You are on page 1of 8

ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

Theoretical aspect of marketing research of the market and its


elements

Olha Matviiets * А; Diana Korpan A


A Khmelnytskyi National University, Institutskaya str. 11, Khmelnytsky, 29016, Ukraine

Received: June 5, 2021 | Revised: June 28, 2021 | Accepted: July 15, 2021
JEL Classification: M 30, M31, M39.

DOI: 10.38188/2534-9228.21.3.05
Abstract
The article is devoted to the qualitative assessment of marketing research. The essence and role
of theoretical features of market research are revealed. The main components of market
research are identified. The objective necessity and significance of marketing research and its
structural elements in providing competitive advantages to enterprises are analyzed. The work
deepens the understanding of the content of the concept of market research, improved the
principles of their conduct and the subjective component. The concept and basic provisions of
introduction of the effective mechanism of marketing researches of the market, its structural
elements which are analyzed in the course of research of demand for the goods are proved. It is
proved that market research can be defined as the systematic collection, accounting and analysis
of data on marketing and marketing issues in order to improve the quality of decision-making
and control procedures in the marketing environment. It is established that currently market
research of the market and its structural elements is the basis of successful business. It is
recommended to conduct market research to ensure stable and efficient operation of domestic
enterprises of various forms of ownership and management.
Keywords: marketing, marketing research, market, market analysis, market elements.
Introduction
Undoubtedly, one of the main objects of activities used a number of analytical studies by
analysis – within the economy today is the entrepreneurs, thus they begin to study the
concept of marketing research, which is closely market.
related to the market. Marketing research, which consists in
All issues analyzed in marketing depend on developing theoretical and analytical bases for
the functioning of the market. Such basic studying the existing needs of the market in a
marketing components as pricing, consumer competitive environment, analyzing the
behavior, product promotion are based on the behavior of competitors and consumers,
concept of the market. A characteristic feature reducing costs in doing business, making sound
of the currently dominant economic system of management decisions to forecast the situation
the world is the market. The market is the in order to adequately respond to changes.
foundation of a market economy, consisting of Directly affecting the company are the main
people who have certain factors of marketing activities.
For the effective existence of marketing
Material and methods
The topic of marketing research was studied by such researchers as F. Kotler (2019, 2020) in

*Corresponding author: Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor at the International Economic Relations Department, e-mail: olrebak@ukr.net,
ORCID: 0000-0001-5991-2491

37
ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

his work "Fundamentals of Marketing" gave a marketing research and their practical
definition of marketing research. American implementation. areas of marketing research,
marketer G. Churchill (2017) in his book describes the process and methods of their
"Marketing Research" studied the features of conduct. And also focuses on the analysis of the
marketing research. Russian researcher E. experience of marketing research in the field of
Golubkov (2018) in his work "Marketing market research, consumers and competitors.
Research: Theory, Methodology and Practice" Considers the results of research of goods,
identifies the main theoretical aspects of prices, efficiency of promotion of goods
marketing research. The theory of marketing (primarily advertising). Analyzes the experience
research was studied by Ukrainian researchers of developing marketing forecasts.
such as A. Starostina (2018) in his work Another scientist G. Churchill (2017) shares
"Marketing Research" and others. the opinion of his predecessors. He describes
F. Kotler (2019) believes that marketing marketing research in a classic way. Identifies
research is an integral part of the market. After and identifies opportunities and problems of
all, they are aimed at achieving successful goals marketing. And also develops, clarifies,
of enterprises, institutions, organizations by evaluates the control over the implementation
forming demand and maximizing customer of marketing activities. Its main goal is to
needs. He argues that the marketing strategy improve the understanding of marketing as a
shows with which product, in which markets, process.
with which volume of products you need to go The aim of the article is to determine the role
to achieve the goals. of market research in the business system, as
Contrary to this opinion, E. Golubkov (2018) well as to reveal the essence and significance of
studies and proves the importance of marketing theoretical features of marketing analysis of
research on the basis of methodology and market research and its structural elements in
practice. For the first time in one book the providing competitive advantages,
author considered all the most important comprehensive assessment of market research
theoretical and methodological issues of trends in Ukraine.
Results and discussion
The current stage of marketing development key market participants. In practice, it consists
in Ukraine is in a state of transformation, which of collecting, processing and analyzing
is characterized by attempts to reduce the lag in information in order to make the right
the pace of market transformation compared to management decisions in the production and
other sectors of the economy. marketing of the company's products, as well as
To improve and accelerate the development to reduce the risk that accompanies marketing
of enterprises, it is very important to choose an decisions.
effective system of marketing research, which Many foreign and domestic scientists have
serves as a basis for the development of the dedicated their work to the concept of
marketing basis for doing business. "marketing research", but even today their
First of all, it should be noted that marketing opinions are somewhat different, which
research is one of the areas of sociological requires more attention and allows us to
research focused on studying the market consider it in more detail.
situation, desires, preferences and behavior of
Table 1 – Definition of "marketing research"
Author Definition
Akulych, Y.L., A variety of research that focuses on the collection, processing,
Demchenko, E.V. (2015) reflection and analysis of factual information on issues related to the
marketing of goods and services.

