What type of utility is created by production process?

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In the field of behavioral economics, we often come across the term utility (see also key insights from behavioral economics). In this context, utility refers to the perceived value (i.e., usefulness) an individual receives when they purchase a good or service. There are four different types of utility: form utility, place utility, time utility, and possession utility. The extent to which these utilities affect purchase decisions depends on the individual. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that all of them can have a significant impact. Therefore, firms have an incentive to maximize the perceived utility of their products to attract more customers and maximize revenue. Hence, we will look at the four types of economic utility in more detail below.

1. Form

Form utility is created by the design of the product or service itself. The more precisely a good or service is targeted towards customer needs and desires, the higher its perceived added value (i.e., form utility) will be. In other words, form utility is obtained by transforming customer needs into products or services. To do this, companies analyze their target markets and survey potential customers to find out what they need. This information can then be used to align product features with actual customer needs. Thus, form utility can be created through things such as high-quality materials, ergonomic design, or a wide selection of options to chose from.

To give an example of form utility, think of a car manufacturing company. We’ll call it Super Cars. In theory, this company could sell all the parts of their cars separately. However, by assembling the parts (and manufacturing cars), Super Cars adds significant value for their customers and thereby increases form utility.

2. Place

Place utility can be obtained through the process of making a good or service more easily available to potential customers. The easier it is to purchase a product, the more attractive it becomes. Thus, place utility has a lot to do with distribution channels and the physical locations at which goods or services are sold. Additionally, some economists argue that even things like the discoverability of the product on the internet through search engine optimization affects place utility. After all, a wide variety of goods and services can be bought online these days.

Going back to our example from above, let’s assume Super Cars is an American company. If its cars are sold exclusively within the US, buying a Super Car is not very attractive for Europeans. However, if the company decides to open dealerships across Europe and sell Super Cars overseas, the availability (i.e., place utility) of its cars for European customers increases. 

3. Time

Time utility is created by providing easy availability of a good or service at the time when customers need or want it. The more easily and quickly a product can be purchased (and used) at that time, the higher its perceived time utility is. In addition to that, time utility is always high in times of scarcity. Hence, a company’s supply chain management has a significant impact on time utility. Among others, this includes processes such as logistics and delivery as well as storage. Companies are continually improving their supply chain management, which has led to services such as same-day delivery and 24/7 availability.

In the case of Super Cars, one way to increase time utility would be to reduce delivery times. Customers often have to wait several weeks or even months for a new car. However, many of them need their vehicles as soon as possible. Thus, if Super Cars manages to reduce delivery times by even just a few days, its cars become more attractive to potential customers.

4. Possession

Possession utility describes the benefits that can be derived from owning and using a specific product. Generally speaking, the more “useful” a product is to an individual, the higher its possession utility will be. In some cases – especially according to marketing theory – the term possession utility is also used in the context of facilitating possession, i.e., through easy payment methods such as credit cards or leasing contracts. The reasoning behind this is that a simpler acquisition process usually leads to a higher perceived value of a good or service.

For example, possession utility can be created whenever a client is handed the keys to their new Super Car. Simply because from that moment they have possession of the car and are free to do whatever they want to do with it. Additionally, Super Cars can create possession utility by offering leasing contracts, which make it easier for potential customers to get access to a new car.

Summary

In the field of behavioral economics, the term utility refers to the perceived value (i.e., usefulness) an individual receives when they purchase a good or service. There are four different types of utility: form, place, time, and possession utility. Form utility is created by the design of the product or service itself. Place utility can be obtained through the process of making a good or service more readily available to potential customers. Time utility is created by providing easy availability of a good or service at the time when customers need or want it. And last but not least, possession utility describes the benefits that can be derived from owning and using a specific product.

  • Form utility – This is changing the form of a commodity by converting raw materials to finished goods. It is done through processing/manufacturing.
  • Time utility – This is created when a good is stored until when it is needed..done through storage or warehousing
  • Place utility – This is movement of goods and services from one place to another. Done through transportation
  • Possessive utility – Refers to transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person to another. Done through trade, gifts

Economic utility can be defined as the total amount of satisfaction that someone experiences when they consume a particular product or service. It helps measure how much fulfillment someone requires in order to satisfy a particular need or want.

Companies strive to increase the utility or perceived value of their products and services to enhance customer satisfaction, increase sales, and drive earnings. The concept of economic utility falls under the area of study known as behavioral economics, which is designed to assist companies in operating a business and marketing the company to attract the maximum amount of customers and sales revenues.

There are four types of economic utility, which include form, time, place, and possession. Companies that can understand and recognize areas that are lacking in their marketing schemes can assess consumer purchase decisions and pinpoint the drivers behind those decisions, thus boosting their sales and profits.

