Friday, December 27, 2019

Nouns in Spanish and How They Are Used

Nouns are an essential part of speech in Spanish and English and can be found in most sentences. Definition of ‘Noun’ In English and Spanish, a noun is a word that refers to and names a person, place, thing, concept, entity, or action. By itself, a noun does not indicate any action or indicate how it relates to other words. Grammatically, a noun can serve as the subject of a sentence or the object of a verb or preposition. Nouns can also be described by adjectives or replaced by  pronouns. Similarities and Differences Between Nouns in Spanish and English Nouns function in much the same way in Spanish and English. They typically but not necessarily come before a verb and relate to other parts of speech in similar ways. They can be singular or plural. But there are at least three major differences: Spanish nouns have gender. Nouns listed as such in dictionaries are either masculine or feminine. The designation is often arbitrary — some words associated with males are feminine, and a word such as persona (person) is feminine whether it refers to males or females. Some words can be masculine or feminine depending on the meaning. The significance of gender is that masculine nouns are accompanied by masculine adjectives, and feminine nouns use feminine adjectives.Complete sentences in Spanish do not need nouns (or even pronouns)  if the meaning remains clear without them, in part because verb conjugation and gendered adjectives give more information about the subject in Spanish than they do in English. For example, rather than saying Mi coche es rojo for My car is red (coche is the word for car) you could say merely Es rojo if its clear what youre talking about.In English it is very common for nouns to function as adjectives; such nouns are called attributive nouns. For ex ample, in dog leash, dog is an attributive noun. But with rare exceptions, Spanish connects the descriptive noun to the main noun using a preposition, often de. Thus a dog leash is either correa de perro (literally, leash of dog) or correa para perros (leash for dogs). Types of Spanish Nouns Spanish nouns can be classified in numerous ways; six types are listed below. The categories listed here are not exclusive — most nouns in fact fit into more than one category. And since Spanish and English both come from Indo-European, these categories apply to English as well. Common nouns are the most common type of noun. A common noun refers to things, being or concepts without referring to a specific one of them. For example, humano (human) is a common noun, but Catrina is not, because it refers to a specific human. Other examples of common nouns include ordenador (computer), valle (valley), felicidad (happiness), and grupo (group).Proper nouns refer to a specific thing or being. As in English, Spanish proper nouns are typically capitalized. Examples of proper nouns include Casa Blanca (White House), Enrique (Henry), Panamà ¡ (Panama), and Torre Eiffel (Eiffel Tower). Some nouns can be either common or proper, depending on the context. For example, Luna is a proper noun when referring to the moon that circles the Earth (note the capitalization), while luna is a common noun when it refers to a planetary satellite in general.Countable nouns refer to entities that can be counted. Examples include casa (house), loma (hill), mà ³vil (cellphone), and nariz (nose).Uncountable nouns, sometimes called partitive nouns, refer to things that cant be counted, such as concepts. Examples include tristeza (sadness), indignacià ³n (anger), and opulencia (opulence). Many nouns can be countable or uncountable depending on how they are used. For example, leche (milk) is countable when it refers to types of milk but uncountable when referring to quantities.Collective nouns are used to represent a group of individual nouns. Examples of collective nouns include rebaà ±o  (flock),  multitud (multitude), and equipo (team).Abstract nouns refer to qualities or concepts rather than things or beings. Examples include inteligencia (intelligence), miedo (fright), and virtud (virtue). Key Takeaways Nouns in English in Spanish function in sentences in very similar ways and can be classified in the same ways.A key difference between the nouns of the two languages is that Spanish nouns have gender.Pronouns sometimes substitute for nouns, and in Spanish subject nouns are frequently omitted from complete sentences.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Patagonia case study - 1808 Words

Patagonia – A company true to its value KEY PROBLEM Patagonia known as the â€Å"dirtbag† business initially when it was established in 1972 by Yvon Chouinard is now a multimillion dollar enterprise. A retailer of high-end outdoor clothing is known for its green business model. Environmentalism is at the core of Patagonia and that can be seen in their mission statement where it is committed to achieve three main objectives: Build best products for its customers, cause no unnecessary harm to the environment and use business to give solutions and inspire others to minimize environmental crisis. Patagonia had a philosophy of originating its goal mainly on doing things right for the environment and away from profit. The company does not focus on†¦show more content†¦Another advantage of this option is that target customers are people with an average income of $160,000 with an median age of 38 yrs who will not have any objection paying a little higher for their favourite product. Patagonia might face an external threat from other competitors in this situation as their goods will be much cheaper than that of Patagonia. This might encourage a few customers to switch to other brands like Nike or the North face. Such a situation can threaten the growth of Patagonia. The second alternative for Patagonia is to not implement the idea of â€Å"Product Life Cycle Initiative† and â€Å"buy less† any further. This alternative is much safer for Patagonia because the above mentioned initiative is completely consumer driven. The success of this idea completely depends on whether it would have any practical impact on the consumer behavior. As Patagonia’s target consumers are rich enthusiasts, it is likely that they would not prefer wearing repaired clothes or used