Biofuel Production Economics

This assignment delves into the economics of biofuel production, specifically focusing on algae-based biodiesel. It analyzes the costs associated with different production stages, examines factors influencing biofuel prices like oil market fluctuations and agricultural commodity prices, and investigates various microalgae harvesting techniques to reduce production expenses.

Social media affects consumer choice

Table of Contents
1.1 Research outline specification.....................................................................................................3
1.2 Factors that contribute to the process of research project selection..........................................5
1.3 Critical review of the social media and its impact on the consumer choice................................6
1.4 Research report proposal of the social media and its impact on consumer choice.....................6
1.5 Plan and procedures for the research specification.....................................................................8
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................................10
2.1....................................................................................................................................................10
2.2 Questionnaire on the social media and its impact on the consumer choice..............................11
2.3 Record the collected data from participants in the form of a frequency...................................12
Task 3.........................................................................................................................................................15
3.1 Research evaluation technique..................................................................................................15
3.2 Data analysis..............................................................................................................................15
3.3 Justify area for further research................................................................................................17
Task 4.........................................................................................................................................................17
4.1 Recommendation......................................................................................................................17
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................19

Introduction
Social media is one of the most suitable tools and techniques which can be used by the
business organization in order to promote firm’s product and services in an effective manner. it
having a large impact on the consumer choice which can help to select best product among the
various products and services. At the tile of social media, the business unit can provide
information and update to their products upgradation or any new launch (Jackson and Senker,
2011). They can conduct feedback about their new products which can help to improve its
features and help to generate demand forecasting through using various approaches of social
media. These tools can be involved Facebook, You Tube, Instagram and other platforms. Today
the role of innovation and technology in to the marketing and advertising having a great
significant. Digital media is one of the cost effective tools which can help to attain firm’s long
term goals and objectives in an effective manner. The present report is based on the ALDI which
is one of the leading retail business organization in the United Kingdom. They provide a wide
range of products to its customers. But in the recent years the competitiveness in the retail
industry is growing which having an adverse impact on the profitability and market share of the
company (Klein‐Marcuschamer, and et. al., 2012).
1.1 Research outline specification
Background of research: It is essential to make a research on different topics, these can help to
any organization and any person to make changes in methods and strategies. Companies which
are working in markets has to use different medium to communicate with their customers, it can
help to them to make a lead on them.
Research topic: Social Media Affects On Consumer Choice
Organization for the purpose of this research: ALDI
Research Aims: To analyses how customers can be affected by using social media.
Objectives of the research: This is another element of the study which is related with the aims
and objectives of the company. This research main aim is to having a great significance in the
business performance of the business entity. These aims are given below:
 To understand various social media tools and approaches in the business.
 To understand the consumer behavior and its buying decision making.
 To determine the relationship between the social media and its impact on the consumer.

Research questions:
 How company can use social media tools in the business?
 Why manager of company have to make correct decision and analyze consumer
behavior?
 How company have to maintain relationship between social media and impact on
consumers?
This is essential for a business organization is to understand the topic of the study which can help
to provide a most appropriate solution for the company. This part of the research is discussed
about the various aspects of the research which is given below:
Background of the study: This is one of the most significant part of the study which is related
with the overview of the topic and the selected business organization. In the context of given
case, today there are various tools and techniques which can be used by the each and every
business organization in to their business. There are large number of customers who active on the
internet and social media. It can be possibility that they having a large influenced on their
selection of goods and services (Costanza and et. al., 2016). On the other hand, ALDI which is a
retail business organization having a large number of loyal customers in the United Kingdom.
Research tools and techniques: It is related with the various approaches which are going to use in
the study. In the context of given case study, qualitative research methodology to be used. The
random sampling among the 100 loyal customer which covers the demographic and other aspects
(Coase, 2013).
Collection of data: In a research report there are two types of data collection methods one is
called primary and secondary data. In the present report both primary and secondary data and
information to be used.
Significance of the research: The present study is having a great significance in the growth and
development of the business unit. ALDI is operating their business in to the UK which facing
tough competition in the market. Therefore, the cited business organization required that to use
such reports which can help to improve their business performance in an effective manner.

1.2 Factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
It is important for a business unit is to identify various factors which can affects the selection of
the research for the cited company. These factors are given below:
Cost is one of the major factor which having a large influenced on the business. because, there
are various digital media tool which are cost effective for the company as compare to the
traditional media tool. They required that to use such approach in to their business activities
which can help to improve their product performance and increase customer loyalty. The cited
business organization also required an integrated promotional campaign which can help to
increase success in the promotional activities and which can lead to increase profitability of the
company which is the common goals for each and every business unit (Etter, Tilley, and et. al.,
2011).
Return on investment is another factors which must be considered by every company. They
make sure that how much money going to spend on the promotional activities should be
recovered through their sales and market share. in this context, ALDI can make a budget for their
advertisement campaign which can create awareness of the products in to the market and
increase market share of the company.
Here is a list of factors which can effect on selecting a topic:
Interest: Personal interest of researcher can make a high influence on selecting topic. Social
marketing is a subject which is a current topic.
Benefits: Research on this topic can give benefits to those companies which are using the social
media channels to make a communication.
Experience: Personal experience on this sector can help to researcher to make a better analysis
on the topic.
Resource availability: Different resources also make huge impact on the research like; finance
and human resources plays a major role to conduct a research. Unavailability of finance can
make a major impact on results of research.

