RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The Impact of the Global Crisis on the UK Printing Industry



Table of Contents

Aim1

Objectives1

Theoretical Background1

Significance and Stakes2

Research Methodology3

Practical Application3

Annotated Bibliography4

The impact of the global crisis on the UK Printing Industry

Aim

To identify the problem caused by the financial crisis and how to solve it and what are the best practices for a better future.

Objectives

To identify the level of impact that financial crisis had on printing industry of UK.

To identify the best practices in the industry, which have been used to cope with the crisis and have been successful.

Using different reliable sources and deducing from them a conclusion towards the possible explanation of problems.

To identify the solutions, in order to make the future of printing industry sail towards prosperity.

To identify further areas in which, research can be conducted to increase the understanding of UK Printing Industry.

Theoretical Background

Printing is basically a process that reproduces images and text, typically using ink on paper with the help of a printing press. Printing is considered an essential part of publishing and plays an important role in variety of fields including advertising. It is conducted on very large scales and accounts for considerable size of contribution to economy in direct and indirect ways.

According to theories of economics, management and marketing, several factors account for the demand, supply and prices of products in a given industry. It is evident in literature that industries have an impact on economy and economy has its own effect on the industry. The overall health of economy determines the conditions which are considered as constant for firms and even industries. An example is of inflation. The rising cost of living brings an increase in the cost of raw materials as well, in addition to labour prices. Taxing structure of the government is also an economic factor which brings changes in the conditions for any industry.

Technology plays a vital role in development and profitability of any industry. Technology can enhance a product and reduce its cost, giving more safety cushions to the producer against market fluctuations. The printing industry has seen a lot of technological advances form hand to machines and now digital printing devices. This has opened new gates of opportunity for the player in the industry. This is considered one of the economic factors which can bring very fluctuating results in the market trends. Studying the effects of technology from the view of economics is helpful in studying the situation and deducing solutions.

Demand and supply conditions in the economics determine the quantity to be produced, and prices to be charged. Studying the effects of market forces as per the laws of economics give the indication of what trend is leading the industry, and what are the root causes of decline. The clue might be hidden in the fierce competition of the rivals, availability of substitutes like digital products, reduced entry barriers, bargaining power of customers and suppliers. Technology also plays a vital role in determining the fate of industry. These five forces are known as Porter's five forces, which can ...