38
ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

Author Definition
A.V. Zozulov, It is a systematic process of planning, collecting, analyzing and
S.A. Solntsev presenting market information, the purpose of which is to reconcile
(2018) the interests of producer and consumer.
A.O. Starostina Systematic process of setting research goals, identifying volumes,
(2018) collecting, analyzing objective market information and developing
recommendations for specific management decisions on any
elements of market and product strategy of the firm and methods of
their implementation to achieve end results in the firm in the current
marketing environment.
F. Kotler (2020) Systematic determination of the range of data required in connection
with the marketing situation facing the firm, their collection, analysis
and report on the results.
E.P. Golubkov A function that connects the marketer with the market, consumers,
(2010) competitors and all elements of the marketing environment through
information.
American Marketing A function that connects the consumer, customer, and the public with
Association marketing through information - information that is used to identify
and identify marketing opportunities and problems; creation,
improvement and evaluation of
marketing activities; monitoring marketing performance and
improving understanding of marketing as a process.

The market is one of the greatest Market research is a whole systematic activity
achievements of civilization, a general economic aimed at collecting, analyzing and interpreting
phenomenon characteristic of any mode of information about market processes. Market
production, where the laws of the commodity research allows to determine the main market
economy (Fig. 1) (Cherchill, G., Braun T. 2017). mechanisms, such as demand, supply, prices, as
Study of own goods well as consumer behavior and competition
(range, quality, cost, activities.
inventories, methods Today, market research is the basis of
of sale, prices)
successful business, analyzes help entrepreneurs
make the right decisions, invest only in projects
Study of legislation Study of with potential and adapt marketing strategy to
(existence of a consumers (the modern market requirements. In addition, in an
monopoly, oligopoly Market magnitude of
or other market demand,
era of struggle for as many customers as possible,
research
model, laws, purchasing power, the use of marketing research will allow the
regulations, quality company to function effectively and can give a
international acts) requirements) significant competitive advantage (Zozulov O.V.,
Study of competitors' Solntsev S.O., 2018).
positions (product The main purpose of marketing research is to
range, quality, sales provide the marketing manager with all the
policy, communication
information he needs to perform his functional
policy, pricing policy)
duties in the process of marketing management,
namely: analysis, development of marketing
Figure 1 – The main directions of market strategies, planning, control and regulation of
research marketing activities.

39
ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

The need for marketing research is due to the plans and necessary stages);
need to reduce the risk of making the wrong • complexity (implementation of a set of
decision through better knowledge and interrelated actions, some of which ensure the
understanding of the state and dynamics of effectiveness of the following);
environmental factors. • continuity (marketing research is
The purpose of market research is to identify constantly conducted due to the dynamic change
opportunities for the firm to take a competitive of factors in the marketing environment);
position in the market, reduce risk and • efficiency (the ability to respond quickly
uncertainty, increase the likelihood of success of and in a timely manner and adjust the process of
marketing activities. marketing research or their direction) (Zagirnyak
The main tasks of market research include: M.V., 2016).
• calculation of the magnitude of supply and Marketing research takes place in several
demand; stages (Fig.2) (Garkavenko S.S., 2012).
• establishing the conditions for achieving
Defining the problem and objectives of the
the optimal ratio between supply and demand; study
• consumer behavior research; Stage
- problem definition;
1
• assessment of the company and its - definition of research goals;
- development of search questions;
competitors; - formulation of the working hypothesis
• determining the competitiveness of
products and firms in the market;
Development of a research plan
• to focus production on the production of - determination of the research method;
goods, sales of which are provided by the - development of forms for research;
- determination of the object of research
conditions available on the market, which allows Stage and the sample size;
the company to obtain the planned profit; 2 - evaluation of marketing information;
• develop and implement a marketing - determining the place and timing of the
study
program.
Among the consequences of making
unreasonable decisions as a result of insufficient Implementation of the research plan
awareness of enterprises in consumer needs, - organization of research;
Stage - conducting research;
market trends, due to lack of objective 3 - data collection control;
information can be identified as follows: - documentation of the received data
• introduction into production of goods or
services that are not in demand; Data processing and analysis
• wrong pricing policy; - data verification;
• inconvenient for the consumer places of Stage - preparation of data for processing on a
4 computer;
sale of goods; - data processing;
• ineffective advertising; - data analysis
• lost opportunities.
The main methodological principles that
Preparation of the report and development
ensure the effectiveness of marketing research: of recommendations
• objectivity (the need to collect information Stage - report preparation;
5 - presentation of results;
that adequately reflects the real
- transmission of the report to decision
market situation through a clear makers
systematization of the marketing research process
and prevention of possible errors); Figure 2 – Stages of marketing research
• regularity (conducting marketing research A number of scientific and commercial
in accordance with developed problems associated with marketing research

