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Introduction. The food industry is one of the most important branches of the industrial complex of Ukraine, which addresses food security and includes a large number of various industries and industries that produce food. The food industries have great potential for expansion through diversification of production and exploration of new export markets, which will create millions of jobs, increase tax revenues through the income tax system, and strengthen the economy of industrial enterprises. Therefore, the development and expansion of industrial food production enterprises are relevant, and will have a positive effect on the saturation of the domestic market and will generate export potential that will contribute to the growth of the economy in Ukraine. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the current trends in the development of industrial food production in the Mykolayiv region, as well as to identify possible prospects for increasing the volume of food production and their implementation. Results. As a result of research the analysis of development of industrial production of foodstuff in the Mykolayiv region is carried out. It is established that the food industry is a priority and strategically important component of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine, which is able to provide food security not only in the domestic market, but also competitive positions among world countries - leaders in food production. It is substantiated that the increase in the volume of food production by industrial enterprises of the Mykolayiv region depends directly on the development of the crop and livestock industries as a raw material base. Transformational changes in the production of flour, bread, oil, vegetable and fruit juices have been determined. The dynamics of food production from milk and meat by industrial enterprises is investigated, as well as the causes of the decline in meat production, as well as the low utilization of the food industry both in Mykolayiv region and throughout Ukraine. The volume of sales of industrial products in the production of food and beverages is analyzed and it is established that in recent years the industry has occupied the most important place in the Mykolayiv region. The issue of investment activity of capital investments in industrial food production enterprises is investigated. Conclusions. In recent years, the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine has made great strides in its development, first of all, declared itself to the world as a powerful player in the global food market. Therefore, agricultural economic growth is a key prerequisite for the development of the food industry, as a strong raw material base opens the way for processing and creating higher value-added products. At the same time, obtaining the added value and ensuring the proper volumes and quality of food products require: modernization, reconstruction and expansion of existing production facilities; the introduction of new production and storage technologies that make it possible to create quality and safe products; enhancing regional competitiveness to attract foreign investment into joint ventures in Ukraine; the optimal combination of foreign and Ukrainian scientific and educational technologies in order to train highly qualified specialists in the food industry; introduction of the HACCP system; sound state policy in the agro-industrial complex; strengthening the protection of national producers against poor and dangerous food products.

The subject of the study – used of cultivated food products for cooking in catering establishments. The purpose of the article – analysis of the prospects for use for the production of food products in the establishments of the hospitality industry, obtained through cultivation. Methodology of work – is a systematic approach, which involves a comprehensive study of the hospitality industry, the method of financial analysis, the method of statistical processing of economic data, the method of optimal management (in formulating conclusions and recommendations). Total of work – Based on the positive international, the positive aspects of the introduction of new models of production of certain types of cultivated products for the restaurant industry have been identified. Conclusions – installation of the necessary technological equipment will provide a variety of exclusive products, which will reduce the negative impact on the environment.

In response to the growing interest for social and environmental concerns, the public authorities develop and manage quality signals to identify in the market the responsible practices, especially for the agribusiness sector. The objective of this thesis is to understand the influence of official quality signs on the market performance of agrifood products. We consider the official quality signs as resources for the firms, and identify and measure the marketing productivity of organic label and Label Rouge with three empirical studies. Several contributions emerged from this work. First, a theoretical contribution with a reflection about the linearity of marketing productivity mean-end chain, and the importance of studying consistency among quality signals to assess their performance. Second, from a methodological point, the use of methods rarely used in management bring another perception on performance. Third, the studies reveals disparate results according to the type of product. We highlight the lack of significant influence of official quality signs to create value through the price, and the incapacity of perceived value to transform quality signals into monetary value. Nevertheless, we observe an increase in sales volumes depending on the quality of the products. Finally, the nomenclatures signaling all the production process, perceived as responsible or not, have a stronger influence on economic results than official quality signs. In that respect, we discuss the interest of public policy and market regulations.; La montée des préoccupations sociales et environnementales des consommateurs a incité les autorités publiques à développer des signaux de qualité pour identifier les pratiques responsables, notamment dans le secteur de l’agroalimentaire. L’objectif de cette recherche est de comprendre l’influence des signes officiels de qualité sur la performance marché des produits agricoles. Considérant le signe officiel de qualité comme une ressource à disposition de l’entreprise, nous identifions et mesurons la productivité marketing du label Agriculture Biologique et du Label Rouge à travers trois études empiriques complémentaires. Plusieurs contributions de dégagent de ces travaux. Premièrement, une contribution théorique avec une remise en question de la vision linéaire de la chaine de productivité marketing, et la mise en lumière de la nécessité d’étudier la cohérence des signaux de qualité. Deuxièmement, d’un point de vue méthodologique, l’utilisation de méthodes peu utilisée en gestion apporte une autre vision de la performance. Troisièmement, les études présentes des résultats disparates en fonction du produit étudié. Les signes de qualité ne sont pas équivalents ni substituables sur le marché. Nous mettons en exergue l’absence d’influence significative des signes de qualité à créer de la valeur par le prix, et l’absence de transformation de la valeur perçue des signaux de qualité en valeur monétaire. Cependant, nous observons une augmentation des quantités d’achats en fonction de la qualité du produit. Enfin, les nomenclatures qui signalent toutes les pratiques de production, perçues responsables ou non, ont une plus grande influence sur les résultats économiques que les signes officiels de qualité. Nous soulevons ainsi l’intérêt des politiques publiques et de la régulation de marché.

