Focus Groups as a method for product development. The funeral market in Sweden

Seminar Paper , 2016 , 33 Pages , Grade: 1,7

Business economics - General

This report is about the business methods. The report is based on the achievements acquired in the last modules. Suitable methods are needed in the business module to help the team move forward in their product development process.

Currently, the team has developed several concepts with different connection types and design styles. However, the team has no idea whether others will like this product. Without such awareness, the team would be blind to see the potential risks and shortages in the project. Thus one method is introduced to make the team aware of how potential clients or companies think about this product. The method described is a focus group. It is introduced in more detail in this paper to discuss the advantages and few disadvantages it contains.

In a focus group different target customers are gathered to discuss their views about the product’s materials, the designs and whether they would purchase this product or not. If they are not interested in buying the product it is of value for the team to know, what influenced their decisions. Since this is a very special product, not only the views of potential customers are of interest, but also the knowledge and experience of experts, such as funeral companies. Therefore an interview was conducted with a funeral company to validate customer opinions.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
  • Background case company
  • Results from module 2-design and module 3-engineering
• Theoretical framework for business methods
  • Procedure when conducting a focus group
  • Advantages and disadvantages of focus groups
• Empirical data collection
  • Secondary research
    • The funeral market
    • The funeral market in Sweden
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This report aims to explore the use of business methods, particularly focus groups, in the product development process. The report focuses on a case company, a Swedish papermill, seeking to re-enter the market with a new innovative product. The report examines the feasibility of using fiber board coffins as a potential product, considering its sustainability and market potential.

• The application of business methods in product development
• The use of focus groups for gathering customer insights
• The potential of fiber board coffins as a sustainable product
• The challenges and opportunities in the funeral market
• The regulations and trends in the Swedish funeral market

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction sets the context for the report, outlining the case company's background and the previous stages of product development. Chapter 2 delves into the theoretical framework of focus groups as a business method, describing the procedure, advantages, and disadvantages. Chapter 3 details the empirical data collection process, including secondary research on the funeral market, specifically focusing on the Swedish context. The conclusion, which is not summarized here, will likely discuss the findings and implications of the research.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This report centers on the key concepts of business methods, product development, focus groups, customer insights, sustainable products, fiber board coffins, funeral market, and the Swedish funeral industry.

• College: Linnaeus University
• Course: Methods at work
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Anna Lena Bischoff (Author)
• Publication Year: 2016
• Pages: 33
• Catalog Number: V316999
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668169685
• ISBN (Book): 9783668169692
• Language: English
• Tags: bwl, product development, Produktentwicklung, focus group, method, Methode, Methodik, Fokusgruppen, Interview