clothes. Therefore putting so many efforts in an initiative that is based on hypothesis and is risky doesn’t make sense. The advantage of this alternative is that Patagonia will not have to bear any additional cost burden. The s ales will not drop and there will be no threats from the competitors. As we know Patagonia has a green business model dropping the idea of buyShow MoreRelatedPatagonia Case Study2390 Words   |  10 Pages| 2012 | | PATAGONIA CASE STUDY | Table of Contents PART 1 Discuss the management control system in the Patagonia Company. Explain and discuss the nature, context, evolution, elements, processes, strengths, weaknesses/problems of the management control system at Patagonia (including a critical evaluation of the Workbook Process). Page 3 PART 2 Would you recommend to Patagonia’s management that they continueRead MoreCase Study : Patagonia, Inc.1633 Words   |  7 PagesPatagonia, Inc. is an American clothing company based in Ventura, California. It was founded by Yvon Chouinard, originally as a small company called Chouinard Equipment that made climbing tools and gear. It now focuses on manufacturing durable top of the line outdoor based apparel for those who enjoy being outdoors as well as general apparel. The change from manufacturing climbing equipment to producing outdoor apparel was due to the environmental concerns of Mr. Chouinard. The equipment that wasRead MorePatagonia Case Study Essay1741 Words   |  7 PagesPatagonia Case Study Key Strategic Issues (Why Important / Summary of Internal / External Analyses) 1) Balancing Commitment to Business with Commitment to Environment A key issue facing management was balancing the company’s desire for environmentalism with its existence as a for-profit business. 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The case study emphasizes on negative waste impacts of consumerism on the environment providing justification why people should purchase only necessary things and protectRead MoreA Passion for the Planet786 Words   |  4 PagesONE: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR Case study: A Passion for the Planet Summary of the case study Patagonia Inc, which located at California, was seller outdoor clothing and equipment that has well reputation among others. Their company’s goal is to produce the highest quality products while doing the least possible harm to the environment. The company has successful to implement their goal as the centre direction for employees in achieving the company’s goal. Patagonia, with the 39 stores in seven countriesRead MoreA Passion for the Planet Case Study1145 Words   |  5 PagesA Passion for the Planet Case Study 1. What role, if any, does McGregor’s Theory Y play at Patagonia? Explain. First, McGregor’s Theory Y is a modern and positive set of assumptions about people. 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Etsy actively promotes that they are a certified B corporation, a for profit company that wishes to consider the society and environment, in addition to profit, in their decision making process. For Etsy’s case, their goal is to include social change and impact in their metrics of success. To that end, every year Etsy gets evaluated for it’s impact and releases an annual public impact report. Etsy’s business model allows them to succeed only when their sellers

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Significant Time Budget Is Required Enhance-Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Significant Time Budget Is Required Enhance? Answer: Introduction Associations of various kinds are trying to enhance their adequacy as well as proficiency by utilizing IT data frameworks. Significant time and budget is required for implementing information system effectively. With respect to other organizations, IT has also made positively impact on the healthcare organizations. As we know that, hospitals are known to be complex type in order to manage their data systems. Hospital management information system (HIS) is known as a monstrous, incorporated framework, outlined to store, control, and recover data of the authoritative and clinical viewpoints that help the exhaustive data necessities of the healthcare segment, which includes persistent, clinical, auxiliary and financial administration. Hence, we can say that HIS are more dependable more assisting diagnosis and managing healthcare information. In this paper, I would like to discuss about the Profmax Healthcare ERP implementation in Mount Hospital of Australia. (Ajami, S., Bertiani, M., Z. , 2012). Hospital management information systems help us to get the expected data for each and every level of the hospital (whether it is management group or lower staff) at the correct time and place for making adequately and productively decisions. It plays indispensable part in the field of planning, starting, to organize as well as control the operations of all the systems and subsystems in a hospital. HIS enhances healthcare of patient by evaluating information and also helps to make suggestions for providing care to patients and also helps the hospital for moving from the retrospective to simultaneous quality and also suitability of patients. (Ismail, A., Jamil, A., T., 2010). If the outline of hospital management frameworks is implemented properly, the adequacy and profitability of healthcare inhabitant and patients` satisfaction is enhanced and that leads to decrease in overall cost of healthcare system. The rebelliousness of HMS framework functions with existing procedures can influence the cost and also the quality of healthcare. Hence, we can say that it helps to reduce the redundancy of patient data and helps to improve quality and decrease costs, it is important to perform constant appraisal of HMS software. In this paper, we will discuss about the EMR that needs to be implemented in hospital. (Mehraeen, E., Ahmadi, M., 2014). Organizational Problems Hospitals face various challenges before as well as during implementation of HMS as they still use the manual work and also the challenge of understanding computerized processes. It is very difficult to keep the patient data, day to day activities, medical equipment maintenance data as well as the patient billing information manually. This brought about misuse of cash, time and the staff. HMS is