Minor PROJECT - MBA
Minor PROJECT - MBA
PRADESH
In partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of degree of Masters in Business
Administration (MBA).
CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
Submitted By:
Name- Vishnu Choudhary A9920123013310(el)
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Here is the Table of Contents for your document:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Abstract
2. Key Objectives
3. Methodology
o Quantitative Analysis
o Qualitative Analysis
o Case Studies
5. Recommendations
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o Personalization
o Sustainability
o Integrated Marketing
6. Limitations
o Data Constraints
o Cultural Variations
7. Declaration
8. Certificate
o Decision-Making Process
o Applications in Marketing
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o Importance of Understanding Consumer Behaviour
10. Objectives
15. References
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ABSTRACT
This project aims to analyse customer behaviour through three main objectives: examining
variables that impact decisions, assessing consumer needs and preferences, and evaluating
marketing effectiveness. These goals are crucial for organizations to comprehend how
customers make purchase decisions, what drives their preferences, and how effective current
marketing strategies are in influencing consumer behaviour.
Key Objectives
This section looks into the various internal and external factors affecting consumer decision-
making processes. These include psychological effects (such as motivation and perception),
social impacts (like family, culture, and social networks), and environmental influences (like
economic conditions and time constraints). Understanding these effects enables organizations
to adjust their marketing strategies to align with customer motivations and behaviours.
This section centres on identifying and understanding consumers' changing needs and
preferences. Businesses can enhance their offerings by exploring factors such as product
quality, brand loyalty, convenience, and customization. This evaluation is essential for
product development, market positioning, and improving consumer satisfaction.
The final section assesses how effectively current marketing techniques meet their goals. This
includes evaluating the impact of various marketing strategies, like digital advertising, social
media interaction, and promotional campaigns, on customer awareness, engagement, and
purchase choices. It also involves calculating the return on investment (ROI) and overall
effectiveness in strengthening brand loyalty and boosting sales.
Methodology
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Quantitative Analysis:
Surveys: Conducted thorough consumer surveys to gather information on the elements that
influence purchasing decisions and preferences. Statistical techniques were employed to
analyse survey results and identify notable patterns and relationships.
Data analytics: Employed customer purchase data and engagement indicators to objectively
assess the effectiveness of different marketing campaigns. Used regression analysis and
predictive modeling to determine the effect of various marketing initiatives on consumer
behaviour. Qualitative analysis: Formed focus groups to gain a deeper understanding of
customer attitudes, motivations, and perceptions, providing useful qualitative insights to
support the quantitative findings. Interviews: Conducted thorough interviews with marketing
experts and consumers to understand the intricacies of consumer decision-making and the
perceived effectiveness of marketing strategies.
Case studies:
Comparative Case Studies: We explored successful and unsuccessful marketing efforts from
various sectors to identify best practices and common pitfalls. This comparative approach
offers practical examples of how different tactics work in different market environments.
Recommendations 6
Personalization:
Businesses should invest in advanced data analytics and customer relationship management
(CRM) systems to provide personalized experiences and products based on specific
consumer preferences.
Sustainability:
Adopting sustainable and ethical standards in product development and marketing can
dramatically boost consumer trust and loyalty.
Integrated marketing:
Using an integrated marketing strategy that includes both digital and traditional media will
result in a more comprehensive reach and consistent consumer experience.
Limitations
Data constraints:
The quantity and quality of consumer data can influence the breadth and accuracy of
research. Privacy considerations and legal limits may restrict data acquisition and use.
Cultural variations:
DECLARATION
I, Vishnu Choudhary, a student of the Academic Session July 2024, hereby declare
that the Major Project titled "Consumer Behaviour" submitted by me to Amity
University Online, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for
the award of the degree "Master of Business Administration," has not been previously
submitted for the award of any degree, diploma, or similar title or recognition.
Certificate
This is to certify that Vishnu Choudhary from Amity University Online has
successfully completed the project titled "Consumer Behaviour," as detailed in this
report. The project was undertaken as part of the requirements for the MBA in
Marketing & Sales degree under my supervision. The report presents the results of
original research and studies conducted by the student independently. To the best of
my knowledge, this work has not been used to award any other degree or recognition
to the candidate or anyone else at this or any other institution.
• Decision-Making Process
Problem Recognition: Identifying a need or desire.
Information Search: Gathering information on how to satisfy a need or want.
Alternative Evaluation: Comparing different items or services.