The subject of the study is restaurant and mobile catering services in the hospitality industry through the organization of mini–food production. The purpose of the article is to analyze the prospects of introducing individual mini–food production in hospitality establishments. Methodology of work is a systematic approach, which involves a comprehensive study of the hospitality industry, the method of financial analysis, the method of statistical processing of economic data, the method of optimal management (in formulating conclusions and recommendations). Total of work – Based on positive international experience in the hospitality industry, innovative areas for catering have been identified. The article outlines the positive aspects of the introduction of mini–technologies for the production of certain types of food products in the context of hotel and restaurant facilities, which will ensure their competitiveness. Conclusions – Installation of the necessary technological equipment will allow to provide the most demanding exclusive products of the most demanding visitors of the establishment.

Introduction. Agriculture is one of the largest and most important sectors of the Ukrainian economy. The food security and independence of the state, the state of the internal and external markets, and, consequently, the standard of living of the population are directly dependent on its functional state. Mykolaiv region has significant opportunities for the development of the agricultural sector. There are favorable natural and climatic conditions, fertile land, labor resources and long-standing cultivating traditions. The region is considered one of the regions of intensive agriculture in Ukraine and has significant land resources. Purpose. The article presents the analysis of the development of production and sale of crop production by the agrarian enterprises of the Mykolaiv region, as well as revealing ways to increase the volume of their production and sales. Results. The crop area of main agricultural crops in all categories of farms was analyzed, and structural changes for 2010-2016 were revealed. The priority branch of the agro-industrial complex, which has an important strategic significance, first of all, is determined by the level of production of which the food security of the state depends, its economy and welfare of the population. The dynamics of agricultural crop yields in agrarian enterprises as the determining factor of influence on the efficiency of activity in the field of plant growing is researched. The dynamics of gross collections of crop production in agricultural enterprises is analyzed and the contribution of the Mykolaiv region to the national production of grain is determined. The volumes and average prices of sales of agricultural products by agrarian enterprises are investigated and it is determined that the modern development of the agrarian sector of the economy requires special attention to the formation and activation of the activities of market infrastructure entities. The production of which crops are an essential source of cash receipts and financial support of agricultural enterprises. Conclusions. Thus, today, in order to improve the results of economic activity in the field of plant growing in Mykolaiv region, it is necessary, namely: rational use of available agricultural land; to strengthen the material and technical base of the agrarian sector; introduction of new technologies, new varieties of crops; introduction of a complex of organizational, technological and financial measures aimed at the effective use of irrigated lands; to intensify the activities of market infrastructure entities.

