of the current fiscal year recorded a significant drop. A post-VDIS drop also occurred, as has been seen in the case of earlier amnesty schemes. Therefore, despite the record haul, the government emerges as a net loser in this scheme as the VDIS hampered long-term tax collections that in effect proved the governments crusade against corruption to be a sham.2Actually, pardons provided at regular intervals may shrink the tax base instead of expanding it, as Chidambaram expected. It encourages more tax-dodging. Before the 80s pardons were witnessed at the rate o f once every twelve old age. However in the 1990s, amnesties were witnessed six times in ogdoad years. Hence, Chidambarams threat that the VDIS would be the last opportunity for evaders to come clean, didnt hold much ground.Another claim of Chidambaram was that an objective of the VDIS was to mop up subdued money. But how much can an amnesty work towards absolving an evader? According to a study done by NIPFP in the 1980s, black money in India was wanted at 18-21% of the GNP. Other independent assessments, however, estimated the value to actually be around 50%. Even assuming a low rate of 10%, in the 1990s, with GNP at 12.6 million crore rupees, the black money in the country can be estimated to be 1.26 million crore rupees. When you compare this to the amount disclosed through VDIS, it barely accounts for 2.5%. And the VDIS was supposed to to account for black money of years pastIt can be verbalize that the VDIS provided just the right loopholes that tax evaders were looking f or. It provided immunity from various laws and also gave evaders legitimacy for ownership of single units of property in overseas areas and investments in bonds, debentures, shares, fixed deposits etc. Further, declarations under VDIS could not be use as evidence against the declarant in those proceedings that involve penalty imposition or litigations under acts such as IT Act, Wealth Tax Act or Companies Act.Take the example of the son of a very senior Congress leader from Andhra Pradesh who declared Rs.700 crores under the VDIS. The massive loot was amassed over the years from cuts and kick-backs. By paying Rs.200 crores he can now pocket the rest of the booty which now becomes white and rest assured that he can safely lady all legal probes in the future.2Declarations were made even minors, 2472 declarations to be exact, whose income were joint with that of their parents. This was permitted by the CBDT illuminance which was actually inconsistent with the tell law. A test get w ord revealed that these minors declared undisclosed income on dates prior to their birthLoopholes could also be found in the declaration of jewellery or silver articles. Initially, the clarification was to assess bullion and jewellery leveragingd prior to 1 April 1987 at the rates prevailing as on that date. However, this clause was amended later in November that stated that bullion and jewellery should be assessed at the rates that were prevailing on the date of acquisition or purchase, only if a credible proof of purchase or acquisition could be provided. Unfortunately, credible proof was left unexplained and undefined. This loophole provided the most used channel for money laundering under the scheme. Due to this loophole, tonnes of silver was shown in backdated purchases when prices were much lower than the current prices thus reducing the effective rate of taxation. Another negative effect was that silverware dealers began providing fake receipts to anyone who needed one. In this way, the VDIS provided a lucrative opportunity to create legalised assets by converting undisclosed assets with a much lower effective tax rate. This could be the reason why land, flamboyant and jewelry declarations was far more than that of cash. But this, however, could also be explained with the fact that black money is generally not kept in cash.Another misfortune of the Scheme was to lay down valuation requirement for real estate properties. This gap was taken unfair advantage of by the declarants who were able to declared their assets at insanely high values and also managed to protect themselves with the immunity provisions of the VDIS. A property that was purchased earlier in part with black money and shown in registration records at the value tincting the white money involved, could now be declared at its real price i.e. the black and the white money combined. Today, with an wonderment in the value of the property, the declarant could sell and purchase a bigger pro perty with the newly acquired white money.C. THE VERDICTThe VDIS was drafted with a number of gaps. This was, in turn, compounded by CBDT circulars, clarifications and press briefings that completely benefitted the declarants, i.e., the tax evaders. A number of gaps was left in procedural matters in the implementation of the Scheme. This impacted revenue realisation. The department was deprived of certain revenues due to the undervaluation of jewellery and bullion. In addition to this, the capital loss that arose from jewellery and bullion declarations contributed to the wiping out of the immediate revenue generated from their disclosures in a few years time.The department had also not instituted any special mechanism that would monitor the declarants in post-VDIS period.The government had recently announced an amnesty scheme for service tax offenders. This was the Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme. The scheme was in effect till December 2013 and is believed to have fetched around 6000 crore rupees to the government. Finance Minister Chidambaram said the government will not be able to announce any more amnesty schemes for the next 20 years. This was due to various factors which includes curbs imposed by the Supreme Court. Such schemes cannot be announced every year. There is a Supreme Court judgement on VDIS which actually ties up our hands in announcing a scheme on the lines of VDIS, Chidambaram was quoted as saying by the PTI.In conclusion, there is little doubt about which section of society actually benefits from these kinds of amnesty schemes. For honest tax payers, i.e., mainly the salaried word form who pay tax at source at higher rates, this is a direct violation of equal tax for equal income. It also shows the governments impotence in ensuring compliance by the bourgeoisie to come clean. In the mean time, the ruling class eagerly waits for the next amnesty, as he/she knows fully well that amnesties are means to not only for exone rate oneself from crimes but also provides ample opportunities for one to commit further crimes.