a data administration framework which is intended to help deal with the different parts of a doctor's facility (managerial, medicinal and financial). HMS helps to observe and also maintains the hospital's data and enhance its performance. The nonappearance of frameworks, or ineffectively outlined frameworks, and the subsequent absence of integration inside healthcare associations. Such frameworks that can harm patients or neglect to deliver what patients require. (Olamide., O., Adedayo., W., E., 2015). Hospital Challenges for the Implementation of HMS Healthcare associations have needed to adjust the many changes as per the environment requirement, from propels in symptomatic and medical methods to the development of authoritative advancements, like innovation of new data advances. Associations need to assess the potential and ramifications of new technologies and to adjust these innovations according to local environment and also helps to reduce the dangers related with implementation of HMS and its administration in the hospital as well as plan to exhibit the estimation of their endeavors. Absence of organizational awareness, responsiveness, and competency, and a hesitance to changeattributes of authoritative dormancyall hinder endeavors to execute essential change. I recommend the customer HMS software so that it can be customized according to the requirement. (National Academy of Sciences, 2000). Advantages of Implementing HMS in Hospital The HMS emphasize on better care that needs to be provided to patients. It helps to understand the confidential information, its productivity and also helps to reduce the additional cost. Any type of data can be retrieved at any time that helps the management to take better decisions which are good for the organization. HMS helps to manage all the departments function very effectively which reduces the manual and paper work effectively. Its scope includes dealing with subtle components of each department. This subtle element provides doctors, staff and patients details that includes their salaries, billing system, presence of doctor etc. (Kaur, R., 2015) System Flow Chart of HMS Processing The new patient who comes to hospital proceeds with the card and online registration system where the patient gets a unique hospital registration number. The number will remain same whenever he visits the hospital. Initially patient will undergoes pre- examination and this process is done by nurse. The patient at that point continues to see a doctor. There he undergoes diagnosis. The consequence of the specialists diagnosis decides the medical flow whether the patient is for out-patient or inpatient according to his problems. At last, different frameworks discover connection from the specialist workbench. This incorporates Finding, Drug remedy, Pharmacy, Treatment, research center test, Referral, Billing as well as Death report. (Agnes, O., N., 2011). The HMS framework empowers the nurses to ask for a particular lab test. This framework has capacity to send lab result again to the nurses or doctor. (Alameer, A., E., M., T., 2013). The front office module which is accessed by receptionist contains firmly interconnected modules. A brisk enquiry screen can search for any type of data like phone number, registration number, name, date, and so on. The financial data will be presented automatically on accounting framework in a module. The HMS system helps to generate reports - Balance Sheet, its Trail Balance and Profit/ Loss articulation. The Accounting Screens depict regarding Account Payable, Account Receivable and General Ledger. This framework helps to portray the functions like IP, OP, Financial activities and Supplier Invoice and monitor the Account Receivable as well as Revenue based exercises. HMS will helps to manage Admissions as well as managing Wards Availability of beds, Collection of propel, Admission, Emergency admissions etc. The Inpatient module in HMS manages Ward Management like Shifting of patients in different wards, Beds available in wards, Surgery, Administration of medications, nursing notes. Pharmacy module in HMS framework incorporate for taking care of administering of medicine, dealing with the information concerning the treatment of patient, control of stock, charging of cases, consistence with law on the basis of various regulations. The billing module of HMS helps to track all the patient records which are required at particular time including therapeutic records, inpatient and outpatient records. It handles a wide range of charging for various treatments. The HMS module accommodates credit party in charging and could be consistently coordinated with some Financial and Accounting Modules. The framework is tuned to pick room and bed accuses along of subordinate charges in view of the sponsorship (Insurance) condition. The framework bolster different payment modes and multicurrency and consequently makes the framework more adaptable. Because of tight combination with EMR module, the administrations to be rendered can be drawn with the click. (https://www.realtfsolutions.com, 2017). Control Problems in the System Various risks and threats in the Hospital management system exists. To overcome this, security assets have been developed in extent to the developing number and various users like staff, as well as accomplices, patients and other users who have access to assets. The risks in HMS is more complicated than an unapproved external user, it means that authorized as well as legal user can have access to particular resources to which they are authorized. (Boadu, E., O., Armah, G., K., 2014). Improper payments done by protection associations or outsider payers happen because of the error or any type of fraud. Abusing incorporates any training that is not steady with the objectives of giving patient services that are medicinally essential, meet professionally perceived models, and are easily evaluated. (Joudaki, H., Rashidian, A., 2015). Unauthorized individuals prevail with regards to separating protected data from healthcare suppliers. Intrusion of security influences non-celebrities, when anybody looks for wellbeing data the patient has not shared. The hackers look for patients' financial data for financial benefit. The patient's protection identifier is then utilized by a