Question

Which of the following best describes the product orientation?

1) Goods were scarce and buyers were willing to accept virtually any goods that were produced and make the most of them as best they could.
2) Businesses have one or more departments specifically designed to understand consumers' needs and readily share this knowledge across departments.
3) Production capabilities exceeded regular demand, competition increased and reaching new markets became more complex.
4) This era began in the 1930s and extended for many firms into the 1960s.

Answer 1

Product orientation is explained by the scenario where goods were scarce, and consumers accepted any available products. It signifies a time when production efficiency was the priority over consumer preferences, routinely seen during times where demand for products exceeded supply.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the student's question, product orientation is best described by option 1: Goods were scarce and buyers were willing to accept virtually any goods that were produced and make the most of them as best they could. This orientation refers to a period where businesses focused primarily on the production process and less on the needs or wants of the consumer, because the demand for goods outstripped the supply. It identifies a time when the efficiency of production was central to business strategies, often leading to limited consumer choices and a market driving by availability rather than the pursuit of desires or preferences.

The context of the industrial revolution and the rise of department stores demonstrate the shift from product orientation to other business strategies where competition and surplus goods necessitated a deeper understanding of consumer demands and a move towards marketing and customer orientation.