Effect of the Financial Crisis on Consumer Buying Behaviour

Effect of the Financial Crisis on Consumer acquire behaviorABSTRACTConsumer buy doings is a conglomerate phenomenon, which is comprised of a bundle of decision-making mathematical mouldes, stinting determinants and market stimuli. Consumer purchase deportment has been attracting the by-line of a great round of academic and moneymaking(prenominal) parties for many years. The complexness of the processes with which consumer purchase gage be associated has made the phenomenon considerably difficult to be predicted and controlled. However, as consumers argon the more or less natural commencement of tax revenue for business organisations, therefore their demeanor is of signifi trickt grandeur for achieving market survival and fiscal prosperity.This is the reason why the array dissertation is tensenessed on look intoing and analysing the phenomenon in the read monetary crisis. As the up-to-date crisis is already treasure to be having a major effect on many sp aring and friendly aspects of the united Kingdom, the interrogationer concentrates specifically on revealing the effectuate the deport economic downturn has on the purchase demeanour of consumers.The author is passing evoke in revealing the disturbances that hatful be identified to occur and thus provide valuable insight to commercial and academic parties in the background of predicting and controlling consumer purchasing patterns. The dissertation is specifically centre on analysing the buyer behavior changes from a market perspective. The author provides a number of suggestions, which were extracted from the conducted supplemental and immemorial investigation. The developed propositions blueprint the versatile considerations companies should integrate in their marketing campaigns in golf-club to perform successfully, despite the financial crisis and economic downturn.CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION purchasing doings smoke be described as the set of attitudes that cha racterise the patterns of consumers choices. acquire behavior is a phenomenon that varies depending on a wide wave of factors, such(prenominal)(prenominal) as demographics, income, social and cultural factors. Apart from the inherent immanent factors, which burn be appreciate as influential to acquire behaviour, there are a number of situational contexts that mickle be suggested to affect consumer choices. In this respect it goat be proposed that consumer behaviour is a conspiracy of nodes purchasing consciousness and remote incentives which are presumable to moment in behaviour remodelling (Dawson et al., 2006). This is why look intoers in the field of consumer get patterns conclude that it is derivative of function that encompasses economic principles and marketing stimuli (Hansen, 2006).As get behaviour is a key factor for companies profitability, it is a phenomenon that has been attracting the attention of look intoers for many years. One of the fields most pregnantly interested in consumer choice, is the field of marketing (Kotler, 2000).Marketing is the learn commissioned on extracting friendship on consumers characteristics to enable companies to respond to customers expectations and facilitate organisations in providing spicy quality customer service (Groucutt et al., 2004). This is why it rat be suggested that the context of the cave in dissertation could be of signifi poopt importance for marketing inquiry workers and professionals.As the present project aims to analyse the financial crisis effects on consumer behaviour it shag be suggested that the in depth scrutiny which the current examination would establish could transform into a valuable quotation of marketing counsellor. In opposite words, the present dissertation is apt(predicate) to transform into a valuable source of marketing comprehensiveness as it would reveal knowledge on the probable changes in get behaviour which the current financial and economic downturn is causing and thus provide commercial organisations with a piece of inquiry that could stimulate great tolerateness and integrity in companies business performance during a volatile arrest (Churchill and Peter, 1998 Iacobucci and Calder, 2003).Todays financial crisis, which has go forthed in an economic downturn, could be prize as a major challenge for the profitability and even survival of many global companies. The financial crisis, which was the result of the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the USA, has transmitted internationally and ca utilised disturbances in a wide range of powerful economies. Many countries are seen to be on the brink of recess if not already plunged into it (Deutche Welle, 2008).As the present dissertation is specifically evaluating the financial crisis impacts on consumers purchasing behaviour it stomach be value that some of the challenges which consumers are currently facing and are likely to experience in the near future shadow be sep arate into 2 categories direct and indirect. The direct factors can be value as the fall disposable income, ruminate insecurity and credit financing hurdles ( space for National Statistics, 2008). On the separate hand the indirect aspects of the credit crunch on customer behaviour can be delineated as the challenges of credit financing and investment capability which commercial organisations face and which make these organisations unable to continue with producing high quality fruits and customer service (The Economist, 2008).The look for hesitation the current project aims to answer is What type of consumer acquire behaviour has been most significantly affected by the financial crisis in the UK?. As it can be observe, the movement the detective focuses on addressing can be used for outlining the query parameters of the dissertation (Bell, 2005). In order for a look for to yield credible results it should be frame-worked in a manner that clearly structures the conte xtual boarders of a project. This can be achieved only finished and through the identification of a set of look into variables, to be explored, tested and synthesised in a logical flow (Saunders et al., 2003).In the present context, the question focus and the variables which can be recognised are The United Kingdom the current financial crisis consumer get behaviour and in crabby non-business consumers and retailing. As it can be observed the research variables outline a clear modelling to subscribe to the researcher through the development of a consistent and coherent research process. Once recognised, the research variables can be addressed through the application of sub- interrogatives and research objectives (Easterby-Smith et al., 2002). In this respect the objectives which the dissertation incorporates for responding to the research question are the evaluation of purchase behaviour characteristics, which would reveal various acquire behaviour characteristics and patte rns analysis of the financial crisis impacts on consumers and in finical the effect on purchasing behaviour characteristics and the identification of current buying trends of products in the UK.In the context of forming a clear framework and outlining clear objectives to address the set research question, this dissertation can be divided into six chapters to guide the research process flow.Chapter 1 introduces the readers to the topic by outlining the aim of the dissertation, the first-string research question, the research objectives and the value of the examination.Chapter 2 provides a fine literary works freshen up of the topic. The literature review is structured by the application of a funneling strategy, depicted in Figure 1. The funneling strategy aims to provide greater lucidness in the research boundaries as it gradually tightens the research focus by outlining the specific research variables to be explored and examined.Chapter 3 provides the research methodology emp loyed in the current investigation. The division also reveals the research philosophy, strategy, objectives and sources, which were employed for the successful exploration of the topic.Chapter 4 outlines the research findings, which are achieved through a multi-source strategy of secondary and primary research.Chapter 5 provides a discussion on how or whether the research findings address the research question.Chapter 6, the final chapter of the dissertation, offers a conclusion to the research. This chapter is followed by a list of references.CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE check over 2.1 Consumer BehaviourConsumer behaviour can be described as a process in which individuals or radicals purchase a clear or impalpable product to satisfy needs or preferences (Perner, 2008). Nowadays, the component of the consumer is of great macro and micro-importance as the consuming power is an essential economic cause force. The great deduction of the consumers role can be recognised from the fact th at most contemporary consumers spend a great amount of sequence and nothing on buying behaviour and decision-making activities. This is why consumer behaviour can be identified as a process, which comprises all activities related to the process of purchasing, such as information hookup information exchange selecting buying and consuming (Hansen et al., 2004). As buying behaviour is identified to encompass a wide range of a priori and post-buying activities, therefore it can be recognised as a significantly complex phenomenon.Buying behaviour is cond by two main factors internal and outdoor(a). The internal factors that determine consumer buying behaviour are presented by the various consumer segments. In other words, the busy set of characteristics a segment possess (i.e. demographic, social, cultural, action style, and