• Food Science and Industry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2021

Microplastics with a size of less than 5 mm have emerged as an important environmental and food safety issue, as they have been detected not only in marine but also in terrestrial ecosystem and drinking water. Although many studies have been conducted on the exposure of microplastics and the effects on human health, the lack of standardized experimental methods for microplastics has been reviewed as a major problem. In order to overcome this, European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany are conducting a project to develop detection methods for microplastics as well as to establish the risk assessment methodologies for microplastics. Being the microplastics suggested to have a substantially potential risk on human health, reliable risk assessments should be conducted considering the various sources of microplastics, chemical pollutants and biological factors. In addition, international standards and regulations should be applied.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.364-372
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• 2011

The primary purposes of this study were to classify consumer's type according to narcissistic orientation of consumer and then to reveal consumer's perception differences on consumption value of apparel products and cosmetics subject to the types. Data were collected from 194 female college students in Ulsan. It was analyzed by frequency analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis and MANOVA, ANOVA using SPSS Win 12.0. The results were as follows: First, consumer's types classified according to narcissistic orientation were non-narcissist, high-narcissist, leadership and self-absorption. Second, in the consumption value of apparel products case, there were significant differences in effective value, symbolic value and sensitive value among the types. Third, in the consumption value of cosmetics case, there were significant differences in sensitive value and effective value among the types.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2019

Sensory and consumer science is one of the four core sciences in food science training. In early years, this field of studies are focused on providing food technologists information of sensory attributes of food for quality control and product optimization, and referred as sensory evaluation or sensory science interchangeably. Yet, during the last decades, its scope has been much broadened looking at sensory properties of food not just as product attributes but consumer-perceived properties, emphasizing human experience. Attentions are increased for sensory fundamentals(sensory psychology and physiology) and multidisciplinary integration of theories and measurement methods for improving satisfaction of consumers' sensory experience and promoting healthy eating and wellbeing. The Sensory Evaluation(SE) division of Korean Society of Food Science and Technology(KoSFoST) has recently changed its name to Sensory and Consumer Science(SCS) division in order to address such evolution of the field and sensory professional's role.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.915-925
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• 2021

The study investigates some psychological and environmental factors affecting the intention to purchase organic foods of consumers in the inner-city of Hanoi. Impact factors applied for the study include three psychological factors (health concern, environmental concern, consumer awareness of organic foods) and seven environment factors (family's opinion, friends and colleagues' opinion, influence of celebrities, expert's opinion, social status, mass media, state's encouragement). We analyzed research data from 396 consumers to measure the impacting level of these factors. The convenient sampling method was used to collect the research sample. The measurement applied a 5-point Likert scale classifying from 1-completely disagree to 5-completely agree. Based on previous studies, the research model was recommended. We had estimated the reliability of the scales through Cronbach's Alpha and composite reliability. The research data is analyzed by using Structural Equation Model method (SEM). The findings of the study suggest that psychological factors (health concern, environmental concern, consumer awareness of organic foods) had a significantly positive influence on consumer's purchase attention toward organic food. The results also revealed that environmental factors (family's opinion, friends and colleagues' opinion, influence of celebrities, expert's opinion, mass media) were positively linked to consumer's purchase attention toward organic food.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-5
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• 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of character collaboration product characteristics on brand awareness and purchase intention within the food and beverage (F&B) industry, with a special focus on Generation MZ's growing interest in such products. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of existing literature on character marketing, brand awareness, and consumer purchase intention, supplemented by case studies of successful character collaborations in the F&B sector. The findings reveal that character collaborations significantly impact brand awareness and purchase intentions, particularly among younger consumers like Generation MZ. These collaborations not only rekindle nostalgia but also introduce new and exciting consumer experiences, effectively attracting a wide demographic. The success of character-themed products, from Pokémon bread to Coca-Cola's League of Legends collaboration, underscores the strategy's effectiveness in boosting brand recognition and consumer engagement. The implications of this research are manifold for the F&B industry. Firstly, it highlights the importance of leveraging popular characters to forge emotional connections with consumers. Secondly, it suggests that product development should closely align with consumer preferences and market trends to maximize appeal. Lastly, it positions character collaboration as a strategic marketing tool that not only enhances product sales but also strengthens brand loyalty and facilitates sustained brand growth.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors of importance in the medical field from the perspective of the consumer, using "Consumption Life Indicators in Korea." Methods: We examined the general characteristics, economic conditions, information acquisition, complaint-provoking experiences, cognitive score on dispute resolution, and factors affecting medical domain importance selection, using SAS 9.4. software. Results: It was found that "age" among general characteristics and "income" among economic conditions were important factors in selecting medical domain importance. Thus, it was possible to reaffirm the poor health of socioeconomically vulnerable people and their socioeconomic difficulties. Conclusions: The medical domain selection group needs the attention of the government, medical institutions, academia, consumer groups, community service groups and professional organizations, and needs substantial economic support and customized education.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.379-393
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• 2010

