SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

Article 2 of the Kenya Constitution 2010 affirms the supremacy of the constitution

2. (1) This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic and  binds all persons and all State organs at both levels of government..

(2)               No person may claim or exercise State authority except as authorised under this Constitution.

(3)               The validity or legality of this Constitution is not subject to challenge by or before any court or other State organ.

(4)               Any law, including customary law, that is inconsistent with this Constitution is void to the extent of the inconsistency, and any act or omission in contravention of this Constitution is invalid.

(5)               The general rules of international law shall form part of the law of Kenya.

(6)               Any treaty or convention ratified by Kenya shall form part of the law of Kenya under this Constitution.

Marketing Information System

Marketing Information System

·         A Marketing Information System (MkIS) is a Management Information System (MIS) designed to support marketing decision making.

·         It as a system in which marketing data is formally gathered, stored, analysed and distributed to managers in accordance with their informational needs on a regular basis.

·         Marketing Information System (MkIS) can also be defined  as “a system that analyzes and assesses marketing information, gathered continuously from sources inside and outside an organization.”

·          Furthermore, “an overall Marketing Information System can be defined as a set structure of procedures and methods for the regular, planned collection, analysis and presentation of information for use in making marketing decisions.

·          MkIS is also defined more broadly as people, equipment, and procedures to gather, sort, analyze, evaluate, and distribute needed, timely, and accurate information to marketing decision makers.

MkIS systems are composed on four components: (1) user interfaces, (2) applications software, (3) databases, and (4) systems support. The following is a description of each one of these components.

1. User interfaces. The essential element of the MkIS is the managers who will use the system and the interface they need to effectively analyze and use marketing information. The design of the system will depend on what type of decision managers need to make.

2. Application software. These are the programs that marketing decision makers use to collect, analyze, and manage data for the purpose of developing the information necessary for marketing decisions.

3. Database marketing. A marketing database is a system in which marketing data files are organized and stored.

4. System support. This component consists of system managers who manage and maintain the system assets including software and hardware network, monitor its activities and ensure compliance with organizational policies.

IMPORTANCE /BENEFITS/ADVADVANTAGES OF MARKETING INFORMATION SYSTEM

IMPORTANCE /BENEFITS/ADVADVANTAGES OF MARKETING INFORMATION SYSTEM

1.       Helps to recognize trends: - MkIS helps managers to recognize marketing trends. The changing trends may be in respect of prices, product design, packaging, promotion schemes, etc. managers can take effective decisions in respect of prices, product designs, etc., in response to changing trends in the environment.

2.       Facilitates Marketing Planning and Control: -Effective market planning is required in terms of product planning, pricing, promotion and distribution. Such planning will be possible only if the company is possessing adequate and relevant information.

3.       Quick supply of information: -A firm has to take quick decision for this purpose; it requires fast flow of information which is facilitated by a properly designed MkIS. Due to timely supply of marketing information, the marketing managers can make quick and effective decisions.

4.       Quality of decision Making: -in every aspect of marketing, there is need to make constant and correct decisions. A properly designed marketing information system promptly supplies reliable and relevant information. With the help of computers and other data processing equipments, the marketing managers can make the right decisions at the right time.

5.       Tapping of business Opportunities: -There are number of business opportunities which have remained untapped for various reasons are due to unavailability of sufficient information. MkIS makes it possible to tap business opportunities as it can supply required and reliable data.

6.       Provides Marketing Intelligence: -Marketing intelligence refers to information of the events that are happening in the external environment, i.e., changes in customer tastes, expectations, competitors’ strategies, government policies, international environment, etc. with the help of MkIS specialists, it is possible to collect marketing intelligence which is vital to make effective marketing decisions.

7.       Help managers to Recognize Change: -a business firm may be handling or marketing a wrong line of products. As such the company will not be able to make profits. And if it is does, profits may not be adequate. A firm which is well equipped with MkIS will be able to realize the need to change the line of business.

8.       Integration of Information: -firms, which are largely decentralized can gather information which is scattered at many centers or departments and integrate it for effective decision making. Such integration is possible if there is a centralized MkIS.