Abstract:
The objective of this research is to (1) study the operation state of Ban Kumpaes Products, on producting, managing, financing, and marketing (2) study of behavior of Lepironia Articulate products buying customers (3) study the importance level the marketing mix of LEPIRONIA ARTICULATA PRODUCTS buying customers (4) study of personal factors with behavior of Lepironia Articulate products buying customers in Southern area and (5) The resolutions would then be proposed and applied to their marketing strategies. The data was derived from 162 questionnaires and interviews data of a preoducer.
In terms of producers, when considered from different perspectives, the results showed that (1) The aspect of production showed that Lepironia Articulata products production has currently met customer demand because of the potential of the producers and also sufficiency raw material and labor. (2) The aspect of management showed that group of producers have clearly divided their responsibilities in terms of committees and also cooperate with other public sectors continuously. The group is supported by government agencies. (3) The aspect of finance showed that the group of producers has kept accounting data on daily earning and expenses in order to report income to the Public Commercial Department of Nakhon Si Thammarat province and Cha-Uad District office. (4) The aspect of marketing showed that the group received One Tambon One Product (OTOP) Award but the group lack the knowledge and skill in packaging design. The sale price is set by the method of mark up pricing. The producers most likely distribute their products in both retail and wholesale marketing. The places of distribution include Bankumpaes Group, Thambon Bantoon, Cha-Uad district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, OTOP distribution Center in Nakhon Si Thammrat, Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province and other goods exhibition organized by government agencies. The group promote their products by distributing brochures at exhibitions and using MCOT local radio broadcasting commercials.
In the aspect of consumers, findings showed that most target customers were female, aged between 29-34 years, single status. Most were bachelors degree holders. They worked for private companies and their salaries were around 5,000-10,000 bath per month. Lepironia Articulata products buying behavior is memoryof exhibition sightseeing. Most customers bought female carried bags with the purchase aveage of 1-2 pieces of Lepironia Articulata products per year and their purchasing objective is for personal use. Most target customers bought Lepironia Articulata products from goods exhibition fairs. The weakness of most products was products tearing damage.
The importance level of marketing mix showed that the product aspects such as neatness, beauty, utility, modem style and natural raw materials are the most important reasons for buying the products. In the pricing aspect, reasonable prices of the products and transportation expenses are the second most factors important to buy the products. The most important market promotion factors involve product displaying exhibitions and advice on care and maintenance of the products.
Hypothesis testing indicated that personal factors such as sex, age, status, education level, carrer and income per month had statistically significant correlation with buying behavior of Lepironia Articulate products at the level 95.00. As for the marketing strategy recommendation are as follow (1) Product differentiation for more prominence than competing products. (2) Low penetration pricing to extend Lepironia Articulate products market. (3) Increase distribution channel through agencies in leading department stores and OTOP distribution centers in other provinces.
WALAILAK UNIVERSITY. CENTER FOR LIBRARY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA