Overview
Consumer Behaviour is the study of individual, group, and organisational processes involved in selecting, securing, and using products and services. Understanding why, what, and how consumers purchase is fundamentally critical to marketers and policymakers. In this unit you will examine both the internal and external factors that influence buyer behaviour using consumer decision making models as a framework. Furthermore, you will develop critical understandings on elements from psychology, sociology, social anthropology, marketing and economics relating to the decision-making processes of buyers, as well as the roles emotions and cognitions play in buying behaviour.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prereq of MRKT11028 or MRKT11029
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback.
Students enjoyed participating in and appreciated the value of zoom sessions.
The teaching staff will continue to deliver quality zoom sessions/classes to the future students of this unit, and will also encourage all participating students to interact and learn from each other through the zoom sessions/classes.
Feedback from Student feedback.
Students appreciated the help provided for the assessments, particularly the assessment tips designed for them.
The teaching staff will continue to provide timely and efficient assessment support for the future students of this unit, in order to facilitate them to develop best understanding of all critical aspects of all assessments.
- Assess the contributions of social sciences in the development of consumer behaviour principles
- Identify critical situational influences that shape purchase and consumption decisions of consumers
- Apply models of consumer decision making to specific examples of consumer behaviour
- Evaluate the influences of internal and external factors on thoughts, feelings, and actions of consumers
- Outline how consumer behaviour principles can be used as conceptual frameworks for developing effective marketing strategies.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Consumer behaviour: Implications for marketing strategy
Edition: 7th (2015)
Authors: Quester, P., Pettigrew, S., Kopanidis, F., Rao Hill, S.
McGraw-Hill Education (Australia) Pty Ltd
ISBN: 9781743076811; 9781760421410 (eBook)
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
eBook copies can be purchased from the publisher website here: https://www.mheducation.com.au/9781760421410-aus-ebook-consumer-behaviour
However, if you prefer a paper copy, they are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Office
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.ban@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Consumer Behaviour and the Role of Situations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Consumer Decision Making - Problem Recognition and Information Search
Chapter
3 and 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Consumer Decision Making - Choosing, Purchase and Post Purchase
Chapter
5 and 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Perception
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Learning and Memory
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Motivation, Personality and Emotion
Chapter
10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Attitude and Attitude Change
Chapter
11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Society, Demographics and Lifestyle
Chapter
12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Household Structure
Chapter
13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Group Influence and Communication
Chapter
14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Culture and Cross-Cultural Variations
Chapter
16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
15
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
This online quiz opens at 5 pm AEST Friday Week 3, 26 of March 2021 and closes at 5 pm AEST Friday Week 4, 2 of April 2021 on Moodle.
This quiz ensures that students engage the conceptual material in the following chapters of the textbook: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7. It includes 20 questions and has a time limit of 40 minutes.
Please see below for some important advice for the quiz.
- This quiz is an individual assessment.
- This quiz can only be taken once so do not open the quiz until you are ready to complete the entire quiz.
- Responsibility for access, ISP, browsers, connection and the computer you use (irrespective of who owns it) remains with the student. Failure of equipment is not grounds for special consideration, extension of quiz or special arrangements. Use of computers/computer labs on university campuses does not absolve students of their responsibility for having reliable and continued access to the worldwide web.
- Refer system access problems (e.g. Moodle login or password issues) to the Technology and Services Assistance Centre at tasac@cqu.edu.au as early as possible.
- “My computer has frozen up during the online quiz – what do I do?” The first thing to do is “don’t panic”! Contact the Unit Coordinator immediately for assistance identifying assessment number, the nature of the problem, your full name, student number, and campus. Any omissions of this required information may delay a response.
- If a student requests a reset of the quiz and the Unit Coordinator agrees to that request, but subsequently the student does not complete the quiz within the deadline, it will be deemed that the quiz has not been completed and a score of zero will apply. Note that the determination of whether the online quiz result was affected by technical difficulties will be solely the prerogative of the Unit Coordinator. Simply doing poorly in the quiz and then asking for a reset will not be considered.
