IOSR-JBM   Volume-4 ~ Issue-2 ~ Sep-Oct-2012

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	The Effect of Marketing Mix and Customer Perception on Brand Loyalty
Country	:	Malaysia
Authors	:	Anantha Raj A. Arokiasamy
	:	10.9790/487X-0420111

Abstract:The Malaysian hypermarkets have steadily increased over the past decades with brand loyalty emerging as a frontrunner in the retail industry. There have been copious studies related to the effects of marketing mix towards brand equity instead of brand loyalty. It is the intention of the researcher to identify the effects of marketing mix on brand loyalty in the Malaysian hypermarkets sector. The researcher will adopt the study conducted by [37] in relation to its five independent variables (5 IVs) which are price, store image advertising spending, distribution intensity and price promotion as examining the relationship between 5 IVs and Malaysian hypermarkets' brand loyalty. A total of 300 questionnaire surveys have been distributed to customers at 3 hypermarkets around Klang Valley in Malaysia. Lastly, the researcher uses a descriptive and explanatory study by means of descriptive and inferential analysis. In conclusion, price, store image, distribution intensity and price promotion are found to exert a significant positive influence towards Malaysian hypermarkets' brand loyalty.
Keywords: Marketing Mix, Malaysian Hypermarkets, Brand Loyalty.

[1] Chang, C. H., & Tu, C. Y. (2005). Exploring store image, customer satisfaction and customerloyalty relationships: Evidence fr om
Taiwanese hypermarkets. Journal of the American Academy of Business, 7(2), 197-202.
[2] Huddleston, P., Whipple, J., & VanAuken, A. (2004). Food store loyalty: Application of a consumer loyalty framework. Journal
of Targeting, Measurement and Analysis for Marketing, 12(3), 213-230.
[3] Yoo, B., H., Donthu, N., & Lee, S. H. (2000). An examination of selected marketing mix elements and brand equity. Journal of the
Academy of Marketing Science, 28(2), 195-211.
[4] Preliminary count report, population and housing census, Malaysia, 2010 (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2012, from
http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=artic le&id=350%.
[5] Pappu, R., & Quester, P. (2006). A consumer-based method for retailer equity measurement: Results of an empirical study.
Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 13(5), 317-329.
[6] Rajh, E. (2005). The effects of marketing mix elements on brand equity. Privredna kretanja i eknomska politika (Economic Trends
and Economic Policy), 102, 30- 59.
[7] Yang, H. E., & Liao, C. C. (2004). A study on the relationships among marketing mix elements,brand equity,and customer lifetime
value. Unpublished Manuscript, Tatung University.
[8] Oliver, R. & Rust, R. (1997). Customer delight: Foundations, findings, and managerial insight.Journal of Retailing, 73(3), 311-
337.
[9] Aaker, D. A. (1996). Measuring brand equity across products and markets. California Management Review, 38(3), 102-121.
[10] Reichheld, F. F. (1993). "Loyalty-based management", Harvard Business Review, Vol. 71, Iss. 2,pp. 64–72.

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Improving employee performance using Innovative L&D Interventions
Country	:	India
Authors	:	Sangeeth Ibrahim
	:	10.9790/487X-0421217

Abstract:This study aims to present innovative practices in Learning and development which can help to improve employee performance in organizations leading to enhanced employee commitment and retention. As we all know, retention of valuable employees is a global challenge today. Organizations are constantly dueling with the task of retaining employees, and substantial evidence suggest that retention of skilled employees has become a serious concern to managers as they face ever increasing high rate of employee turnover (Arthur, 1994; Budhwar & Mellahi, 2007). Scholars have clearly established the direct linkage between job satisfaction and organizational commitment on employee retention. (Budhwar & Mellahi, 2007, Dole & Schroeder, 2001). Various studies have proved that among other factors training and development opportunities can significantly enhance the organizational commitment and satisfaction of employees (Meyer & Smith, 2000). It has been clearly found that if employees are given training and development opportunities, they will be more likely to remain in the environment. (Huselid, 1995).
Keywords- Employee Retention, Performance Management, Learning and Development Interventions, Competencies, Employee Commitment