1.3 Critical review of the social media and its impact on the consumer choice
According to Atzeni, and Salmi, (2012) Social media are becoming critical for the customer
decision making. It having a high involvement on the overall decision making of the customer
and its selection of goods and services. There are various social media platform such as Twitter,
Facebook, Instagram etc. which can help in to the buying an appropriate product for them. On
the other hand, according to Deichmann, (2011) The digital media platform cannot contribute in
the decision making process. It can only help to create awareness just like other digital; media
tools. Therefore, the cited business organization is required that to use these platforms in an
effective manner. As per the Deloitte report there are 47 percent people who having the affected
by the social media at the time of buying products and services as compared to 19 percent for
mix age group. This study focused on that those people who use social media at the of buying
goods and services are more willing to spend money on it. Whereas, most of other reports said
that there is little impact on the decision making process of goods and services. According to the
Battman (1979), there are motivation factors which can help to motivate the decision making
process at the time of purchasing retail products. Social media is one of the factor which can be
influenced of the consumer and its different choices. Sternthal and Craig (1982) for the selection
of goods the social media tools only used for the information search. In the buying process of the
consumer the role of feedback also important, if the feedback is good it can help to increase sales
and promote firm’s products in an effective manner. If their purchasing can positive, it can
motivate in the near future as well. As per Coase (2013), consumers can highly effected by social
media, by this a company can make a lead on their targeted customers which can help to them to
increase their business. According to Deichmann (2011), communication is medium which can
change a mind set of targeted customers so it is essential for organization to establish a proper
communication with targeted market audience. As per Vandamme (2013) views organization has
to use contemprory communication tools which can help to organization to communicate with
customers in a better manner.
1.4 Research report proposal of the social media and its impact on consumer choice
Research report proposal is a summary of the overall study. It contains various elements of the
report which having too important for the researchers. In the context of current study, the project
proposal of ALDI is given below:

A research project is based on different specifications which needs to be mentioned the report.
All details should be given in brief form to make it easy to understand. All the effective points in
which all details have been given about project is given below:
Introduction: Introduction is the stage where researcher introduces the reader about the project.
In introduction a brief is provided in a summative form. All the requirements and needs of the
report are mentioned. It helps in determining what the research report is all about.
Research objective: This research report is having objective to provide a better customer
response for the company. Most of customers are suing social media and by this ALDI can get a
knowledge how to manage their social media activities in a better manner. Here is objectives of
this research:
 Useful social media tools and approaches for ALDI.
 Effects of social media on consumer behaviors and purchasing decisions of purchaser.
 Relationship in social media and effect on customer.
Title: Title of the research project is the topic like consumer behaviour, social media and its
impact etc. these topic act as the tile of the report. Title provide a person idea about what is the
research report all about. It also helps in understanding what would have done in the report to
complete it. Tile gives a raw idea about the possible aspect of report.
Research Aims: Identify how a company can make an impact on purchasing decisions of
customers by using social media.
Research Methodology: All the information about what tools have been used in the research are
mentioned. What samples methods have been used, collection of data, calculation method and
the assumptions are mentions.
Information analysis: The methods used in the analysis of data will be mentioned. The outcomes
are outlined and mentioned with a summary to relate it with topic and its advantages and
disadvantages.

Conclusion: In this stage the researcher provides all the information regarding the research which
has been undertaken. It is a summary about the results. It gives the reader an idea about what has
been achieved in the research project (Gallagher, 2011).
1.5 Plan and procedures for the research specification
This a chart which clearly specifies that how much time each and every process will take and
what all procedures are to be followed by the company while selecting the best social media
marketing process.
There is high need to prepare a chart which specifies all the time scales with task.
Stages Define Cost(million) Time scheduling
Introduction In this stage give all
information related to
the research project
topic. Introduction
gives a bried idea
about what the whole
project is
about(Cantallops and
Salvi 2014.).
20 12 to 18 days
Collection information After the introduction
collection of
information related to
the research project is
conducted. Collection
of information is done
through the surveys
via questionnaire's and
feedback forms.
30 25-30 days

Information analysis All the collected
information is
analysed via using
different qualitative
and quantitative
methods.
20 15 days
Evaluation In this stage evaluation
of all collected
informations is
conducted via using
different methods and
determine all issues
and problems. The
solutions are provided
and are interlinked
with the project in a
summarative form.
(Tuškej, Golob, and
Podnar 2013).
10 14 days.

