• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2006

PPL(Product Placement) of visual media can change the purchasing behavior of College students. This study aimed to investigate the differences in consumer's conception about PPL among college students and to analyze the relationship between the PPL conception ant fashion innovation/fashion sensitivity of students, resulting into their real purchasing behavior. We surveyed to about 189 college students living near Seoul, with questionnaire about PPL conception, purchase of PPL clothing, satisfaction on PPL clothing, fashion innovation, opinion about PPL, PPL apparel brand to recall, etc. According to dichotomy of college students by fashion innovation, as higher fashion innovative they were, they paid more attention on PPL clothing while watching TV or movie, and they also could recall more PPL apparel brands, and they purchased more PPL clothing. While the students with low fashion innovation had references from the opinion of friends or around people when purchasing their clothing, the students with high fashion innovation did from fashion magazine or PPL clothing. The students who thought that PPL was important and effective on clothing purchasing behavior, answered that their preference to PPL bran4, to the company, and to the product had increased positively, but not to the actor/actress.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2003

Microalgae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms and abundant in every ecosystem in the biosphere. They are common in aqueous environments including marine, brackish and fresh waters and in some habitats that lack eukaryotic life such as some hot springs and highly alkaline lakes. Microalgal biotechnology that is focused on the microalgae-based production of a variety of useful materials such as pharmaceutical comfounds, health foods, natural pigments, and biofuels is considered as an important discipline with the development of biotechnology. In addition, the mass cultivation of microalgae can also contribute to improving the environmental quality by reducing the concentration of $CO_2$ which is one of major gases lead to global warming. Consequently, it seems that the microalgae can be used as an efficient, renewable, environmentally friendly source of high-value biomaterials such as chemicals, pigments, energy, etc. and the microalgal biotechnology will most likely represent a larger portion of modern biotechnology.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2010

