Extensive decision-making process - consumer behaviour: analyse the many elements of EKB's consumer decision model in relation to consumer behaviour.

Essay by kam-shaftCollege, UndergraduateA, May 2006

download word file, 22 pages 4.0

Table of Contents

i Executive Summary i

1 Introduction..............2

2 Analysis..........3

2.1 Need recognition...............3

2.1.1 Environmental influences.......3

2.1.2 Individual differences............4

2.1.3 Memory...........4

2.1.4 Situational influences........4

2.2 Pre-purchase search.........6

2.2.1 Internal Search.............6

2.2.2 External Search.............6

2.2.3 Exploratory Search............7

2.3 Information processing...........8

2.3.1 Exposure............8

2.3.2 Attention..............9

2.3.3 Interpretation.............9

2.3.4 Retention............9

2.4 Evaluation of alternatives...........10

2.4.1 Awareness, Evoked & Consideration Sets........10

2.4.2 Evaluative Criteria..........10

2.4.3 Decision Rules...............11

2.4.4 Perceptual Mapping...........11

2.4.5 Influences on the evaluation process.......12

2.5 Purchase............13

2.6 Post-purchase.........15

3 Conclusion and Recommendations..........17

4 References...........18

5 Appendices............19

1 Introduction

This report has been prepared to analyse the many elements of EKB's consumer decision model (as shown in Figure 1.0) in relation to consumer behaviour. The focus of the consumer decision model is to enhance the understanding of the many processes undertaken whilst undertaking a high involvement purchase, hence providing a theoretical framework of determining and justifying consumer behaviour.

The model was applied in context with our decision to purchase a holiday to Vanuatu, as this type of purchase is best suited to an extensive decision-making model (Sheth & Mittal, 2004).

The various aspects of the model are explored using the knowledge gained during our research into various sources for this particular holiday. Recommendations based on our experience and researches have also been considered in this report, in order to facilitate further improvement in the overall extensive decision-making process.

Figure 1.0- EKB's model of consumer behaviour (Poulos, 2001)

2 Analysis

Whilst purchasing a complex good/service many thoughts and procedures are undertaken, and in order to analyse this choice an appropriate consumer decision model is required for it to develop and prosper. The consumer decision models provide conceptual frames of reference that logically indicate the interrelationship of variables for research purposes and also aim to give an understanding of what happens as variables and...