Purchase Decision: Choosing a product or service and completing the purchase.
Post-Purchase Behaviour: Reflecting on the decision and purchase experience.
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Applications in Marketing:
Market segmentation:
A market is divided into various groups of customers with different needs or habits,
each potentially needing its own product or marketing strategy.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Companies use big data and analytics to gain a
deeper understanding of customer behaviour and predict future trends.
OBJECTIVES
When planning a consumer behaviour project, it is essential to concentrate on goals
that provide significant insights and practical uses. Here are three main objectives
often targeted in such projects:
Objective:
Identify what influences customer decision-making and behaviour patterns.
Rationale:
Different factors affect consumers' purchasing choices, including psychological,
social, cultural, and personal elements. By studying these influences, the project
aims to uncover the root causes of consumer decisions.
Key Questions
• What internal and external variables have the most significant effect on customer
decisions?
• How do cultural, social, and personal factors differ by customer segment?
• How can psychological factors like motivation, perception, and attitude impact
purchasing behaviour?
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• What are the emerging trends in customer preferences, and how do they affect
buying behaviour?
Expected outcomes:
• Identifying unmet needs and emerging trends that may create new business
opportunities.
Application:
Rationale:
Businesses must ensure that their marketing efforts effectively reach and impact their target
consumers. This goal is to assess the impact of different marketing methods on customer
behavior and identify areas for improvement might be improved.
Key Questions:
Application:
1) Enhance marketing communications to better connect with target audiences.
2) Tailor the marketing mix to better suit customer needs and preferences.
3) Use data-driven insights to boost the ROI of marketing projects and strategies.
Summary:
These three goals—analysing variables influencing consumer choices, assessing
consumer needs and preferences, and reviewing the effectiveness of marketing
strategies—provide a thorough framework for understanding and leveraging
consumer behaviour. Meeting these goals will enable companies to better
understand their customers, adjust offers and communications more effectively, and
enhance overall market performance.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Ajzen's (1991) Theory of Planned behaviour (TPB) states that intention, affected by
attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, predicts actual
behaviour. This theory is frequently used to explain how customers make
purchases. Consumer Decision-Making Process: Blackwell, Miniard, and Engel
(2006) present a multi-stage process that includes need recognition, information
search, alternative evaluation, purchase, and post-purchase behaviour, offering a
comprehensive framework for studying consumer choices.
Product: Levitt (1980) states that the core product must align with customer needs,
while additional features can differentiate it in the market. Understanding the
impact of product qualities on consumer preferences is essential for effective
marketing.
Price: Nagle, Hogan, and Zale (2016) highlight that pricing methods such as value-
based pricing and dynamic pricing significantly influence customers' perceptions
and buying decisions. Research indicates that many consumers associate price with
quality and value.
Place (Distribution): Kotler and Armstrong (2018) examine how distribution
channels and logistics affect product availability to consumers. Efficient
distribution strategies can enhance convenience and satisfaction, thereby affecting
purchase behaviour.
Promotion: Belch and Belch (2015) state that integrated marketing communications
(IMC) ensure consistency throughout promotional channels, increasing the impact
of marketing messages. Digital marketing and social media have transformed how
consumers interact with brands.
Chaffey and Ellis-Chadwick (2019) discuss how digital marketing techniques, like
SEO, content marketing, and social media, have become crucial for influencing
customer behaviour and enhancing engagement. Schmitt (1999) describes
experiential marketing as a strategy designed to offer customers memorable
experiences, fostering emotional connections with brands. By studying factors
affecting customer behaviour, evaluating their needs and preferences, and
measuring marketing impact, businesses can gain insights that lead to more
effective products, services, and marketing strategies appealing to target customers
and driving business success.
When conducting a consumer behaviour project, the research method outlines how
data is collected, processed, and analysed. Here's a comprehensive approach to the
research process for exploring the key areas mentioned below:
Analysing the factors affecting consumer decisions, evaluating consumer needs and
preferences, Evaluating the effectiveness of marketing strategies.
Objective: Explore and evaluate both internal and external factors that significantly
affect consumer decision-making processes.
Surveys: Surveys, whether online or offline, are used to find out what customers
want in products or services.
Sampling: Cluster sampling collects data from various geographic locations or
markets. Question types include rating questions, choice-based conjoint analysis,
and preference elicitation questions.
Interviews: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand personal
needs and their impact on choices.
Design: Create hypothetical situations where users choose between items with
different attributes.