so on), can be described as essential determinants of the segments buying behaviour. On the other hand, there is a set of foreign factors that can play a si gnificant role in ascertain consumer behaviour, such as promotions publicise customer service, economic and market stability, etc. In this respect, it can be cogitate that buying behaviour is significantly impelled and influenced by the exceedingly interdependent combination of customers buying consciousness and external stimuli (Dawson et al., 2006).2.2 Types of Consumer BehaviourThe literature recognises quad characteristic types of consumer buying behaviour. They resist with respect to the frequency of occurrence, sensational take onment, decision-making complexity and try. In this context there are four distinctive buying behaviour patterns which can be outlined, such as programmed behaviour limited decision-making buying behaviour extensive decision-making buying behaviour and capricious buying (Arnould et al., 2002).Programmed behaviour, also known as habitual buying behaviour, is the buying pattern which can be characterised as the routine purchasing of low cost items, such as coffee everyday saucilyspaper tickets, etc. It is a process that involves little search for information and low complexity of decision-making (Learn Marketing, 2008).Limited decision-making buying behaviour can be characterised as a buying pattern that involves moderate levels of decision-making and comparatively low amounts of required information to trigger purchasing. It is a buying behaviour, which can be related to the purchasing of clothes the consumer can easily obtain information on the quality of the product and often spends short time on selecting and securing the purchase (East, 1997).In course to the limited decision-making buying pattern and the programmed purchasing behaviour, the literature identifies extensive decision-making buying behaviour (Foxall and Goldsmith, 1994). This type of behaviour is characterised with complex decision-making, where the buyer needs a comparatively longer period to make a decision and greater amounts of information gat hering. It is buying behaviour usually provoked by expensive and infrequent purchases, which involve high levels of economic and psychological risk (Peter and Olson, 2007).The fourth type of buying behaviour, which is observed in the literature, is the impulsive buying. Impulsive buying is characterised as a buying process that does not involve any conscious planning. It is a short-term phenomenon, which is usually provoked by an external stimuli and irritation, making particular products irresistible to consumers at a wedded short period of time (Wells and Prensky, 1997).As it can be observed in the literature on the dissimilar types of buying behaviour, a significant determinant, which accompanies for each one of the described behavioral choices, is the consumers emotion. The consumers emotion as suggested by Hansen et al. (2004) is a fundamental determinant of buying behaviour. It is a component of the purchasing decision-making, which can be recognised to be both influentia l to, and influenced by, a number of internal and external factors (Chaudhuri, 2006 Laros and Steenkamp, 2005).Deriving from the significant importance of consumer emotion in purchasing and the great determining value it possess, the research would suggest a new framework of buying behaviour in order for the researcher to address the sign research question adequately.The framework is adopted from the phenomenological literature and theoretical possibilitys, which were identified during the research process. In this respect the continuum proposed encompasses all of the buying behaviour types and the consumers emotion as their most significant determinant. At each extreme of the continuum, there can be recognised two distinctive types of buying behaviour planned and unintended which are to be researched and discussed in the succeeding section of the present literature review.Although emotion is a subjective phenomenon, which significantly varies according to individual traits and situational particularities, the researcher suggests that emotion is the most essential determinant of planned and unplanned buying behaviour (Havlena and Holbrook, 1986). In other words, as unplanned buying behaviour is the attribute of impulsive buying, it can be suggested that unplanned buying behaviour is greatly affected by greater emotional drives.On the other hand, as planned behaviour usually involves complex decision-making, greater information gathering and a longer time period for selection, it can be concluded that planned buying behaviour is rather resulted by rationality than emotionality. Although it is a fair clarification that many complex decision-making processes may initially occur through emotional attraction and impulse, the particular features of the buying process are the variables which are evaluated in the present research and therefore, it can be suggested that planned buying behaviour is less emotional than unplanned.2.2.1plotted Buying BehaviourPlanned consumer buying behaviour is best described by the theories of planned behaviour (TBA) and reasoned action (TRA) (Hansen, 2006). The theories reveal that planned behaviour can be dictated by the consumers perceptions of complexity or in other words how difficult it is for the consumer to select and secure a particular product (Ajzen, 1991). The notion of perceive complexity is described by Keen et al. (2004), to comprise of the situational variables of channel tradeoffs and transaction costs. In other words, the level of complexity of a particular transaction, it is suggested, is obstinate by the prospect cost of the alternative channels that exist and transaction costs, such as time, money and effort.Furthermore, the theory of planned behaviour specifically introduces the concept of sensed behavioural control as an essential determinant of the process of planned behavioural intention (Posthuma and Dworkin, 2000). In this respect, the TBA not only does explain the importance of the consumers perception of the levels of complexity with which a particular purchase can be associated, but also outlines the essential role of the buying risk which consumers are likely to bear during purchases.The perceived risk perspective can be recognised as a multidimensional construct. High perceived risk can result from the consumers expectation of experiencing a negative outcome from a buying interaction (Lim, 2003). In this respect if any situational determinants of the process of purchasing reveal a gap of negative outcome, it can be suggested that this is likely to increase the levels of consumers perceived risk. In this context, situational determinants of these types can be recognised to be the transactional costs, which are associated with every purchase consumers make. In other words, the higher the transactional costs (i.e. money, time, effort, etc.) the greater the likelihood of higher levels of perceived risk (Hansen, 2006).On the other hand, perceived risk i s not only determined by the transactional costs, which consumers identify. Contrary, perceived risk is often influenced by situational variables and outcomes, which the consumer fails to recognise. In other words, if a consumer is unable to clearly identify the possible outcome of a particular buying transaction, the consumer would be less inclined to purchase. In this respect, it can be concluded that another significant determinant of buying risk is uncertainty (Shim et al., 2001). This is why planned behaviour is associated with complex decision-making processes, which is characterised by extensive information gathering (Peter and Olson, 2007).2.2.2 Unplanned Buying BehaviourAs it was already identified, there are four distinctive types of buying behaviour, which can be recognised in the literature and which can be categorised in two distinctive categories of planned and unplanned buying behaviour. each of the categories can be identified as encompassing different decision-makin g processes, characteristics, complexity and length (Arnould et al., 2002). Moreover, consumers decision-making goes through a number of transformations at different submits in the buying process problem recognition information search evaluation of alternatives and purchase decision (Peter and Olson, 2007). In this respect, it can be suggested that the purchasing determinants pull up stakes according to the stage at which the particular consumer is situated in the buying process at a given time. in that location are two distinctive but highly interdependent sources that can be identified as influencing the buying behaviour of consumers. They can be recognised as internal and external buying behaviour factors (Brassington and Pettit, 2007).The internal factors that determine consumer buying behaviour can be divided into the categories of personal (i.e. age, life style, occupation) psychological (i.e. wants, motivating, perceptions) social (i.e. needs, social class, group and famil y influence) and cultural (i.e. car park sense, background, beliefs, knowledge) (Groucutt et al., 2004 Iacobucci and Calder, 2003).On the other hand, the external buying behaviour factors can be identified as the marketing approaches of companies to attract consumers by advertising and promotions. Another external factor that may be recognised as highly influential to the purchasing behaviour of consumers is the micro and macro-economic stability within the particular market milieu (Churchill and Peter, 1998).As it can be observed, purchasing behaviour is mainly determined by internal factors (i.e. economic principles disposable income, status, social class) and external stimuli (i.e. marketing promotions