Green or an environmental consciousness has been a major issue for businesses and government offices, as well as consumers, worldwide. In response to this movement, the Korean government announced, in the early 2000s, the era of "Green Growth" as a way to encourage green-related business activities. The Korean fashion industry, in various levels of involvement, presents diverse eco-friendly products as a part of the green movement. These apparel products include organic products and recycled clothing. For these companies to be successful, they need information about who are the consumers who consider green issues (e.g., environmental sustainability) as part of their personal values when making a decision for product purchase, use, and disposal. These consumers can be considered as eco-sumers. Previous studies have examined consumers' purchase intention for or with eco-friendly products. In addition, studies have examined influential factors used to identify the eco-sumers or green consumers. However, limited attention was paid to eco-sumers' disposal or recycling behavior of clothes in comparison with their green product purchases. Clothing disposal behaviors are ways that consumer can get rid of unused clothing and in clue temporarily lending the item or permanently eliminating the item by "handing down" (e.g., giving it to a younger sibling), donating, exchanging, selling, or simply throwing it away. Accordingly, examining purchasing behaviors of eco-friendly fashion items in conjunction with clothing disposal behaviors should improve understanding of a consumer's clothing consumption behavior from the environmental perspective. The purpose of this exploratory study is to provide descriptive information about Korean eco-sumers who have ecologically-favorable lifestyles and behaviors when buying and disposing of clothes. The objectives of this study are to (a) categorize Koreans on the basis of clothing disposal behaviors; (b) investigate the differences in demographics, lifestyles, and clothing consumption values among segments; and (c) compare the purchase intention of eco-friendly fashion items and influential factors among segments. A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on previous studies. The questionnaire included 10 items of clothing disposal behavior, 22 items of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) characteristics, and 19 items of consumption values, measured by five-point Likert-type scales. In addition, the purchase intention of two eco-friendly fashion items and 11 attributes of each item were measured by seven-point Likert type scales. Two polyester fleece pullovers, made from fabric created from recycled bottles with the PET identification code, were selected from one Korean brand and one US imported brand among outdoor sportswear brands. A brief description of each product with a color picture was provided in the survey. Demographic variables (i.e., gender, age, marital status, education level, income, occupation) were also included. The data were collected through a professional web survey agency during May 2009. A total of 600 final usable questionnaires were analyzed. The age of respondents ranged from 20 to 49 years old with a mean age of 34 years. Fifty percent of the respondents were males and about 58% were married, and 62% reported having earned university degrees. Principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to identify the underlying dimensions of the clothing disposal behavior scale, and three factors were generated (i.e., reselling behavior, donating behavior, non-recycling behavior). To categorize the respondents on the basis of clothing disposal behaviors, k-mean cluster analysis was used, and three segments were obtained. These consumer segments were labeled as 'Resale Group', 'Donation Group', and 'Non-Recycling Group.' The classification results indicated approximately 98 percent of the original cases were correctly classified. With respect to demographic characteristics among the three segments, significant differences were found in gender, marital status, occupation, and age. LOHAS characteristics were reduced into the following five factors: self-satisfaction, family orientation, health concern, environmental concern, and voluntary service. Significant differences were found in the LOHAS factors among the three clusters. Resale Group and Donation Group showed a similar predisposition to LOHAS issues while the Non-Recycling Group presented the lowest mean scores on the LOHAS factors compared to the other segments. The Resale and Donation Groups described themselves as enjoying or being satisfied with their lives and spending spare-time with family. In addition, these two groups cared about health and organic foods, and tried to conserve energy and resources. Principal components factor analysis generated clothing consumption values into the following three factors: personal values, social value, and practical value. The ANOVA test with the factors showed differences primarily between the Resale Group and the other two groups. The Resale Group was more concerned about personal value and social value than the other segments. In contrast, the Non-Recycling Group presented the higher level of social value than did Donation Group. In a comparison of the intention to purchase eco-friendly products, the Resale Group showed the highest mean score on intent to purchase Product A. On the other hand, the Donation Group presented the highest intention to purchase for Product B among segments. In addition, the mean scores indicated that the Korean product (Product B) was more preferable for purchase than the U.S. product (Product A). Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the influence of product attributes on the purchase intention of eco product. With respect to Product A, design, price and contribution to environmental preservation were significant to predict purchase intention for the Resale Group, while price and compatibility with my image factors were significant for the Donation Group. For the Non-Recycling Group, design, price compatibility with the factors of my image, participation to eco campaign, and contribution to environmental preservation were significant. Price appropriateness was significant for each of the three clusters. With respect to Product B, design, price and compatibility with my image factors were important, but different attributes were associated significantly with purchase intention for each of the three groups. The influence of LOHAS characteristics and clothing consumption values on intention to purchase Products A and B were also examined. The LOHAS factor of health concern and the personal value factor were significant in the relationships with the purchase intention; however, the explanatory powers were low in the three segments. Findings showed that each group as classified by clothing disposal behaviors showed differences in the attributes of a product, personal values, and the LOHAS characteristics that influenced their purchase intention of eco-friendly products. Findings would enable organizations to understand eco-friendly behavior and to design appropriate strategic decisions to appeal eco-sumers.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.269-282
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare consumer satisfaction by analyzing importance on characteristics of clothing, performance, and their inconsistency between Korea and the United States. The data was collected by using a survey based on three sages of pre-tests, and main survey conducted in The U.S and Korea. Data of 520 participants from each country (260 males and 260 females) was used. The results of this study is as follows: First, both consumers in Korea and U.S. showed five factors such as aesthetics/trend, body shape, practical use/wearing, care, and distorted. In performance factor of Korean students was consisted of wearing/care, aesthetics, body shape, distorted, and trend/symbolism while that of American students was consisted of wearing, aesthetics, body shape, trend/image factor, and distorted. Second, regarding importance rate, aesthetics/trend, practical use/wearing, care, and distorted affected satisfaction of Korean students whereas aesthetics/trend factor affected satisfaction of American students. Regarding performance, body shape factor, distorted, trend/symbolic affected satisfaction of Korean students whereas trend/image affected satisfaction of American students. Third, satisfaction of Korean and American students influenced re-purchase intention and positive word-of-mouth, so proved to be the result variable of satisfaction. By understanding the differences between consumers in Korea and U.S., apparel importers and exporters may develop effective business strategies to better fulfill their customers' needs and desires, and therefore, increase their profit.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.95-109
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• 2013

