• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2002

A survey on Korean families′purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables was conducted to increase understanding of families′food decision making. Two hundred ninety seven families with at least one elementary-school age child were selected from four elementary schools to complete a questionnaire during April, 2001 in Gyeongju, Korea. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, T-test, and ANOVA statistics were used to analyze the data. The major findings are as follows: Families bought fresh fruits and vegetables at the public markets or the farmer′s markets and a large supermarket most frequently in both summer and winter. Families grew produce by themselves and bought them from farmers directly least frequently in both summer and winter. Families whose housewives had less than middle school education brought fruits and vegetables from Agricultural Co-ops and grew thens by themselves more frequently compared to those who had higher education. On the other hand, families whose housewives had graduated from 4 year college bought fruits and vegetables from large supermarkets more frequently compared to those who had lesser education. "Quality"and "safety production"of fruits and vegetables and "clean environment of store"were the three most important factors when they decided the place to buy fruits and vegetables. "Being treated as a valuable customer" and "ease of finding things"were the two least important factors. Families whose housewives were in their thirties valued "cleanness of the store"and "being treated as a valuable customer"important factors when they decided the place. Families whose housewives had less than middle school education thought that price, availability of public transportation, and availability of locally grown food were the important factors for deciding the place compared to those who had higher education. The price was the factor which low-income families thought important for decision making on the place to buy fruits and vegetables.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.39-57
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• 2012

The unabated influx of micro businesses has turned the Korean retailing market to a rat race, which causes severe financial distress for micro business owners due to heavy competition. The woes of these micro business owner's are exacerbated by the presence of large scale distributors such as Super Supermarket(SSM) and large discount stores. In summary, the Korean retail market is overburdened an uneconomically viable. Retailing has low barriers to entry which attracts unskilled labor or those with little capital. These start-ups have low opportunity costs since they would make low wages elsewhere in the economy. Thus, these owners are content with relatively low returns on their investment. These 'subsistence ventures' are maintained for economical viability rather than economic growth. These 'subsistence ventures' intensifies competition among small-scale businesses. The presence of large retail corporations also aggravates the situation. The recent stagnation of the economy has worsened the retail market in Korea. The overwhelming competition solidifies the coarse structural system and the prolonged economic sluggishness has increased the risk of insolvency for micro business owners. As the economy continues to stagnate, the imminent risk in retailing market will rise up to surface threatening economic stability. More systematic inflows and outflows of retailers are required in order to redress this structural problem. It has been empirically shown that the self-employment rate is high in Korea compared to other OECD countries. To draw the comparison of self-employment rate by industry, Korea shows high rates among transportation, whole sale, retail, education, lodging, and restaurants. In the case of the transportation and education service sectors, this high rate can be explained by the idiosyncratic nature of Korean culture. In the transportation sector, political policies favor private cap service and private freight carriers. In the education service sector, Koreans put particular emphasis on education that leads to many private institutions that outnumber other OECD countries. For these singular reasons, Korea maintains high micro business, self-employed rates particularly in retailing. A comparable nation is Japan, with its similar social, economic, cultural environment among OECD countries. Unlike Korea, Japan has much lower rates of micro business which continues to decrease. Also Korean retailers are much more destitute than Japanese. The fundamental problem of Korean retailing is the involuntary exit of these 'subsistence ventures,' micro businesses with low margins, in which a small drop in demand can lead to financial difficulties for the owner. This problem will be exacerbated when Korean babyboomers retire and join the micro business ventures. The first priority in order to cope with the severity of oversupply in retailing is to provide better opportunities for the potential self-employers. There should be viable alternatives to subsistent ventures. Strengthening the retirement program, scrutiny of exit process, reconfiguration of policy funds are the recommendations.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2012

Recently, the market size of hypermarkets in the domestic retail market accounts for a high percentage. The domestic retail market after the opening of the market for the past 1996 and grow to the spread of hypermarkets. However, events such as tasting events were increased due to intense competition among business condition as to attract more customers beyond price competition. Under these circumstances, it is important to examine the relationship of the factors associated with tasting events on consumer buying behavior. The impact on consumer buying behavior in order to verify factors tasting event by setting product standards study the relationship between variables was set up as a model. As result, only one came out significantly to pay the hypothesis of various products depending on the origin of the factors that increase the amount available. This is seen as a supermarket tasting event at the origin of products, and transparency, but also for recently imported foods for consumers who have negative thoughts, mainly domestic product tasting events Mart's sales continue to increase to attract more customers shall be deemed to be one way.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2010

This study is for finding out the relationship between reactions on POP per consumer purchase trends and major factor for making final purchasing decisions after being exposed to POP from large supermarkets. The following results were obtained after the research. First, consumers displayed higher reaction scores on End-Cap in general among POP advertisements. The factors for making final purchase decision are in the order of function > price > brand for household electrical goods, price > design > function for sundry goods and design > price > function for clothing (including bedding). Second, the results of analyzing the differences based on age on impulsive purchase showed that the lower the age the higher the tendency. Unplanned purchase trend also showed higher when younger. The results of this study showed that there are discrepancies in the theory related with existing POP advertisements, that is, the theory that impulsive purchasers have higher POP responses.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2015

