Disparities in the manufacturing industry: innovation or linguistic manipulation?
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Date
2003-09
Authors
Mbatha, Mathooko
Journal Title
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Abstract
For many centuries, developing countries have relied on imports of consumer goods from developed nations. This
paper surveys some of the ways in which these countries have adopted in order to bridge the gap in the manufacturing
sector. Most developing countries in a bid to manufacture products for the domestic markets have resulted to
imitations, changing 'original' product names, copying packaging materials, colours, structures among others. This
paper investigates one specific aspect, namely that of product names. It examines how manufacturers in developing
countries have employed linguistic manipulation of product names in order to provide products similar to 'original'
ones.
The data for this study was collected in Kenya. The researcher visited supermarkets, shops, 'kiosks', shopping
outlets, malls and manufacturing concerns mostly in Nairobi. The data covered diverse commodities such as the
pharmaceuticals, domestic and farm products, among others. The study argues that in a bid to provide products that
are seemingly local, developing countries have resulted in cheap imitations that do not build economies but instead
destroy them through erosion of consumer confidence. This is because Consumers prefer original products from
multinational companies because they are assured of quality and value. They despise locally produced commodities.
The argument is that imitated products, although cheap, are not worthy the money spent. The result has been
retardation in the growth of the manufacturing sectors of most developing countries. The paper concludes that in
order for developing countries to forge ahead, there is need to produce quality goods.
Description
Fourth international conference proceeedings of the association of third world studies, inc. Kenya chapter.
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Citation
Disparities in Social Sciences, Politics and Gender, Vol. 1