Analysis: Utilize conjoint analysis to evaluate the relative importance of various
features.
Objective: Determine how well existing marketing tactics align with customer
behaviour and preferences, along with their impact on corporate performance.
Research Design: Descriptive and causal research. Scope: Evaluate the marketing
mix (product, price, place, and promotion) and its effectiveness in reaching and
influencing customers.
Data sources include internal company data, marketing statistics, and customer
feedback.
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Experimental research involves A/B tests and field trials to evaluate the
effectiveness of different marketing approaches.
Design: Participants are randomly assigned to various groups with different
marketing strategies.
Secondary Data Analysis: Utilize existing data from market research, sales
statistics, and digital analytics to evaluate marketing effectiveness.
Sources include industry reports, corporate databases, and web analytics tools.
Summary
To fully understand consumer behaviour, a variety of research approaches tailored
to each purpose is essential. Companies that blend quantitative and qualitative
techniques can better comprehend the factors 2
influencing customer decisions,
evaluate their needs and preferences, and assess
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the effectiveness of their marketing
strategies.
Data Analysis and Results.
This section explores the data collected from the research methodology outlined for
each main aspect of consumer behaviour: factors affecting consumer decisions,
evaluating customer needs and preferences, and measuring the success of
marketing strategies. The results provide insights that aid organizations in
understanding and adapting to consumer behaviour.
• Descriptive Statistics:
• Regression Analysis:
• Thematic Analysis:
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Coding Interviews: Identify common patterns 1
in interview data that explain how
and why certain factors influence customer decisions.
Theme Frequency: Assess how often different themes appear in interviews.
Narrative Insights: Summarize qualitative findings on how customers perceive and
consider various factors when making decisions.
• behaviour Mapping:
Path Analysis: Make visual maps showing the common paths that customers take
when shopping, highlighting important decision points. Hotspot Identification: Find
areas where there's a lot of involvement and decision-making activity.
Results Demographics: Most of the respondents are between 25 and 34 years old,
with a balanced mix of genders and economic levels.
Key Factors: Psychological variables (motivation and perception) and social
influences (family and peer recommendations) are the most significant predictors
of consumer decisions, demonstrated by high coefficients and significance in the
regression model.
Thematic Insights: Interviews indicate that personal beliefs and lifestyle greatly
affect decisions, with customers often influenced by their immediate social
environment.
Behavioural Patterns: Observational data reveals that customers spend the most
time comparing products and evaluating cost and quality before making a purchase.
Assessing consumer needs and preferences
Data analysis
• Clustering Analysis: Consumers are grouped based on their responses to needs
and preferences questionnaires, allowing separate market groups to be identified.
Cluster Profiles: Define each cluster based on demographics, key preferences, and
purchasing behaviour.
K-means Clustering: Apply the K-means technique to find natural groupings in the
data.
• Conjoint Analysis:
Path Analysis: Create visual maps of common customer pathways during shopping,
focusing on key decision points. Hotspot Identification: Highlight areas with high
engagement and decision-making activity.
Results
Demographics: Most respondents are aged 25 to 34, with a balanced mix of
genders and economic levels.
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Key Factors: Psychological factors like motivation
2 and perception, along with
social influences such as family and peer recommendations, strongly predict
consumer decisions, shown by significant coefficients in the regression model.
Thematic Insights: Interviews reveal that personal beliefs and lifestyle significantly
affect decisions, with customers often influenced by their immediate social
environment.
Behavioural Patterns: Observational data shows customers spend most time
comparing products and researching price and quality before purchasing.
• Conjoint Analysis:
Utility ratings: Calculate utility ratings for various product qualities to determine
their relative importance to customers.
Examining Attribute Trade-offs: Analyse how buyers weigh different qualities like
price versus quality.
Market Simulation: Develop market scenarios to predict customer behaviour under
different attribute combinations.
Factor Analysis: Identifying Underlying Factors: Use factor analysis to discover the
dimensions underlying customer preferences. Determine the most important factors
and how variables are associated with them using eigenvalues and factor loadings.
A rotated factor matrix employing Varimax rotation provides a clearer view of the
factors.
Content Analysis: Interview Transcripts: Use qualitative data from interviews to
identify common needs and preferences. Analyse the frequency and co-occurrence
of important themes for a better understanding of customer priorities.
Consumer Narratives: Give qualitative insights into how and why customers
prioritize certain needs and preferences.