Figure1.1: Gantt Chart
Figure1.2: Critical Path
It is essential for a business organization is to use appropriate tool for their proposed research.
Therefore, it is responsibility of researcher is to use appropriate tool in order to plan their
research activities in an effective manner. Gantt chart is one of the most appropriate tool which
helps to provide a guideline with time frame. The main aim of this strategy is to control time and
cost for its proposed research.
Task 2
2.1
There are various factor of resources which help organization to manage resources and get the
relevant and specific result
 Information about scheme:- There are many scheme which is use by the organization to
manage the resources. A company always care about the resources and use that resources

to complete any work and innovate new product. Company always make the scheme for
the purpose of particular topic and complete any specific task.
 Information about market:- A researcher always take the information from market and get
all the information related to the research topic. Market is very big and broad area to do
research and get the accurate result and proper feedback about company. Research help to
collect and take a estimate for future sale and purchase.
 Researcher always use two kind of data to manage the work of resources. All the
researcher follow the primary data rules and secondary data rules. Both are have
importance in market. Primary data collect by researcher from market analysis, from
questionnaire, from the other resources of primary data. Company also follow the
secondary which is collect from the primary data. Secondary data manage by the
researcher and complete research project on time.
2.2 Questionnaire on the social media and its impact on the consumer choice
There are various approaches can be used by ALDI in order to collection data and information
among its customers. Questionnaire survey one of the most suitable method for the company to
collect relevant information regarding social media.
Questionnaire
Name
Age
Email
Q.1 Are You using social media on the regular basis?
A) Yes
B) No
Q.2 Which social media platform you are using at the regular basis?
A) Facebook
B) Instagram
C) Twitter
D) You Tube
Q.3 How much time you spend on the social media?

A) 0-60 Min
B) 1-2 Hour
C) 2-4 Hour
D) More than 4 hour
Q.4 Are you looking for product information through online or social media?
A) Always
B) Often
C) Rarely
D) Sometimes
Q.5 Do you agree that information of product and services are easy than other platforms?
A) Agree
B) Strongly agree
C) Neutral
D) Disagree
Q.6 Are you searching products at through social media platform?
A) Always
B) Often
C) Rarely
D) Sometimes
2.3 Record the collected data from participants in the form of a frequency
Q.1 Are You using social media on the regular basis?
Yes 29
No 6
Interpretation: As we found that 29 people prefer the social media on regular basis and 9 person
do not prefer social media. Social media is most effective tool for organization. We provide the
questionnaire to 35 people and get the feedback about social media.
Q.2 Which social media platform you are using at the regular basis?

Facebook 15
Instagram 10
Twitter 5
You Tube 5
Interpretation: At present time all people are using social media and after observation we found
that Facebook is most popular website of social media and most of the people use social media.
Other social network also best people have little interest on the other social website.
Q.3 How much time you spend on the social media?
0-60 Min 20
1-2 Hour 5
2-4 Hour 8
More than 4 hour 2
Interpretation: Mostly people are using social media. We divide the quality of user according to
consuming time. As 20 people use social media approx 60 min in a day and other user complete
the segment of time period. According to this observation we found that people does prefer
continue using of social media more then 1 hr.
Q.4 Are you looking for product information through online or social media?
Always 8

Often 7
Rarely 6
Sometimes 13
Interpretation: Social media refers the online marketing also. A customer can find the product
on social media. Many people always use social media to purchase online. According to
observation we get the favorable result of social media. It depend on customer that how he or
she use social media.
Q.5 Do you agree that information of product and services are easy than other platforms?
Agree 10
Strongly agree 8
Neutral 15
Disagree 2
Interpretation: Yes it is true statement about social media. Many social media websites provide
better service and fully information about product. On the basis of report data we get the market

feedback also and find the positive result of statement. Only two people does not prefer the social
media.
Q.6 Are you searching products at through social media platform?
Always 12
Often 8
Rarely 3
Sometimes 12
Interpretation: As per the given data there are 12 respondents who favour for the searching
product on the social media platfoems.
Task 3
3.1 Research evaluation technique
Research is essential to gather the data and information and which will help company in
their decision making process. It also helps to increase their productivity and sales so that they
can enhance their profits.
According to the research of ALDI it is identified that they use summative approach to
evaluation of research. Summative approach plays an important role to make the research better.
This process is also helps to create the better results in ALDI that will help them to achieve the
desired goals and objectives properly. It also tells about the purpose of the research so that they
can target their audience in appropriate manner. This approach of research also tells about the
ideas which will helpful for ALDI and also helps to create better impact. So that with the help of
this approach ALDI can generate new ideas for their business (Ajanovic, 2011).
It will also very helpful to create an effective and efficient research. Summative research
is related with functional activities that will provide growth to the ALDI. It would also helps to
develop the primary research and also provide positive results to the company. According to this

