ABSTRACT
This study is on the role of marketing information system in the marketing of new products in Enugu metropolis, a study of omo multi active bar soap made by Unilever Nigeria Plc. The researcher has the following objectives: To find out if marketing information system helps Unilever in serving it’s customers better. To determine the impact of marketing information system on customer’s patronage of Omo Multi active bar soap. In solving the research problem, both primary and secondary data were collected. The instruments used in collecting the data were questionnaires and personal interview guide. The respondents comprises of the customers distributors and relevant staff and management of Omo multi active bar soap. Topman’s formula was used to determine the sample size of the customers of the bank while census was used for relevant management ans staff of the company. In organizing and presenting data collected, tables, percentages were used. The hypotheses were tested using chi square. Data analysis and hypotheses testing gave the following findings. That the use of marketing information system by Unilever plc, Enugu creates customers awareness of their products. Customers awareness of their products. That the use of marketing information system by Unilever Nigeria Plc, Enugu led to serving their customers better. Based on these, the researcher recommended that, organizations including Unilever Nigeria plc, should recognize that for efficient and effective performance, information is needed hence, the need for marketing information system. Unilever Nigeria Plc should provide computers and other necessary materials. These will not only help them in offering quality services but also in taking effective decisions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Approval page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of contents vi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION 1
- Background of the study 1
- Statement of the problem 4
- Objectives of the study 5
- Research questions 6
- Formulation of research hypotheses 7
- Significance of the study 9
- Scope/delimitation of the study 10
- Definition of terms 11
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 15
- Overview of marketing information system 15
- Benefits of marketing information system 22
- The need for marketing information system 23
- Components of marketing information system 26
- Organizational problems of MIS 38
- Factors determining the effectiveness of MIS 40
- Implication for MIS 42
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 46
- Sources of data 46
- The population of the study 47
- Determination of sample size 47
- Sampling technique 48
- Research instrument 49
- Validity and reliability of the instrument 49
- Method of data treatment and analysis 50
- Limitations of the study 50
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 52
- Data presentation 52
- Test of hypotheses 60
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
- Summary of findings 69
Bibliography 71
Appendix I 73
Appendix II 74
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The formulation of a successful marketing strategy hinges upon the extent of knowledge on two key points, that is, the opportunities open to the enterprise and the resource available, it depends therefore on the amount and quantity of information emanating from both external and internal sources of the organization. According to Adirika, et al (2003: 18), the purpose of information marketing system is to determine and provide ass efficiently, effectively and economically as possible, what management needs to know. It should facilitate the accomplishment of objectives prevent failures to reach objectives and correct conditions which hamper the fulfillment of objectives.
Information aids decision making by marketing executives and it is an essential ingredient for planning and controlling of business operation both at the strategic and tactical level of management and also provides the means for assessing results of specific course of action. It also provide facts with which to steer business operation along the dynamic economic factors, by making tactical adjustments to control some variables, hearing to the realization of the desired objectives. Information also helps the management to assess uncertainty and reduce the risking decision making.
According to Stanton (1999: 312), marketing information system is an interacting, continuing future oriented structure of people, equipment, and procedures designed to generate and process an information flow to aid managerial in decision making in a company’s marketing program.
According to ADirika, et al (1999: 29) marketing information system I an interacting, on going future oriented complex of people, equipment and procedure designed to generate and process information flow in order to facilitate decision making in the overall marketing program of a company.
Kotler (2002: 313) saw it as continuing and interacting structure of people, equipment and procedures to gather, sort and analyze, evaluate and distribute pertinent timely and accurate information for us by marketing decision makers to improve their marketing planning, implementation and control.
The marketing information system is operating on a continuing basis and is intended to anticipate and prevent problems as well as to solve them. The MIS is future oriented and is designed to meet the information needs of decision makers. For this purpose, objectives and goals must be established, the information needed to evaluate performance must be determine and effective mechanism must be developed and installed.
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The increased complexity of business calls for more data and for better performance. Markets are no longer local but international in scope. The organization that previously may have had firm control of its business in a limited area, now finds itself on uncertain grounds when competing with similar organization around it, this is a problem in most organizations as investigation by the researcher. The MIS as a critical element in the effective marketing has implications on marketing planning. Planning involves setting out objectives. Most often these objectives and policies do not go in line these with the firm’s mission.
