-
Pricing as a Marketing Mix Element: Investigating its Effect on Market Share for Supermarkets in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West Province of South Africa
Ateba Benedict Belobo,
Hein Johannes Prinsloo
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
196-210
Received:
17 September 2014
Accepted:
5 October 2014
Published:
18 November 2014
Abstract: This paper propped up as a result of the lack of awareness on the role of pricing in market share gain or loss among retailers in general. The empirical focus of the study was at the Ngaka Modiri Molema district in the North-West province of South Africa. The researcher saw that the identified problem negatively affected the profits of retailers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district. Thus, there was need to carry out this study in order to improve the awareness level of the role pricing has in market share gain or loss among Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers. It was also aimed at developing a pricing decision support system that can assist Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers in pricing decision making. The study was performed on 11 selected items commonly available in the database from the three largest supermarkets in the fast consumer goods retail sector at the Ngaka Modiri Molema district (Pick n Pay, Spar and Shoprite supermarkets). A panel data technique was used in determining the outcomes of this paper. The study revealed that pricing play a major role in market share gain or loss among Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers. Hence, there is need to increase retailers awareness with regards to the mentioned finding. Practical recommendations were made and a pricing decision support system was developed to assist Ngaka Modiri Molema retailers.
Abstract: This paper propped up as a result of the lack of awareness on the role of pricing in market share gain or loss among retailers in general. The empirical focus of the study was at the Ngaka Modiri Molema district in the North-West province of South Africa. The researcher saw that the identified problem negatively affected the profits of retailers in...
Show More
-
Application of Game Theory on Inventory Level Decision Making
Masoud Vaziri,
Manbir Sodhi
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
211-219
Received:
12 November 2014
Accepted:
21 November 2014
Published:
25 November 2014
Abstract: Many companies producing durable products, profit more from spares than the base parts. In a competitive and uncertain aftermarket, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) can benefit from Game Theory to manage spare parts inventories. We study the spare parts inventory game as an N-person non-zero-sum single-shot game where players play simultaneously. The game is restricted to a two-player (the OEM and the market) non-cooperative game setup. The market is an unreasoning entity whose strategic choices affect the payoff of the OEM, with no interest in the outcome of the game. This is a game against nature, which means the OEM plays against the market. The OEM decides on a pricing strategy (in a competitive manner with low cost manufacturers or will-fitters to absorb more customers) and the order-up-to stock level, and its inventory level strategy is not dominated – i.e. the game has a mixed strategy solution. This solution maximizes the payoff for the OEM by setting the price and the inventory level based on assumptions on the lower and upper bounds of the demand’s distribution parameters.
Abstract: Many companies producing durable products, profit more from spares than the base parts. In a competitive and uncertain aftermarket, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) can benefit from Game Theory to manage spare parts inventories. We study the spare parts inventory game as an N-person non-zero-sum single-shot game where players play simultane...
Show More
-
Economic Growth, CO2 Emissions and Energy Consumption: The Case of Bangladesh
Bikash Chandra Ghosh,
Khandakar Jahangir Alam,
Md. Ataul Gani Osmani
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
220-227
Received:
12 November 2014
Accepted:
26 November 2014
Published:
16 December 2014
Abstract: Issues on climate change have been recognized as serious challenges for regional sustainable development both at a global and local level. Given the background that most of the artificial carbon emissions are resulted from the energy consumption sector and the energy is also the key element resource for economic development, this study examines economic growth, CO2 emissions and energy consumption relationship in Bangladesh by using cointegration test. For this purpose 1972-2011 periods taken and annual data of Gross Domestic Product (Y), Carbon Dioxide Emissions (CO) and Energy Consumption (EC) are used. The obtain results from this paper indicated that energy consumption has a positive and significant impact on economic growth while carbon emission has a negative and insignificant effect, ensuring that economic growth in Bangladesh can be achieved without degrading the quality of the environment.
Abstract: Issues on climate change have been recognized as serious challenges for regional sustainable development both at a global and local level. Given the background that most of the artificial carbon emissions are resulted from the energy consumption sector and the energy is also the key element resource for economic development, this study examines eco...
