• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2020

Recently, there has been a change in consumer culture. The paradigm is changing from a consumption model that used to emphasize rationality to an ethical consumption model that focuses on sustainability. Such a change in consumption patterns has also been seen in the cosmetics industry, but studies to empirically assess this trend are incomplete. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to empirically identify the impact of ethical consumption proprieties on attitudes and purchasing intentions for ethical cosmetics. To achieve the aim of this study, 506 adult women residing in Korea were selected as subjects and surveyed. To identify the demographic characteristics of the study participants, a technical statistical analysis and frequency analysis were conducted. To check the validity and reliability of the measuring tools, an exploratory factor analysis was performed, and the Cronbach's α factor was calculated. The analysis method was analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 and the Amos 25.0 statistical analysis programs. The results of this study are as follows. First, ethical spending tendencies had a positive impact on attitudes toward ethical cosmetics. Specifically, interest in ethical issues, altruism, and business ethics perception have had a positive impact on attitudes toward ethical cosmetics. However, consumer effectiveness had no significant impact on attitudes toward ethical cosmetics. Second, attitudes toward ethical cosmetics had a positive effect on purchasing intentions. This study found that for the spread of ethical cosmetics and ethical consumption trends varied according to the age and that attitudes toward ethical cosmetics and differences in purchasing intentions should be kept in mind. It also showed that attitudes toward ethical cosmetics affect purchasing intentions. The results of this study suggested that the analysis of adult women, the main consumers of cosmetics, by age was meaningful for finding the factors for growth in the macroscopic ethical cosmetics industry and that the industry could raise its ethical awareness. If such tasks are systematically established, ethical cosmetics are thought to be able to actively solve social problems and lead a mature cosmetics industry.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1643-1651
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• 2016

It is important to understand consumer attitudes associated with their eco-friendly behavior on account of not only environmental reasons, but also corporate aspects. In this study, we examine the relations between variables influencing eco-friendly attitudes and eco-friendly behavioral intentions, namely, recycling, reusing, and reducing (3R). We first, performed a theoretical consideration through reviews of literature on ethical identity, ethical obligation, altruism, and eco-friendly attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Based on the literature review, we designed a study model and drew hypotheses. Further, we collected data using a survey and processed them statistically in order to verify the hypotheses. A total of 265 samples were collected and the data were analyzed using a structural equation model (-LISREL 8.70). The results suggest that ethical identity and altruism significantly influence environmental attitudes. However, the effects of ethical obligations on eco-friendly attitudes are insignificant. The environmental attitudes have a significant effects on the consumer behavioral intention for recycling, reusing, and reducing. Although this study has some limitations, it is expected that it will positively trigger follow-up research.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2013

This study investigated the conceptual constructs of ethical consumption beliefs and their impacts on the consumer attitudes toward eco-friendly faux leather apparel goods. The mediating roles of perceived consumer effectiveness and apparel environmental knowledge were examined in this research. A survey was conducted on female consumers between the ages of 20 and 50; subsequently, 300 responses were analyzed. The results of this study were follows: 1) The results of factor analysis and the reliability test on ethical consumption beliefs clearly showed factorial structures that include Social Responsibility, Eco-friendly Consumption, Animal Welfare, and Individual Enhancement. 2) The results of the mean scores of ethical consumption beliefs showed that respondents tended to consider Social Responsibility more important than the other three factors. Ethical consumption beliefs showed a significantly positive influence on consumer attitudes toward eco-friendly faux leather apparel products; in addition, Social Responsibility had the highest effect on product attitudes among the four factors of ethical consumption beliefs. 3) The perceived consumer effectiveness and environmental knowledge of apparel had important medicating roles in the relation-ship between ethical consumption beliefs and attitudes towards eco-friendly faux leather apparel products. This study highlighted a potential marketability of eco-friendly faux leather apparel products and that ethical consumption beliefs, perceived consumer effectiveness, and apparel environmental knowledge should be promoted among consumers to increase favorable attitudes towards these products.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.568-577
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• 2023

This study examined how middle-aged female consumers' environmental consciousness influences their attitudes and ethical purchasing behavior toward RUR (recycling, upcycling, and reuse) knit products. The research employs a survey method, targeting 30-40 year old women residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province. On-line and off-line data collection were conducted. The following conclusions emerged through statistical analyses, including factor analysis, cluster analysis, t-test, and regression analysis. Firstly, respondents' environmental consciousness variables were classified into two factors, delineating high and low environmental consciousness clusters, demonstrating significant differences between them. Secondly, the high environmental consciousness cluster exhibited more positive consumer attitudes and ethical purchasing behavior towards RUR knit products. Moreover, it was established that environmental pollution consciousness and eco-friendly product purchase consciousness influenced environmental consciousness on consumer attitudes and ethical purchasing behavior. Lastly, the study confirmed that consumer attitudes mediated environmental consciousness and ethical purchasing behavior. In conclusion, this research establishes a meaningful link between environmental consciousness, consumer attitudes, and ethical purchasing behavior in 30-40 year old women. Environmentally conscious groups positively influence attitudes toward RUR knitted fashion and promote ethical purchasing behavior. Consequently, it is recommended that knit fashion companies prioritize environmental consciousness and eco-friendly products in their marketing strategies. Furthermore, diversifying the application of RUR knit products, coupled with eco-friendly production techniques, can amplify their appeal and utility, ensuring a positive impact on consumer behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.159-173
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• 2013