uninsured individual to get medicinal administrations or by a deceitful healthcare supplier to charge for therapeutic administrations that were never rendered. Information security breaks and restorative identity fraud are developing concerns. (Taitsman, J., K., Grimm, C., M., Agrawal, S., 2013). Implementing federally Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has affected every parts of delivering medicinal services. The essential plan of HIPAA defends the protection of patient records. To distinguish a part of the authoritative techniques for accomplishing HIPAA consistence, respondents were inquired as to whether their office has a full time individual going about as security officer and in what division the person responsible for security started. (Having, K., Davis, D., C., 2005) Adoption of Accounting Software Package Each organization embrace the accounting framework strategy of saving the accounts related transactions, since it is for the most part required that organizations need to uncover certain financial as well as administration data to the government and public clients. Also, implementing Profmax ERP in Mount hospital will help in the effective decision making by the management. (Ernest, O., O., 2015). The automated accounting framework has been powerful in giving data with respect to the financial position of an element in an opportune and productive way. The accounting system empowers auspicious and speedier era of financial reports. This causes administrators to effectively recognize and take care of issues in a few second so that management can take faster decision. Automated accounting framework empowers information that is accessible in a flash and to various clients in different areas at similar time implies that reports could be printed at any given ime. (Murungi, S., Kayigamba, C ., 2015). Competitive Advantage The other competitors of Profmax ERP in the market are Xero Accounting, MYOB, Electronic Medical Record system (EMR) etc. But Profmax had some competitive advantages as compared to others. Without excellent patient care, financial accuracy can't deliver the outcomes that we are expecting. The present healthcare framework offers a chance to quicken the association's capacity to measure operational as well as financial risks. Choosing the accurate accounting information systems assets to deal with our medicinal services association and can be an overwhelming undertaking. Profmax works with customers to create as well as deliver imaginative solutions that can change an association's finance abilities. Our suite of incorporated Enterprise Financial Management Solutions built for the Mount hospital over an expansive scope of ventures can enable us to pick up perceivability into business data, fortify financial resources and administration best practices, and acknowledge efficiencies via robotizing and institutionalizing key accounting processes. These applications incorporate with different arrangements crosswise over departmental lines to enable us to actualize departmental and industry best practices for the greater part of your business forms. The Finance Management ERP additionally empowers organizations to flourish in a business situation described by escalated competition, questionable economic situations, and expanded administrative oversight. (https://www.profmax.com, 2017). The automation of medicinal billing is not exclusively a matter of expanding efficiencies. It's main part of enhancing income and the general patient experience. To utilize an organic similitude, the general record is viably the central part of nervous system of accounting management information systems. The general record solidifies information from sub-records to give the authoritative, top-level accounting record. (Bluemner, A., 1996). Conclusions The Hospital Management Information System possess its qualities and the weakness. The HMS framework doesn't require a high cost to grow yet requests skill and more number of actually trained staff to work. The advancement of the framework according to the con-current request and accessibility of different assets is essential to guarantee the framework works successfully and productively. The interest in human asset, better support network, ease of use and satisfactory training provided to the end client would likewise decide if execution of the system will go easily or not. The objective behind actualizing these frameworks is not to rival each other yet serves to encourage and enhance the quality of patient care. Not any system is better than the other however they have their own uniqueness. There is a need to synchronize these frameworks with the goal that the framework can exchange data with other external frameworks to guarantee the support and progression of care. It is recommendable that the implementation of HMS will be done with effective integration and better networking support. References Agnes, O., N. (2011). Automated hospital management system. [Online] https://www.unn.edu.ng/publications/files/images/OGBOBE%20NKECHI%20A.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Ajami, S., Bertiani, M., Z. (2012). Training and its Impact on Hospital Information System (HIS) Success. [Online] Journal Inform Tech Softw Eng 2012, 2:5. Available at: https://www.omicsgroup.org/journals/training-and-its-impact-on-hospital-information-system-his-success-2165-7866.1000112.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017]. Alameer, A., E., M., T. (2013). Electronic Patient Record Management System (EPRMS). [Online] Journal of Kerbala University , Vol. 11 No.3 Scientific . 2013. https://www.iasj.net/iasj?func=fulltextaId=79162[Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Bluemner, A. (1996). Health Care Software: Improving Profitability and Patient Care. [Online] https://findaccountingsoftware.com/industry-focus/how-to-choose-the-accounting-software-for-your-health-care-organization/ [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Boadu, E., O., Armah, G., K. (2014). Role-Based Access Control (Rbac) Based In Hospital Management. [Online] International Refereed Journal of Engineering and Science (IRJES) ISSN (Online) 2319-183X, (Print) 2319-1821 Volume 3, Issue 9 (September 2014), PP.53-67. https://www.irjes.com/Papers/vol3-issue9/H395367.