Show More
-
Preliminary Assessment of Wealth Creation in Wood Products’ Business in Ghana: The Perspective of Lumber and Furniture Production and Implications for Entrepreneurship
Peter Kessels Dadzie,
Martin Amoah,
Stephen Lartey Tekpetey
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
243-249
Received:
20 November 2014
Accepted:
5 December 2014
Published:
17 December 2014
Abstract: Export values of lumber appear lesser than those of garden furniture parts, but in Ghana, lumber entrepreneurs dominate the market. This study investigated the demand trends of wood species used for garden furniture and the Free-On-Board (FOB) export values of their kiln-dried (KD) lumber and furniture. The study aimed at identifying and assessing the demand trends of wood species used for garden furniture production for exports, and making preliminary wealth creation assessment on converting lumber to garden furniture, all with the cardinal aim of arousing interests of entrepreneurs. The study covered a ten (10) year period from 2001 to 2010. Monthly export reports on wood products were reviewed to obtain relevant information for analyses. Findings indicated that, twenty-six Ghanaian hardwood species were demanded in the international garden furniture market, but Milicia excelsa (odum) wood species’ garden furniture was the most preferred. However, Pericopsis elata (afromosia) wood species’ furniture had the highest FOB value of €3,300.788/m3 and Chrysophyllum albidum (akasaa) produced the highest additional income of €2,203.09 after value addition. After processing lumber to garden furniture, one is likely to obtain additional income averaging from €188.599 (emire- Terminalia ivorensis) to €2, 203.099 (akasaa). In conclusion, further processing lumber to garden furniture before exports may be economically viable, if labour cost and expenses are managed prudently. Entrepreneurs in Ghana should consider converting lumber to furniture for exports, as one good avenue for wealth creation and development. However, further studies to factor production costs into the analyses would be necessary to confirm the profitability in processing lumber to garden furniture.
Abstract: Export values of lumber appear lesser than those of garden furniture parts, but in Ghana, lumber entrepreneurs dominate the market. This study investigated the demand trends of wood species used for garden furniture and the Free-On-Board (FOB) export values of their kiln-dried (KD) lumber and furniture. The study aimed at identifying and assessing ...
Show More
-
Entrepreneurship Development among Nigerian Youths, Empirical Identification of the Driven Factors
Dada Matthew Abiodun,
Fayomi Olugbenga Abimbola,
Simeon-Fayomi Bolanle Clara
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
250-258
Received:
29 September 2014
Accepted:
29 October 2014
Published:
29 December 2014
Abstract: This study empirically identified the driven factors into entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths with a view to isolating those factors that are fundamental to youths’ entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. The study employed a survey design. Data were collected on socio-economic and demographic characteristics as well as personal entrepreneurial competencies of the sampled students from the selected three out of the nation’s tertiary institutions. Structured questionnaire was designed and used as instrument of data collection. The reliability of the instrument was established at (r=0.754). The validity of the instrument was also scrutinized by experts before finally used. The data collected were analyzed using inferential statistics. The result showed that age significantly influenced proactiveness and goal setting while marital status significantly influenced demand for efficiency and quality. Also, exposure to enterprise education/training influenced opportunity seeking, father’s occupation significantly influenced information seeking, and cumulative grade point average significantly influenced information seeking and independence and self confidence. The course of study significantly influenced risk taking propensity, persuasion and networking, and independence and self-confidence. The area of discipline significantly influenced risk taking propensity while perception of parents’ entrepreneurial success significantly influenced information seeking, risk taking propensity, proactiveness and goal setting and persuasion and networking. On the contrary, mother’s occupation, monthly allowance received, parents’ financial status, position among siblings, where one spent his or her childhood days, ethnic group belonging were found to have no significant influence on personal entrepreneurial competencies of the respondents. Policy strategy on entrepreneurship development should take cognizance of factors which significantly influenced entrepreneurial resourcefulness of the Nigerian youths in order to enhance enterprise culture and check unemployment rate and its consequences in Nigeria. The study concluded that socio-economic and demographic variables are vital for consideration in nourishing and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit in Nigeria.
Abstract: This study empirically identified the driven factors into entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths with a view to isolating those factors that are fundamental to youths’ entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. The study employed a survey design. Data were collected on socio-economic and demographic characteristics as well as personal entrepreneurial...
Show More
-
Determinants of Health Care Demand in Ghana Using the Ordered Probit Model Analysis
Bismark Osei,
Mark Edem Kunawotor,
Enock Anane
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
259-265
Received:
1 December 2014
Accepted:
9 December 2014
Published:
12 January 2015
Abstract: The study examines the factors that determine health care demand of the people of Kwabre East District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Health behaviour model formulated by Anderson and Newman was adopted for the analysis with the help of Ordered Probit. The result of the study revealed that, the level of income, transportation cost, hospital cost and NHIS have positive signs, implying that as these factors increases, the utilization of health care facilities also increases. It was found out from the marginal effects results that, NHIS and transport cost have negative signs on the patient’s first visit to hospital whiles the level of income and hospital cost were insignificant.
Abstract: The study examines the factors that determine health care demand of the people of Kwabre East District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Health behaviour model formulated by Anderson and Newman was adopted for the analysis with the help of Ordered Probit. The result of the study revealed that, the level of income, transportation cost, hospital cost ...
Show More
