Introduction
In the ever-changing global market, environmental and situational factors call for more efficient and effective decision making. The wants and the needs of the target should be periodically evaluated in order to update the products of a company. In order to satisfy this, researches must be done. Business researches contribute discover and contribute new knowledge about an existing subject (Fraenkel & Wallen, 2007). Business researches in particular can help the management in their decision making task by providing them conclusive information based on the results of the research. This will lessen the risk of making wrong decisions. Thus, thorough knowledge about making business researches is a must for all decision makers.
In this week, the basic structures and format that form a business research are discussed. These are the: title, abstract, introduction, background or literature review, methodology, findings, conclusions, summary and recommendations, and the appendices and references.
Understanding the basic format and structure
Understanding the basic format and structure of a business research will be the first tool that marketers will have to use in order to analyse the needs of their market. It will help marketers too better determine the behavioral patterns and attitudes of buyers, measure the magnitude of the market demands, interpret and analyse sales data and solve problems relating to distribution and selling channels. Making a good business research will also be helpful in planning and developing new products together with its branding and packaging. One may use business researches for determining a product’s target market.
If a marketer has adequate knowledge about making a business research and constantly applies that knowledge, making decisions will be less difficult. Furthermore, decisions based on a business research that is done properly can be more reliable than decisions made haphazardly. Better customer satisfaction can be achieved thus it has the possibility of resulting to better sales figures. A marketer that shows promising ability with regard to decision making will most likely succeed over other less knowledgeable co-workers. A business that knows its customer well enough will have higher client loyalty. These are all just because of right decisions based from the objective results of a business research.
This week thought students not only the proper structure and format of a business research but also some guidelines that should be observed in order to make the research more understandable and interesting. It should be noted that the first three sections: title, abstract and introduction should be interesting enough so the reader of the research will continue reading the rest of the research. The research methodology that is most appropriate with the aim of the research should be used. Proper evaluation of the data gathered should be observed. Statistical method of data analysis must be applied (Berry, 2004). These statistical methods have been discussed in previous weeks. The relevance of the research lies on how appropriate and depth the analysis was. The results of the study must be objective, meaning the results must be really based on the analyzed data. The interpretation thereof must provide conclusions that make sense in relation with the aims of the research (Patton, 2002).
Ethical codes of conduct for marketers
In making researches, not only the maker relies on its results. The general public also shows interest on the result of the study. Thus, marketers must be guided by some norms and ethical codes of conduct. However, these norms and ethical codes of conducts do not only apply in the making of researches. These should also be observed in the professional work and workplace of all marketers.
Norms are expectations that a person or a professional organization must maintain as their standards of taking actions. Marketers not only work for themselves but also for the whole economy. Marketers must not do something that would do harm to someone. Thus, marketers must be given the proper training and experience.
Ethical rules provide that one must not tell lies. The trust that customers put on products is very important for the success of a business endeavor. In order to gain this trust, customers must not feel that they are being misled by lies.
The welfare and feelings of the customers should always be taken cared of with utmost importance. Thus, marketers should be aware about the things that might upset customers. Because of this, ethical codes say that marketers must not delve into marketing techniques that shows discrimination and stereotyping among customers (Illinois. Institute of Technology, 2008). In addition to that, products must be priced fairly (Shaw D; Shiu E IgentaConnect 2008).
Environmental issues
In making marketing efforts, environmental issues should also be addressed. The environment must not be compromised for larger business profit. Other ethical considerations must be done when engaging in online or electronic commerce. In making market researches, privacy of the respondents should be respected. They should not be forced to ask questions that they fear the answer would do harm to their respective companies. Moreover, information obtained should be kept from unauthorized access (AMA Code of ethics October 15/16, Chicago).
Knowledge about this ethical considerations enlightened students on how to work professionally. Working professionally will result to better relationship not only with customers but also with co-workers. Harmonious relationship with co-workers will lead to a better working environment. Furthermore, familiarizing oneself with the ethical do’s and don’ts will prevent committing unethical conducts. Unethical conducts will have consequences on the part of the person. Unethical conduct can be subject to persecution. In addition, knowing the appropriate norms in the marketing industry will prevent clashes between competing companies. Competition is supposed to help the economy and not destroy it.
Conclusion
In this week, respect is the one thing that sticks to my mind. Respect for customers and colleagues. Taking advantage of the consumer should not be done in order enrich oneself or for any other reasons. Contract requirements and mutual agreements should be respected so as to maintain integrity in the organization.
True enough, the week and the seminar was absolutely useful. The topic was so interesting. It is interesting because the things that we have learned can all be applied in the workplace. Furthermore, the statistical methods of analyzing data can be related to this topic. More examples about ethical issues that happened in the past should have given. That would have serve as concrete examples on what should not be done as a marketer in relation with the proper ethical conducts.
This week has been filled with meaning and sense. I have realized the value of becoming skilled in writing business researches. I appreciated that business researches will be so much useful for the works that a marketer should do. However, ethical issues should be considered. One must work within the norms that are expected of him. Accomplishing these things will lead to a better career and business environment.
References
AMA Code of Ethics. 2007. Web.
Berry, R. 2004. The Research Project: How to write it, Published by Rutledge, 56-57.
Fraenkel, J. R. & Wallen, N. E. 2007. How to design and evaluate research in education. Boston, Burridge: Mc Graw Hill International.
Illinois Institute of Technology. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT. Ethical Norms and Values for Marketers. 2008. Web.
Patton, M. Q. 2002. Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods Published by SAGE, 112-128.
Shaw D; Shiu E Igenta Connect 2008.