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Ernest, O., O. (2015). The relevance of auditing in a computerized accounting system. [Online] International Journal of Management and Applied Science, ISSN: 2394-7926 Volume-1, Issue-11, Dec.-2015. https://www.iraj.in/journal/journal_file/journal_pdf/14-213-145172620179-83.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Financial management ERP. Profmax business solutions Pvt. Ltd. [Online] https://www.profmax.com/pbs/solution. [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Having, K., Davis, D., C. (2005). HIPAA Compliance in U.S. Hospitals: A Self-Report of Progress Toward the Security Rule. [Online] Journal Perspect Health Inf Manag. 2005; 2: 9. Published online 2005 Nov 10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2047309/ [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Ismail, A., A., Jamil, A., T. (2010). The implementation of hospital information system (HIS) in tertiary hospitals in Malaysia: A qualitative study. [Online] Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2010, Vol. 10(2):16-24. https://www.mjphm.org.my/mjphm/journals/Volume10.2/3.%20Implementartion%20hospital%20(Last)(16-24).pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Joudaki, H., Rashidian, A. (2015). Using Data Mining to Detect Health Care Fraud and Abuse: A Review of Literature. [Online] Glob Journal Health Sci. 2015 Jan; 7(1): 194202. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4796421/ [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Kaur, R. (2015). INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM FOR HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT. [Online] International Journal of Multidisciplinary Consortium, Available at - https://ijmc.rtmonline.in/vol2iss4/0430117.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Mehraeen, E., Ahmadi, M. (2014). Evaluation of hospital information systems in selected hospitals of Iran. [Online] International Journal of Advanced Information Technology (IJAIT) Vol. 4, No. 5, October 2014 . https://airccse.org/journal/IJAIT/papers/4514ijait01.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Murungi, S., Kayigamba, C. (2015). The Impact of Computerized Accounting System on Financial Reporting in the Ministry of Local Government of Rwanda. [Online] Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS) 6(4):261-265. https://jetems.scholarlinkresearch.com/articles/The%20Impact%20of%20Computerized%20Accounting%20new.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Olamide., O., Adedayo., W., E. (2015). Design and Implementation of Hospital Management System Using Java. [Online] IOSR Journal of Mobile Computing Application (IOSR-JMCA) e-ISSN: 2394-0050, P-ISSN: 2394-0042.Volume 2, Issue 1. (Mar. - Apr. 2015), PP 32-36. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jmca/papers/Vol2-issue1/F0213236.pdf [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Organizational Challenges to the Adoption of the Internet. [Online] National Academy of Sciences (2000). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44715/ [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Real Hospital Management System. [Online] https://www.realtfsolutions.com/feature/hms/ [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017] Taitsman, J., K., Grimm, C., M., Agrawal, S. (2013). [Online] The New England Journal of medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1215258?af=Rrss=currentIssue#t=article [Accessed 17th Aug. 2017]

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Theories of consumer behaviour

Introduction Solomon (2011) defines consumer behavior as â€Å"the processes involved when individuals or groups select, purchase, use, or dispose off products, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy needs and desires’† (p. 41).Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Theories of consumer behaviour specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Studying the behavior of consumers is very important because it helps develop marketing strategies and public policies. It also promotes social marketing which is provides the marketers with adequate knowledge about the needs of consumers. Consumer behavior enhances maximum satisfaction of the needs of consumers and the development of better products (Perner, 2011). To maximize profitability is important for marketing and this can only be achieved by developing good strategies of identifying the behavior of consumers towards the products in the market. The main objective in marketing is to retain existing customers and get new ones. All business activities are supported by the good relationship with the consumers. Learning consumer behavior in both business-to-businesses marketing as well as business-to-consumer marketing is very important in improving the performance of a business (Deaton Muellbauer, 1980). Effect of culture on consumer behavior Culture affects the consumer behavior in different ways depending on the cultural background of an individual. The subjective cultures which affect a consumer are the regional, ethnic, religious, linguistic, national, professional, organizational and group cultures. Culture is composed of beliefs, values, practices and attitudes that a person or a group of people have. Culture affects the personality traits and the social norms that people have. Behavioral intentions are developed from the social norms, cultures and sub-cultures and the cognitive beliefs that people have. These will in return influence and shape the consumer behavior. It is important to mention that culture is learned from the environment in which we live in and by sharing ideas with different people (Schiffman Kanuk , 2010). Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Source: Schiffman Kanuk (2010). Consumer decision making model Consumers make decisions by applying a particular process to solve the problems that affect them. There are different levels of solving problems by the consumers depending on the extent of the problem. For instance, extensive problem solving requires a lot of information to solve problems. Consumers must have criteria to evaluate the problem and identify possible ways of tackling the problems affecting them (Jobber Lancaster, 2009). By the application of limited problem solving, a criterion for evaluation is selected and it is fine-tuned by collecting additional information. Routinized response behavior is experienced especially when reviewing what the consumers already know. Consumer decision making can be categorized into four views. An economic view, passive view, cognitive view and emotional view (Solomon, 2011). The external influences to the consumer decision making behavior are firm’s marketing efforts and the socio-cultural environment. The firm’s marketing efforts consist of the product, promotion, price and the channels of distribution that a particular company uses. The son the other hand, the socio-cultural environment consists of the family members, information sources, other noncommercial sources, social classes and subculture as well as culture (Solomon, 2011). The process of consumer decision making then starts when the consumer recognizes his/her needs and repurchase search is done to identify all possible alternatives. The consumer then evaluates all possible alternatives to solve the problem. The evaluation process will be determi ned by the experience that the consumer or other people have concerning the products.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Theories of consumer behaviour specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The evaluation process will be affected by the psychological field which is composed of motivation, perception, learning, personality and attitudes towards the products in the market (Solomon, 2011). The consumer makes a decision to purchase a specific product in the market after careful evaluation. The post-decision behavior will determine whether the consumer will re-purchase the same product. The first purchase is a trial to test whether the product can satisfy the needs that the consumer has. The post-purchase evaluation is done when the product has satisfied the consumer in the first place. The experience that the consumer generates from using the product determines the loyalty that will be developed by the consumer towards the product. This process is summarized in the figure below (Solomon, 2011). Source: Solomon (2011). Consumer research process This process starts when a marketer identifies a particular product to sell to a specific group of people. The initial stage starts with segmenting the market, followed by targeting the specific segments to deal with and positioning the products in the segments selected to ensure the consumers are captured (Mullen Johnson, 1990). Segmentation Market segmentation is the process of identifying different market groups with similar characteristics and delivering products to these groups depending on these characteristics. Marketers study the consumer behavior of people in a given field and they group consumers with particular needs together and develop marketing strategies for each group.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Market segmentation helps marketers to deliver products according to specific needs for all consumer groups. Marketers are able to tune their marketing strategies to capture the demand for their products from those particular individuals who may have an interest in such products (Solomon, 2011). For example, it would be unwise to develop marketing strategies for selling hairspray to bald-headed individuals as explained in the diagram below: Source: Solomon (2011). Consumers have different needs depending on their income levels, culture, political systems, religion, geographic location and other features that can be used to distinguish them. Delivering products by use of the same approach may fail because consumer groups have different needs and they require these needs satisfied in a unique manner. A company that segments its market offers the same product to different consumer groups using different strategies to ensure that the needs of all the consumers are satisfied (Sandhusen, 2000). An example of market segmentation is a case of Toyota Company. The company has segmented its market depending on the income groups and regional location of all consumer groups. The company manufactures automobile products and markets these products are marketed to customers depending on their income capacity (Perner, 2011). Targeting Market targeting is the process of identifying specific markets to sell products. It involves identifying the characteristics of the various markets and all consumer groups. Marketers then manufacture products which are focused on the specific needs of the consumer groups (Sandhusen, 2000). Marketers have the obligation to satisfy the needs of their target customers by providing the best products and services. This will compel any competitor from dominating the market. On the other hand, marketers should improve the wellbeing of the people consuming their products and the society in which they are operating. This should be achieved while achievi ng the objectives and goals of the organization (Ferrell Hartline, 2008). There are several factors that marketers should consider when targeting a specific market segment. For instance, how well a particular segment served by other companies in the market, the size of the market segment and the potential for growth in the particular market segment (McDonald Dunbar, 2004). An example of market targeting is evident in the activities of Apple Inc. The company manufactures computer hardware and software products. In the recent past the company has started to manufacture electronics to venture into market segments with different needs. The company has realized that the young generation requires unique products and this can only be achieved by delivering products which target this group of customers. Apple Inc has introduced the iPod, iMovie among other products targeting the young generation (Perner, 2011). Positioning Positioning is the process of delivering products to the right con sumer groups at the right time in the right manner. Companies position their products in the market to ensure that the consumers can get access to the products more easily. To improve the performance of a company in the market, the products should be positioned in a peculiar way to ensure that customers are not attracted by products from competitors. In a competitive market all companies aim at getting a strategic market