and advertising economic environment) (Dawson et al., 2006).Moreover, it can be proposed that these factors are highly interdependent as, for example, the economic stability within a market environment can be suggested to be significantly influential on the internal purchasing determinants of lifestyle, occupation and disposable income, which is likely to have subsequent effect on wants, motivation and perceptions.2.3.1 The Financial Crisis performerThe Western world is currently facing a significant economic challenge in the face of the current financial crisis. The financial crisis, which is experienced by the majority of the developed G7 countries and in particular the UK, was the result of the US subprime mortgage crisis in August 2007 (Toussaint, 2008).The US mortgage crisis was caused by the frightful quality of loans which were issued in the market at that time. For a period of seven years, some of the US financial institutions had been providing numerous credits to consumers with bad credit history, which afterwards resulted in a pool of credits with a lowered possibility of repayment (Cecchetti, 2008). There are several translations for the occurrence of the crisis, which can be recognised in the literature but are not discussed in the presen t dissertation as the research question is more interested in the outcomes of the crisis than the factors that caused it.The break down of the real the three estates mortgage bubble had a contagious effect on the rest of the well-developed Western economies (Horta et al., 2008). Many EU countries experienced the shock in their banking sectors as the provision of credit financing became a great challenge. Banks were suffering from lack of liquidity, which caused both business and non-business consumers financial hardships (The Economist, 2008).The effect of the financial crisis unfolded over a wide range of other economic aspects. The wide scope of the crisis caused a downturn in many industries, the bankruptcy of leading organisations and overall economic recession to countries like the UK, Germany and France (Deutche Welle, 2008 Hopkins, 2008 Office for National Statistics, 2008).The multi-dimensional characteristic of the financial crisis is identified to have negative impacts both on business and non-business consumers. Some of the major impacts the current financial crisis has on consumers are job uncertainty and unemployment decreased disposable income decreased saving rates fewer credit financing opportunities greater consumption risk higher product and service prices, etc (Allen and Gale, 2007 Gramley, 2008).The UK retailing market is recognised as one of the markets that has been most severely affected. Consumers are seen to be purchasing very conservatively as they focus on efficiency buying and cutting back on waste and premium products, but consumers are not predicted to be trim down their regular consumption. Buying behaviour is seen to be shifting to products with comparatively good quality and low price (Hawkins, 2008).Furthermore, the current economic sluggishness is likely to incline to greater consumer interest in hard discounters, which makes such retailers believe in market share expansion and prosperity. Moreover, food retailing, on w hich the present research question is focused, is seen to be the most stable part of the retailing industry and it is predicted to be gaining market share by the production of efficient marketing strategies. However, the failure in providing good buying experience and low variability of products, which are common for hard discounters, are predicted to be the factors that are likely to impede their market egress (Mintel Oxygen, 2008).UK consumers are also recognised to be spending more time at home (Euromonitor International, 2008). This shift of buying behaviour can be considered to publicise the use of online buying channels through which consumers can compare prices and gather information for their purchasing decisions but at the same time are likely to face buying risk which is usually associated with online purchases.CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe research methodology of the present dissertation is influenced and structured by the research process onion, which was developed and introduced by Saunders et al. (2003). In this respect the Research Methodology section of this dissertation is divided into five sub-topics, each of which aims to provide a detailed explanation of the research process.cognition is a complex phenomenon influenced and developed by various contextual variables. In this respect, a research philosophy represents a researchers perception of the stylus knowledge is constructed (Saunders et al., 2003).There are three research philosophies recognised in the literature philosophies of positivism, interpretivism and realism. Each of these philosophies provides a distinctive view on the way knowledge is developed. It is authorized for a research process to clearly establish its research philosophy as it has a significant impact on the methodological framework applied.For example, positivism applies scientific reasoning and law-like generalisations in the process of knowledge construction (Remenyi et al., 1998). The research methodology influenced by this philosophy is characterised with a highly transparent structure to facilitate reproduction (Gill and Johnson, 1997). On the other hand, the research philosophy of realism identifies the existence of a number of external social objectives, which influence peoples interactions and respectively the psychiatric hospital of knowledge. Realism can be recognised to be close to the philosophy of positivism but at the same time possesses clearly distinctive characteristics as the philosophy highlights the incorrectness of exploring peoples interactions in the style of natural science (Saunders et al., 2003).The philosophy, which is incorporated in the context of the present dissertation, is the research philosophy of interpretivism. Interpretivism is chosen to be the philosophic framework of the study, as the researcher believes that knowledge is a complex phenomenon, which cannot be generalised in a value-free and detached manner. Furthermore, the researcher focuses o n exploring the topic by the application of exact interpretations and gradually establishing research conclusions (Remenyi et al., 1998).3.2 Research ApproachThe literature outlines two distinctive research approaches, which can be applied in the present dissertation deductive and inductive. A deductive research approach is suggested to be suitable for scientific research, where the researcher develops a hypothesis, which is tested and examined to establish a theory (Hussey and Hussey, 1997).In the present context, as the researcher aims to gradually formulate the research theory through the critical evaluation of the research variables, and as the inductive research approach follows research data to construct theory, therefore it can be suggested that the present research approach is inductive. Furthermore, the inductive research approach, which provides greater flexibility, provides the researcher with the fortune to modify the research emphasis depending on the accumulated fi ndings throughout the research process (Easterby-Smith et al., 2002).3.3 Research StrategyA research strategy can be explained as the son of a bitch or tools the researcher employs for addressing the research question. There are six research strategies, which can be identified in the literature, such as experiment adopt grounded theory ethnography action research and case study (Saunders et al., 2003).The present dissertation employs the research strategy of grounded theory. The researcher primarily focuses on extracting knowledge through research in the phenomenological literature. The present research strategy is appropriate as it is described in the literature to be suitable for inductive reasoning or in other words, applicable to research contexts which aim to gradually establish research assumptions and propositions (Husey and Husey, 1997).Although the present dissertation is essentially influenced by the research strategy of grounded theory, the researcher subsequently emplo ys a primary research strategy of in-depth interviews to collect data. This primary research method is described in greater dilate in the entropy Collection section.3.4 Time HorizonAnother important characteristic of the present research process is the time horizon. There are two time horizons recognised in the literature longitudinal and cross-section(a). A longitudinal research process examines particular phenomenon over a given period of time, whereas cross-sectional is focused on a particular moment.The present dissertation has a cross-sectional time horizon as it is recognised to be appropriate to the research aim and the researchers resources. Firstly, the researcher was given a limited period of time which constrained the ability to conduct a longitudinal examination. Secondly, the present research question is not interested in analysing the variance of the research variables over a period of time but focused on exploring and revealing new contextual insight by suggesting new interpretations and theoretical assumptions (Robson, 2002).3.5 Data Collection MethodThe present research process can be described as an beta one. It aims to reveal new insight and evaluate the researched phenomena in a new light. Furthermore, the research has a flexible approach to establishing its theoretical propositions, which does not mean that the research lacks clear direction and framework (Adams and Schvaneveldt, 1991).As exploratory research processes share the common research strategy of exploring the phenomenological literature and extracting expertise from specialists in the field and focus group interviews, similarly the present dissertation incorporates the research strategy of grounded theory and in-depth interviews. In this respect, it can be concluded that the present study is built on a combination of secondary and primary data.3.5.1 Secondary DataThe secondary data employed can be described as multiple source secondary data. triplex source secondary data c an be divided into two categories area based, which comprises of academic sources and time series based, which focuses of commercial issues (Saunders et al., 2003). The use of multiple source data provides the researcher with the opportunity to develop a balanced and analytical dissertation. The academic literature is used for outlining the academic context of consumers buying behaviour, whereas the commercial sources are used for identification of the current conditions, which are likely to challenge the academic constructs.3.5.2 Primary DataThe present dissertation incorporates a multi-method research process, where the researcher combines secondary and primary data in the same study. This strategy is chosen as the researcher believes that both methods are significantly dependable on each other in the present research context, and that secondary data provides solid theoretical foundation, whereas primary data contributes to the researchers ability to address the most important is sues in the present context (Robson, 2002). The primary data is extracted through the conduction of in-depth interviews.3.5.2.1 In-depth InterviewingIn-depth interviews, also known as unstructured interviews, are recognised as an appropriate data accumulation method as the information they reveal corresponds to the researchers aim of analysing, interpreting and responding to new contextual insight rather than reaching any law-like generalisations. This is why in-depth interviews are a common data collection method in exploratory research projects.Furthermore, in-depth interviews provide greater flexibility as they can be conducted both opposite and over a telephone, which is recognised not to affect the interview outcomes differently (Ghauri and Gronhaung, 2002). This can be considered as a significant facilitation curiously with respect to the time constraints, which the researcher experiences.In the present context, each subEffect of the Financial Crisis on Consumer Buying Behav iourEffect of the Financial Crisis on Consumer Buying BehaviourABSTRACTConsumer buying behaviour is a complex phenomenon, which is comprised of a bundle of decision-making processes, economic determinants and market stimuli. Consumer purchasing behaviour has been attracting the interest of a great number of academic and commercial parties for many years. The complexity of the processes with which consumer purchasing can be associated has made the phenomenon considerably difficult to be predicted and controlled. However, as consumers are the most essential source of revenue for business organisations, therefore their behaviour is of significant importance for achieving market survival and financial prosperity.This is the reason why the present dissertation is focused on researching and analysing the phenomenon in the present financial crisis. As the current crisis is already recognised to be having a major effect on many economic and social aspects of the United Kingdom, the research er concentrates specifically on revealing the effects the present economic downturn has on the buying behaviour of consumers.The author is highly interested in revealing the disturbances that can be identified to occur and thus provide valuable insight to commercial and academic parties in the context of predicting and controlling consumer purchasing patterns. The dissertation is specifically focused on analysing the buyer behaviour changes from a marketing perspective. The author provides a number of suggestions, which were extracted from the conducted secondary and primary investigation. The developed propositions outline the various considerations companies should integrate in their marketing campaigns in order to perform successfully, despite the financial crisis and economic downturn.CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONBuying behaviour can be described as the set of attitudes that characterise the patterns of consumers choices. Buying behaviour is a phenomenon that varies depending on a wide range of factors, such as demographics, income, social and cultural factors. Apart from the essential internal factors, which can be recognised as influential to buying behaviour, there are a number of situational contexts that can be suggested to affect consumer choices. In this respect it can be proposed that consumer behaviour is a combination of customers buying consciousness and external incentives which are likely to result in behaviour remodelling (Dawson et al., 2006). This is why researchers in the field of consumer buying patterns conclude that it is derivative of function that encompasses economic principles and marketing stimuli (Hansen, 2006).As buying behaviour is a key factor for companies profitability, it is a phenomenon that has been attracting the attention of researchers for many years. One of the fields most significantly interested in consumer choice, is the field of marketing (Kotler, 2000).Marketing is the discipline focused on extracting knowledge on consum ers characteristics to enable companies to respond to customers expectations and facilitate organisations in providing high quality customer service (Groucutt et al., 2004). This is why it can be suggested that the context of the present dissertation could be of significant importance for marketing researchers and professionals.As the present project aims to analyse the financial crisis effects on consumer behaviour it can be suggested that the in depth scrutiny which the current examination would establish could transform into a valuable source of marketing direction. In other words, the present dissertation is likely to transform into a valuable source of marketing comprehensiveness as it would reveal knowledge on the likely changes in buying behaviour which the current financial and economic downturn is causing and thus provide commercial organisations with a piece of research that could stimulate greater appropriateness and integrity in companies business performance during a vo latile period (Churchill and Peter, 1998 Iacobucci and Calder, 2003).Todays financial crisis, which has resulted in an economic downturn, could be recognised as a major challenge for the profitability and even survival of many global companies. The financial crisis, which was the result of the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the USA, has transmitted internationally and caused disturbances in a wide range of powerful economies. Many countries are seen to be on the brink of recession if not already plunged into it (Deutche Welle, 2008).As the present dissertation is specifically evaluating the financial crisis impacts on consumers buying behaviour it can be recognised that some of the challenges which consumers are currently facing and are likely to experience in the near future can be divided into two categories direct and indirect. The direct factors can be recognised as the decreasing disposable income, job insecurity and credit financing hurdles (Office for National Statistics, 2008 ). On the other hand the indirect aspects of the credit crunch on customer behaviour can be outlined as the challenges of credit financing and investment capability which commercial organisations face and which make these organisations unable to continue with producing high quality products and customer service (The Economist, 2008).The research question the current project aims to answer is What type of consumer buying behaviour has been most significantly affected by the financial crisis in the UK?. As it can be observed, the question the researcher focuses on addressing can be used for outlining the research parameters of the dissertation (Bell, 2005). In order for a research to yield credible results it should be frame-worked in a manner that clearly structures the contextual boarders of a project. This can be achieved only through the identification of a set of research variables, to be explored, tested and synthesised in a logical flow (Saunders et al., 2003).In the present co ntext, the research focus and the variables which can be recognised are The United Kingdom the current financial crisis consumer buying behaviour and in particular non-business consumers and retailing. As it can be observed the research variables outline a clear framework to guide the researcher through the development of a consistent and coherent research process. Once recognised, the research variables can be addressed through the application of sub-questions and research objectives (Easterby-Smith et al., 2002). In this respect the objectives which the dissertation incorporates for responding to the research question are the evaluation of buying behaviour characteristics, which would reveal various buying behaviour characteristics and patterns analysis of the financial crisis impacts on consumers and in particular the effect on buying behaviour characteristics and the identification of current buying trends of products in the UK.In the context of forming a clear framework and out lining clear objectives to address the set research question, this dissertation can be divided into six chapters to guide the research process flow.Chapter 1 introduces the readers to the topic by outlining the aim of the dissertation, the primary research question, the research objectives and the value of the examination.Chapter 2 provides a critical