ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to ascertain product disposition alternatives in a distressed economy- Nigeria in focus. The specific objectives included to: determine the effect of keeping an unacceptable product and product package on societal well-being; determine the relationship between getting rid of unacceptable product and product package on environmental sustainability; evaluate the effect of returning unacceptable product and product package to the vendor on target market health standard. Three (3) research questions and hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted quantitative approach by means of self-administered questionnaire survey and primary sources of data which was collected with the help of well-structured questionnaire and was analysed using the ‘five (5)’ scale modified Likert ranking order. The population of this study was made up of students, staff and other respondents of Umudike which was not be determined with reasonable degree of accuracy. The sample size was determined based on purposive, judgemental and convenience sampling method, as ten (10) students drawn from the nine (9) standing colleges of the University, sixty (60) other residents of the community and thirty (30) members of the academic and non-academic staff at the ratio of 2:1.  The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and simple percentages; the hypotheses were tested using sample regression for hypotheses 1 and 3; while pearson correlation co-efficient for hypothesis 2 and SPSS statistics computer software was used to run the analysis. Findings of the study reviewed that keeping of unacceptable product and package has significant effect on societal well-being as it impacts on the quality of the environment and the lives of current and future generations, this act of keeping unacceptable product and package could lead to reduction in market for new product as well as course retardation in economic growth as second hand products are made more available; significant relationship exist between getting rid of unacceptable product and product package and environmental sustainability as the process of reclaiming by recycling and reusable materials, return and rework from the point of consumption or use for repair, re-manufacturing, or disposal and returning unacceptable product and product package to the vendor has significant effect on target market health standard as the process reduces the amount of waste in landfills and lowers operating costs for companies. The study further recommended that unacceptable product and package should be refurbished for the re-use of the consumer or be sold to other consumers; acts of getting rid should be adopted as an environmental sustainability strategy as to create enable environment for land filling as strategy of environmental sustainability and returning unacceptable product and product package should be adopted as to reduce related health hazards in the market. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgements v

Table of content vi

List of Tables viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Statement of Problem 3

1.3 Objective of the Study 3

1.4 Research Questions 4

1.5 Research Hypothesis 4

1.6 Scope of the Study 4

1.7 Significance of the Study 5

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Conceptual Framework 6

2.1.1 Concept of Disposition`` 6

2.1.2 Factors that affect Disposition Decision Making 8

2.1.2.1 Perceived Depreciation 8

2.1.2.2 Product Scarcity 9

2.1.2.3 Transaction Reference Price 10

2.1.2.4 Perceived Transaction Cost 11

2.1.2.5 Desire to give 14

2.1.2.6 Timing 15

2.1.3 Disposal of Possessions 15

2.1.4 Disposition Alternatives in a Distressed Economy 17

2.2 Theoretical Framework 19

2.2.1 Commodity Theory 19

2.3 Empirical Review 21

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design 23

3.2 Area of the Study 23

3.3 Source of Data 23

3.4 Population for the Study 23

3.5 Sample Size Determination 24

3.6 Sampling Techniques 24

3.7 Description of Research Instrument 24

3.8 Validity of the Instrument 24

3.9 Reliability of the Instrument 25

3.10 Method of Data Analysis 25

3.11 Model Specification 26

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Data Source Presentation 26

4.2 Test of Hypotheses 27

4.3 Discussion of Findings 33

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary 35

5.2 Conclusion 35

5.3 Recommendations 36

REFERENCES

APPENDIX: QUESTIONNAIRE

LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Title         Page No.

4.1: Data Generation( Questionnaire Administration) 26

4.2: Keeping unacceptable Product/Packages and Societal Well Being 27

4.3: Unacceptable Product and Package and Societal Well Being 28

4.4: Getting rid of Unacceptable Product and Package and Environmental 

Sustainability 30

4.5: Returning Unacceptable Product/Packaging and Health Standards 31

4.6: Returning of Unacceptable Product/Package and Health Standards 32