Another problem discovered by the researcher is the fact that most firms or organization either have not adopted the use of computers in their diverse work or their system of operation with their computers is ineffective. This extensively affects productivity and growth.
- OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this research work include the following.
- To write critically on the literature of marketing information system
- To evaluate the need for marketing information in an organization.
- To write on the organizational problems of marketing information system.
- To critically analyze the components of marketing information system.
- To evaluate the implications of marketing information system on marketing planning.
- To write on the role of MIS in management industrial organization in Nigeria.
- To make general recommendations as regards to this research work.
- RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions are formulated for the purposes of this research work.
- Is marketing information system part of the organization structure of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Enugu?
- Does MIS enhance the profitability of the company?
- If it does, to what extent has it enhance the profitability of the company?
- Does MIS provide information within the time frame required by a firm?
- Does MIS lead to better performance in a firm?
- Does MIS permit fuller exploitation of the marketing concept?
- Does MIS encourage proactive or anticipatory marketing?
- Does MIS provide selective retrieval of information?
- Does MIS permit better over the firms’ plan?
- FORMULATION OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following hypotheses are formulated for the purpose of this research work:
HYPOTHESIS ONE
Ho1: Marketing information system is not part of organizational structure of Unilever Nigeria plc, Enugu.
Hi: Marketing information system is part of organizational structure of Unilever Nigeria plc, Enugu.
HYPOTHESIS TWO:
Ho2: Marketing information system does not enhance the profitability of Unilever Nigeria plc, Enugu.
Hi: Marketing information system does enhance the profitability of Unilever Nigeria plc, Enugu.
HYPOTHESIS THREE
Ho3: Marketing information system does not permit full exploitation of the marketing concept.
Hi: Marketing information system permit full exploitation of the marketing concept.
Ho4: Marketing information system does not provide information within the time constraints required by Unilever Nigeria Plc, Enugu.
Hi; Marketing information system provide information within the time constraint required by Unilever Nigeria Plc, Enugu.
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work will be of immense significance to the following groups of people. The management and staff of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Enugu. It will go a long way in enlightening them on the concept of MIS and its roles in the marketing of industrial product.
It will be of immense significance to students and researchers. They will widen their scope from the information contained in this research work.
- SCOPE/DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
For the purpose of pursuing marketing opportunities as well as well as anticipating marketing problems, managers need to collect comprehensive and reliable information.
They cannot undertake marketing analysis, planning implementation and control in isolation of monitoring and researching customers, competitors, dealers on their own cost data. Therefore, to manage a business well is to manage its future and to manage its function is to manage information. For this purpose, this research work will focus on the role of marketing information system in the marketing of new products in Enugu metropolis with an in depth concentration on omo multi-action bar soap made by Unilever Nigeria Plc, Enugu.
- DEFINITION OF TERMS
Marketing: This is a societal process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and want through creating offering and freely exchanging products and services of value within others (adirika, Ebue and Nnolim, 2003: 10).
Marketing Information System: This is a continuing and interacting structure of people, equipments and procedures to gather, sort, analyze, evaluate and distribute pertinent, accurate and timely information for use by marketing decision makers to improve their marketing planning, implementation and control (Kotler, 2003: 10).
COMPANY PROFILE OF UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC ENUGU
Unilever was founded in 1930 through merger by the British, lever Brother and The Dutch Margarine Unie, now Unilever plc in london, Uk and Unilever N.V in Rotterdam and Netherlands respectively. In 1982 before the merger, Durgens and Van Den Bergh, the Dutch, built factory in Netherlands for te production of margarine made from milk and fat. In 1927, they formed margarine unie (margarine union) together with two European business center and schicht. Lever and co on the other hand was founded in 1884 by British William Hesketch and his brother James, and was producing soap-sunlight soap for people in England, especially for women.
William Lever wrote “To make cleanliness common place, to lessen work for women to foster health and contribute to personal attractiveness, that life may be more enjoyable attractiveness, that life may be more enojoyable and rewarding for the people who use our products” in 1890, Lever brothers. Unilever N.V and Unilever plc comprise Unilever group. Both companies have the same directors. Its annual turnover in 2005 was 39.72 billion and employs over 206,000 employees around the world. Unilever brand consist of food and beverages and home and personal care. Some of these products are knorr, Breyer’s and Magnum, Liptom, omo (detergent), etc. knorr has the biggest sales of 2.3 billion in 2005.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF UNILEVER
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