  • Economic utility is the total amount of satisfaction experienced when a product or service is consumed.
  • Form utility is the value a consumer derives from products or services in a way they actually need.
  • When a company provides goods or services to consumers when they demand or need them, it is referred to as time utility.
  • Place utility involves making products or services available in locations that allow consumers to easily access them.
  • Possession utility is the use or perceived value a consumer gets from owning and being able to use a product or service in a timely manner.

Form utility refers to how much value a consumer receives from a product or service in a way that they actually need. Form utility is, therefore, the incorporation of customer needs and wants into the features and benefits of the products being offered by the company.

Companies invest time and money into product research to pinpoint exactly what products or services consumers desire. From there, company executives strategize on the development of the product with the goal of meeting or exceeding those needs to create form utility.

Form utility may include offering consumers lower prices, more convenience, or a wider selection of products. The goal of these efforts is to increase and maximize the perceived value of the products.

For instance, a cosmetics company may conduct focus groups and testing to identify holes in the market related to different skin types and skin tones. The company may decide to produce and market new offerings to cater to and complement the needs of a more racially diverse clientele. The company can increase its sales while adding value to these new consumers.

Utility doesn't necessarily have to be measured in numbers—just in perceived value. For instance, someone may choose to walk rather than take the bus or drive because they perceive the health benefits from the exercise to be greater than the speed and ease associated with being transported in a vehicle.

This type of utility occurs when a company provides goods and services when consumers demand or need them. Companies analyze how to create or maximize the time utility of their products and adjust their production process, logistical planning of manufacturing, and delivery. So when demand increases, the company should respond by producing and delivering more of the product to the market.

Creating time utility includes considering the hours and days of the week a company might choose to make its services available. For example, a store may open on weekends if customers typically shop for a certain product at that time. Time utility might also include 24-hour availability for a product or the company's customer service department through a phone number or website chat function.

Failure to factor time utility into the equation can lead to a drop in the customer base, which can result in a loss of revenue.

Economic utility can also be referred to as utility marketing. That's because product development and design require companies to persuade consumers to make purchases.

Place utility refers to making goods or services available in locations that allow consumers to easily access products and services.

While most people typically think of place utility as a physical or brick-and-mortar location, such as a retail store or shopping mall, the digital age helps broaden the definition of availability. For instance, companies can maximize place utility through their website. Those with effective search engine optimization strategies can improve their place utility.

Increasing convenience for customers can be a key element in attracting business. For example, a company that offers easy access to technical support gives consumers an added value compared to a similar company that does not offer a similar service.

Making a product available in a wide variety of stores and locations is considered an added value since it is more convenient. Apple (AAPL) sells iPhones and laptops through its retail stores, but also offers its products through other electronics retailers, including Best Buy (BBY).

Possession utility is the amount of usefulness or perceived value a consumer derives from owning a specific product and being able to use it as soon as possible. The basic premise behind this utility is that consumers should be able to use a specific good or service as soon as they're able to purchase or obtain it.

For instance, someone who purchases the latest iPhone won't get much utility for the product if Apple has it on backorder and can't manufacture and ship it to the consumer in a timely fashion.

That's why it's important for companies to increase the ease of ownership, which boosts the product's possession utility or perceived value. Consider lenders who offer favorable financing terms toward owning a car, appliance, or home. They would likely create possession utility for these products, leading to an increase in sales and, therefore, revenue.

The term economic utility refers to the total degree of satisfaction someone gets from using a product or service. It may be a car, house, food, clothing, financial services, or housekeeping. Companies that offer them can study the behaviors of their consumers and figure out what drives them to make purchases.

One example of an economic utility is the value customers receive from the latest iPhone model. Apple responds to the needs and wants of its consumers by updating and upgrading its phones on a regular basis.

There are four main types of economic utility. The first is form utility, which means the amount of value someone receives from goods or services that they actually need.

Time utility has to do with the amount of time it takes for companies to respond to the needs and demands of their consumer bases.

The third utility has to do with place, which refers to a centralized location where consumers can easily access the products and services they need.

Possession utility is the final type of economic utility. It measures a product or service's perceived value based on a consumer's ability to obtain and use it as soon as the need or want arises.

There are many steps that businesses can take in order to improve utility for their customers. This includes research and marketing activities, such as focus groups and testing. Companies can also consider increasing the speed with which they conduct their production process, resulting in the ease in bringing products and services to market. Companies can also make their products and services easily available (in retail locations and online) at lower costs.

People purchase goods and services to get some benefit or satisfaction. This allows them to fulfill a need or want when they consume it. This phenomenon is called economic utility. There are four basic principles that fall under this umbrella, including form utility, time utility, place utility, and possession utility. Companies can boost their sales and revenues by understanding and tailoring their marketing and production efforts to the way individuals purchase and consume their products.