Results:
Segments Identified: The cluster analysis identifies three distinct customers
segments: price-sensitive buyers, quality-focused consumers, and convenience
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seekers. Attribute Importance: Conjoint analysis suggests the most important
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qualities influencing customer decisions are price and product quality, followed by
brand reputation and aftersales service. Underlying Dimensions: A factor analysis
shows three main dimensions of customer preferences: functional usefulness,
emotional fulfilment, and social impact. Qualitative Insights: Content analysis
indicates that customers value products that align with their lifestyle and ethical
beliefs, with significant emphasis on these aspects.
• Descriptive Statistics:
Consumer Feedback: Compile survey results on consumer impressions of
marketing techniques (such as promotional effectiveness and brand familiarity).
Analyse engagement indicators from digital marketing efforts (such as click-
through and conversion rates).
• Regression analysis:
Impact Assessment: Use regression analysis to determine how various marketing
methods (independent variables) influence customer behaviour and sales
performance (dependent variables).
Model Specifications:
Sales Performance = β0 + β1 (Product Strategy) + β2 (Pricing Strategy) + β3
(Distribution Strategy) + β4 (Promotion Strategy) + ϵ
Sales Performance = β0 + β1 (Product Strategy)
Significance Test: Determine which techniques have the most influence on
consumer responses and sales.
• Sentimental Analysis:
Text Mining: Use sentiment analysis on social media mentions and online reviews
to measure customer attitudes regarding marketing campaigns.
Sentiment Scores: Determine the average sentiment score and observe changes
over time.
Summary:
Psychological and social factors most significantly impact consumer choices.
Personal experiences and social interactions significantly influence purchase
decisions.
Needs and Preferences: Consumers focus on affordability and quality, with
increasing attention to products that represent their ethical values and lifestyle.
Marketing Effectiveness: Successful marketing strategies align with customer
values, utilize various media, and provide clear value propositions.
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Recommendations:
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Improve Consumer Understanding: Continuously conduct research to stay updated
on evolving consumer preferences and demands.
Tailor Marketing Strategies: Use research findings on consumer behaviour to adapt
marketing tactics to distinct segments, concentrating on key elements for each
group.
Concentrate on Value and Quality: Ensure products meet high quality standards and
offer clear value while meeting customer expectations and ethical principles.
Monitor and adapt: Regularly evaluate the success of marketing initiatives and be
ready to adjust based on customer feedback and changing market conditions.
Businesses that employ these methods and analyse the data can gain a
comprehensive understanding of customer behaviour, leading to more effective
strategies and better alignment with consumer expectations.
Consumers are usually driven by their goals and desires. Convenience, prestige,
and value are all key motivators. Brand reputation, advertising, and past
experiences shape consumer impressions. Products seen as high-quality or
innovative are more likely to be bought. Learning and Memory: Previous
experiences with a product or brand greatly affect current buying choices. Familiar
brands or products are often chosen due to build trust and less perceived risk.
Social Factors:
Cultural Factors: 2
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Cultural norms: Consumer behaviour is strongly influenced by cultural values and
traditions. Products reflecting cultural norms and beliefs are more likely to be
accepted. Subcultural Influences:
Subcultures (like millennials, ethnic groups) have different consumption patterns.
Brands appealing to subcultural identities tend to enjoy strong loyalty. Social Class:
Economic class affects access to goods and services, with different classes
choosing different features based on cost and lifestyle preferences.
Personal Factors:
Demographics: Age, gender, and life stage significantly affect consumer choices
and buying behaviour. Younger consumers, for instance, might like technology and
trends, whereas older consumers could prefer durability and practicality.
Consumers' lives, such as their hobbies, activities, and opinions, affect their
product choices. Active lifestyles, for instance, boost the need for fitness and health
products. Economic Situation: Income and financial stability impact purchasing
power and decisions. High income levels are often linked with a preference for
premium brands and products.
Situational factors:
The physical retail setting, including store layout, ambiance, and online interface,
can affect customer behaviour and decisions.
Temporal Factors: Time-related elements, like time of day, season, and urgency of
need, affect when and how people make choices.
Contextual Influences: Situational contexts, such as special celebrations, sales
events, or urgent needs, can drive impulsive or planned purchases.
Conclusions
Key preferences:
Price and Value: Competitive pricing and perceived value are key factors driving
consumer decisions. Customers look for a balance between cost and benefits.
Quality and Reliability: Our main priorities are high product quality and consistent
performance. Customers remain loyal to brands that fulfil these promises.