The purposes of this study were to estimate the effect of related factors such as cultural values and individual characteristics to consumer attitude, and furthermore to estimate the effect of consumer attitude and related factors such as price perception and individual characteristics to consumption behavior(expenditure) of food away from home. To do this, the data was collected from college students and a 2 step approach by using LIMDEP program was applied to estimate the structural equation model. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Consumer attitude toward food away from home was found to be significantly influenced by some cultural values such as health, sensibility, socially responsible consumption and religion, and individual characteristics such as sex and pocket money. If they perceived more positively about the value of health, sensibility and religion, they would be likely to have more positive attitude, while they perceived more negatively about the value of socially responsible consumption, they would be likely to have more negative attitude. In addition, if they were females and had much more pocket money, they would be more likely to have more positive attitude. 2) Expenditure of food away from home was found to be significantly influenced by age and pocket money, while consumer attitude did not have a significant impact on expenditure of food away from home at the second stage in the structural equation model. It might imply that consumption behavior of food away from home for college students would be more constrained by individual characteristics such as sex and economic capital.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2001

Objectives : The SERVQUAL scale is based on gap theory, which suggests the difference between consumers' expectations and the quality of the medical service actually received. However, problems in the implementation of the SERVQUAL scale have been identified by several researchers. Some researchers have proposed a simple performance-based measure (SERVPERF) or au exportation-controlled performance-based measure(Non-Diff) as alternatives to the SERVQUAL scale. On the basis of the theoretical concerns discussed, we examined the capability of each of the three scales(SERVQUAL, Non-Diff, SERVPERF) to explain variations in consumer satisfaction. Methods : Data was gathered from a self-administered questionnaire in a 430 bed hospital. Questionnaires evaluating medical services were distributed to 180 ambulatory patients. A total of 167 usable questionnaires were gathered. The questionnaire was composed of 10 expectation, performance and expectation-controlled performance items. In addition, overall satisfaction and purchase intention were measured. Results : Compared with the SERVQUAL scale, the Non-Diff and SERVPERF scales better explained the observed variations in consumer satisfaction(SERVOQUAL, $R^2=0.29;\;Non-Diff,\;R^2=0.51;\;SERVPERF,\;R^2=0.48$) and purchase intention(SERVQUAL, $R^2=0.22;\;Non-Diff,\;R^2=0.33;\;SERVPERF,\;R^2=0.34$). Conclusion : The maier conclusion from our study is that the Non-Diff and SERVPERF scales are more efficient in assessing consumer satisfaction than the SERVQUAL scale. Therefore we suggest that consumer satisfaction he measured by the Non-Diff or SEVPERF scales.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.167-177
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• 2019

Innovation of genomics technology has recently been extended to Direct To Consumer Genetic Test (DTC-GT) which consumers purchase without requesting the service on medical institutes. In 2016, Korea has introduced the DTC-GT but the market size is small comparing to global market. This study analyzes consumers' purchase intentions and purposes and their influential factors based on 2018 consumer survey. According to the results of binominal and multinominal logistic regression, knowledge after purchase, attitude on medical care benefit, health status are statistically significant on purchase intentions. Purchase purposes are different on age group and related on medical care rather than health care. These results imply that DTC-GT is needed to improve consumer satisfaction, re-purchase and effective care service. This paper is expected to contribute on strategic directions for the new DTC-GT product development.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.517-526
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The increased consumers' interests in health and food safety have increased the demand for organic foods. Many studies have been performed on consumers' purchase intentions for organic foods and their influencing factors, and various studies have shown that the prices of organic foods and the consumers' willingness to pay are important influencing factors. This study examined the payment value of organic foods and agrifood consumer competency index according to the food-related lifestyles in South Korean consumers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using the 2019 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food. A total of 6,176 participants aged 19 to 74 years (male: 2,783, female: 3,393) were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Three factors were extracted by factor analysis (rational consumption-seeking type, convenience-seeking type, and health, and safety-seeking type) to explain the consumers' food-related lifestyles. The results of cluster analysis suggested that consumers were classified into 3 food-related lifestyles as the 'exploratory consumers' (n = 2,485), 'safety-seeking consumers' (n = 1,544), and 'passive consumers' (n = 2,147). Exploratory consumers showed a significantly higher willingness to pay for imported organic foods (P < 0.05). Safety-seeking consumers had a significantly higher willingness to pay for domestic organic foods (P < 0.05). For the agrifood consumer competency index, exploratory consumers had the highest score, followed in order by safety-seeking consumers and passive consumers. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide basic data in understanding consumption tendency for organic foods and agrifoods based on food-related lifestyles of South Korean consumers.