1
Other
Week 4 Friday (2 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
On completion of online quiz.
- The total score for the quiz is 20 marks (20 questions × 1 mark per question = 20 marks).
- All questions must be completed within 40 minutes.
- Identify critical situational influences that shape purchase and consumption decisions of consumers
- Apply models of consumer decision making to specific examples of consumer behaviour
- Evaluate the influences of internal and external factors on thoughts, feelings, and actions of consumers
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation
Week 8 Friday (7 May 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021)
- PowerPoint design and referencing - 5 marks
- Presentation skills - 5 marks
- The research article: findings - 10 marks
- The organisation: issues and recommendations - 10 marks
- Total - 30 marks
- Assess the contributions of social sciences in the development of consumer behaviour principles
- Apply models of consumer decision making to specific examples of consumer behaviour
- Evaluate the influences of internal and external factors on thoughts, feelings, and actions of consumers
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
This assessment requires you to understand consumer behaviour literature and conduct market research about the given topic. The assessment requires you to 1) identify one problem or opportunity of your chosen topic, 2) define the target consumer segment of the consumer behaviours you are investigating and 3) identify consumer theory to 4) recommend two marketing strategies to influence the target segment’s behaviours. A detailed description of the topic will be posted on Moodle from Week 7.
For your report, you must follow the report structure below. Please use these as your headings.
1. Problem/opportunity identification
First, identify one problem or opportunity around the given topic. Briefly discuss the background issue associated with the problem or opportunity in a particular context of your topic. You should take the perspective of an organisation facing the problem or opportunity. Your identified problem/opportunity should be a relevant and realistic situation that is evident in the marketing literature or in the real-world (e.g., news release, business press, etc.). Please provide evidence of the problem/opportunity. Using both business press and academic articles, describe your identified issue (i.e., problem or opportunity). What do we know about this issue?
2. Define the target segment
Second, using both business press and academic articles, define your target consumer segment you would like to address this issue. Who are this group? What do we already know about this group? What are the characteristics of this group in relation to the problem or opportunity you identified? You should include references from academic journals. Please explain why you have chosen this particular consumer segment as your target market of the problem or opportunity you identified. This section should include a discussion of key behaviours of the target consumer segment and analyse previous marketing strategies that have been used to influence their behaviours.
3. Consumer theory
Third, please apply a consumer behaviour theory to address the identified issue. Discuss how your theory can be applied to your issue and behaviours of consumer segment you defined in section 2. This argument should be based on how it has been used before in a similar or different context. It is important to make an argument to support how your chosen theory helps to address the issue you identified and relevant consumer behaviours.
4. Recommendations
Based on the consumer theory you discussed in the previous section, suggest two strategies to address the issue (i.e., problem/opportunity) and relevant consumer behaviours of your target consumer segment. It is recommended that you use the 4 Ps of product marketing or the 7Ps of services marketing mix elements to guide your recommendations. Please make sure the two recommendations are specifically related to the consumer theory you applied in section 3. This should include the justification of your recommendations in relation to the consumer theory.
5. References (not included in the word limit)
A minimum of 10 academic journal articles (APA 7th ed.) is required.
6. Appendix (not included in the word limit)
Other supporting information included if needed.
*Note: No introduction or conclusion section is required.
There will be a late penalty of 2.5 marks (5 % of 50) for each day late.
Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
As this unit has no exam, the formal results for this last piece of assessment can only be released to students on the Certification of Grades date (9-Jul-2021).
- Problem / Oppportunity identification - 7 marks
- Define target segment - 12 marks
- Application of Appropriate consumer theory - 12 marks
- Recommendations - 12marks
- Written presentation and format - 7 marks
- Total - 50 marks
- Identify critical situational influences that shape purchase and consumption decisions of consumers
- Apply models of consumer decision making to specific examples of consumer behaviour
- Evaluate the influences of internal and external factors on thoughts, feelings, and actions of consumers
- Outline how consumer behaviour principles can be used as conceptual frameworks for developing effective marketing strategies.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