Demand forecasting is a well-established internal process at Ericsson, where employees from various departments within the company collaborate in order to predict future sales volumes of specific products over horizons ranging from months to a few years. This study aims to evaluate current predictions regarding radio unit products of Ericsson, draw insights from historical volume data, and finally develop a novel, statistical prediction approach. Specifically, a two-part statistical model with a decision tree followed by a neural network is trained on previous sales data of radio units, and then evaluated (also on historical data) regarding predictive accuracy. To test the hypothesis that mid-range volume predictions of a 1-3 year horizon made by data-driven statistical models can be more accurate, the two-part model makes predictions per individual radio unit product based on several predictive attributes, mainly historical volume data and information relating to geography, country and customer trends. The majority of wMAPEs per product from the predictive model were shown to be less than 5% for the three different prediction horizons, which can be compared to global wMAPEs from Ericsson's existing long range forecast process of 9% for 1 year, 13% for 2 years and 22% for 3 years. These results suggest the strength of the data-driven predictive model. However, care must be taken when comparing the two error measures and one must take into account the large variances of wMAPEs from the predictive model. Ericsson har en väletablerad intern process för prognostisering av försäljningsvolymer, där produktnära samt kundnära roller samarbetar med inköpsorganisationen för att säkra noggranna uppskattningar angående framtidens efterfrågan. Syftet med denna studie är att evaluera tidigare prognoser, och sedan utveckla en ny prediktiv, statistisk modell som prognostiserar baserad på historisk data. Studien fokuserar på produktkategorin radio, och utvecklar en två-stegsmodell bestående av en trädmodell och ett neuralt nätverk. För att testa hypotesen att en 1-3 års prognos för en produkt kan göras mer noggran med en datadriven modell, tränas modellen på attribut kopplat till produkten, till exempel historiska volymer för produkten, och volymtrender inom produktens marknadsområden och kundgrupper. Detta resulterade i flera prognoser på olika tidshorisonter, nämligen 1-12 månader, 13-24 månader samt 25-36 månder. Majoriteten av wMAPE-felen för dess prognoser visades ligga under 5%, vilket kan jämföras med wMAPE på 9% för Ericssons befintliga 1-årsprognoser, 13% för 2-årsprognerna samt 22% för 3-årsprognoserna. Detta pekar på att datadrivna, statistiska metoder kan användas för att producera gedigna prognoser för framtida försäljningsvolymer, men hänsyn bör tas till jämförelsen mellan de kvalitativa uppskattningarna och de statistiska prognoserna, samt de höga varianserna i felen.

Aim. To substantiate theoretically and study the influence of marketing and economic factors on formation of the price of a drug based on the socially oriented approach on the example of a nonselective β-blocker with the vasodilator effect of cardevylol.Materials and methods. As materials scientific publications, own research and results of monitoring of the retail market of medicines in the Pharmstandard company were used; as methods the following ones were applied: generalization, systematization of theoretical and practical material, marketing analysis, comparative and economic methods.Results. The analysis and generalization of materials for the methodological substantiation of approaches to the use of marketing and economic components of the socially oriented marketing commodity policy in determining the cost of the development and formation of market prices for a medicinal product (drug) have been conducted. On the example of carvedilol tablets, 0.015 g, the practical development of cash flow models has been made taking into account the changes in manufacturing prices, market prices and sales volumes. The influence of prices, profitability and sales volumes on the terms of return of discounted investments in the development of a new drug has been determined.Conclusions. The possibility and necessity of using marketing and economical indicators of a product project in developing a new drug when forming the market prices and the manufacturing prices for a new drug based on the socially oriented marketing policy of the manufacturer have been substantiated., Цель: теоретическое обоснование и проведение исследования влияния маркетинговых и экономических факторов на формирование цены на лекарственное средство на основе социально ориентированного подхода на примере неселективного β-блокатора с сосудорасширяющим действием карведилола.Материалы и методы: научные публикации, собственные исследования и результаты мониторинга розничного рынка лекарств компании «Морион»; обобщения, систематизации теоретического и практического материала, маркетингового анализа, сравнительный и экономический методы.Результаты исследований. Проведен анализ и обобщение материалов относительно методического обоснования подходов к использованию маркетинговых и экономических составляющих социально ориентованной маркетинговой товарной политики по установлению стоимости разработки и формированию рыночной цены на лекарственное средство. На примере таблеток карведилола 0,015 г практически отработаны модели денежных потоков с учетом изменения цен производителя, рыночной цены и объемов продаж. Определено влияние цены, прибыльности и объемов продаж на сроки возврата дисконтированных инвестиционных вложений в разработку нового ЛС.Выводы. Обоснована возможность и необходимость использования маркетинговых и экономических показателей продуктового проекта по разработке нового ЛС при формировании рыночной цены и цены производителя на новое ЛС при социально ориентированной маркетинговой политике производителя., Мета: теоретичне обґрунтування та проведення дослідження впливу маркетингових і економічних факторів на формування ціни лікарського засобу на основі соціально орієнтованого підходуна прикладі неселективного β-блокатора із судинорозширювальною дією карведилолу.Матеріали та методи: наукові публікації, власні дослідження та результати моніторингу роздрібного ринку ліків компанії «Фармстандарт»; узагальнення, систематизації теоретичного і практичного матеріалу, маркетингового аналізу, порівняльний і економічний методи.Результати досліджень. Проведено аналіз та узагальнення матеріалів щодо методичного обґрунтування підходів до використання маркетингових і економічних складових соціально орієнтованої маркетингової товарної політики щодо установлення вартості розробки та формування ринкової ціни на лікарський засіб (ЛЗ). На прикладі таблеток карведилолу 0,015 г практично опрацьовано моделі грошових потоків з урахуванням змін ціни виробника, ринкової ціни та обсягів продажів. Визначено вплив ціни, прибутковості й обсягів продажів на терміни повернення дисконтованих інвестиційних вкладень у розробку нового ЛЗ.Висновки. Обґрунтована можливість і необхідність використання маркетингових та економічних показників продуктового проекту з розробки нового ЛЗ при визначенні підходів до формування ринкової ціни та ціни виробника на новий ЛЗ у соціально орієнтованій маркетинговій політиці виробника.

