CONSUMER PREFERENCE TOWARDS CHARGEABLE POWER INVERTERS

IRJMST Volume 5 Issue 3 [Year 2014] Online ISSN 2250 - 1959

International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology http://www.irjmst.com Page 128

CONSUMER PREFERENCE TOWARDS CHARGEABLE POWER

INVERTERS

Dr. R. Renuka,

M.Com., MBA, M.Phil., Ph.D., NET, Asst. Prof. of Commerce and

Mgt. Studies, SRC – SASTRA University, Kumbakonam. ( [email protected])

Dr. G. Prabhakaran M.Com., M.B.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., NET., Asst. Prof. of Commerce and Mgt. Studies, SRC –

SASTRA University, Kumbakonam. ([email protected])

Dr. M. Ganesan,

M.Com., MBA, M.Phil., Ph.D., Asst. Prof. of Commerce and Mgt. Studies, SRC –

SASTRA University, Kumbakonam. ([email protected])

ABSTRACT:

India is the largest developing country but there are many problems in this city

like communication, transportation etc. But the main problem is the shortage of

electricity. The demand of electricity is more than supply. That‟s why people prefer to

use inverters. Inverter is one among them; Inverter is a kind of equipment that helps in

storing power and consuming the same when there is no power available (i.e., Direct

current into Altering current). This device is available in different capacities. It requires a

battery to operate and has to be charged. Analyzing and studying about the internal aspect

and function of the inverter with the help of buyers through questionnaire and data will

give a concrete picture to design a best suited models / brands so as to improve the sales

in this present competitive environment. In this article the researcher analyses the

different brands of inverter available in the market, motivating factors available and level

of satisfaction among the buyers towards inverter.

mailto:[email protected]





Key words: Brand preferences, Consumers, Inverter, Motivating factors, Satisfaction

level.

INTRODUCTION:

India is the largest developing country but there are many problems in this city

like communication, transportation etc. But the main problem is the shortage of

electricity. The demand of electricity is more than supply. That‟s why people prefer to

use inverters. Inverter is one among them; Inverter is a kind of equipment that helps in

storing power and consuming the same when there is no power available (i.e., Direct

current into Altering current). This device is available in different capacities. It requires a

battery to operate and has to be charged. This is available in a variety of styles and

designs and also in different colors‟. There are various companies that are in to the

manufacturing of inverters and also various models are available in it. Few among them

are microtek, luminous, su-kam, Parker power etc.., These companies are manufacturing

world class Inverter

MEANING OF BUYERS’ SATISFACTION

Buyer satisfaction is the buzzword used by the business people for the success of

the organization in the present days. Due to increase of heavy competition in every

product line it become difficult for the companies to retain the buyers for the longer time.

So retain the buyer for longer time the marketer has to do only one thing. i.e. Buyer

satisfaction. If customer is fully satisfied by the product it not only rude the organization

successfully but also fetch many benefits for the company. They are less process sensitive

and they remain buyer for longer period. They buy addition products over times as the

company introduce related products or improved, so buyer satisfaction is gaining a lot of

importance in the present day. Every company is conducting survey on buyer satisfaction

level on their products up to the satisfaction level of the buyers. A business term is a

measure of how products and services supplied by a company meet or surpass buyer

satisfaction expectation. It is seen as a key performance indicator within business and is

part of the four of a balanced scorecard. In a competitive market place where businesses



compete for buyers, buyer satisfaction is seen as a key differentiator and increasingly has

become a key element of business strategy.

HISTORY OF INVERTERS

The Inverter was formed from the late 19th

century though the middle of the 20th

century, DC to AC power converter was accomplished using rotary converters or motor

generator sets. In the early 20th

century, Vacuum tubes and gas filled tube began to be

used as switches in inverter circuits. The most widely used type of tube was the thyraton.

