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Fundamentals_of_Marketing

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PREFACE<br />

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This book aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the subject <strong>of</strong> marketing. While<br />

it covers most <strong>of</strong> the topics found in other texts it also provides a solid theoretical background<br />

which can act as a springboard to discuss contemporary issues and controversies within<br />

marketing theory and practice.<br />

The text is focused on the mainstream functionalist account based on psychological<br />

theory, rather than alternative sociological and anthropological texts on <strong>of</strong>fer. As psychology<br />

acts as the bedrock <strong>of</strong> most explanations <strong>of</strong> consumer behaviour, a range <strong>of</strong> psychological<br />

theories have been examined, with limited discussion <strong>of</strong> the associated controversies. In this<br />

respect Freudian theory, behaviourism and cognitive learning theory are detailed in an early<br />

chapter. This preliminary exposition informs the subsequent coverage <strong>of</strong> involvement and<br />

brand loyalty, where different theoretical explanations, such as cognitive and behaviourist<br />

theories, are discussed alongside synthetic accounts. The overall aim is to disabuse students<br />

<strong>of</strong> the belief that there is only one way <strong>of</strong> understanding marketing activities and to enable<br />

them to compare and contrast different accounts.<br />

While the text is written from a European perspective, reflecting the point <strong>of</strong> origin<br />

<strong>of</strong> its contributors, it is intended for use by students from any country or background.<br />

The text has been developed and written by Marilyn Stone, Heriot-Watt University<br />

and John Desmond, St Andrews University, ably supported by J.B. (Ian) McCall and by<br />

Sarah Dougan. Although all the others have discussed at length the text, particular<br />

responsibility for the individual chapters has been as follows. John Desmond: Chapter 1,<br />

‘<strong>Marketing</strong>: development and scope <strong>of</strong> the subject’, Chapter 2, ‘Strategic marketing and the<br />

planning process’, Chapter 3, ‘Consumer buyer behaviour’, Chapter 4, ‘Industrial buyer<br />

behaviour’ (supported by Marilyn Stone), Chapter 5, ‘Segmentation, targeting and positioning<br />

(supported by Sarah Dougan)’, Chapter 6, ‘Branding’, Chapter 7, ‘Product’ (supported by<br />

Sarah Dougan and Marilyn Stone), Chapter 9, ‘Promotion’ (supported by Marilyn Stone),<br />

and Chapter 11, ‘Virtual <strong>Marketing</strong>’. Marilyn Stone: Chapter 5, ‘<strong>Marketing</strong> research’<br />

(supported by John Desmond), Chapter 10, ‘Place: channels <strong>of</strong> distribution’, and Chapter<br />

13, ‘<strong>Marketing</strong> planning and implementation’. J.B. (Ian) McCall and Marilyn Stone: Chapter<br />

8, ‘Pricing’. Once the draft chapters were prepared, the authors read each other’s contribution<br />

to link the chapters <strong>of</strong> the text. Examples have been drawn from a range <strong>of</strong> countries and<br />

situations, which it is hoped will help students to relate to the issues being discussed. Marilyn<br />

Stone undertook the overall editing <strong>of</strong> the text.<br />

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