Articles, Proceedings and Books
[1] Arthur, J. (1994). Effects of human resource systems on manufacturing performance and turnover. Academy of Management
Journal, 37(3), 670-687.
[2] Budhwar, P., & Mellahi, K. (2006). Managing human resources in the Middle East. Oxon: Psychology Press.
[3] Dole, C., & Schroeder, R. (2001). The impact of various factors on the personality, job satisfaction and turnover intentions of
professional accountants. Managerial Auditing Journal, 16(4), 234-245.
[4] Meyer, J., & Smith, C. (2000). HRM practices and organizational commitment: Test of a mediation model. Canadian Journal of
Administrative Sciences, 17(4), 319-331.
[5] Huselid, M. (1995). The impact of human resource management practices on turnover, productivity, and corporate financial
performance. Academy of Management Journal, 38(3), 635-672.
[6] Lisa Holden Rovers, CHRP , e-Source for the Human Resources Institute of Alberta , May 2007
[7] Susan M Heathfield , http://humanresources.about.com , 2007
[8] Karen Shelton , "THE EFFECTS OF EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ON JOB SATISFACTION AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION" , University of Wisconsin-Stout, May 2001

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Micro finance: Emerging Challenges And Opening Vistas
Country	:	India
Authors	:	Dr. Anupama Sharma, Ms. Sumita Kukreja, Dr.Anjana Sharma
	:	10.9790/487X-0421826

This research aims at highlighting the various types of financial need of the rural poor people living below the poverty line and the sources available to meet their diverse financial need. This is the right time to investigate the achievements of various schemes under Micro finance. According to an estimate globally 1.2 billion people live in extreme poverty (defined as subsisting on less than one dollar a day) of which 44% are in South Asia, 75% live in rural areas in India. It has been observed that in India poverty is basically rural in character. More than 22% of Indian population lives below the poverty line even today. After nationalization, though the government initiated various development programmes in context to eradication of vicious circle of poverty (especially in rural area) but still the programmes have not gained the desired momentum. In the new development initiative the concept of micro finance has emerged as a solution to correct the imbalances of< poverty. Micro finance is such a tool, which directly hits the poverty by helping poor or enabling them not only to survive but also to improve their standard of living. In this Present paper an attempt has been made to highlight the hurdles faced by the rural poor while dealings with banks, impact of various poverty alleviation< programmes initiated by banks, NGOs, government , other institutes and challenges ahead.
Key Words: Micro-Finance, Self- Help Groups, Social- Transformation, Marginal and Small-Farmers, NABARD The overwhelming majority of poor people in India are concentrated in rural area of the estimated 260 million Indians(or 26% of the population who live in poverty, some 193 million(or 74%) live in rural areas[Planning< commission of India's definition of poverty].

[1] Asokan R, Loganathan P, (2006) "Inter Reginal Development of Self Help Groups in India", Kurukshetra (A Journal on Rural
Development), Vol. 54, No.11, pp 9-12.
[2] Armendariz Beatriz and Morduch Jonathan, (2007) "The Economics of Microfinance", Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
U.S.A Press.
[3] Basu Priya and Srivastava Pradeep, (2005) "Scaling –up Microfinance for India's Rural Poor", World Bank Policy Research
Working Paper 3646.
[4] Basu S.C., (2006) "Micro-credit: Towards a Trickle up Approach", The Indian Banker, Vol. I, No. 2, pp 3-6.
[5] Asokan R, Loganathan P, (2006) "Inter Reginal Development of Self Help Groups in India", Kurukshetra (A Journal on Rural
Development), Vol. 54, No.11, pp 9-12.
[6] Armendariz Beatriz and Morduch Jonathan, (2007) "The Economics of Microfinance", Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
U.S.A Press.
[7] Basu Priya and Srivastava Pradeep, (2005) "Scaling –up Microfinance for India's Rural Poor", World Bank Policy Research
Working Paper 3646.
[8] Basu S.C., (2006) "Micro-credit: Towards a Trickle up Approach", The Indian Banker, Vol. I, No. 2, pp 3-6.
[9] Report of NABARD 2009-2010.
[10] Meenakshi B S, (2007) "Microcredit to Nobel", Yojana, pp 63-64.