Preview

Influence of Religion on Consumer Behavior and the Effects on Marketing

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
4288 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Influence of Religion on Consumer Behavior and the Effects on Marketing
National borders no longer restrict the consumer marketplace and markets are trending towards global unity through regional unification (e.g. The European Union [EU]) and international standards and trade agreements, the standardization of manufacturing and technology, global investment opportunities, rapid increases in education and literacy, the urbanization and infrastructural advancements in developing and emerging nations, expansion of world travel, free flow of information across borders, increases in consumer knowledge, sophistication and purchasing power, and easier access to and more widespread global media. Even if a firm chooses not to participate in globalization, they will feel the effects as firms from far reaching areas may choose to compete for and influence the purchasing decisions of the same customers.
In order for firms to compete in the hyper-competitive global market and address the ever increasing expectations of consumers, it often takes more than developing a broad global marketing strategy, firms must recognize the individual differences, cultural attitudes and preferences of consumers within a given region. The segmentation of markets based on cultural characteristics at the global level enables firms to market their product or service to consumers who share certain socio-demographic traits, values and beliefs, consumption patterns and media usage. Knowing the cultural variations within a region enables firms to tailor their marketing to match the attitudes and beliefs of the market. Within cultural bodies there exists a common set of values, beliefs and assumptions and perceptions about life that are transmitted from generation to generation through social and environmental interactions and the process of learning. These learned behaviors influence the way members of a society interact with one another and behave in ways that are considered socially acceptable. Furthermore, consumption patterns and consumer behaviors are based on



References: 1. Vitell S, Paolillo J, Singh J. Religiosity and consumer ethics. Journal of Business Ethics [Internet]. 2005 Mar 15 [cited 2010February 15]; 57(2): 175-181. Available from: Business Source Complete. 2. Kale SH. Spirituality, religion, and globalization. Journal of Macromarketing [Internet]. 2004 December 24 [cited 2010 February 15]; (2):92-107. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0276146704269296. 6. Sutter S.  God and marketing. Marketing Magazine [Internet]. 2003 Dec 1 [cited 16 2010 February 15];108(41):  46. Available from: http://www.proquest.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/; Document ID: 501143241. 8. Marmor-Lavie G, Stout PA, Lee WN. Spirituality in advertising: a new theoretical approach. Journal of Media and Religion [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2010 February 17]; 8(1):1-23. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15348420802670868. 11. Forsyth D. A taxonomy of ethical ideologies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology [Internet]. 1980, July [cited 2010 February 9]; 39(1): 175-184. Available from: PsycARTICLES.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Secularisation theory has argued that modernisation has undermined religion. The importance of science and technology on economic development and rational worldview on which they depend on are seen as destroying the belief in supernatural. However religion can contribute to development, but most recently sociologists have examined what role religion may play in development in today’s globalising world.…

    • 1102 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Mktg203

    • 2372 Words
    • 10 Pages

    John Iihan, founder of the Crazy John’s brand once said “this may seem simple, but you need to give customers what they want, not what you think they want. And if you do this, people will keep coming back.”(Woopidoo quotations n.d) In essence, this describes the goal of consumer behaviour. Consumer behaviour aims to find out what customers want by evaluating their actions. Their actions help marketers to determine how to market their products. (Schiffman Leon Ward Steven O’Cass Aron Bednall David Paladino Angela Kanuk Leslie 2007) Two of these aspects of consumer behaviour that are used in marketing strategies are the concepts of geographic and sociocultural segmentation. Both of these aspects are discussed below in relation to their use in both Australian and Chinese marketing.…

    • 2372 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    ferris influence

    • 1215 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Culture, subculture, and social class are particularly important influences on consumer buying behavior. Culture is the fundamental determinant of person’s wants and behavior. The growing child acquires a set of value, perceptions, preferences, and behaviors through his or her family and other key institutions. For eg, A child growing in…

    • 1215 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Greggs plc

    • 6699 Words
    • 30 Pages

    Greggs plc intend to expand their operations into international markets in order to satisfy their overriding objective: 'to be Europe's No. 1 Bakery'.…

    • 6699 Words
    • 30 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nayeem, T. (2012). Cultural influences on consumer behavior. International Journal of Business and Management, 7(21), 78-91. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1353608736?accountid=458…

    • 2171 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Marketing Management

    • 662 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Today, marketing plays a vital role in religion. Religious organizations are, now more than ever, trying to get consumers’ attention. Correlating religion and marketing, consumers are just as attached to brands as they are to faith. Society is used to having products that fulfill a particular need. That need is the same is expected from faith (Bulik, 2009).…