The origins of electromechanical inverters explain the source of the term inverter. Early

AC to DC converters used an induction or synchronous AC motor direct-connected to

generator (dynamo) so that the generators commentator reversed its connections at

exactly the right moments to produce DC. A later development in the synchronous

converter, in which the motor and generator windings are combined into one armature,

with slip rings at one end and a commentator at the other and only one field name. The

result will either is AC-in, DC-out with an M-G set, The DC can be considered to be

separately generated from the AC with a synchronous converter in a certain seem it can

be considered to be “Mechanically rectified AC” given the right auxiliary and control

equipment, an M-G set or rotary converter can be “run backwards”, converting DC to AC

Hence an inverter is an inverted converter.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Jim Doucet, Dan Eggleston(2006-2007) Electrical Engineering in his thesis titled”

DC/AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter” Existing literature survey had been done for the

construction of the pure sine wave inverter can be complex when thought of as a whole

but broken up into smaller projects and divisions it becomes a much easier to manage

projects. The following sections detail each specific part of the project as well as how

each section is constructed and interacts with other blocks to result in the production of a

120volt pure sine wave power inverter.

BharaniShankarPattnaik (2007) National Institute of Technology Rourkela. Her

MBA final year project focuses on “Implementation of PWM Based Firing Scheme for

Multilevel Inverter using Microcontroller“. This project aims at generation of carrier



based pump scheme using POD strategy through the means of an AT89C51

microcontroller. The salient features are firstly both the high frequency triangular carries

wave as the sinusoidal reference signal are being generated in the micro controller. The

digital to analog converter is then employed for covertly them in to their analog signal

forms. Pomp based comparator then compares these two carriers and reference signals to

give us the desired signal as he required final output. The PWM signal thus generated is

then used as triggering pulses for the multi level inverters.

Mohit Verma (1992) University of Nigera. His MBA final year project focuses on

“A su-kam final project “Existing literature survey tells that su-kam is India‟s biggest

producer and supplier of power inverter. With the largest market share, su-kam products

have set bench marketing standards for the industry. Su-kam offers a wide range of

inverters and is the only Indian company to produce 100KVA inverter, The wide dealer

network, the largest company in the industry, and after sales services for true „Customer

Engagement „all the system at su-kam are fully validated by independent international

organization. Su-kam is the only Indian company in the power solution business to

receive ISO 9001:2000 Quality management system.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Now-a-days power becomes an integral part of our lives. As the electronics

and electrical appliances find place in day-to-day operations, power makes everything

standstill. Today our state as acute power shortage due to various reasons. Restoration of

enough power supply seems many more years to come therefore we need an alternative

source of energy. so inverter is the ideal preference under this circumstances. As every

residence utilizes more power inverter is the best option to meet current requirement. As

our current at future project to optimize power is able to deliver only 50% of power,

naturally we have to depend on readily available inverter to meet our standstill operations

due to heavy power shutdown. Analyzing and studying about the internal aspect and

function of the inverter with the help of buyers through questionnaire and data will give a

concrete picture to design a best suited models / brands so as to improve the sales in this

present competitive environment.



SCOPE OF THE STUDY:

1. The study identifies the various types of brands offered by the dealers.

2. The research analyses the awareness level of the customers.

3. The research finds out the customers satisfaction towards the inverter in

Tamilnadu.

4. The study predicts the future requirements and improvement of the

inverter.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To study the different brands of inverters available in the market.

2. To understand the buyers’ brand preferences towards inverter.

3. To find out the factors motivating the buyers’ to buy a particular brand of

inverter.

4. To assess the level of satisfaction among the buyers’ towards inverter.

HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY:

The following null hypotheses are framed by the researcher to analyze the data.

1. There is no significant relationship between the age of the respondents and

sources of information.

2. There is no significant relationship between occupation of the respondents

and purpose of usage of inverters.

3. There is no significant relationship between monthly income of the

respondents and voltage capacity of the inverters.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

The research design used in the study is descriptive research design. It includes

surveys and planning to visit the customers across Kumbakonam town and gathered

information as per the questionnaire.



SOURCES OF DATA ANALYSIS:

a. Primary data:

Data is collected through the questionnaire depending upon

respondents’ convenience.

b. Secondary data:

Data is collected through the sources like books, journals,

websites, dissertation and thesis.

SAMPLE SIZE:

The primary data is collected from 110 respondents those who use inverter for their

day to day purposes.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

Convenience sampling is used to select the samples for collecting data.

