THE PURCHASING POWER AND CONSUMER AWARENESS AS A FACTOR OF DEVELOPMENT THE DOMESTIC MARKETS
07.04.2015..
There are numerous factors that are crucial for the development of the domestic market and
the local economy in general. In this...
Abstract
There are numerous factors that are crucial for the development of the domestic market and
the local economy in general. In this paper, emphasis is placed on the purchasing power of the
population as well as the attitude of consumers that are generally negative towards local
entrepreneurs, as well as to their products and services.Some of the biggest barriers that hinder
the development of SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are:excessive involvement of policies,
high levels of corruption, legal and regulatory barriers, lack of financial resources, lack of
entrepreneurial knowledge (...). Also, this paper presents and analyzes the consumer’s attitude
to the domestic companies (consumer ethnocentrism) which is directly related to demographic
characteristics, such as age, education structure and level of income. The paper will interpret
the results of a study conducted in the Una-Sana Canton using a questionnaire. The results of
research have confirmed that the majority of consumers give preference to local products when
shopping, however only if they are of highest quality and cost competitive with imported
products. In addition, studies have shown that in patients with different demographic
characteristics, there are different degrees of ethnocentric tendencies. All this has a major
influence to the development of domestic enterprises, and consequently the development of the
whole economy.
The research was conducted using the survey because it is the best way to gather qualitative
and quantitative data on attitudes, preferences and behavior in purchasing. I have also used a
structured questionnaire with a formal list of questions. The method of contacting respondents
was done through personal interviews (face to face method). The questionnaire consisted of a
total of 22 questions open and closed type. Random sampling method has been used. The
sample size is 200 (n = 200) subjects. Population covered by this study was related to the
population of the Una-Sana Canton older than eighteen (18) years. Sampling frame is made on
the basis of estimates of the population by data from Federal Institute of Statistics, and the
Statistical Institute of Una-Sana Canton.