Purpose - This is a comparative study of the market development and characteristics of Ulsan in South Korea, Fukuoka in Japan, and Yanji in China, which are major East Sea Rim cities with adjacent areas of similar natural characteristics of the sea and the country. Particularly, it considers these aspects while focusing on the evolution of networks that appear in the distribution system and at the same time examining the institutions of market activation and regulations that are handled by the central and the local government and the changing logistics due to the development of transportation and the concern of food safety, using a meso-analysis approach. Research design, data, and methodology - The study used a historical and comparative approach with a focus on case studies. It made use of various materials such as local newspaper articles, reports, literature, interviews with experts, discussions with local merchants, discussions with customers, and so forth. Results - In the case of Fukuoka, from the 1960s, due to the entry of supermarkets, supermarkets expanded and they have now come to a dominant market position in the current market. They offer a convenient and comfortable environment while providing a large mall offering a variety of educational and cultural activities for customers to meet the customers' needs, such as the preferences of Korean tourists, who appear to prefer Japanese foods. The Fukuoka City Central Wholesale Market has been exporting fruits and vegetables as well as seafood products to Korea, China, and so forth. In the case of Ulsan, as in the early 2000s, due to the expansion of supermarkets, the traditional markets have been shrinking and further, the modernization of traditional markets was conducted under the auspices of the Small Business Administration. In addition to the large discount malls, the expansion of SSM is expected to further drive the small trader bay. Shopping malls, department stores, and traditional markets contend with each other in Yanji, China, but a large number of citizens appear to prefer traditional markets and imported milk in the supermarket after the melamine scandal in China. Recently, the WanYuan (萬源) wholesale market has been partially completed and made an attempt to become a logistics hub in Northeast Asia. Conclusions - For the development of Korea's retail industry, it is important to offer the government with proposals regarding desired regulation. On the other hand, in order to enable the business of traditional markets, it requires an association for cultural tourism. At present, it would be better to provide a venture fund for the youth rather than infrastructure support. This study emphasizes the importance of institutions and policy to develop networks in the East Sea Rim. Future studies should conduct a survey on customers, managers, and merchants more carefully and systematically to understand the market situation while considering the size of the city and its evolution of markets, as well as policies and institutions.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.63-84
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• 2011

There are about 1,500 small or large traditional markets in Korea. Those conventional markets have been struggling for survival in rapidly changing market environment with highly intensified competition by accelerating the entrance of the Large-scale Discount Store and Super Supermarket which are managed and supported by Large companies like Samsung and Lotte. The loosing power of conventional markets have threatened the local merchants' survival and have influenced local economics falling down. To create better value for the customers who have more preference for department store and discount stores than conventional markets, conventional markets should have market orientation, which has three sub dimensions; customer orientation, competitor orientation and inter-functional coordinations. First objective of study is to find the appropriate roles of conventional markets in local areas. Second is to find out the market orientation functions for conventional markets to be survival in local markets in the long terms. Finally, this study will suggest some policies for the appropriate types of successful conventional markets considering various local situations. To achieve those objectives, we did the following procedure. First, we review the previous reports and studies of policies for conventional markets and local economy development, and propose some pros and cons of the previous policies. Secondly, we develop a market orientation framework of conventional markets, in which we suggest the developmental types and functions of market-orientation of conventional markets in accordance with the characteristics of local market and economic conditions of local areas. Then we formulate and discuss the study's contributions, managerial implications, and directions for future policy development. Especially for the policy development, we suggest the efficiency and economical effects of policy, human being development and management system, and the role of government and protection of local merchants in the development process.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.167-197
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• 1991