Мета: обґрунтування та визначення складових маркетингових рішень при реалізації маркетингової діяльності з метою підвищення ринкового потенціалу гепатотропного лікарського засобу (ЛЗ) та збільшення обсягів його продажів.Матеріали та методи: наукові публікації, власні дослідження та результати моніторингу роздрібного ринку ліків системи «Фармстандарт» компанії «Моріон»; методи узагальнення, систематизації теоретичного і практичного матеріалу, маркетингового аналізу. Результати досліджень. Проведено узагальнення даних наукової літератури щодо взаємозв’язку ринкового потенціалу ЛЗ із загальним потенціалом фармацевтичного підприємства і потенціалом ринку фармакотерапевтичної групи ЛЗ. Запропоновано підходи, інструменти і маркетингові рішення для посилення ринкового потенціалу гепатотропного ЛЗ під умовною назвою «Аргілів» після 2022 р. Обґрунтовано маркетингові рішення щодо визначення цільових аудиторій і позиціонування ЛЗ, напрямків і завдань із роботи з цільовими аудиторіями, стратегічних і тактичних цілей, критеріїв ефективності маркетингових комунікацій, напрямків планування бюджету маркетингових комунікацій. Висновки. Обґрунтовано важливість і необхідність використання маркетингових рішень й інструментарію у стратегії маркетингової діяльності фармацевтичного виробничого підприємства для підвищення ринкового потенціалу ЛЗ із метою розширення цільової аудиторії та збільшення обсягів продажів., Aim. To substantiate and determine the components of marketing decisions in marketing activities in order to increase the market potential of a hepatotropic drug and increase its sales volumes.Materials and methods. Scientific publications, own research and results of monitoring of the retail market of medicines of the “Pharmstandard” system of the company “Morion” were used as materials; such methods as generalization, systematization of theoretical and practical material, and marketing analysis were applied.Results. The generalization of scientific literature data on the relationship between the drug market potential with the general potential of a pharmaceutical enterprise, and the market potential of the drug pharmacotherapeutic group has been carried out. The approaches, tools and marketing decisions were proposed for intensification of the market potential of a hepatotropic drug under the conditional name Argiliv after 2022. Marketing decisions concerning the identification of target audiences and positioning of the drug, directions and tasks for work with target audiences, strategic and tactical goals, the criteria for the effectiveness of marketing communications, and directions of budget planning for marketing communications have been substantiated. Conclusions. The importance and necessity of using marketing decisions and tools in the strategy of the marketing activity of a pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprise has been substantiated to increase the drug market potential in order to expand the target audience and increase sales volumes., Цель: обоснование и определение составляющих маркетинговых решений при реализации маркетинговой деятельности с целью повышения рыночного потенциала гепатотропного лекарственного средства (ЛС) и увеличения объемов его продаж.Материалы и методы: научные публикации, собственные исследования и результаты мониторинга розничного рынка лекарств системы «Фармстандарт» компании «Морион»; методы обобщения, систематизации теоретического и практического материала, маркетингового анализа.Результаты исследований. Проведено обобщение данных научной литературы о взаимосвязи рыночного потенциала ЛС с общим потенциалом фармацевтического предприятия и потенциалом рынка фармакотерапевтической группы ЛС. Предложенные подходы, инструменты и маркетинговые решения для усиления рыночного потенциала гепатотропного ЛС под условным названием «Аргилив» после 2022 г. Обоснованы маркетинговые решения по определению целевых аудиторий и позиционирования ЛС, направлений и задач по работе с целевыми аудиториями, стратегических и тактических целей, критериев эффективности маркетинговых коммуникаций, направлений планирования бюджета маркетинговых коммуникаций.Выводы. Обоснованы важность и необходимость использования маркетинговых решений и инструментария в стратегии маркетинговой деятельности фармацевтического производственного предприятия для повышения рыночного потенциала ЛС с целью расширения целевой аудитории и увеличения объемов продаж.

Copper pesticides used to control fungal and bacterial diseases such as grapes downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), downy mildew of hops (Pseudoperonospora humili), apple scab (Venturia spp.), fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) and potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans), play an important role in plant protection. In a 2013 survey of copper application in Germany we found, that while the amounts of copper used per hectare in conventional grape (0.8 kg ha−1), hop (1.7 kg ha−1) and potato-farming (0.8 kg ha−1) were well below those used in organic farming (2.3, 2.6 and 1.4 kg ha−1, respectively), they were nearly identical to those used in apple growing (1.4 kg ha−1). Due to the smaller farming area, only 24% (26.5 tonnes) of the total amount of copper was applied in organic farming compared to 76% (84.8 tonnes) in conventional farming. Since 2001, the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) promoted a copper research and minimization strategy which was funded with a total of C10.2 million. Our status quo analysis of research in this field shows that some progress is being made concerning alternative compounds, resistant varieties and decision support systems. However, it also shows that new approaches are not yet able to replace copper pesticides completely, especially in organic farming. In integrated pest management, copper preparations are important for the necessary active substance rotation and successful resistance management. The availability of such products is often essential for organic grapes, hops and fruit production and for extending the organic farming of these crops. We conclude that the complete elimination of copper pesticides is not yet practicable in organic farming as the production of several organic crops would become unprofitable and may lead to organic farmers reverting to conventional production. Several existing copper reduction strategies were, however, identified, and some, like modified forecast models adapted to organic farming, varieties more resistant to fungal diseases and new alternative products, already contribute to copper minimization in German agriculture.

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Business Administration at Strathmore University Business School The study, sought to assess the effectiveness of marketing mix strategies on sales volumes for OTC drugs by research based MNCs in Kenya. Specific objectives were; to determine the influence of price on sales volume of OTC medicines for MNCs in Kenya, to determine the influence of place on sales volume of OTC medicines for MNCs in Kenya, to determine the influence of promotion on sales volume of OTC medicines for MNCs in Kenya and to determine the influence of product on sales volume of OTC medicines for MNCs in Kenya. Descriptive research design was used. The target population of this study was MNCs that have a representative office or operate through a distributor and additionally deal with OTC drugs in Kenya. The study used a census method, where all the 13 MNCs were selected for the study. Data was collected from primary sources by use of a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed mainly by use of descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics were conducted to establish the relationship between the study variables. The study found that modifying pricing mix element by a single unit would lead to an increase in sales volume of OTC medicines for MNCs in Kenya. Modifying place mix element by a single unit would lead to an increase in sales volume of OTC medicines for MNCs in Kenya. Modifying promotion mix element by a single unit would lead to an increase in sales volume of OTC medicines for MNCs in Kenya. Modifying product mix element by a single unit would lead to an increase in sales volume of OTC medicines for multinational pharmaceutical companies.

The quality of the production machinery of Ukraine depends directly on the state and functioning of light industry. That is why the necessity of determining the prospects of light industry development in the conditions of the instability of the environment becomes urgent. The purpose of the article is to study the state of light industry in Ukraine and to determine the prospects to develop this type of economic activity in an unstable environment. The condition and peculiarities of light industry development in Ukraine under conditions of unstable external environment are considered. The factors that negatively influence light industry development are determined. Approaches to the prospects of light industry development on the way of Ukraine’s integration into the EU are outlined. Light industry is a very promising industry. The main perspectives, in case of which the light industry of Ukraine would return the lost power, could be attributed to: improvement of the tax system; the organization of control over the use of working capital, the introduction of preferential lending to enterprises for the purchase of raw materials, which is not enough in Ukraine, the modernization of general production, the develop-ment of a new kind of goods; stimulating the development of its own raw material base of light industry; introduction of scientific and technological progress in light industry of Ukraine; improvement of the tariff-and-tariff regulation of the system of protection of the domestic commodity producer; expansion of the assortment of goods for different segments of the population; creation of conditions for the devel-opment of civilized channels of retail sales of goods; promotion of joint ventures, mergers of enterprises in the technological chain; stimulating the development of small enterprises for the production of cloth-ing, footwear, and other consumer goods; improvement of working conditions and protection of the rights of employees of light industry enterprises., Розглянуто стан та особливості розвитку легкої промисловості України в умовах нестабільного зовнішнього середовища. Визначено фактори, що негативно впливають на розвиток легкої промисловості. Окреслено підходи до перспектив розвитку легкої промисловості на шляху інтеграції України в ЄС.

