2. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
INTRODUCTION
According to Wikipedia encyclopedia, “The Customer Perceived Value of a
product is the difference between the prospective customer's evaluation of all the benefits & all
the cost of an offering & the perceived alternatives. Formally it may be conceptualized as the
relationship between the consumer's perceived benefits in relation to the perceived costs of
receiving these benefits. It is often expressed as the equation:
Value = Benefits / Cost
The customers get benefits and assume costs.” [1]
Further in understanding the consumer behaviour value, it can be expressed in both
qualitative and quantitative terms. In short it is the perceived gain for the customer, which is
expressed in both individual and environmental levels. At Individual level it is the reflection of
all physical, emotional, demographical and psychograpical level of the customer whereas at
environmental level it is affected by economic, social, political, geographical and cultural
factors. “Marketers need to identify the anxieties and desires of the consumers to be able to
target their minds, hearts and spirits” quotes Kotlar, Kartajaya and Seiawan (2010, 39) [2]. They
suggested some future models for Marketing 3.0, out of which one important model was Valued-
Based Matrix model ( 2010, 42) which had be practically implemented be S.C. Johnson & Sons
( p. 43) for social and environmental sustainability and by Timberland (p. 44) has a simple
mission for making the products better.
The perceived value can be expressed at both individual customer and organizational
levels. In practical application, to express, evaluate and interpret this perceived value in
qualitative terms is very difficult. Values can be linked to consumer behavior in three ways,
cultural values, consumption specific values and product specific values. Cultural values are
related to security and happiness; consumption specific values are related to convenient shopping
and prompt service whereas product specific is related to ease of use and durability.
Organizations with varied products and services practice different methods and
techniques to calculate their value which is perceived by their respective customers, depending
on the type of product and market environment. It is easier and more methodological to calculate
the quantitative aspect of perceived value when it is calculated in economic terms only. It
becomes complicated when the qualitative aspect is taken into account. With the main aim of
simplifying the direction of application of qualitative value projection in the marketing strategy
of the organization the researcher has made an attempt to propose a model for value projection
Hierarchy. The model proposed would be of aid, as it is a step by step approach from the aspect
of the understanding of the customer from the organization point of view for planning and
implementation of various strategies in real life situations.
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3. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
For this the researcher has selected a technologically advanced and revolutionary product like
Reinforced fibreglass Plastics ( FRP) Products and have made an attempt to explain this model
with relation to its marketing strategic planning which is based on consumer behaviour. The
ladder of value projection Hierarchy is explained with reference to FRP products and the
consumers of Himachal Pradesh.
VALUE PROJECTION HIERARCHY FOR REINFORCED FIBREGLASS PLASTIC
(FRP) PRODUCTS FOR CONSUMERS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
The conceptual framework for this systematic consumer behaviour study is simply
explained with the help of Value Projection Hierarchy consisting of five steps. As consumer
behaviour is the study of relationship between people and products and how they help to shape
each other’s identities the framework of this study is based on the understanding of the relationship
between FRP products and the customers.
Figure 1 The proposed Model of Value Projection Hierarchy for FRP
Products for customers of Himachal Pradesh
Matching the product value chain to the customers’ value chain
STEP-5 Can you match FRP Product value chain to the customers’ value
chain and communicate the conviction to him?
STEP-4 Customers Values:
Do you understand what the Himachal Pradesh customer values?
Product Value:
STEP-3 Are you 100% convinced about the values of FRP products?
Customer Knowledge:
STEP-2 Do you understand the customer of Himachal Pradesh?
Product Knowledge:
STEP-1 Do you know everything about the Reinforced Fibreglass Plastic (FRP) products?
CONCEPTUAL MEANING OF EACH STEP
Step 1 - Perfect knowledge of the product- Reinforced
Step 2 - Understanding of the customers’ hopes and values
Step 3 - Product – offering the opportunities to the consumer
Step 4 - To understand that the customer pays for only those features that he values. Let the
Customers speak.
Step 5 - How well do you communicate your offer? To communicate use not just words but
also Philosophy of thoughts.