    • 662 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    China Compare to Australia

    • 3390 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Consumer behaviour is important for any marketer. Cross cultural analysis provides crucial information as to what can be successful exported to international markets. In relation segmentation in China Australians need understand culture, subculture and cross-cultural affiliation. Another important factor when considering marketing opportunities is Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. It is ever present that there are economic and cultural differences within China. Due to increased globalization and increased Westernisation of China cultures are beginning to blend. Understanding these two theories is imperative for exporters trying to expand into the diverse and complex Chinese market.…

    • 3390 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Biblical Worldview

    • 921 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bibliography: Kim, David. & McCalman, David. (2012). Journal of business ethics: The sacred/secular divide and the Christian worldview, Vol. 109 2: 203-208…

    • 921 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Globalization is known as the trend toward becoming more united and symbiotic world economy. It is the trend of becoming one large global marketplace. The globalization of markets is one international trade theory, to get rid of the barriers of differences and connect internationally. Some companies global include Coca-Cola drinks, Sony PlayStation, McDonald’s, and Starbucks (Hill, 2009). Many global markets are confronted with competitions in nations. As each company joins the globalization, they all bring assets, such as their products, marketing strategies, and operating strategies. The assets in each national help take away the diversity and create the uniformity. The globalization of production is the second international trade theory. This refers to the way the goods and services are sourced from locations around the world and allows the company to use the cost and quality in each nation as an advantage. Using this theory it allows the company to compete with other companies more effectively (Hill, 2009).…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Best Essays

    The marketing function plays an integral role in every business within the global marketplace. The marketing department thrives on “thinking outside the box” and pushing the limits of consumer imagination and recognition. To be more specific, the American Marketing Association defines marketing as, “an organizational function and a set of processes for creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers and for managing customer relationships in ways that benefit the organization and its stakeholders” (Peter, Donnelly, Vandenbosch 3). As the role of the marketing department continues to globally expand on both a consumer and organizational level, the marketing department becomes a key player in a vast variety of decision making processes. These decisions are subject to many internal and external elements, but most importantly the impact of culture and cultural differences. Cultural differences affect the decisions of the marketing department in a number of ways. These affects can be witnessed through the process of ethical decision making, the diverse cultural backgrounds of marketing managers, and advertising initiatives.…

    • 4355 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Marketing is a lot like religion and most people have a strong belief that this belief is typically predicted on how they were raised rather than a formal study of religion belief. Marketing also has its share of agnostics as well as atheists – “I don’t believe Marketing exists”. Regardless of how marketing is viewed today, few questions are come up: Which can survive without the other? This is a litmus test in many situations and all believe it is fair to say that any business cannot survive without a proper marketing strategy. (Wardlaw, 2007)…

    • 18937 Words
    • 76 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Consumer Behavior Analysis

    • 1461 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Our country is extremely diverse. We are reminded this every day, especially if we live in metropolitan areas. In Dallas, for instance, it is quite common to be in constant contact with individuals from all corners of the world. Marketers, even in the United States, have to understand how to navigate the different cultural, religious, and social differences when selling products. This challenge is magnified when a marketing team is asked to sell a product abroad. In this type of situation, the social, cultural, and religious challenges are magnified, and what sells well here, might not work near as well in another country. Two extremely prominent US companies have faced these challenges abroad. First of all, Apple, the makers of the Iphone, faced many challenges in Japan. Secondly, the Walt Disney Company learned quite a few lessons during the development of Hong Kong Disneyland. This paper will analyze the challenges of Apple and Walt Disney when they expanded to these countries.…

    • 1461 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    These factors provide insights into behaviour, tastes, and lifestyles patterns of a population. Buying patterns are greatly influenced by the changes in the structure of the population, and in consumer lifestyles.1. http://www.businessteacher.org.uk/business-environments/global-factors-strategy/. Age, gender, wealth, etc all influence the buying patterns and understanding of such changes is essential in order to develop strategies which are in line with the market situations. In the global market it is important that when business strategies are put together the different cultures and societies are taken into account. Religion, language and lifestyle patterns of consumers are all important information for successful business…

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Swidler, L. (2007). Toward a universal declaration of a global ethic.: An article from: Journal of Ecumenical Studies. Chicago: Thomson Gale.…

    • 2719 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Human beings are not born with a set of behaviour, they have to learn it. What they learn is dictated by the culture into which they are born or within which they grow up” – J Bareham(1995)…

    • 876 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays