Tentative Chapter Scheme

1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Research Methodology
4. Objectives

TITLE
CONSUMER PERCEPTION ON USE OF PLASTIC MONEY

INTRODUCTION
The traditional and ancient society was devoid of any monetary instruments and the entire
exchange of goods and merchandise was managed by the barter system. The use of monetary
instruments as a unit of exchange replaced the barter system and money in various
denominations was used as the sole purchasing power. The modern contemporary era has
replaced these traditional monetary instruments from a paper and metal based currency to
plastic money in the form of credit cards, debit cards, etc. This has resulted in the increasing
use of ATM all over the world. The use of ATM is not only safe but is also convenient. This
safety and convenience, unfortunately, has an evil side as well that do not originate from the use
of plastic money rather by the misuse of the same. This evil side is reflected in the form of ATM
frauds that is a global problem. The use of plastic money is increasing day by day for payment
of shopping bills, electricity bills, school fees, phone bills, insurance premium, travelling bills
and even petrol bills. The convenience and safety that credit cards carry with their use has been
instrumental in increasing both credit card volumes and usage. This growth is not only in
positive use of the same but as well as the negative use of the same. The world at large is
struggling to increase the convenience and safety on the one hand and to reduce it misuse on the
other. An effective remedy for prevention of ATM frauds, however, cannot be provided unless we
understand the true nature of the problem.

WHAT IS CUSTOMER PERCEPTION?

Customer Perception is an important component of an organizations relationship with their
customers. Customer satisfaction is a mental state which results from the customers comparison
of expectations prior to a purchase with performance perception after a purchase .Strong
customer service helps an organization to reach up to customers expectations.

ABOUT PLASTIC MONEY

Plastic money or polymer money, made out of plastic, is a new and easier way of paying for
goods and services. Plastic money was introduced in the 1950s and is now an essential form of
ready money which reduces the risk of handling a huge amount of cash. It includes debit cards,
ATMs, smart cards, etc. Credit cards, variants of plastic money, are used as substitutes for
currency. This book on plastic money is divided into two sections titled Concepts and
Experiences. The former covers articles on the emergence of plastic money, different types of
plastic cards and their growth in India and other related issues. An experience discusses the
experiences of banks like Standard Chartered, Citibank, which deal with plastic money and their
growth in the market.
Meaning
Plastic money refers to credit cards, you use them whenever you want and pay later (with
interest, of course). It makes it too easy for people to buy things they normally could not afford,
which makes it easier to get into debt.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The study is based upon the facts & figures collected by conducting survey in the Una City of Himachal
Pradesh. The study is conducted on the various customers of private sector banks. Only customers of
these banks are taken for the study. Total respondents surveyed during the survey are 100. The
respondents are taken according to their demographic characterstics. The survey was conducted in the
different regions of the Una City. Respondents were taken from the various market places, residential
areas and other places in the Una. To get the respondents views, a questionnaire was prepared and the
respondents were personally interviewed. Among the various methods used for personal interview, the
structured and direct method was followed.

Research Design

The research design is purely and simply the framework or plan for the study that guides the collection
and analysis of the data. It is a blueprint that is followed in completing a study. There are three types of
research designs:
1. Exploratory Research Design
2. Descriptive Research Design
3. Experimental Research Design

1. Exploratory Research Design

The exploratory research design is particularly helpful in breaking the broad and vague problems into
smaller, more precise sub problem statements in the form of specific hypothesis. Literature survey,
experience surveys and analysis of selected cases are the main methods of this research design.
2. Descriptive Research Design
Descriptive Research Design is also called Exploratory Research Design. This is a design in which
one simply describes something such as demographic charactestics of the consumers or the
respondents who use the product or the service. This research design typically concerned with the
determining the frequency with which something occurs.

Experimental Research Design

Experimental Research is also called experimentation or casual research. So experimentation is
defined as the process where the events occurs in a setting the discretion of experimenter, and
controls are used to identify source of variation in subjects response.

Research Design For The Study

The current study is based upon the Descriptive Research Design, because the survey is performed on
the consumers and respondents having some demographic characterstics such as age, sex,
geographical area, culture, education, occupation etc. therefore Descriptive Research Design is taken
for the study.

Data Collection Methods

During the survey data is collected from the consumers of the various banks in the Una City. Mainly
data is of two types:
1. Primary Data
2. Secondary Data

1. Primary Data
Primary data is the data collecting by mall questionnaires, telephone surveys, personal interviews,
observations and experiments.
2. Secondary Data
Secondary data is the data, which is collected from newspapers, magazines and other sources.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The current study is based upon following objectives:

1. To study the acceptance of ATM/ Debit Cards in Una City.
2. To study the awareness level of customers about the various utilities and facilities of
ATM/ Debit Cards.
3. To study the satisfaction level of the customers from these ATM/ Debit Card services.
4. To study the market potential for the new ATM/ Debit Card Machines in the Una City.
5. To study the most effective media to promote the ATM/ Debit Cards in Una City.