position to ensure their products attract as many customers as possible (Sandhusen, 2000). An example of market positioning is experienced by the holiday and leisure products. Such products are located near leisure zones and they are mostly marketed during holiday seasons. Another example is the automobile industry; companies in the industry have made a lot of effort to ensure that they position their products in a unique manner (Horner Swarbrooke, 2005). Another example is found in the case of Apple Inc. The company has positioned itself in the market by developin g the concept of user-friendly products for all its products. The company promotes its products by developing the concept of consumer-friendly products for the software, hardware and electronic products that the company manufactures (Perner, 2011). Marketing strategies Marketing strategies are the various policies that companies use to deliver their products to the consumers to ensure they fulfill the demand for their products. Companies have strategies that are established to promote the marketing process and to improve the performance and competitiveness of a company in the market. Strategies provide a guideline for the marketers to use when implementing their objectives and provide a good foundation for improving the competitiveness of a company in the market (Sandhusen, 2000). An example of a marketing strategy is a policy that is created by Apple Inc to apply online marketing. This strategy was applied to increase the sales of the company by targeting more consumer groups and i mproving the procedures of marketing the products of the company. Ethical issues Ethical issues have been of great concern in the marketing processes because there are many stakeholders affected by marketing activities. Artificial needs are created when marketing activities are done and this causes a lot of questions about the ethical standards. For instance, advertising products causes materialism to prevail in the market and this affects the ethical standards of the consumers. Some of the ethical questions that marketers encounter are: whether the products’ design can meet the existing needs of the consumers, whether the advertising process helps communicate the availability of the products in the market and many other questions. In addition, there have been many ethical questions about the importance of advertising and marketing processes (Schlegelmilch, 1998). Examples of ethical issues being experienced in marketing processes today are marketing products to children. Thi s has been criticized as a method of exploitative targeting and ethical standards have been of great concern to many stakeholders. Food marketing to children has been found to cause obesity. Children are influenced to consume certain products which are not healthy to their lifestyle and this has caused the prevalence of childhood diseases such as obesity. Various stakeholders have been concerned about the introduction of legislation to regulate consumption behavior of young people in the society. Another example relates to sale of pharmaceutical products direct to consumers. This has raised a lot of concern about the ethical standards because consumers have misused drugs due to aggressive advertising by these companies (Schiffman, Kanuk, 2010). Forced exposure to advertising has been of great concern and this has caused a lot of concern about the ethical position of the advertising companies. Marketers have also influenced consumers to change their perception about products in the market as a strategy to increase consumption. False and misleading advertising has been experienced in the markets today and this has been of great concern about the ethical backgrounds of the advertising companies. There are other socially undesirable representations done by marketers and this causes a lot of concern about the ethical standards of the companies marketing their products (Schiffman Kanuk, 2010). To enhance ethical standards among the marketers, companies have introduced some measures to improve the welfare of the consumers and other stakeholders. Some of these measures are social responsibilities which have been done to improve the image of companies (Peter Olson, 2009). This has been done by advocating socially beneficial causes to promote the welfare of the communities which support companies in their business endeavors. Green marketing has also been adopted to promote the use of healthy, reusable and eco-friendly products. Companies have also promoted consumer e thics by encouraging people to recycle used products, returning used products and encouraging software privacy (Schiffman Kanuk , 2010). Motivation process model Consumer motivation is an important process because it enhances buying process. Motivation starts with unfulfilled needs, wants and desires that consumers have. This causes tension and a drive to achieve the needs is developed. This process is affected by the personality, perception, learning process and attitudes of the consumers towards the products and the organization marketing such products. A specific behavior is developed by consumers once they start realizing their needs and this behavior is directed towards fulfilling the needs. Once the consumers identify the specific products that can fulfill their needs they get satisfaction and the tension is reduced. This is a cyclic process because new needs and wants arise on the daily lives of people (Schiffman Kanuk, 2010). Source: Schiffman Kanuk (2010). The observati on made from the above diagram is that consumers follow a specific model from the time they realize that they have a particular need to the time they start consuming the products. Consumer needs may be categorized as innate or acquired. Innate needs are biogenic and they become the basic needs in human life for example, the need to eat, cloth and shelter. Acquired needs are developed from the cultural and environmental systems and these are usually secondary in nature for example, the need to own a dream car (Mowen Minor, 2001). On the other hand, goals are grouped into generic and product specific goals. Generic goals are developed by consumers to fulfill their needs whereas product specific goals are acquired from the brands of products and services in the market (Schiffman Kanuk, 2010). An