It probably happens in the beginning of every winter season in Germany - real estate owners, renters, administrations of owner communities and other groups on the liable side rethink their spending for winter services. Some will need just seconds and go for
the last winter’s solution, but others will seriously consider changes or even take action to implement those. What is driving their decision? The other side is the tenant, thousands of private households or the “consumer” paying for a service unavoidable linked to the winter season in Germany. This side most likely rethinks their spending when they get the annual receipt of operating expenses. There is not really an option they have to avoid or reduce the costs related to winter services. Moreover, those costs are not even related to direct consumption. So, do tenants look for ways to reduce costs for winter services? Do they see value in this service or how much they are willing to spend for it?
The objective of this assignment is to answer the raised questions. To do so a precondition is to analyze the market of winter services in Germany according to general facts, types of contract, service features and way of contract closure. The investigations should be based on surveys research and secondary data.
The assignment starts with a quick recapitulation of the basics of telephone interviews. In a next section the German market of winter services is reviewed using secondary data mainly from the internet and from public statistics yearbooks. In a third section the design of the questionnaire is described that was used to gather an initial set of data. The main part of the assignment is designated to the analysis of the telephone interviews. The conclusions section should give the reader possible answers to the raised questions.
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Context and Problem definition
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Methodology
2 Survey research with telephones
2.1 Standardized telephone interviews
2.2 Common errors in survey research and typical errors during interviews
3 The German market of winter services for private households
4 The questionnaire design
5 Survey results
5.1 The interviewed population
5.2 Attitudes to winter service obligations
5.3 Types of contract, service features and way of contract closure
6 Conclusion
Objectives and Thematic Focus
The primary objective of this assignment is to analyze the market for winter services in Germany regarding general facts, types of contracts, service features, and methods of contract closure. The study aims to answer whether private household tenants perceive value in these services and how much they are willing to pay, using both survey research and secondary data analysis.
- Market analysis of winter services in Germany.
- Methodological evaluation of standardized telephone interviews.
- Analysis of contractual relationships and liability concerns.
- Investigation of consumer spending and willingness to pay.
- Assessment of factors driving the decision to engage professional service providers.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Context and Problem definition
It probably happens in the beginning of every winter season in Germany - real estate owners, renters, administrations of owner communities and other groups on the liable side rethink their spending for winter services. Some will need just seconds and go for the last winter’s solution, but others will seriously consider changes or even take action to implement those. What is driving their decision?
The other side is the tenant, thousands of private households or the “consumer” paying for a service unavoidable linked to the winter season in Germany. This side most likely rethinks their spending when they get the annual receipt of operating expenses. There is not really an option they have to avoid or reduce the costs related to winter services. Moreover, those costs are not even related to direct consumption. So, do tenants look for ways to reduce costs for winter services? Do they see value in this service or how much they are willing to spend for it?
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the economic context of winter services in Germany and outlines the objectives and methodology for the survey research.
2 Survey research with telephones: Discusses the theoretical framework, advantages, and limitations of standardized telephone interviews as a research method.
3 The German market of winter services for private households: Provides an overview of the regulatory environment, liability aspects, and market data regarding winter services.
4 The questionnaire design: Describes the development, principles, and structural composition of the questionnaire used for data collection.
5 Survey results: Presents the analysis of the collected data, including demographics, attitudes, and contractual patterns of the interviewed population.
6 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, evaluates the initial research hypothesis, and suggests directions for future data collection.
Keywords
Winter services, Germany, telephone interviews, survey research, liability, contractual agreements, household spending, market analysis, service providers, facility management, statistical data, consumer behavior, questionnaire design, winter weather, operational costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the market for winter services for private households in Germany, specifically investigating the drivers behind service procurement and the consumer's willingness to pay.
What are the primary themes addressed?
Key themes include the legal necessity of winter services, the role of liability, consumer attitudes, the financial aspects of contracts, and the effectiveness of telephone survey methodologies.
What is the primary research question?
The core research question explores whether private household tenants perceive value in mandatory winter services and determines the extent of their willingness to spend on these services.
Which scientific method is utilized for the study?
The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining secondary data from public statistics with primary data gathered through standardized telephone interviews.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical basis of telephone surveys, an analysis of the German winter service market, the creation of a survey instrument, and the subsequent analysis of the collected survey results.
Which keywords characterize this study?
The study is best characterized by terms like winter services, market analysis, telephone survey, contractual liability, and household consumer behavior.
Why is the "Winterdienst-Anliegersatzung" included in the attachments?
It serves as an exemplary local regulation from the town of Dresden, illustrating how municipalities legally transfer the responsibility for winter services to private property owners.
What was an unexpected finding regarding tenant knowledge?
The survey revealed a surprisingly low level of knowledge among tenants regarding their own operating expenses, which made it difficult for them to provide precise data on their winter service costs.
- Quote paper
- Christian Kuhne (Author), 2010, Telephone Interviews on Winter Services for Private Households in Germany, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/197108