literature review of the topic. The literature review is structured by the application of a funneling strategy, depicted in Figure 1. The funneling strategy aims to provide greater clarity in the research boundaries as it gradually tightens the research focus by outlining the specific research variables to be explored and examined.Chapter 3 provides the research methodology employed in the current investigation. The section also reveals the research philosophy, strategy, objectives and sources, which were employed for the successful exploration of the topic.Chapter 4 outlines the research findings, which are achieved through a multi-so urce strategy of secondary and primary research.Chapter 5 provides a discussion on how or whether the research findings address the research question.Chapter 6, the final chapter of the dissertation, offers a conclusion to the research. This chapter is followed by a list of references.CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Consumer BehaviourConsumer behaviour can be described as a process in which individuals or groups purchase a tangible or intangible product to satisfy needs or preferences (Perner, 2008). Nowadays, the role of the consumer is of great macro and micro-importance as the consuming power is an essential economic driving force. The great significance of the consumers role can be recognised from the fact that most contemporary consumers spend a great amount of time and energy on buying behaviour and decision-making activities. This is why consumer behaviour can be identified as a process, which comprises all activities related to the process of purchasing, such as information gathering information exchange selecting buying and consuming (Hansen et al., 2004). As buying behaviour is identified to encompass a wide range of a priori and post-buying activities, therefore it can be recognised as a significantly complex phenomenon.Buying behaviour is determined by two main factors internal and external. The internal factors that determine consumer buying behaviour are presented by the various consumer segments. In other words, the particular set of characteristics a segment possess (i.e. demographic, social, cultural, life style, etc.), can be described as essential determinants of the segments buying behaviour. On the other hand, there is a set of external factors that can play a significant role in determining consumer behaviour, such as promotions advertising customer service, economic and market stability, etc. In this respect, it can be concluded that buying behaviour is significantly determined and influenced by the highly interdependent combination of customers buying consciousness and external stimuli (Dawson et al., 2006).2.2 Types of Consumer BehaviourThe literature recognises four distinctive types of consumer buying behaviour. They differ with respect to the frequency of occurrence, emotional involvement, decision-making complexity and risk. In this context there are four distinctive buying behaviour patterns which can be outlined, such as programmed behaviour limited decision-making buying behaviour extensive decision-making buying behaviour and impulsive buying (Arnould et al., 2002).Programmed behaviour, also known as habitual buying behaviour, is the buying pattern which can be characterised as the routine purchasing of low cost items, such as coffee daily newspaper tickets, etc. It is a process that involves little search for information and low complexity of decision-making (Learn Marketing, 2008).Limited decision-making buying behaviour can be characterised as a buying pattern that involves moderate levels of decision -making and comparatively low amounts of required information to trigger purchasing. It is a buying behaviour, which can be related to the purchasing of clothes the consumer can easily obtain information on the quality of the product and often spends short time on selecting and securing the purchase (East, 1997).In contrast to the limited decision-making buying pattern and the programmed purchasing behaviour, the literature identifies extensive decision-making buying behaviour (Foxall and Goldsmith, 1994). This type of behaviour is characterised with complex decision-making, where the buyer needs a comparatively longer period to make a decision and greater amounts of information gathering. It is buying behaviour usually provoked by expensive and infrequent purchases, which involve higher levels of economic and psychological risk (Peter and Olson, 2007).The fourth type of buying behaviour, which is observed in the literature, is the impulsive buying. Impulsive buying is characterise d as a buying process that does not involve any conscious planning. It is a short-term phenomenon, which is usually provoked by an external stimuli and irritation, making particular products irresistible to consumers at a given short period of time (Wells and Prensky, 1997).As it can be observed in the literature on the different types of buying behaviour, a significant determinant, which accompanies each of the described behavioural choices, is the consumers emotion. The consumers emotion as suggested by Hansen et al. (2004) is a fundamental determinant of buying behaviour. It is a component of the purchasing decision-making, which can be recognised to be both influential to, and influenced by, a number of internal and external factors (Chaudhuri, 2006 Laros and Steenkamp, 2005).Deriving from the significant importance of consumer emotion in purchasing and the great determining value it possess, the research would suggest a new framework of buying behaviour in order for the researc her to address the initial research question adequately.The framework is adopted from the phenomenological literature and theoretical concepts, which were identified during the research process. In this respect the continuum proposed encompasses all of the buying behaviour types and the consumers emotion as their most significant determinant. At each extreme of the continuum, there can be recognised two distinctive types of buying behaviour planned and unplanned which are to be researched and discussed in the succeeding section of the present literature review.Although emotion is a subjective phenomenon, which significantly varies according to individual traits and situational particularities, the researcher suggests that emotion is the most essential determinant of planned and unplanned buying behaviour (Havlena and Holbrook, 1986). In other words, as unplanned buying behaviour is the attribute of impulsive buying, it can be suggested that unplanned buying behaviour is greatly af fected by greater emotional drives.On the other hand, as planned behaviour usually involves complex decision-making, greater information gathering and a longer time period for selection, it can be concluded that planned buying behaviour is rather resulted by rationality than emotionality. Although it is a fair clarification that many complex decision-making processes may initially occur through emotional attraction and impulse, the particular features of the buying process are the variables which are evaluated in the present research and therefore, it can be suggested that planned buying behaviour is less emotional than unplanned.2.2.1Planned Buying BehaviourPlanned consumer buying behaviour is best described by the theories of planned behaviour (TBA) and reasoned action (TRA) (Hansen, 2006). The theories reveal that planned behaviour can be determined by the consumers perceptions of complexity or in other words how difficult it is for the consumer to select and secure a particular product (Ajzen, 1991). The concept of perceived complexity is described by Keen et al. (2004), to comprise of the situational variables of channel tradeoffs and transaction costs. In other words, the level of complexity of a particular transaction, it is suggested, is determined by the opportunity cost of the alternative channels that exist and transaction costs, such as time, money and effort.Furthermore, the theory of planned behaviour specifically introduces the concept of perceived behavioural control as an essential determinant of the process of planned behavioural intention (Posthuma and Dworkin, 2000). In this respect, the TBA not only does explain the importance of the consumers perception of the levels of complexity with which a particular purchase can be associated, but also outlines the essential role of the buying risk which consumers are likely to bear during purchases.The perceived risk perspective can be recognised as a multidimensional construct. High perceived risk can result from the consumers expectation of experiencing a negative outcome from a buying interaction (Lim, 2003). In this respect if any situational determinants of the process of purchasing reveal a possibility of negative outcome, it can be suggested that this is likely to increase the levels of consumers perceived risk. In this context, situational determinants of these types can be recognised to be the transactional costs, which are associated with every purchase consumers make. In other words, the higher the transactional costs (i.e. money, time, effort, etc.) the greater the likelihood of higher levels of perceived risk (Hansen, 2006).On the other hand, perceived risk is not only determined by the transactional costs, which consumers identify. Contrary, perceived risk is often influenced by situational variables and outcomes, which the consumer fails to recognise. In other words, if a consumer is unable to clearly identify the possible outcome of a particular buying transact ion, the consumer would be less inclined to purchase. In this respect, it can be concluded that another significant determinant of buying risk is uncertainty (Shim et al., 2001). This