Brand Trust and Reputation: Brands with strong reputations and trust earn higher
consumer loyalty. Confidence is built on brand reputation and positive past
experiences.
After-Sales Services: Strong after-sales support and service enhance customer
satisfaction and loyalty. Customers appreciate timely and helpful customer service.
Customers want seamless technology integration into products and services. Smart
features and digital upgrades particularly attract tech-savvy audiences.
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Functional versus Emotional Needs: 8
Functional demands: Many purchasing choices are influenced by practical and
utility needs. Consumers select solutions that resolve specific problems or improve
everyday efficiency.
Conclusions
Diverse and evolving demands: Consumer preferences and needs are diverse and
continuously changing. Businesses must be flexible and responsive to effectively
meet these evolving demands.
Value and Quality Focus: Delivering superior value and quality is essential for
gaining and retaining consumer loyalty. Brands that consistently perform well in
these areas are more likely to thrive.
Trust and Reputation: Building and maintaining a strong brand trust and reputation
is crucial. Brands perceived as trustworthy and credible have increased consumer
loyalty and preference.
Adapting to Trends: Being aware of emerging trends like sustainability and
customisation is vital for staying relevant. Businesses that adapt to these trends
may gain a competitive edge.
Pricing Strategy:
Dynamic and Competitive Pricing: By using dynamic pricing strategies that adjust
in response to market demand and competition, businesses can boost revenue and
customer satisfaction. Competitive pricing is crucial in price-sensitive markets.
Value-Based Pricing: In premium and distinguished categories, pricing strategies
that reflect perceived value to customers outperform cost-plus models.
Distribution Strategy:
References
Here is a list of references for further reading and deeper insights into analysing
consumer decision-making factors, evaluating customer needs and preferences, and
measuring the effectiveness of marketing strategies:
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1. Examining the Factors Influencing Consumer
4 Decisions
Schiffman, L.G., and Wisenblit, J.L. (2019). Consumer behaviour (12th edition).
Pearson.
The textbook provides a deep dive into the psychological, social, and cultural factors
that affect consumer choices.
Solomon explores consumer purchasing decisions and factors affecting them, such as
motivation, perception, and learning.
Link to the book on Pearson.
Kotler, P., and Keller, K.L. (2016). Marketing Management (15th edition). Pearson.
This book examines how customers' needs and preferences are shaped and how they
affect buying decisions. There's a link to the book on Cengage. Hawkins, D.I.,
Mothersbaugh, D.L., and Best, R.J. (2016). Consumer behaviour: Developing
3 Education.
Marketing Strategies (13th edition). McGraw-Hill
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A thorough look at what customers desire and how businesses can create marketing
strategies to meet these needs. There's a link to the book on McGraw-Hill. Chandon,
P., Hutchinson, J.W., Bradlow, E.T., and Young, S.H. (2009). Does in-store marketing
work? The impact of shelf facings' number and position on brand attention and
evaluation. Journal of Marketing, 73(6), 1–17.
This article examines how in-store marketing and product placement affect consumer
preferences and needs. Link to the article. Armstrong, G., Adams, S., Denize, S., and
Kotler, P. (2018). Principles of Marketing (7th edition). Pearson Australia.
This review article covers various aspects of consumer psychology, like how
consumer needs and preferences evolve over time. Link to the article: Assessing the
Effectiveness of Marketing Strategies. C. W. Lamb, J. F. Hair, and C. McDaniel
(2020). MKTG (13th edition). Cengage Learning.
This book provides insights into creating and assessing efficient marketing strategies,
with a strong focus on understanding consumer behavior.
This article addresses how to calculate the return on marketing investment and match
marketing techniques to consumer equity.
Link to the article.
Kumar, V., and Shah, D. (2009). Marketing's Expanded Role: From Customer Equity
to Market Capitalization. Journal of Marketing, 373(6), 119–136.
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This article investigates how marketing techniques might be assessed in terms of their
influence on customer equity and total market capitalization.
Link to the article.
Day, G.S., and Moorman, C. (2010). Outside-In Strategy: Profiting from Customer
Value. McGraw-Hill Education.
This book focuses on the necessity of customer-centric strategies and how to assess
their efficacy in attaining corporate success.
Link to the book at McGraw-Hill.
These texts provide a strong basis for understanding the complex dynamics of
consumer behaviour, as well as the strategic methods required to fulfil customer
wants and properly assess marketing tactics.
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