This research investigates the mechanism of ethical fashion consumption by examining the effects of benefit and risk perception on ethical fashion consumption attitudes and behavioral intention. To test the hypotheses, 300 female consumers between the ages of 20 and 49 were invited as study participants. The reliability and the validity of multi-item constructs were tested by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The hypotheses were tested by utilizing Structural Equation Analysis and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The benefit perception of ethical consumption was composed of three benefit types, which were altruistic benefit, social image benefit, and self-oriented benefit. Benefit perception, except social image benefit, had significant effects on consumer attitudes towards ethical fashion consumption; similarly, benefit perception had significant effects on behavioral intention (except self-oriented benefit) which had an effect on behavioral intention only when it was mediated by attitudes. Further analysis was conducted to understand the reason for the weak relationship between attitudes and behavioral intention. Financial and performance risk perceptions were tested for the moderating roles of attitudes and behavioral intention; subsequently, only financial risk interacted with attitudes and showed that the positive effects of attitudes on behavioral intention were weakened by a high financial risk perception. Performance risk had a main effect on behavioral intention independent of attitudes. Managerial implication and future study directions are also discussed.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to understand the differences of ethical attitudes as consumer and as salesperson among cosmetic salesperson. For this purpose, 128 cosmetic salespersons, Chunlabukdo, were sampled, 2007. The quesionnaire was composed of the demographic characteristics, attitudes toward the clients, the ethics related to work, and ethical attitudes as consumer. The differences were statistically tested at p<.10. The results of this study as follows; The sub-variables of attitudes toward customers were irresponsibility, understanding and respect for customers, and first priority to Sales persons. The ethics related to work's were sales of defected products, unfair sales practices, and unusual discount. Consumer ethics' were false and deception, invasion of Sales person's rights, and illegal. The types of consumer's ethics were distributed from 57.5% for the unethical consumers, 15.7% for the middle consumers, and 26.8% for the ethical consumers. The salespersons as the ethical consumers tended to show irresponsible attitudes to the clients and first priority to themselves rather than customers. Unethical consumers tended to treat their customers in an unethical sales manners.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.115-123
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify how nursing students' awareness of biomedical ethics and ethical values affect their attitudes towards a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Methods: This cross-sectional correlation study was conducted with 275 nursing students enrolled at two universities in North Chungcheong Province and North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea. Data were collected in April 2017 using a self-reported questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: The students' attitudes towards DNR were positively correlated with attitudes that seek ethical values but negatively correlated with their biomedical ethics awareness. The explained variance for attitudes towards DNR was 20%, which was significant (F=13.01, P<0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that nursing students' biomedical ethics awareness and ethical values were associated with their attitudes towards DNR. Curriculum organization and various educational programs should be developed and applied to help nursing students develop ethical values and awareness of biomedical ethics.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the ethical attitudes of consumers in consumption situations by using the consumer ethics scale(CES). Self-administrated questionnaires were completed by 492 consumers, and the resulting data were analysed by frequency, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and cluster analysis. We found four different groups of consumers were identified according to their ethical attitudes in consumption situations: 1) the unethical onlooker consumer group, 2) the socialized unethical consumer group, 3) the ethical consumer group, and 4) the severely unethical consumer group. The unethical onlooker consumer group was most widespread prevalent among university students who were in their 20s and down or under, and who received spending money from their parents, and the socialized unethical consumer group was most prevailing prevalent among the higher educated consumers. The women who consumers slightly outnumbered men in an the ethical consumer group, slightly outnumbered the men who did, and many of the university-educated large income earners fell into this group consumed in that way as well. The severely unethical consumer group was quite uncommon among those who were at the age of 41 and up over, and not many of the higher educated people and larger income earners consumed in an the severely unethical consumer group, either. Thus, it's proven this study proves that in terms of the propensity to consume, the consumers' were different from one another in ethical attitudes and behaviors differ according to their demographic characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.465-479
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• 2016

Some groups do ethical activities (such as ethical slogan t-shirt campaigns) only to complete the requirements for ethical duty; consequently, some people question the effectiveness of those products. The attributes of ethical slogan t-shirts should be considered seriously to reduce skepticism when planning a campaign. Researchers can also suggest a new purpose for ethical t-shirts using an ethical message. In study 1, we conduct a conjoint analysis that suggests realistic multi-attribute choice decisions. The suggested multi-attributes wear design aesthetic (high/low), price (high/low), where we donate (close/far), and the size of firm (big/small). In addition, participations were divided into two groups according to eco-friendly attitudes to confirm differences in choices between two groups. Study 1 showed that price is the most important attribute, but design aesthetic also remains important. In addition, a group that has a high eco-friendly attitude thought "where we donate" was more important than other groups. In study 2, a pre-post approach investigated wearers' attitude changes. We also divided participants into two groups and one group wear high level design aesthetic t-shirts (and vice-versa) to measure the attitude change difference. As a result of study 2, the wearers partially changed their eco-friendly attitudes. The group that wore high design aesthetic t-shirts showed a greater difference than other groups. Through this study, we conclude that customers seriously considered the design aesthetic. Finally, wearing ethical slogan t-shirts can change the attitudes of wearers.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.257-267
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of values towards Korea fair trade coffee consumers upon attitudes and behavioral intentions and verified the moderating effects of ethical consumption consciousness between relationships among values, attitudes and behavioral intentions. A total of 283 data were analyzed for consumers of fair trade coffee residing in Seoul. Structural equation models were used to identify the relationship between the variables. As a result of the analysis, Schwartz (1994)'s 30 value items were factored into four areas: openness to change, self-enhancement, conservation, and self-transcendence. The value of 'self-transcendence' showed a significant positive impact on attitudes toward fair trade coffee, whereas 'openness to change' had a significant negative impact. Positive attitude toward fair trade coffee showed a significant impact on intentions to buy fair trade coffee. In addition, a moderating effect of ethical consumption consciousness between attitude and behavioral intention was found. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.