Concept Of Opinion Leadership And Its Influence In The Marketing Of Fashion Products

INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.
The concept of opinion leadership emerged from a study conducted by lazar field and his colleagues on the influence of mass media on individual voting behaviour in the 1940.
Presidential election in United state contrry to expectations, it was found that influencing did not flow directly from a medium (press, radio e.t.c) to an audience but was channeled through an intermediary who was designated the “opinion leader”. It was this finding which gave rise to two step model of communication which states that certain members of the population act as fillers and amplitiers for messages and todays, this has formed the main focus and strong hold of the concept of opinion leadership. Common observations and many community studies shows are certain people who are mostly concerned about particular issues as well as most articulates about them and other therefore go to them for information and advice.
Furthermore, indept studies recently have consistently found that the individual who transmit other is also more likely to receive information from others. For example, a person who frequently expresses opinion about sports equipmenet will also be more likely to listen to other opinion about such equipment.
The balance of evidence between these studies is that opinion leaders actually abound in ourrr society and wherever the exist, they take it upon themselves to mould and change attitude and behaviour of others in areas where they wied influence. In marketing context, the use of opinion leader is without question constitute major target for marketers especially in the area of fashion diffusion. This area of interest has been acclaimed to be most fitted for the effective use of opinion leaders. For instance, an astute fashion firm that can get a famour.
Personality such as a television star, a woman group leader and an outstanding society girl in a university to waer and endorse xa new style of clothing for women will probably have little problem in moving her merchandise since people in their respective group or social clases may try to identify with them thereby increasing the market share and further push up the profit potentials of the firm. Today, evidnce has shown that opinion leaders are found in all starta if the society therefore it behoves the marketers to identify and reach opinion leaders with those personality characteristics relevant to their respective business and make use of them in the marketing of their product. This will go a long way to complementary the use of 4ps (product, price, place and promotion) towards achieving the desired effect especially in area of serious competition that abound now in our society.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
There is a general understanding that fashion firms in the country have not been making maximum use of opinion leaders, despite the immense benefit associated with the use of them in the marketing of cfashion product. This could be attributable to the fact that many firms marketing manager are still ignorant of their existence or are aware but still nurse the felling that the use of 4ps of marketing is enough toget their products across to the customers. What actually prevents them from making use of the opportunity and how can they be stimulated to recogniiiiise the immense use opinion leader could be to them. These constitute the problem areas, which the researcher wishes to look into so as to better the situation of the fashion firms, and also help to bring the role and influence of opinion leaders to the limelight.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The researcher is designed to find whether and if so how managers of various fashions firm perceive and use opinion leaders in the marketing of their products.
1. To show how different people perceive or view opinion leaders and their activities.
2. To find out what specific influences they have on peoples adoption process.
3. To find out whether fashion houses make use of opinion leaders in the marketing of their product
4. To find out to what extent it has spured and helped the fashion firms in their business.
5. To make recommendations.

1.4 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESES
Based on the above objectives the following hypotheses would be tested.
Ho: Opinion leadership do not positively influenced the quality of fashion products offered in Onitsha.
H1: Opinion leadership positively influences the quality of fashion products offered in Onitsha.
Ho: Opinion leadership does not positively influence the price 7 fashion product offered in Onitsha.
H2: Opinion leadership positively influences the price of fashion products offered in Onitsha.
Ho: Opinion leadership does not positively influence the profitability of fashion products offered in Onitsha.
H3: Opinion leadership positively influence the marketing activities of fashion product offered in Onitsha.
Ho: Opinion leadership does not influence the marketing activities 7 fashion products in Onitsha.
H4: Opinion leadership positively influence the marketing activities 7 fashion product in Onitsha.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is not a mere academic exercise. It holds immerse benefits, it will be of significance to the following:
Firstly, the consumers of fashion products will equally benefit if the company adopted the finding of the study. The products will be available to them at the right time and at the right price.
Fashion firms and Onitsha metropolis will gain immensely from the as it explore the impact of concept of opinion leadership performance of their operations and suggest more success oriented) ways of enhancing their performance.
Finally, both the researcher and reader will benefit from the study as the information contained would widen their scope of understanding and knowledge in th area of study which stir up further investigations.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study concentrated on opinion leadership and its influence on the marketing of fashion product. However, because of time, money and other constraints emphasis was placed on Onitsha metropolis.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
OPINION LEADER:
Igbodi (1990) said that opinion leader could defend as an individual who frequently exerts influence on other through word of mouth communication.
GATE-KEEPER
According to ODO (2003) said that gate keepers are the people in the organization who have control over the flow of information to others. They are also people who first pick messages from sources and in turn pass them to the audience or members of their group.
OPINION LEADERSHIP
According to Agbagha (1995) opinion leadership reffered to as the initiatives and leaders of thought in any given society, whose act as an influence on others. Opinion leadership are also those by virtue of their placements and or experience in society or group are looked upon as initiators 7 actions and innovators and also for general direction and guidance.