Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unexpected shocks to several sectors of the economy, including the insurance industry. The devastating effects of the pandemic have also affected the marketing model and the strategies' effectiveness. Therefore, this study sought to demystify the potency of mark...

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Main Authors: Steven Kayambazinthu Msosa, Thembisa Charity Khuboni, Siyabonga Maphumulo, Bhekabantu Alson Ntshangase
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center 2024-03-01
Series:Insights into Regional Development
Online Access:https://jssidoi.org/ird/article/157
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author Steven Kayambazinthu Msosa
Thembisa Charity Khuboni
Siyabonga Maphumulo
Bhekabantu Alson Ntshangase
author_facet Steven Kayambazinthu Msosa
Thembisa Charity Khuboni
Siyabonga Maphumulo
Bhekabantu Alson Ntshangase
author_sort Steven Kayambazinthu Msosa
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unexpected shocks to several sectors of the economy, including the insurance industry. The devastating effects of the pandemic have also affected the marketing model and the strategies' effectiveness. Therefore, this study sought to demystify the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for achieving competitive advantage in challenging times. An exploratory and qualitative research design was used to gain in-depth insight into the motivations and perceptions of a purposive sample of 15 insurance customers. Thus, interviews were conducted to gather data to determine the potency of the marketing strategies. The research findings showed that different companies used various marketing strategies, resulting in varying customer satisfaction. Some companies used low-cost strategies, while others focused on product differentiation strategies. It was further found that most customers prefer a lower price and reliable service from trustworthy insurers. In addition, it was noted that companies with high customer satisfaction levels outperformed their competitors and achieved a competitive advantage in the short-term insurance sector. This sector is customer-centric, so a higher emphasis must be placed on delivering quality service and customer satisfaction. Consequently, companies in the insurance sector will be able to keep customers satisfied over long periods and ultimately achieve customer loyalty. The study elucidates the pathway for insurance companies to navigate challenging times successfully by focusing on delivering quality service and nurturing customer satisfaction for long-term loyalty.
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spelling doaj.art-b4cf8bff000b477db1fd6f1187c99e3a2024-04-07T14:04:00ZengEntrepreneurship and Sustainability CenterInsights into Regional Development2669-01952024-03-0161748810.9770/IRD.2024.6.1(6)Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging timesSteven Kayambazinthu Msosahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9074-5644Thembisa Charity Khubonihttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-4433-6967Siyabonga Maphumulohttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-9658-269XBhekabantu Alson Ntshangasehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5410-7036The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unexpected shocks to several sectors of the economy, including the insurance industry. The devastating effects of the pandemic have also affected the marketing model and the strategies' effectiveness. Therefore, this study sought to demystify the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for achieving competitive advantage in challenging times. An exploratory and qualitative research design was used to gain in-depth insight into the motivations and perceptions of a purposive sample of 15 insurance customers. Thus, interviews were conducted to gather data to determine the potency of the marketing strategies. The research findings showed that different companies used various marketing strategies, resulting in varying customer satisfaction. Some companies used low-cost strategies, while others focused on product differentiation strategies. It was further found that most customers prefer a lower price and reliable service from trustworthy insurers. In addition, it was noted that companies with high customer satisfaction levels outperformed their competitors and achieved a competitive advantage in the short-term insurance sector. This sector is customer-centric, so a higher emphasis must be placed on delivering quality service and customer satisfaction. Consequently, companies in the insurance sector will be able to keep customers satisfied over long periods and ultimately achieve customer loyalty. The study elucidates the pathway for insurance companies to navigate challenging times successfully by focusing on delivering quality service and nurturing customer satisfaction for long-term loyalty.https://jssidoi.org/ird/article/157
spellingShingle Steven Kayambazinthu Msosa
Thembisa Charity Khuboni
Siyabonga Maphumulo
Bhekabantu Alson Ntshangase
Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times
Insights into Regional Development
title Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times
title_full Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times
title_fullStr Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times
title_full_unstemmed Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times
title_short Demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times
title_sort demystifying the potency of marketing strategies as a tool for creating competitive advantage in challenging times
url https://jssidoi.org/ird/article/157
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