40
ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

arise for several reasons. First, at the level of of scientific methods of cognition, which allows
territorial boundaries of the market, direct methodologically substantiate the results of
contact between the producer and consumer of research and analytically prove the need for
goods disappears, which usually leads to a lack marketing decisions.
of reliable information from the manufacturer. The main areas of marketing research are:
Second, due to the globalization of markets, — macroenvironmental factors
intensified competition, product differentiation (demographic, economic, scientific and
and an increase in the number of producers, the technical, natural, political, legal, cultural);
buyer has an increasing number of choices — microenvironmental factors (competitors,
between sellers operating in the market and suppliers, intermediaries, consumers);
their goods. Third, a preliminary forecast of — marketing complex (product policy, pricing
changes in the market situation over a period of policy, distribution policy and marketing
time is required to make informed marketing communications);
decisions, which allows for greater consistency — the enterprise or organization (efficiency
between the potential of the producer and the of organizational structure, production
needs of consumers. opportunities, professional qualification of
The need for marketing research is also due employees) (Amons S.E., Krasniak O.P.2020).
to the fact that the management of any It is worth noting the goals of marketing
organization or enterprise, making marketing research (Kotler, F., Keller A., Pavlenko K. 2019).
decisions, must choose the most effective of
them in terms of profitability and risk. By Gather information for preliminary
obtaining reliable information, you can avoid Search
assessment of the problem and its
engines
mistakes that can lead to losses before the costs structuring
become significant, react in a timely manner to
Description of selected phenomena,
the actions of competitors, stop production of Descriptive
objects of research and factors that affect
unpromising or too expensive goods. their condition
The nature of marketing decisions is due to a Causal Test the hypothesis of the existence of
large number of factors, and determining the some causal relationships
degree and intensity of their impact is
Test Selection of promising options or
associated with both the number of these
assessment of the correctness of decisions
factors and the difficulty of predictability of
most of them. Subordination of all aspects of the Forecast Predicting the state of the object in the
enterprise to the task of business profitability future

makes the study of a wide range of market


factors and their manifestations the starting Figure 3-Objectives of marketing research
point for any business decision.
When making marketing decisions, it is Structuring the market of marketing research
advisable to rely on the results of marketing in Ukraine is still in its infancy. Currently, there are
research only if they are reliable, provided by more than 100 marketing companies in Ukraine,
several components. First, the systematic, or which allows the use of various methods in
periodic repetition, of research procedures, marketing research. No more than 20-25 of them
which allows you to track trends in processes, can be considered the leading companies, and the
phenomena, objects. Secondly, the stages and companies in the top ten, according to the UAM,
logical sequence of actions performed at each account for more than 80% of the market
stage, which contributes to the identification turnover.
and gradual knowledge of processes, Many of these companies are concentrated in
phenomena, objects. Third, the use of an arsenal Kyiv. Most well-known world network agencies