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4. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
Step 1: Product Knowledge: Do you know everything about the product? FRP products are
composite, polymer based revolutionary products, materials of 21st century (Bakshi and Sir Lal,
[3], Professor of Chemistry, University of Delhi (2007, p. IT-7) which have many advantages
over the conventional materials (Finger, [4], 1972; Mc Garry, [5], 1970: Kurkjian &
Matthewson, [6], 2007; Ryvkin & Aboudi, [7], 2007; Neto & Rovere [8], 2007; Mouhmid et
al, [9], 2006; & Giraldi et al [10], 2005; NIIR – National Institute of Industrial Research, [11]
used globally in construction industry. In our country FRP INSTITUTE- Madras (Regd. under
Tamil Nadu Societies Act 1975, No.70/1999) is a professional society for the advancement of
composite materials and their applications ( Thapar, [12], 2008, p.113).
The FRP material, which has no effect on the ozone layer (Wilson, [13], (2001, p .161; Master and
Ela [14], (2008, p. 243)) has a versatile and wide range of applications that is based on the
requirements of the customers whether commercial or residential (Kuthiala, [15] 2012, p.46). It
can be easily moulded as per the requirements of the individuals, in addition to this it is easy to
handle at any stage and is much simpler to maintain. The FRP products can be an excellent
construction material for most of the cold areas of Himachal Pradesh, by constructing sun rooms
and glass houses. At present there is limited application of variety of FRP products (Kuthiala, ,
[16], (2012), p. 612 ) for both purposes, commercial as well as residential, in spite of it being a
revolutionary material and further supported by extensive use in the developed countries. Beside
the excellent growth in construction industry and excellent FRP products background the use of
fibreglass is limited to only one or two applications. There is a gap between the theoretical
properties and practical purchase affecting the usage by the customers. From marketing point of
view this generates the need to fill up the gap by understanding the perception of the FRP products
from the customers’ point of view and in turn exploring into the potential new applications of FRP
products in the state.
Step 2: Customers Knowledge: Do you understand the customer?
The proposed areas of customers in this research are from state of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal
Pradesh has varied geographical conditions, physically as well as climatically ( Singh, [17], 1997)
hence influencing the needs and wants of the people of this area for different FRP products. One of
the noticeable features of this region, to be kept in mind in the process of development is the close
correspondence between the geological climatic aspects. The best results are achieved when the
development is blended well within all sectors. There is a clear indication to mould development
plans to local requirements, instead of just relying on standard models.
Although the political leaders of Himachal Pradesh have laid the foundation for the basic
education in the state, it is imperative that the people of Himachal Pradesh have to get ready for the
great polymer industrial leap. While making the leap it is important to keep intact the base of the
state culture, art, architecture and built the future with the help of unique treasures of the past. The
state is yet in the infancy stage as far as industrial development is concerned, but in the coming
years it has lots of industrial proposals are in the pipeline. The Himachal government has chalked
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5. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
out a development plan of Rs. 3900 crore, for capital Shimla only, aiming to built infrastructure
and give facelift to the town. State Chief Secretary, presiding over the meeting of senior officers
on 24th November, 2006 said under the plan infrastructure such as bus terminals, parking lots,
underground tunnels, shopping complexes and water supply system, cable cars etc. would be built.
Hence this model can be of help to the people involved in the development of the state by creating
more FRP product awareness (Kuthiala and Mahajan, [18], 2012, p. 38) among people of related
channels and end users and rendering services to the manufacturers through market development
and research.
Step 3: Product Value: Are you convinced about the value of FRP products?
In the study this can be identified from the customers and purchasers of FRP products, who had
used this product and are willing to make a repeated purchase of the product whenever required.
Since the last one and a half decade, a competitive customer – driven economy has been
emerging, due to which marketing activities, concepts and strategies have changed adapting
themselves to the changing situations and environment. The abolition of licensing, and
liberalization of market entry regulation since July 1991, has further added impetus to this process.
New products with improved quality and standards are being announced virtually now and then,
‘Down- sizing’, Re- structuring, and engineering are the words that have potent force for the
executives in the present era. Hence it is important to understand the benefits of FRP products as
new construct material over the convectional construction materials.
Another important challenge for product value is from the technology side because
people look for the product that has a good image and is backed by good technology. It is believed
that the multinationals have a better technology to back their products. Indian producers have
always imported technology, and have never made any attempt to Indianise them, improve upon
them and have a better technology of their own. To meet the challenges posed by the
multinationals it is essential that the Indian producers should use better technology. Clarity of
thinking and focused strategy on improved technology and superior products are the keys to realize
their potentials and hence to bring down the cost and improve the benefits of FRP products.