This thesis was conducted with the purpose of proposing a systematic and comprehensive system for women's upper garment sizes so that the satisfaction level of women purchasing the upper garment products in Internet shopping malls is enhanced. To achieve this, this study first conducted a survey of women from the ages of 18 to 39 and attempted to discover consumer satisfaction levels and preferences of the clothing product sizing system of Internet shopping malls. While keeping track of the global distribution environment, an optimal clothing sizing system for Korean women that fit recent changes in their body shapes was proposed. The results of this study are as follows. First, A result of studying the satisfaction levels and preferences of consumer's purchase experience and the sizing system showed that 48.6% of the total respondents were dissatisfied with the current sizing system. Second, based on the research of the size classification system of domestic and foreign upper garment for women, unlike domestic Internet shopping malls, overseas generally offer several size classifications. Third, results of studies 1 and 2 was used to propose an optimal clothing products sizing system method. Also, the body and product sizes and the measurement methods should be offered together. In summary of all these results, by establishing globally compatible sizing system, consumers are able to recognize their sizes on their own and by doing this, it will lower perceived risk of the consumers at the time of a Internet shopping mall purchase, and this will raise their level of satisfaction while making purchases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2011

This study analyzed the content of special selling events in internet shopping malls to establish academic standards for special selling events as tools for sales promotions and to suggest systematic guidelines for marketers designing special selling events. Based on a content analysis, the titles of special selling events from four internet shopping malls selling women's apparel were analyzed. A total of 692 titles were analyzed. The results are as follow. First, the contents categories of special selling events could be classified into two groups such as 'theme' and 'tool'. Season, product characteristics, style, advice/information, brand, annual/social events, and marketing events were the main content categories that came under the 'theme' group; in addition, the price benefit, free offers, product mix, and marketing technique were the main content categories that came under the 'tool' group. Each main content category was subdivided into several segment content categories. Second, most of the titles were composed of more than two segment content categories that involved various information and benefits; however, the portion of titles composed of only theme related content categories or only tool related content categories was substantial. Furthermore, the theme related content categories were more than the tool related content categories. Third, the usage frequencies of the contents categories were analyzed. The upcoming season, single brand, sale/discount, item/material/color, special price/lowest price, and period/time/quantity limits were the segment content categories that held a high rank. Forth, most of the factors that evoked the unplanned purchases of consumers were related to the content categories of special sale events.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.585-595
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to classify the fashion images on sportive style, to find out the difference between the image of sportive style which consumers prefer and the image of sportive style which they want to show and, finally, to analyze their purchase behavior. This research is done with survey method. The subjects of the survey are 835 females in their twenties or their thirties in Pusan area. The data are analyzed with factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, $X^2$-test, and frequency analysis. The results of this study are as follows: first, sportive style is classified into Sexy, Romantic, Active and Modem image. Second, the results of analysis on consumers' preferring image and their wanting-to-show image to the above-mentioned image classification are as follows: firstly, the subjects' most preferring image and the image which they most want to show is Modem in1age. The second is Sexy image. But the subjects preferred having Modem image. Secondly, consumers' Individuality and apparel's Function are the important reasons to choose the sportive style. Thirdly, Modem image is the most preferred in the images of street wear. Sexy image and Active image are the preferred in the images of sports wear. Third, It is a vivid tone and a dark tone that is the color tone of sportive wear which consumers prefer. They prefer a logo- patterned sports wear, too. The consumers obtain most information on sports wear from sports wear stores. Silhouette is the most decisive design element in consumers' purchasing. The sports wear brands which the subjects prefer are Adidas and Nike.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.105-117
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• 2007

The purposes of this study were 1) to classify adult consumers according to their desired clothing benefits on natural-dyed clothes, 2) to identify the differences of life-style among the classified groups, and 3) to determine the interest in Korean traditional culture, interest in dyeing, and demographics among the groups. The survey subjects were 283 adults. The data were analyzed utilizing factor analysis, cluster analysis, $x^2$-test, one-way ANOVA, Duncan test and multiple regression analysis. Based on the 6 dimensions of clothing benefits that were identified by factor analysis, adult consumers were classified into three clusters: eco-friendly oriented group showing the highest scores in environment conservation and comfort in clothing benefits, individuality-oriented group showing the highest scores in individuality and quality, and indifference group showing lower scores in all of the desired clothing benefits. The eco-friendly group showed the highest scores in attitude toward Korean traditional culture, and tended to have the most interest in natural and traditional methods of dyeing. The group members appeared to have passive life-styles, be older and married, and have a higher income than the other groups. The more positive attitude they had in Korean traditional culture, the higher was the purchase intention shown in the eco-friendly group. The individuality-oriented group showed active life-styles. This group tended to be younger than the other group. The more affirmative attitude in Korean traditional culture and the greater interest in the natural dyeing, the higher was the consumers' purchase intention of natural dyeing apparels. The indifference group tended to be younger, unmarried, and have a lower income. This group was not interested in natural dyeing apparels. The study findings demonstrated that consumers with different clothing benefits sought have different buying patterns on natural dyeing apparels. Finally the marketing implications are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1157-1167
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• 2007

Internet communications have provoked new forms of online word-of-mouth(WOM) communication and it has become more powerful. At this point, this study analyses the effects of information characteristics(direction, consensus) of online WOM. Especially, quasi-experiment can systematically manipulate the direction and the consensus of online WOM information and it perceived the difference in the effects in this study. Female consumers who have purchased clothing at online shopping mall in past 6 months participated in the experiment by completing 4 type questionnaires(N=600). Data are analyzed using Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, t-test, one way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test. The Results of this study are as follows: (1) The direction of online WOM information significantly influences consumer's reliability of information, attitude, and purchase intentions. These effects are more significant when negative WOM information than positive information and two-sided information was given. (2) Though there is the difference in reliability of information, the consensus of online WOM information does not have influences on consumer's attitude and purchase intentions. (3) Consumer's clothing involvement is related to WOM information searching. The highly involved consumer is more effected by online WOM information than the lowly one.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.917-931
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to understand impulse buying typology for apparel products in the internet shopping. Also, analysis of influences is conducted to ascertain if a influence exists between factors which are consumer's interior factor & exterior condition, marketing stimulus of internet shopping, and consumer's general behavior in internet shopping and impulse buying typology, after offer fundamental information for internet marketing. As a result of analyzing the relationship between consumers' interior factors and impulse buying, the author found out that consumers' pure impulse buying was much influenced by the timing to buy new clothing, willingness to risk trying new designs and preference for up-to-date designs, and enjoyment derived from the buying itself. As a result of analyzing the relationship between consumers' exterior conditions and impulse buying, the author learned that impulse buying was also influenced by shopping time length, shoppers' mood and sentiments, and budgeting. As a result of analyzing the relationship between marketing stimulus and impulse buying, the author found out that impulse buying was the most influenced by facilitative marketing stimuli. Lastly, as a result of analyzing the relationship between shopping behaviors & socio-demographical variables and impulse buying propensities in Internet shopping malls, the author learned that pure impulse buying, reminder & suggestion impulse buying, and planned impulse buying are influenced by the period and frequency of using Internet shopping malls for clothes, purchase amount, and the time length of the shopping.