approach if the process of the company is effective and efficient then it will provide better results
to the ALDI. This research must be done by an efficient person that has proper knowledge about
the goals of the ALDI so that purpose can be fulfil. It also helps to determine the think of
customers about any problem or topic so that research can be conducted. If it is suitable then it
will provide growth and development to the ALDI (Sun and Davis, 2011).
3.2 Data analysis
Analysis of data of the research is described as below:
 In the first question it has been asked from the customers that how many people use
social media on the continuous basis. Researcher gathered data from the group of 35
people and they find out with the help of research that 29 people use social media on
continuous basis but remaining 6 people do not use it continuously. So that it can be see
that now days most of the people prefer online sites much.
 In the second question it has been identified that there are various types of social media
or sites which is used by people on regular basis. People use technologies too much that
will provide them development also. Researcher gathered data from the group of 35
people to collect the relevant data. According to the research it is identified that almost 15
people use Facebook on continuous basis because they want to make more friends. But
10 people out of 35 use Instagram on the regular basis because they think it will help
them to increase their followers so that they can also sold their products with the help of
Instagram. 5 people are attracted towards Twitter and use it on the daily basis so that they
can get updated from each and every news which is related to the world. The information
is either relevant to them or irrelevant. Remaining people use You Tube on the regular
basis.
 In the third question it has been found out that people spend their more times on the
social media. Almost 20 peoples use social media atleast 1 hour in a day and 5 people use
it for 1-2 hours. 8 people out of 35 are used social sites foe 2 to 4 hour in a day and
remaining people used it more i.e. more than 4 hours in a day.

 In the forth question it has been asked from customers that they look for product
information online or social sites. 8 people says that they always go online for purchase
of the product but 7 people used it often. 6 people said that they do not trust online sites
much so that they go online for purchasing of product rarely. Remaining 13 people use
sometimes the social on online sites for purchasing of any products.
 In the fifth question it has been asked from the customers that social sites are the easy
platform to collect or receive any information related to product and services. 8 people
out of 35 people are strongly agree to this statement but 2 people are totally disagree. 10
people are also agree that social sites are useful but 15 people said that they can gathered
information by using both medium either online or offline.
 In the sixth question it has been asked to the customers they use social media for
searching their products. 12 people out of 35 said that they always search products online
sites and 8 people said that they use often the online sites. But 3 people rarely use the
social sites to search products because they generally go to market to purchase the
products. 12 people sometimes use the social sites to search products.
3.3 Justify area for further research
There are also many areas which can be covered under the research. Company can also
conduct research for the customer loyalty and also for the schemes of reward for the employees
which is related to their work. There are also different area like what percentage of the customer
that company can be able to convert them to make them their regular customer (Malik and
Awadallah, 2013). Company can provide them better schemes also but many of the people are
unaware from such schemes so that it is necessary to update them. Some customer do not use the
service or scheme of the company because they do not provide better quality of products to them.
If promotional factors of the company is also very bad them it will also make negative impact on
their customers so that they stop using the products or services of the company.

Task 4
4.1 Recommendation
Customer loyalty is very important for the success and growth of the company. It also
helps them to build reputation in the market. ALDI is a very big retail store chain which is
situated in UK. They need to take care of their customers so that they remain loyal for their
products and services which is provided by them. They also use various types of tools and
techniques and also make strategies so that it helps to retain their customer. If the sales of the
ALDI is not good then they can also loose their customers (Harun and et. al., 2011). There are
various strategies which is used by ALDI to retain the customers which are described as below:
Customer wishes must be known: If ALDI wants to retain customer then they must
need to know about the wishes of them also fulfil it within time. If this strategy is used by ALDI
then they will make their customer happy and also it will help them to enhance their profit. They
can also conduct research to gather data for this purpose so that they can fulfil the needs and
wants of their customers.
Speeding up the services: If their delivery services are also good then it will also help
ALDI to retain their customers. If ALDI use this strategy for their business then customers do
not need to wait and they can get products quickly. It will make happy them and also provide
them proper satisfaction (Vandamme, Foubert and Muylaert, 2013).
Focused on social media tools: On the basis of above research it has been recommended
that ALDI required that to more concentrate on social media such as Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, You Tube etc. They also need to increase spending on these approaches which helps to
create awareness of their product in a cost effective manner.
Conclusion
As per the above mentined report it has been concluded that social media played a
significant role in the success for each and every business organisation. The present report
discussed about the the various aspects of the social media and its research which can help to
improve the business for the future. So that ALDI can attain their desired goals and objectives in
an effective manner.

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