The marketing orientation of South African industrial companies

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to establish whether the top industrial companies in South Africa have become marketing orientated during the last ten years or so. A study was undertaken amongst 44 of the top hundred companies in South Africa during 1983. The study found that South African industrial companies certainly have become more marketing orientated. The 'average' Industrial company has a marketing department. It's marketing executive sits on the board of directors. He/she has a bachelors degree and over ten years experience. He/she has a limited financial role in the organization but has a large production planning role. He/she normally has the sales executive reporting to him. The most important tasks of the marketing function are advertising, public relations, pricing and selling.