TOOLS USED FOR DATA ANALYSIS:

Statistical tools like percentage analysis, Chi-square, Correlation, ANOVA using

SPSS package, Likert scale are the tools used to analyze the data.

PERIOD OF STUDY :

The study covers the period of one year 2012-2013.



Table 1

MODE OF CUSTOMER PREFERENCE FOR INVERTER

Particulars Frequency Percentage

Age Below 20 years

20-40 years

40-60 years

Above 60 years

19

38

37

16

17

35

34

14

Marital Status Married

Unmarried

79

31

72

28

Educational

Qualification

Schooling

UG/PG

Technical

Professional

20

66

11

13

18

60

10

12

Occupation Public

Private

Professional

Business

Others

16

34

13

24

22

15

31

12

22

20

Monthly Income Up to Rs. 15,000

Rs. 15,000- Rs.30,000

Rs. 30,000 – Rs. 45,000

Above Rs.60,000

57

32

17

4

52

29

15

4

Sources of

Information

Advertisements

Internet

Word-of-mouth communication

Existing Customer

31

14

35

30

28

13

32

27

Source: Primary Data

Table 1 highlights mode of customer preference for inverter in Tamilnadu 70 % of the

customers age ranges between 20- 60 years, 72% of the customers were married, 60%

of the customers were graduates, 52% of the customer‟s monthly income is above Rs.

15,000 and 32% of the customers were get information about the inverter through

word-of-mouth communication.



Table 2

AGE AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION

S. No. Sources of

Information

Age of the respondents

Up to 20 20 – 40 41 – 60 Above 60 Total

1. Advertisements 8 9 12 2 31

2. Internet 4 3 4 3 14

3. Word- of- Mouth 5 9 16 5 35

4. Existing Customers 2 17 5 6 30

Total 19 38 37 16 110


Table 2 exhibits that out of 110 respondents studied; 35 respondents are influenced

by word-of-mouth. Among 35 respondents studied, 16 of them are in the age group of 41-60.

Thirty one respondents are influenced by advertisements. Among 31 respondents studied, 12

of them are in the age group of 41-60. Thirty respondents are influenced by existing

customers. Among 30 respondents 17 of them are in the age group 20-40. Fourteen

respondents are influenced by internet. Among 14 respondents 4 of them are in the age group

of up to 20.

Chi-square test:

The researcher wishes to know that there is any relationship between the age of the

respondents and sources of information.

Null Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between the age group of the

respondents and sources of information.



Chi Square Test

Df Sig

Pearson Chi-Square 17.384a 9 .043

Likelihood Ratio 17.837 9 .037

Linear-by-Linear Association 1.457 1 .227

N of Valid Cases 110

Result:

The χ2 value in SPSS table value (17.384) is significant as its P value 0.043 is less

than 0.05. Thus the null hypothesis, there is no significant relationship between the age group

of the respondents and sources of information is rejected at 5% significant level. So it is

concluded that there is a significant relationship between the age groups of the respondents

and sources of information by the respondents.

Table 3 OCCUPATION AND PURPOSE OF USAGE

S. No.

Purpose of

usage

Occupation of respondents

Public

sector

Private

sector

Professional

Business

Others

Total

1. Especially for

studies

4 11 3 6 8 32

2. House hold

Appliance

4 4 1 6 6 21

3. Entertainments 1 1 1 1 0 4

4. For all purpose 7 18 8 11 9 53

Total 16 34 13 24 23 110




Table 3 indicates that out of 110 respondents; 53 respondents are using inverter for all

purpose. Among 53 respondents, 18 of them were working in the private sector. Thirty two

respondents use inverter especially for studies. Among 32 respondents, 11 of them were

working in the private sector. Twenty one respondents are using for house hold purposes.

Among 21 respondents, 6 respondents were doing businesses.

F-Test (ANOVA):

The researcher wishes to know that is there any relationship between occupation of the

respondents and purpose of usage.

Null Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between occupation of the

respondents and purpose of usage of inverter.

