THE ROLE OF MARKETING RESEARCH
ABSTRACT
Marketing research is the systematic design, collection, analysis and reporting of data and findings relevant to a specific marketing situation facing the company. This study focused on marketing research in service industry, in order to carryout the study, the following objectives amongst others were states; To ascertain the proportion of, marketing budget allocated to the marketing research activities in a .given period of Five selected service organization. To ascertain,, jf the marketing research activities increase the number of policy holders in five selected service organization. , Based on the stated objectives, three hypothesis were formulated, they are: Ho:. Marketing research does not create awareness ,of Five selected service organization. Ml: Marketing research creates awareness of Five selected service organization .In the process of the study, th.e following finding were revealed that Five selected service organization at one time or the other engaged in marketing research activities. That the company has a marketing research department at the headquarters only but not at the zonal offices. That marketing research activities increase the number of policy holders. That marketing research activities increase the profit level of the company. In view of .the releasing findings, recommendation on ‘. how to apply marketing research for the success of the company were offered. In conclusion, the ultimate aim of using marketing research is geared towards customers satisfaction at a profit to the company, so Five selected service organization is advised to continue putting marketing research-into effective u:.;e.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Organizations use many types of resources to function. One of the most valuable, often the least understood, is their knowledge base. Management is unable to take formed decisions without knowledge and the quality of that organization knowledge, skills, resides primarily in employees but can also be collected in data bases. The knowledge base covers all aspects of the organizations activities products, technology, human resources- finance, sales and marketing and is a wasting asset requiring constant dating, improvement and extension to keep abreast with changes in the operational environment.
The markets have two characteristics, which distinguished them from the other environments in which companies operate. They are:
- In variable dynamic and  are  tending to become more so in response to increasing pace of technical development, competitive pressure and a continual uplift customers’
- Change is caused by a wide diversity of factors most of which are beyond the control of any single supplier.
Marketing therefore operate in an inherently unstable environment and it is all too easy for companies to lose touch with conditions in market they service. They develop new strategies launch new product, target new market and initiate new service packages- all of which push them into increasingly unfamiliar marketing territory.
Marketing research is the marketing information. It is defined by the American marketing association as the systematic gathering, recording and analyzing of about   problems relating to marketing of goods and services.
Marketing can also be defined Kolter (2003:129) as the systematic design, collection, analysis and reporting of data and findings relevant to a specific marketing situation facing the company.
Marketing research is very important to any organization or company because it is through it that we know the feelings, wants, needs, perception and preference of customers/consumers knowing that consumer/customer is the focal point of marketing and every organization or company will always want to satisfy their customer’s clients in other to continue in the business. It is a link between the customer and the general public to the individual, organization of the business firm and also identifies and defined marketing opportunities, trends, threats and measurements.
1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Despite the large market potentials in service industry and its competitive nature in Imo State, many companies and business still find it difficult to develop an appropriate offering that will serve the market satisfactorily.
AIICO insurance company faced very staff opposition from other insurance companies especially other foreign owned insurance brokers and agents at its on set due to fear of the uncertain effects that its entry into the industry might cast on their business prospects, thus were reluctant to assist the company. Also, the level of insurance awareness in the country is still very low, at present about 1.0-15 percent of the Nigerian population are insured. Unlike developed countries this resulting in low productivity and profitability.
Consequently, there have been allegation Two Selected service organizations not compensating the unfortunate policy holders, all these have resulted in negative attitude towards their services, thus have resulted to loss in profit. This research takes an in-depth look at this allegation and other pro problems in other to proffer an amenable attitude towards two selected service organization.
1.3. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are to ascertain
- What type of marketing research activities are available to companies especially those activities that two selected service organization is interested in conducting?
- What proportion of marketing budget is allocated to the marketing activities in a given period in two selected service organization”?
- Whether the company has its own established marketing research department or if they hire the services of marketing research constants.
- The source of their marketing data and the method used in analysis such data from which information is derived.
- Whether marketing research creates awareness in two selected service organization.
1.4. FORMULATION OFÂ HYPOTHESES
The  following   hypotheses  were  formulated  and tested.
Ho: Marketing research does not create awareness of two selected service organization
Hi:  Marketing research creates awareness of two selected  service organization.
Ho:Â Â Â Marketing research does not increase the number of policy holders.
Hi:Â Â Marketing research increases the number of policy holders.
Ho:Â Â Â Marketing research does not increase profit of two selected service organization.
Hi: Marketing research increases profit of two selected   service organization.
