Final answer:
The correct answer to the marketing strategy planning question is 'e. all', as marketing managers must consider all aspects of the external environment. Urbanization studies cover various urban aspects, and economists analyze changing market factors through specific analytical methods. Cultural factors also significantly influence marketing strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marketing managers should remember that there are many variables in the external environment that affect strategy planning. The correct answer is e. all. This includes the cultural and social environment; economic and technological changes; competitive environment; and the political and legal environment. Each aspect plays a crucial role in how a company formulates its marketing strategies.
Urbanization studies, as part of the sociological spectrum, include urban economics, urban politics, and urban environments; hence the direct answer there would be d. All of the above. Economists use various tools, such as ceteris paribus, which means holding other variables constant, and multivariate analysis to isolate effects, allowing for analysis despite simultaneous changes in market-affecting factors.
Understanding the cultural impacts on markets is imperative as well. For instance, cultural innovation through managing social media is a choice reflecting an awareness of the significance of cultural trends in marketing strategy. Similarly, the interrelation of various cultural practices within a region is crucial for tailoring marketing strategies that resonate with specific cultural dynamics.