In a Liberalized economy the need for such studies arise because a market once
booming cannot remain forever for a particular company or product unless the company is
continuously engaged in the innovation of technology and products as per the needs of the
consumers. So is true for FRP products. Moreover, the geographical, demographic, (Kuthiala and
Mahajan [19] ,2012) psychographic, cultural and social conditions, (Schiffman, Kaunf and Kumar,
[20], (2010, p.59 )of the area have an impact on the consumption pattern and value of the product.
Step 4: Customers Values: Do you understand the customers’ values?
In this step we can identify what are the needs of the customers and how they can be satisfied by
the application of FRP products. This can be explained by the variables which attracts the
consumer towards the foreign brands produced by multinational companies (MNC), which can be
classified as firstly the Quality and secondly the environment friendly (Green product property)
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6. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
and status symbol and then new way of life. Thus this leads to the scope for innovation in product
development, and hence the results of such research would be useful for taking many investment
decisions. If these decisions are based on the results of the empirical consumer researches and
surveys ( Kuthiala, [21] 2012, p. 827) which study impact of different variables, the chances of
taking correct decisions having significant effect on development would be higher.
As a general rule, prestige products have been used as an example of extreme-end
high-involvement decision making. The assumption is that prestige products are infrequently
purchased, require a higher level of interest and knowledge, and strongly relate to the person self-
concept. Therefore, reinforced fibreglass products can be classified as prestige products (Kuthiala
and Mahajan, 2012, p. 43) in most of the applications depending on its usage by the consumer. It
is expected that people would have different perceptions of the level of prestige for the same
product and that the overall prestige level of a product would consider the prestige perceptions
from different consumers. The five perceived values of prestige are- price Conspicuous value
depending on reference groups, quality, social, emotional, unique properties are particularly useful
for comparing several construction products and thus for recognizing competitive advantages. The
proposed study arises from the need to understand the behaviour of the consumers of Himachal
Pradesh depending on the motivational factors to buy FRP products.
Man has sought these unique mountain environments for different motivations:
inspiration, scientific enquiry, adventure, health restoration, relaxation and spiritualism.
Urbanization and infrastructural development is basically encouraged for economic reasons. It
promises cash flow into the mountain regions having little economic opportunity, as it creates local
employment, holds back the process of depopulation in marginal areas, and finally corrects
regional imbalance. Unfortunately in this region urbanization and infrastructural development
grows faster and haphazardly than the research that creates the questionable for sustainable
development. By the time the plan is implemented, many shortcomings are obvious to the future
generation. Meaningful impact research in various environments (consumer behavior, ecology,
economy, and other behavioral sciences) is very much needed for community based development,
involving active participation of the indigenous population.
Step 5 : Matching the product value chain to the customers value chain and in turn to
examine the appropriate ways of communicating the conviction to the customers. The Value
decade is upon us. Jack Welch quotes, “If you cannot sell a top quality product as the world’s
lowest price, you are going to be out of the game…. The best way as to hold the customers is to
constantly figure out how to give them more for less.” Since a customer – driven economy has
been emerging in this region, due to which marketing activities, concepts and strategies have
changed adopting themselves to the changing situation and environment.
The need of the hour is that the marketers need to deliver value. They need to deliver
to their customers the value they are delivering with the relevant application of different FRP
products. Complete customer satisfaction can be achieved by understanding customer requirements
and delivering superior quality FRP goods. In the present times it is must to provide the customer
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7. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
with the continuous flow of new ideas/ offers and constantly enhance their performance levels to
build up satisfaction among customers. Today, not only is the customer a king; now he the market
research head, R& D Chief and product development manager too infact he is the focus for the
existence of any organization. Now if the companies would like to retain their customers, the
golden path (and the only path) is to make your customers loyal to your product, by taking them
beyond satisfaction to the stage of customer delight.
For this the various tools of Total quality Management can be used like Quality
function deployment (QFD) ( Besterfield et al , [22], 2012, p. 259; Suganthi and Samuel, [23],
2012, p. 104), house of quality , etc. to match the customer requirement that is the customer value
of the people of Himachal Pradesh with the technical descriptors or FRP product specifications. As
Fibreglass is a very versatile product and thus QFD tool can prove to be useful for matching the
customer value with the product value.