is why planned behaviour is associated with complex decision-making processes, which is characterised by extensive information gathering (Peter and Olson, 2007).2.2.2 Unplanned Buying BehaviourAs it was already identified, there are four distinctive types of buying behaviour, which can be recognised in the literature and which can be categorised in two distinctive categories of planned and unplanned buying behaviour. Each of the categories can be identified as encompassing different decision-making processes, characteristics, complexity and length (Arnould et al., 2002). Moreover, consumers decision-making goes through a number of transformations at different stages in the buying process problem recognition information search evaluation of alternatives and purchase decision (Peter and Olson, 2007). In this respect, it can be suggested that the purchasing determinants vary according to the stage at which the particular consumer is situated in the buying process at a given time.There are two distinctive but highly interdependent sources that can be identified as influencing the buying behaviour of consumers. They can be recognised as internal and external buying behaviour factors (Brassington and Pettit, 2007).The internal factors that determine consumer buying behaviour can be divided into the categories of personal (i.e. age, life style, occupation) psychological (i.e. wants, motivation, perceptions) social (i.e. needs, social class, group and family influence) and cultural (i.e. common sense, background, beliefs, knowledge) (Groucutt et al., 2004 Iacobucci and Calder, 2003).On the other hand, the external buying behaviour factors can be identified as the marketing approaches of companies to attract consumers by advertising and promotions. Another external factor that may be reco gnised as highly influential to the purchasing behaviour of consumers is the micro and macro-economic stability within the particular market environment (Churchill and Peter, 1998).As it can be observed, purchasing behaviour is mainly determined by internal factors (i.e. economic principles disposable income, status, social class) and external stimuli (i.e. marketing promotions and advertising economic environment) (Dawson et al., 2006).Moreover, it can be proposed that these factors are highly interdependent as, for example, the economic stability within a market environment can be suggested to be significantly influential on the internal purchasing determinants of lifestyle, occupation and disposable income, which is likely to have subsequent effect on wants, motivation and perceptions.2.3.1 The Financial Crisis FactorThe Western world is currently facing a significant economic challenge in the face of the current financial crisis. The financial crisis, which is experienced by t he majority of the developed G7 countries and in particular the UK, was the result of the US subprime mortgage crisis in August 2007 (Toussaint, 2008).The US mortgage crisis was caused by the bad quality of loans which were issued in the market at that time. For a period of seven years, some of the US financial institutions had been providing numerous credits to consumers with bad credit history, which subsequently resulted in a pool of credits with a lowered possibility of repayment (Cecchetti, 2008). There are several explanations for the occurrence of the crisis, which can be recognised in the literature but are not discussed in the present dissertation as the research question is more interested in the outcomes of the crisis than the factors that caused it.The burst of the real estate mortgage bubble had a contagious effect on the rest of the well-developed Western economies (Horta et al., 2008). Many EU countries experienced the shock in their banking sectors as the provision o f credit financing became a great challenge. Banks were suffering from lack of liquidity, which caused both business and non-business consumers financial hardships (The Economist, 2008).The effect of the financial crisis unfolded over a wide range of other economic aspects. The wide scope of the crisis caused a downturn in many industries, the bankruptcy of leading organisations and overall economic recession to countries like the UK, Germany and France (Deutche Welle, 2008 Hopkins, 2008 Office for National Statistics, 2008).The multi-dimensional characteristic of the financial crisis is identified to have negative impacts both on business and non-business consumers. Some of the major impacts the current financial crisis has on consumers are job uncertainty and unemployment decreased disposable income decreased saving rates fewer credit financing opportunities greater consumption risk higher product and service prices, etc (Allen and Gale, 2007 Gramley, 2008).The UK retailing market is recognised as one of the markets that has been most severely affected. Consumers are seen to be purchasing very carefully as they focus on efficiency buying and cutting back on waste and premium products, but consumers are not predicted to be reducing their regular consumption. Buying behaviour is seen to be shifting to products with comparatively good quality and low price (Hawkins, 2008).Furthermore, the current economic sluggishness is likely to predispose to greater consumer interest in hard discounters, which makes such retailers believe in market share expansion and prosperity. Moreover, food retailing, on which the present research question is focused, is seen to be the most stable part of the retailing industry and it is predicted to be gaining market share by the production of efficient marketing strategies. However, the failure in providing good buying experience and low variability of products, which are common for hard discounters, are predicted to be the factors tha t are likely to impede their market growth (Mintel Oxygen, 2008).UK consumers are also recognised to be spending more time at home (Euromonitor International, 2008). This shift of buying behaviour can be considered to promote the use of online buying channels through which consumers can compare prices and gather information for their purchasing decisions but at the same time are likely to face buying risk which is usually associated with online purchases.CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe research methodology of the present dissertation is influenced and structured by the research process onion, which was developed and introduced by Saunders et al. (2003). In this respect the Research Methodology section of this dissertation is divided into five sub-topics, each of which aims to provide a detailed explanation of the research process.Knowledge is a complex phenomenon influenced and developed by various contextual variables. In this respect, a research philosophy represents a researche rs perception of the way knowledge is constructed (Saunders et al., 2003).There are three research philosophies recognised in the literature philosophies of positivism, interpretivism and realism. Each of these philosophies provides a distinctive view on the way knowledge is developed. It is important for a research process to clearly establish its research philosophy as it has a significant impact on the methodological framework applied.For example, positivism applies scientific reasoning and law-like generalisations in the process of knowledge construction (Remenyi et al., 1998). The research methodology influenced by this philosophy is characterised with a highly transparent structure to facilitate replication (Gill and Johnson, 1997). On the other hand, the research philosophy of realism identifies the existence of a number of external social objectives, which influence peoples interactions and respectively the creation of knowledge. Realism can be recognised to be close to the philosophy of positivism but at the same time possesses clearly distinctive characteristics as the philosophy highlights the inappropriateness of exploring peoples interactions in the style of natural science (Saunders et al., 2003).The philosophy, which is incorporated in the context of the present dissertation, is the research philosophy of interpretivism. Interpretivism is chosen to be the philosophical framework of the study, as the researcher believes that knowledge is a complex phenomenon, which cannot be generalised in a value-free and detached manner. Furthermore, the researcher focuses on exploring the topic by the application of critical interpretations and gradually establishing research conclusions (Remenyi et al., 1998).3.2 Research ApproachThe literature outlines two distinctive research approaches, which can be applied in the present dissertation deductive and inductive. A deductive research approach is suggested to be suitable for scientific research, where the res earcher develops a hypothesis, which is tested and examined to establish a theory (Hussey and Hussey, 1997).In the present context, as the researcher aims to gradually formulate the research theory through the critical evaluation of the research variables, and as the inductive research approach follows research data to construct theory, therefore it can be suggested that the present research approach is inductive. Furthermore, the inductive research approach, which provides greater flexibility, provides the researcher with the opportunity to modify the research emphasis depending on the accumulated findings throughout the research process (Easterby-Smith et al., 2002).3.3 Research StrategyA research strategy can be explained as the tool or tools the researcher employs for addressing the research question. There are six research strategies, which can be identified in the literature, such as experiment survey grounded theory ethnography action research and case study (Saunders et al., 2003).The