ANOVA TABLE

Sources

of information

Sum of

squares

Degrees of

freedom

Mean sum

of squares

Variable

relation

Between Rows 253 4 16.63 1.50

Between columns 66.5 3 84.33 3.38

Residual error 674.5 12 56.21

Total 994 19

Result:

Calculated F value for Occupation = 56.21/16.63 = 3.38

Calculated F value for Purpose of usage = 84.33/56.21 = 1.50



Table value of F for reasons: d.f. V1 = 4 and V2 = 12, @ 5% significance level is

4.76

Table value of F for age: d.f. V1 = 3 and V2 = 12 @ 5% significance level is 5.14

Hence in both the cases the calculated value of F is greater than table value so the

null Hypothesis is rejected i.e., There is a significant relationship between occupation of

the respondents and purpose of usage of inverter

Table 4

MONTHLY INCOME AND VOLTAGE CAPACITY

S.No Monthly Income Voltage capacity

400VA 600VA 875VA 1400VA Total

1 Up to Rs.15,000 5 28 16 7 56

2 Rs.15,001 – Rs.30,000 2 12 17 2 33

3 Rs.30,001 – Rs.45,000 0 7 8 2 17

4 Rs.45,001 – Rs.60,000 0 4 0 0 4

Total 7 51 41 11 110


Table 4 observed that out of 110 respondents, 56 respondents getting monthly

income up to 15000. Among 56 respondents, 28 of them are preferring 600VA. Thirty

three respondents monthly income ranges between Rs. 15,001-Rs. 30,000. Among 33

respondents, 17 of them are preferring 875VA. Seventeen respondents monthly income

ranges between Rs.30, 001 Rs. 45,000. Among 17 respondents, 8 of them are preferring

875VA.

Chi-square test:

The researcher wishes to know that there is any relationship between monthly

income and voltage capacity of the inverter.



Null Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between monthly income and

voltage capacity of the inverter.

Chi Square Test

Value Df Sig.

Pearson Chi-Square 11.548a 9 .240

Likelihood Ratio 14.074 9 .120

Linear-by-Linear

Association .166 1 .684

N of Valid Cases 110

Result:

The χ2 value in SPSS table value (11.58) is in significant as its P value 0.240 is

greater than 0.05. Thus the null hypothesis, there is no significant relationship between

monthly income and voltage capacity of the inverter. By the respondents is accepted at

5% significant level. So it is concluded that there is no significant relationship between

monthly income and voltage capacity of the inverter.

Table 5

VOLTAGE CAPACITY AND WARRANTY PERIOD

S.no Voltage

Capacity

Warranty Period

12 Months 24 Months 48 Months 60 Months Total

1 400 VA 5 0 2 0 7

2 600 VA 12 28 11 0 51

3 875 VA 9 22 9 1 41

4 1400 VA 4 2 5 0 11

Total 30 52 27 1 110

Source: Primary Data:



Table 5 indicates that out of 110 respondents; 51 respondents are having the

voltage capacity of 600VA. Among 51 respondents, 28 respondents inverter having a

warranty period of 24 months. Forty one respondents having a voltage capacity of

875VA. Among 41 respondents, 22 respondents inverter having a warranty period of 24

months. ; 11 respondents are having the voltage capacity of 1400VA. Among 11

respondents, 5 respondents inverter having a warranty period of 48 months. 7 respondents

are having the voltage capacity of 400VA. Among 7 respondents, 2 respondents inverter

having a warranty period of 48 months.

Co-efficient of Correlation between voltage capacity and warranty period

X x=X-𝐗 x2 Y y=Y-𝐘 y

2 Xy

7

51

41

11

-20.5

23.5

13.5

-16.5

420.25

552.25

182.25

272.25

30

52

27

1

2.5

24.5

-0.5

-26.5

6.25

600.25

0.25

702.25

-51.25

575.75

-6.75

437.25

∑X=110 ∑ x2=1427 ∑Y=110 ∑y

2=1309 ∑ xy =968.5

Correlation Result:

The relationship between voltage capacity and warranty period of the inverter is

positively correlated its value is 0.71.



