Marketing Factors Influencing Customers’ Purchasing Decisions: Pharmaceutical Products as a Case Study
摘要
The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of marketing factors on customers’ purchasing decisions for pharmaceutical products. These factors include pharmacy location, country of origin of the drug, service provided at pharmacies, pharmacy brand name, and availability of alternatives in the pharmacy. In order to achieve the research objectives and test the hypotheses, a total of 450 questionnaires were distributed to customers from different pharmacies in Jordan. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling method to ensure homogeneity. Out of the distributed questionnaires, 422 were retrieved, resulting in a response rate of 94%. After reviewing the retrieved questionnaires for validity, it was found that 29 questionnaires were not suitable for analysis due to incomplete responses and lack of seriousness from the participants. Therefore, the final number of analyzable questionnaires was 393, accounting for 88% of the total. The findings of the study indicate a significant combined effect of the marketing variables on customers’ purchasing decisions for pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, the study reveals that these variables have separate effects with varying degrees of impact, all of which are statistically significant. Among the various marketing factors examined in the study, the availability of alternative drugs in pharmacies was found to have the most significant influence. This was closely followed by the country of origin of the drug, the service provided at the pharmacy, and the brand name of the pharmacy. Interestingly, the location of the pharmacy was found to have the least impact among these factors. The study findings led to a number of recommendations. Firstly, the advice was given that the location selection process be very delicate. The second recommendation is to include a wide range of health care services at the pharmacy's disposal, in support of selling drugs as a process. It was also mentioned that diversifying drug options would play a significant role for customers. This is not only by providing different options other than one, but giving customers freedom to select drugs based on their preferences and capabilities. Finally, brand names must match well with the mission statement assigned to the pharmacy.