CONCLUSION
To enhance the executive creativity and vision, marketing and consumer research
plays a vital role. Hence the need for the consumer research emerges so as to help the
manufacturers and the marketers related with the construction industry of tomorrow with respect to
the utilization and investments made in FRP products as per the consumer behaviour of the
prospective customers of Himachal Pradesh. However a majority of Indian companies do not
invest consistently and an adequate amount, but they want a quick harvest. Only those Indian
products will be able to survive which have clear positioning, that is that, the product which
depends not only on the advertising and promotional buck but is backed by the systematic research
which are based on what the consumer perceives as value delivery, for which such models can be
an asset. The speed of action, the right package, the right price, the right up gradation at the right
time to fulfill the required needs of the customers’ are few variables which can be influenced by
the results of such a research work and subsequently aims to understand the factors influencing
purchase behaviour of the consumers from different situations, times and regions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank M/s Reliant Fibres, a Pioneer- Small Scale Industrial Unit in Himachal
Pradesh, under the proprietorship of Mr. Rajeev Kuthiala for sowing the seed of this research
project. They provided the Literature and reading material regarding fibreglass and its various
products and properties, which was of immense value for the conception of this research study.
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8. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
REFERENCES
1. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , (2012) Value (Marketing) Retrived from
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11. NIIR – National Institute of Industrial Research, The Complete Technology Book on
Fibre Glass, Optical Glass and Reinforced Plastics, 2007 (Asia Pacific Business Press
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12. Thapar, Mala. (2008). A Study on Consumer Behaviour Providing insight into potential
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activities. doctoral diss. Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. 371 pp.
13. Wilson, Alex. (Ed.) (2001). An Energy, Environmental, and Economic Resource guide
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14. Masters, Gilbert M & Ela, Wendell P. (2008). Introduction to Environmental
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(FRP) Products. Proc of 1st National Conference on Indigenous Management practices-
PANACEA- 2012. 46 , Datta Meghe Institute of Engineering, Technology and Research,
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9. International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
Wardha, in association with Indian society of Technical education, New Delhi.
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University , Michigan. Retrieved February 17 &18, 2012, 824-852..
22. Besterfield , Dale H., Besterfield-Michna, Carol., Besterfield Glen H., Besterfield-Sacre
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Learning Private Limited, New Delhi.
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![International Journal of Management (IJM), ISSN 0976 – 6502(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6510(Online),
Volume 3, Issue 3, September- December (2012)
INTRODUCTION
According to Wikipedia encyclopedia, “The Customer Perceived Value of a
product is the difference between the prospective customer's evaluation of all the benefits & all
the cost of an offering & the perceived alternatives. Formally it may be conceptualized as the
relationship between the consumer's perceived benefits in relation to the perceived costs of
receiving these benefits. It is often expressed as the equation:
Value = Benefits / Cost
The customers get benefits and assume costs.” [1]
Further in understanding the consumer behaviour value, it can be expressed in both
qualitative and quantitative terms. In short it is the perceived gain for the customer, which is
expressed in both individual and environmental levels. At Individual level it is the reflection of
all physical, emotional, demographical and psychograpical level of the customer whereas at
environmental level it is affected by economic, social, political, geographical and cultural
factors. “Marketers need to identify the anxieties and desires of the consumers to be able to
target their minds, hearts and spirits” quotes Kotlar, Kartajaya and Seiawan (2010, 39) [2]. They
suggested some future models for Marketing 3.0, out of which one important model was Valued-
Based Matrix model ( 2010, 42) which had be practically implemented be S.C. Johnson & Sons
( p. 43) for social and environmental sustainability and by Timberland (p. 44) has a simple
mission for making the products better.
The perceived value can be expressed at both individual customer and organizational
levels. In practical application, to express, evaluate and interpret this perceived value in
qualitative terms is very difficult. Values can be linked to consumer behavior in three ways,
cultural values, consumption specific values and product specific values. Cultural values are
related to security and happiness; consumption specific values are related to convenient shopping
and prompt service whereas product specific is related to ease of use and durability.
Organizations with varied products and services practice different methods and
techniques to calculate their value which is perceived by their respective customers, depending
on the type of product and market environment. It is easier and more methodological to calculate
the quantitative aspect of perceived value when it is calculated in economic terms only. It
becomes complicated when the qualitative aspect is taken into account. With the main aim of
simplifying the direction of application of qualitative value projection in the marketing strategy
of the organization the researcher has made an attempt to propose a model for value projection
Hierarchy. The model proposed would be of aid, as it is a step by step approach from the aspect
of the understanding of the customer from the organization point of view for planning and
implementation of various strategies in real life situations.
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