Table 6

LEVEL OF SATISFACTION TOWARDS INVERTER

S. No. Descriptions H S (5) S (4) N (3) D S (2) HDS (1) Total score Rank

1. Inverter price 26(130) 65(260) 15(45) 4(8) 0(0) 110(443) 4

2. After sales services 19(95) 61(244) 28(84) 2(4) 0(0) 110(427) 8

3. Battery capacity 34(170)) 60(240) 16(48) 0(0) 0(0) 110(458) 1

4. Operational features 25(125) 67(268) 15(45) 2(4) 1(1) 110(443) 4

5. Performance 33(165) 63(252) 12(36) 1(2) 1(1) 110(456) 2

6. Reliability 20(100) 63(252) 25(75) 2(4) 0(0) 110(431) 7

7. Safety 34(170) 59(236) 13(39) 3(6) 1(1) 110(452) 3

8. Warranty 18(90) 76(304) 15(45) 1(2) 0(0) 110(441) 6


Table 6 shows the satisfactory level of customers. Battery capacity got first rank

in satisfactory level. Second customers are satisfied about performances. Third

customers are satisfied about safety. Inverter price and operational features got fourth

rank. Warranty got sixth place. Reliability got seventh rank. After sales services got

last rank. Customers are more satisfied about inverters when compared to all other

power backup.

FINDINGS

Almost entire 100% of the respondents’ are absolutely facing power cut

problem.

Majority 47% of the respondents recurrence of power cut problem ranges

between 5 – 7 hours in a day.

It observes that 32% of the respondents influenced by word-of-mouth

communication.



It indicates that 58% of the respondents preferred inverter based on durability.

Out of 110 respondents 45% of the respondents preferring high voltage capacity,

only 7% of the respondents were choosing low voltage capacity.

It indicates that 48% of the respondents use inverter for all purposes like studies,

Entertainments etc..,

It reveals that 46% of the respondents inverter having the warranty period of

24months.

It reveals that 50% of the respondents definitely suggest the product to others.

It shows that 72% of the respondents over all consideration for inverter are

good.

SUGGESTIONS

The people are also reducing the usage of electric power.

The people are requested to use solar energy for their day- to – day purpose.

Advertising in newspaper and T.V will help the dealers to attract more

customers.

The Inverter manufacturer supply quality and durable inverter. It will increase

the customers and satisfaction of buyers.

Customers prefer high voltage capacity inverter. So, the manufacturer provides

high voltage inverter to the buyers at reasonable rate.

Since word-of-mouth influences the customers, poor word-of-mouth may affect

the decision making. Hence the dealers should attempts to satisfy all the

customers.

In order to maintain the competition, agents should keep on watching the

competitors’ action.

CONCLUSION



In the present scenario, the main problem faced by the people is the shortage of

electricity. Especially our Tamil Nadu faces acute power shortage over the last two years

and the considerations seems to prevail for another 1 or 2 years. The demand of

electricity is more than supply. So, they prefer to use inverters. Manufacturer and

dealers are offering different kinds of inverter to the market and different voltage

capacity according to the needs of the buyer. Based on the voltage capacity the cost of

inverter also increased. Even though the cost increased, the customer prefers to buy the

inverter because of continuous power cut problems. To satisfy the need of the buyers the

manufacturer supply quality goods at reasonable price. It will increase the number of

buyers. The overall performance of the inverter dealer is good in Tamilnadu.

REFERENCES

1. Gupta, S.P. Statistical Methods, Sultan Chand & Sons, New Delhi, 2001.

2. Pillai RSN, Statistics, S. Chand & Co, 2005.

3. Ravilochanan, P. Research Methodology, Margham publications, Chennai,

2011.

4. Shajahan, S. Marketing Research concepts and practice in India, Macmillan

India Ltd, 2005.

5. Varshney, R.L Marketing Management Text and cases (An Indian

Perspective), Sultan Chand & Sons, New Delhi, 2005.

WEBSITES

1. www.sample project.com

2. www.scrib.com

3. http://en.wikipedia.org

4. http://proquest.umi.com/pqbweb?did=

5. www.google.com.

http://www.sample/

http://en.wikipedia.org/

http://proquest.umi.com/pqbweb?did

CONSUMER PREFERENCE TOWARDS CHARGEABLE POWER INVERTERS

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