MCDA-C model for trade marketing performance evaluation: an illustrated case in the pharmaceutical sector

Abstract

Since its introduction in the early 1990s, trade marketing has played a significant role in companies and their distribution channels, focusing on the consolidation of marketing strategy at the point of purchase. In practice, one of the main obstacles for a more widespread use of trade marketing has been the lack of management tools allowing visualisation of the consequences of trade marketing in the organisation's objectives. This study shows the use of the Multi-Criteria Decision Aiding–Constructivist methodology model as an instrument of intervention in a case study conducted in a pharmaceutical company. A customised evaluation model was built interactively by interviewing decision makers to identify, organise, measure, and integrate those factors considered necessary and sufficient for the management of trade marketing. The constructed model enables executives to incorporate unique aspects of the company and the environment, expanding the possibilities for performance evaluation of trade marketing in the organisation.