The thesis deals with the evaluation of the impact of the performance of three groups of business representatives in Coca-Cola HBC Czech Republic, Ltd. on corporate revenues, sales volumes. Compares the cost of three groups of dealers. Based on the outputs multi criteria analysis of the impact of the performance of groups of business representatives on criteria of internal solution is proposed the use of sales representatives in the future in order to increase the company's bottom.

Розроблено модель розрахунку групових обсягів реалізації товарів та послуг для дистриб’юторів (консультантів) мережі, де враховуються строки просування по мережі, кількість дистриб’юторів нижчого рангу, що необхідно для подальшого просування по багаторівневій мережі, і продукція у вартісному виразі, яку компанія планує реалізувати через одного дистриб’ютора (консультанта) за визначений проміжок часу, з моменту його діяльності до досягнення ним найвищого статусу в мережі., В статье описана модель расчета групповых объемов для дистрибьюторов (консультантов) сети, когда учитываются сроки продвижения по сети, количество дистрибьюторов (консультантов) низшего уровня, которые необходимы для продвижения по организационной сети, и продукция в денежном эквиваленте, которую компания планирует реализовать через одного дистрибьютора (консультанта) за определенный срок с момента начала его деятельности до момента достижения им наивысшего статуса в сети., The paper covers the model for calculating the marketing group volumes for the network distributors (advisers) with respect to the terms of advancement within the network. The above factors prove important for further advancement along the organizational network. Consideration is given to the monetary equivalent of the produce which the company is planning to sell with the help of a single distributor within a definite period of time beginning from the first days of his or her activities till the acquires the highest status in the network.

This thesis is an investigation of temporal and spatial patterns of over the counter (OTC) sales volumes of products related to gastrointestinal illness (GI). The utilisation of health related data, such as sales of non-prescription medications, is described as 'syndromic' surveillance, because indirect indications of disease activity may precede diagnoses or laboratory-confirmed information. Various analytic approaches were used to describe and evaluate whether sales patterns of OTC anti-diarrheal and anti-nauseant medications effectively reflected community GI activity, under large outbreak and for non-outbreak conditions. A retrospective analysis showed that dramatic increases in sales volumes of relevant OTC products mirrored case numbers of GI in the early stages of two large Canadian waterborne outbreaks. Evaluation of OTC sales patterns under non-outbreak conditions, for routine surveillance of GI, involved local and provincial level comparisons of data representing three years of daily aggregate sales, laboratory-confirmed cases of reportable GI, and another syndromic data source, chief complaints from emergency room (ER) visits for GI. Overall, seasonal patterns in the two syndromic data sources were very similar: sales and ER visits were high in the winter and spring, and low in the fall and summer. Generalised Linear Models with smoothing using natural splines revealed no discernable lag time (in days) between increases in GI related ER visits and sales of OTC products. When comparing weekly frequencies of reportable laboratory-confirmed cases to OTC sales volumes, seasonal patterns for Norovirus infections corresponded well, but bacterial and parasitic infections did not, being highest in summer and fall. Spatio-temporal analysis, using isopleth maps to visualise seasonal GI risk and OTC sales, revealed areas in Ontario that were consistently high in both risk of GI and sales, and also areas that consistently had only high sales. Despite the inherent limitations of both syndromic and reportable GI data, this thesis provided a number of valuable insights as to how they are related. Results of this research highlighted the potential public health applications of monitoring GI related OTC sales patterns for early detection of major outbreaks, routine surveillance of Norovirus, and for an alternative perspective of spatio-temporal trends in GI activity.

This paper presents the quantitative method of how the profitable price reduction, volume of sales and gross profit margin arc related. The formal and empirical results indicate that the required extension of sales to compensate gross profit loss for price reduction is unacceptable in many cases. So, because of the cost in reduced profit often is severe, the use of price promotion to secure market share is limited.