41
ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

are represented on the Ukrainian market, as well and their specialization are published annually by
as all-Ukrainian and medium and small regional the professional association in its directory “UAM
companies. Until recently, there were very few Yearbook”.
such agencies in the regions, but now the cities of Marketing companies, as already noted, differ
Dnipropetrovsk (5 agencies – members of UAM), in research methods, as well as what problems can
Donetsk (2 agencies – members of UAM), be solved with these methods. For example, TNS –
Vinnytsia (2 agencies – members of UAM), Lviv (2 in Ukraine studies consumer preferences, studies
agencies – members of UAM) are becoming the brand power – A / R / M / IMarketing or
active.), Kryvyi Rih (2 agencies – members of UAM. MASMI-Rating, conducts market segmentation –
Network agencies remain the first and largest InMind, determines the rating of TV channels –
in the Ukrainian market. Such network research GFK-UKRAINE, obtains information on the correct
companies as SOCIS Gallup, GfK, ACNielson, decision. on conducting an advertising campaign
Synovate were among the first to come to using billboards – UMM, determining the ratings
Ukraine. These agencies have pursued different of radio stations – TNS in Ukraine and Syrex
market promotion policies, so their sizes and Marketing, print, outdoor, TV – advertising –
segments vary widely today. “Media Monitoring”, research on the Internet -
Currently, there are more than 16 network “International Marketing Group”, research of
agencies in Ukraine, including Russian ones. At the product markets – Synovate, InMind, GFK –
same time, domestic research companies are UKRAINE, Marketing.
being created, in which marketing and sociological Quite accurate information about the market is
research is often conducted by one team. By the obtained with the help of regular panel surveys
way, at first this practice was used to some extent (Lylyk I.V., Kudyrko O.V, 2020). Until recently,
by all research agencies. Now many of the largest panel studies in Ukraine were conducted by only
companies are domestic. At the beginning of its two companies – GFK – UKRAINE (consumer
formation, the Ukrainian company often had no panel) and ACNielsen (retail outlet panel, or
more than 4-5 employees in its staff (it was from retail). The consumer panel provides information
such a small domestic company that the Ukrainian on how many products of this product group were
Marketing Group grew). purchased (who, where, at what price and how
We now have large network companies - with much he bought), and the retail panel - the
the characteristics of holdings that bring together number of 34 products sold (at what price, in what
several companies that specialize in different volume and where exactly). These panels allow
markets and use different techniques. As for you to determine the size of a particular market,
industry specialization, there are still unfilled major players and their market shares, price
niches today. For example, you can describe the positioning and price competitiveness, the
markets in which specialized agencies have identity of the buyer (consumer panel), the state
already appeared. Thus, the pharmaceutical of distribution (retail panel), the most popular
market is studied by Comcon-Ukraine Ltd, Medical places of purchase, trends.
Data Management, information from the Among the recently organized panels are the
agricultural market is accumulated by panels of the Ukrainian Marketing Project (UMP).
UkrAgroConsult, PrivatInform (Kryvyi Rih), UMP conducts panel surveys of retail trade in such
Ukrpromzovnishekspertiza (Kyiv), Indudu agency product categories as printed periodicals, food,
are engaged in the industrial market. marketing soft and alcoholic beverages and others. InMind
“(Kyiv), etc., drinks –” Ukrainian marketing has formed an Internet panel, which is a joint
project” (Kyiv), the construction market was taken project of InMind - Factum Group. The panel has
over by Knauf Marketing (Kyiv) and KPD-100, the 1,000 respondents across Ukraine aged 15+. One
market of children's goods – Kids agency of the first panel studies was the Internet Survey
Marketing Consulting. Data on marketing agencies of Users in Ukraine and Central Europe.