example of a motivation model is a case where an individual has the need to purchase a dream car. The drive to own a car is developed from the people that person socialize with and the financ ial class. This drive emanates from the need and desire to own the car and the individual will behave in a particular manner to ensure the desire is fulfilled. Consumer values Consumer values are enhanced by the cultural background, family influences, media, peer pressure and religious beliefs. Identifying the specific values that consumers uphold is very important in developing the consumer behavior of specific people. Values that a person has will determine the kind of product s/he consumes and marketers should be very accurate especially when segmenting, targeting and positioning their products in the market (Mooij Mooij, 2010). It is important to note that consumers never fully satisfy their needs because new needs arise after the satisfaction of old needs. When goals are achieved people set new goals which are higher than the previous ones. The need to achieve goals is aroused by the emotions, physiological, cognitive and environmental factors (Mooij Mooij, 2010). Psychologic al needs Theories on consumer decision-making vary according to assumptions regarding the nature of human behavior. A comparison of the economic, passive, cognitive and emotional models of consumer decision-making shows that all consumers behave in a particular manner when making their purchase decision. Consumers develop psychological needs when they identify certain products in the market. They are motivated to purchase such products when they get people to provide adequate information about such products. Motivation also emanates from observation about usage of the products by other people in the market. When consumers are satisfied by particular products they develop the need to re-purchase the products and this causes consumer loyalty to develop (Perner, 2011). The perception of consumers towards certain products affects their ability to purchase. Perception refers to the image developed by customers for certain products and this is causes the consumers to purchase and continue using products from a certain company. Perception is developed from past experiences that consumers have concerning certain products in the market. Marketers have a duty to change the perception of the consumers by actively promoting the products to consumers to create awareness about the importance of the products and to remove the negative attitude they have developed (Perner, 2011). Attitude is developed by consumers depending on the cultural background, exposure of the customers to similar products, and the approach applied by the company. When customers develop a bad attitude about the products in the market it becomes challenging to reverse the trend. Active campaigns are required to remove the negative attitudes that consumers have towards the products in the market (Perner, 2011). The model of passive view requires that marketers should train the consumers to overcome the fears and tension about using products. This can be done by pestering a positive attitude towards the p roducts in the market and changing negative perception about products offered in the market. Behavior change is made by introducing new cultures for the consumers. Cultural change can only be done by liaising with all the stakeholders of the company and the community to ensure that the consumers are ready to develop positive attitudes towards the products in the market (Perner, 2011). A contrast of the economic, passive, cognitive and emotional models of consumer decision making provides that shows that people have different emotional characteristics and this will determine their purchase behaviors. The economic class of a person also will determine the decision making process and the theories developed may be not true. People behave differently and their decision making process will be determined by the environment and the experiences they have had in the past about the products (Perner, 2011). Home ownership is an example of psychological need that many people have and this has mo tivated many people to seek information about mortgage plans and other schemes which can enable them own a home before they retire from employment. The desire is shaped by the economic, passive, cognitive and emotional models of consumer decision making. Culture has also played a key role in the development of the need to own a home before a person retires. It is a culture that every person earning some income should be able to provide shelter for the family. This culture has shaped the decision making of people and as such people have developed a savings habit to purchase such products. Conclusion Consumer behavior is an integral part of marketing processes adopted by any company. Marketers must identify the culture, behavior and all aspects of their consumers so that they can maintain a competitive position in the market. Additionally, the proper channels of introducing products in the market should be followed to enhance quick acceptance and adoption of products. Therefore, marke ters should apply the process of segmentation, targeting and positioning to ensure the customers become loyal to their products. This process should coincide with the decision making process by the consumers to ensure potential consumers are attracted while the existing ones are retained. List of references Deaton, A. Muellbauer, J. (1980). Economics and consumer behavior. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Ferrell, O. C. Hartline, M. D. (2008). Marketing Strategy. Cengage Learning. Horner, S. Swarbrooke, J. (2005). Leisure marketing: a global perspective. 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Consumer Behavior: International Edition. 10th Edition, London: Pearson Higher Education Solomon, M., (2011). Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having and Being, Global Edition, 9th Edition, Pearson Higher Education. Taylor, C.R. and Lee, D., (2007). Cross-cultural Buyer Behavior. (Series: Advances in International Marketing v.18) Emerald Group Publishing. This assessment on Theories of consumer behaviour was written and submitted by user Dalton Brooks to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.