present dissertation employs the research strategy of grounded theory. The researcher primarily focuses on extracting knowledge through research in the phenomenological literature. The present research strategy is appropriate as it is described in the literature to be suitable for inductive reasoning or in other words, applicable to research contexts which aim to gradually establish research assumptions and propositions (Husey and Husey, 1997).Although the present dissertation is essentially influenced by the research strategy of grounded theory, the researcher subsequently employs a primary research strategy of in-depth interviews to collect data. This primary research method is described in greater details in the Data Collection section.3.4 Time HorizonAnother important characteristic of the present research process is the time horizon. There are two time horizons recognised in the literature longitudinal and cross-sectional. A longitudinal research process examines pa rticular phenomenon over a given period of time, whereas cross-sectional is focused on a particular moment.The present dissertation has a cross-sectional time horizon as it is recognised to be appropriate to the research aim and the researchers resources. Firstly, the researcher was given a limited period of time which constrained the ability to conduct a longitudinal examination. Secondly, the present research question is not interested in analysing the variance of the research variables over a period of time but focused on exploring and revealing new contextual insight by suggesting new interpretations and theoretical assumptions (Robson, 2002).3.5 Data Collection MethodThe present research process can be described as an exploratory one. It aims to reveal new insight and evaluate the researched phenomena in a new light. Furthermore, the research has a flexible approach to establishing its theoretical propositions, which does not mean that the research lacks clear direction and fra mework (Adams and Schvaneveldt, 1991).As exploratory research processes share the common research strategy of exploring the phenomenological literature and extracting expertise from specialists in the field and focus group interviews, similarly the present dissertation incorporates the research strategy of grounded theory and in-depth interviews. In this respect, it can be concluded that the present study is built on a combination of secondary and primary data.3.5.1 Secondary DataThe secondary data employed can be described as multiple source secondary data. Multiple source secondary data can be divided into two categories area based, which comprises of academic sources and time series based, which focuses of commercial issues (Saunders et al., 2003). The use of multiple source data provides the researcher with the opportunity to develop a balanced and analytical dissertation. The academic literature is used for outlining the academic context of consumers buying behaviour, whereas the commercial sources are used for identification of the current conditions, which are likely to challenge the academic constructs.3.5.2 Primary DataThe present dissertation incorporates a multi-method research process, where the researcher combines secondary and primary data in the same study. This strategy is chosen as the researcher believes that both methods are significantly dependable on each other in the present research context, and that secondary data provides solid theoretical foundation, whereas primary data contributes to the researchers ability to address the most important issues in the present context (Robson, 2002). The primary data is extracted through the conduction of in-depth interviews.3.5.2.1 In-depth InterviewingIn-depth interviews, also known as unstructured interviews, are recognised as an appropriate data collection method as the information they reveal corresponds to the researchers aim of analysing, interpreting and responding to new contextual insight r ather than reaching any law-like generalisations. This is why in-depth interviews are a common data collection method in exploratory research projects.Furthermore, in-depth interviews provide greater flexibility as they can be conducted both face-to-face and over a telephone, which is recognised not to affect the interview outcomes differently (Ghauri and Gronhaung, 2002). This can be considered as a significant facilitation especially with respect to the time constraints, which the researcher experiences.In the present context, each sub

The Use of Punctuation Marks in the Writing of Libyan Students Essay

Punctuation marks are the main means of exhibit the grammatical organisation of what you write. Hide the punctuation and you hide the grammatical structure. And if you hide the grammatical structure, you hide the meaning of what you are trying to say. Crystal (1996151) maintains. As punctuation is relevant to and necessary to grammar (as above quotation states), a significant cause of EFL learner and Arab EFL writer low punctuation proficiency is the incorrect application of rules (Al-Jarf, 2001). He points out, the incorrect application of rules caused by 1) failure to master the operational or transformational component of a rule and 2) failure to learn a rules domain of pertinency (p.16). According to Mohammed (2006), EFL learners who are unable to write in complete sentence, and constantly appear to have difficulty with understanding the concept of a sentence their create verbally contains unconventional punctuation as a result. Mann (2003) believes that one should be famil iar with sentence boundaries in order to punctuate correctly moreover, he points out that to bring forth and end sentences is one of some difficulties learners face when they start to write. As the construction of sentence varies from one language to another, such variations may result in constitution in incomplete sentence and then inappropriate use of punctuation. A simple sentence is an independent clause expressing one idea (Al-Khresheh 2010, p. 106), a syntactical unit which contains a finite verb (Fischer 1984, p. 15, cited in Polio 1997, p. 107), comprised of one subject-verb combination, though the subject may be compound and thus making up a clause with more than one constituent (Al-Khresheh 2010, p. 106). These features describe the face s... ...OGrady, et al. 1996, cited in Al-Khresheh 2010, p. 106). Othman (2007) posits the differences in Arabic subordinate clauses at the helm of the differences and the cause of the impact to punctuating in English writing. Othman (2007) has conducted a study in which he has attempted to find out how subordination and coordination are commonly used in Arabic and English texts. He concludes subordination is seen as a sign of maturity and sophistication in English writing, whereas coordination is more commonly used in Arabic writing. As Mohamed and Omer (1999) also conclude, these differences, like those in coordination efforts, manifest in several ways Arabic subordinate clauses are semantically subordinate, but are syntactically open equal to their main clauses, just like their main independent clauses, of acting independently as separate sentences (p. 293).

Dulce Et Decorum Est Essay -- English Literature

Dulce Et Decorum EstOwens attitude to contend is justified by the designation and the language usedin the poem. He is anti-war. He uses the Latin title ironically toshow his aim, that the translation ofDulce Et Decorum EstIs a false saying. It is not bully and proper or sweet and fitting todie for their country, it is a lie as he points out in the final 3linesTo children ardent for just about desperate glory, the old Lie Dulce EtDecorum Est Pro Patria moriHe tries to teach those that in turn teach their young to fight, thatdying for their country, their Queen isnt right, he shows how the tidal bore childrenDesperate for some ardent gloryAre actually excited and fuelled by the dreams put into their minds,of fame, heroism and power, these children absorb these stories, thepropaganda spoon fed to them as fuel. It fuels the idealist mind of achild and this would lead them to further believe and trust in thosestories and never reject the lie growing within them till they leasefor t he army and discover the truth hidden from them for so long, thatwar is hopeless, war is horrid, war is mankinds creation. They willgrow to learn the frightening effects and results of a war and it isthis, which Owen hopes to prevent.Latin in this poem is extremely significant the phrase is the ideabehind Owens poem, the lesson he sets out to teach. Latin is a deadlanguage only if was spoken by, many countries during the times of theRoman Empire. Owen for the sake of this poem revives it. In my view heis using the Latin as a metaphor for war, Latin is deadOwen suggests the propaganda of the past presents inexplicably falsestories with no real truth behind them. Owen is angry at those whowould ... ...ighly patriotic or is tainted bythere countries propaganda campaigns, it is the lie, the lie that hascost many jives and decimated many landscapes, its old, it has beenretold and taught for many generations, by grandparents, uncles &aunties and the parents themselves who were taught it also, itsshouldnt go any further, it has cost too many lives already, Owen iscrying out stop the teachings, stop the fiasco of innocent youngmen corrupted by their countries propaganda, stop it and keep it endedbecause war doesnt solve anything, families are ended in wars,innocent bulk and beautiful landscapes are destroyed in senselesswars with only one point, Power for the country who wins but what isgreater? The cost of victory, or the survival of so many soldiers thatcould be future fathers, or future scientists, writers and inventors,think about it.