42
ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

However, panel studies are quite expensive. which is produced on a regular basis, is
Therefore, in many companies, regular surveys Omnibus. Its main value is that it is held
are more available, such as MMI (Marketing & regularly and makes it easier to solve problems.
Media Index), conducted by TNS-in Ukraine, TGI Companies have the opportunity to post their
(Target Group Index) – a product of the questions in Omnibus questionnaires, which
Ukrainian Marketing Group. This study provides reduces the cost of obtaining important specific
information on consumer preferences for the information needed by the company to make
media and the use of advertised products and management decisions. In this case, such a
services. Data from these studies in some ways question can be included in the "Omnibus" on a
serve as a substitute for information obtained regular basis to identify trends.
from the panels, and this information is several Research methods such as testing are often
times cheaper. used to make decisions when developing
The disadvantage of this information is that advertising. Such companies as "InMind",
panel studies are conducted more often (panels "Slidopyt", Financial and Analytical Group "PRO-
are usually conducted once a month), and Consulting", "Ukrainian Marketing Product" and
therefore provide more relevant information. others. have special techniques for testing logos,
Regular surveys are conducted periodically, but names, brands, the product itself. Professionally
not more often than quarterly, for example, conducted testing is aimed at ensuring that
MMI and TGI are conducted four times a year, consumers correctly perceive all 4P products.
they have less complete data. The MMI may In Ukraine, there are companies where you
provide background information, in particular can order, say, only data collection (TouchPoll).
key market parameters. Typically, such companies specialize in a wide
If a company plans to develop a new product range of research issues, but sell only certain
category, this data is not enough. However, parts of the research stages.
since regular surveys collect a large amount of The following factors that influenced the
diverse information (for example, MMI 35 has a development of marketing research in Ukraine
strong demographic base for respondents, from were changes in financial markets:
personal data to media preferences, TGI strengthening the position of insurance
provides information on people's lifestyles), companies, increasing competition among
these surveys can also be used as an information banks, the arrival of foreign capital in the
source for making management decisions. The financial sector.
fundamental difference between the panels (for Throughout its history, marketing research
example, the consumer panel GFKUKRAIN) from has provided society with information about the
other projects is that the panels are based on needs of manufacturers, customers and users to
the facts of purchase, and MMI and TGI studies evaluate, improve and enhance their marketing
– according to ordinary citizens. Therefore, the activities. According to the Ukrainian Marketing
data of the panels and the data of regular Association (UAM), 70% of Ukrainian companies
surveys differ. In order to make decisions about use their own forces for marketing research,
strategic brands – to properly analyze market 18% - used the services of other companies, 12%
trends, corporations order tracking research. of companies did not conduct marketing
Tracking surveys are regular custom surveys. research at all (Pylypenko V.M., 2015).
Another product of the research company,

Conclusions
As a result of this study, we observe that in It can be argued that market analysis requires a
recent years, market research is becoming thorough study of a set of factors that allow in
widespread, but needs intensive improvement. today's market saturation of goods to focus

43
ISSN 2534-9228 (2021) VUZF review, 6(3)

production on the most important, preferred in of the research, development of the research
terms of consumer interests. plan and its implementation, data processing
The organization of marketing research can and analysis, preparation of the report and
take place according to certain options, among development of recommendations.
which the following are highlighted: the option The purposes of market research are
that assumes that the responsibility for the revealed, among which: search, descriptive,
collection and analysis of information is borne causal, test, forecast.
by all departments of the enterprise, which The role of market research in the system of
includes marketing; option that provides for the entrepreneurial activity is determined, and the
existence of a localized marketing service at the essence and significance of theoretical features
enterprise. of marketing analysis of market research and its
The stages of marketing research are structural elements are revealed.
considered: definition of the problem and goals
References
Akulych, Y.L., Demchenko, E.V. (2015), Basics of praktyka. 2. 423-426 (In Ukrainian).
marketing. 48-60 Kotler F. (2020) Fundamentals of marketing: a
Amons S.E., Krasniak O.P. (2020) Marketynhovi short course.102-107
doslidzhennia rynku i yoho strukturnych Kotler F., Keller A., Pavlenko K. (2019) Marketing
elementiv teoretychnyy aspekt.5. Available management. 315-317
from: http://www.economy.nayka.com.ua/ Lylyk I.V., Kudyrko O.V. (2020) Marketing
?op=1&z=7926 (In Ukrainian) research: cases and situational exercises.310
Cherchill, G., Braun T. (2017) Marketynhovi - 313
doslidzhennia. 6. 316-318 (In Ukrainian). Pylypenko V.M. (2015) Rynok marketynhovyh
European Society for Opinion and Marketing doslidzen: stanovlenia i problem rozvytku.
Research ЕСОМАР. Available from: Marketynh v Ukraini.5. 16-19 (In Ukrainian).
https://www.esomar.org/uploads/public/kn Starostina A.O. (2018) Marketing research.
owledge-andstandards/codes-and- Practical aspect.290-292
guidelines/ICCESOMAR Zagirniak M.V. (2016) Economics of the
Garkavenko S.S. (2012) Marketing. enterprise: master's course.735-736
Textbook.710-712 Zozulov O.V., Solntsev S.O. (2018) Marketing
Holubkov, E.P. (2018) Marketnhovi research: theory, methodology, statistics:
doslidzhennia: teoriia, metodolohiia, Textbook. manual. 640-643.

44

You might also like