Final answer:
Marketing is the function that involves activities designed to provide goods and services that fulfill the needs and desires of consumers. It includes processes like product development, promotion, and distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function that involves activities designed to provide goods and services that fulfill the needs and desires of consumers is called marketing. Marketing encompasses various processes, such as identifying consumer needs, developing products or services to fulfill those needs, promoting and advertising the products or services, and distributing them to consumers. Its ultimate goal is to create value for consumers and generate sales for businesses.
For example, when a company conducts market research to understand consumers' preferences and identifies a need for a new type of smartphone, it can develop and produce a smartphone with features that fulfill those needs. Marketing strategies, such as advertising campaigns and social media promotions, are used to promote the smartphone and reach potential consumers. The company then distributes the smartphones through various channels, such as retail stores or online platforms, to make them accessible to consumers.
In summary, marketing is the function that focuses on providing goods and services that fulfill the needs and desires of consumers through processes like product development, promotion, and distribution.