This paper is intended as an introductory essay to explain endogenous changes in the scope of firm activities in the competitive structure of a deregulated, multi-product financial industry. Recently, the global financial industry has been experiencing a widespread reshuffling in its activities, reflecting both consolidation and specialization. The spread of the universal banking system, which involves the integration of various kinds of financial activities, has resulted in the so-called financial supermarket. At the same time, the traditional set of banking activities has been unbundled into so-called financial boutiques. A relevant question is where the current reshuffling process of integration and disintegration in financial activities might lead the financial industry. However, presently popular theories of the financial industry are not really appropriate for the analysis of this issue. This paper attempts to integrate the theory of specialization [George J. Stigler, "The Division of Labor is Limited by the Extent of the Market," Journal of Political Economy, Vol. LIX, No.3, June 1951] and the theory of the multi-product firm [William J. Baumol, John C. Panzar, and Robert D. Willig, Contestable Markets and the Theory of Industry Structure, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., New York, 1982] and to apply the resulting hybrid theory, a theory on the scope of financial activity, to the financial industry. The implications of this theory for the issues raised above are formalized under five hypotheses on the reshuffling of financial activities as listed below: Hypothesis I: The differences in the organization of financial industries among countries are determined by differences in the size of the financial markets, other things being equal. Hypothesis II: A financial firm will separate those financial activities simultaneously having relatively strong economies of scale and relatively weak economies of scope (alternatively, diseconomies of scope) from other activities. Conversely, the firm will integrate those activities simultaneously having relatively weak economies of scale (alternatively, diseconomies of scale) and relatively strong economies of scope with incumbent activities. Hypothesis III: A competitive equilibrium in the deregulated financial industry will consist of both specialized and multi-product financial firms, resulting in a mixed form of specialized and universal banking systems. Hypothesis IV: As world financial markets fully integrate and all countries consequently face this single, common world market, the financial structures of individual countries will become increasingly similar. Hypothesis V: A more universal banking system will dominate the deregulated financial industry in countries with relatively small financial markets, while a more specialized banking system will dominate in countries with relatively large financial markets. However, equilibrium will ultimately be mixed, with specialized and universal banks coexisting, as stated in Hypothesis III. Based on these hypotheses, this paper interprets the historical development of specialized vs. universal banking systems in major industrial countries as a process driven by the evolution of the financial market in each country - i.e. the change in the size of the financial market over time. In addition, this paper anticipates that the final equilibrium of the world financial industry, which is currently under the pressure of financial innovations and deregulation, will be a mixed equilibrium with both specialized boutiques and universal supermarket-type financial firms, instead of an exclusively specialized or universal banking system. Future research should seek continued theoretical elaboration and empirical verification of this paper's hypotheses.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.101-109
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• 2015

Purpose - A traditional retail market is a place that offers economic opportunity to employees and employers alike it also is a place where the community can meet. The Korean government has invested three trillion won to improve physical and non-physical aspects in traditional retail markets since 2004. However, little research on this has been conducted. We explore this research gap that could lead to theory extension. We analyze consumption behavior with respect to traditional retail markets through an empirical analysis, thus overcoming limits in previous research. We empirically analyze policy effects of traditional retail market projects supported by the Korean government. Research design, data, and methodology - We propose a traditional retail market improvement plan via the relation between cause and effect resulting from the analysis. More specifically, logit analysis was carried out with 1,754 consumers in 16 cities nationwide. In order to analyze consumer consumption behaviors nationwide, the probability was analyzed using a logit model. This research analyzes the link between support and non-support by the Korean government using binary values. The dependent variable is whether Korean government support is implemented; the binomial logistic regression is used as the statistical estimation technique. The object variables are:1 (support) or 0 (nonsupport), and the prediction value is between 1 and 0. As a result of the factor analysis of questions related to attributes of service quality, four factors were extracted: convenience, product, facilities, and service. Results - The results indicate that convenience, product, and facilities have a significant influence on consumer satisfaction in accordance with the government's traditional retail market support. Additionally, the results reveal that convenience, product, facilities, and service all have a significant influence on consumer satisfaction in a traditional retail market's service quality and consumer satisfaction. Finally, the analysis indicates that the highly satisfied traditional retail market customer has a significant influence on revisit intention. Moreover, the results reveal that the highly satisfied traditional retail market customer has a significant influence on recommendation intention. Conclusions - This research focused on consumers nationwide to measure policy effects of traditional retail markets compared to previous research that focused on one traditional retail market or a specific area. We verified the relationship of service quality and customer satisfaction and consumer behavior based on service quality theory. The results indicate that consumer satisfaction of traditional retail markets supported by service quality factors has a significant impact. In a concrete form, the results indicate that these effects are from facility modernization projects and marketing support projects of the Korean government. The results also imply that these facility and management support effects from the Korean government have been consistent. We realize that the Korean government has to selectively support traditional retail markets in major cities and small and medium-sized cities. To that end, the Korean government needs to select a concentration strategy for the revitalization of traditional retail markets.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.106-129
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• 2001

In order to improve the agricultural products distribution, many devices have been suggested. Recently, direct marketing channel of agricultural product is one of the best solution for the problems of agricultural product distribution. The largest farmers cooperative association in Korea, Agricultural Cooperative(AC) have tried to promote direct marketing channel of agricultural product. Especially, the Agricultural product outlet store owned by Agricultural Cooperative(AC) is developed as an attractive alternative. Agricultural product outlet store owned by AC classify two types; small ＆ medium sized supermarket style and large discount store style. In this study, direct marketing through the agricultural product outlet store owned by AC was examined because it leads direct agricultural distribution and shares over 70% of direct agricultural distribution in Korea. Though a survey about consumer perception ＆ evaluation on establishing agricultural product outlet store owned by AC in Busan, the success factor of the store were identified. The results indicate that price, kindness of sales people, quality of products are main factor of the agricultural products outlet store. Theorefore Agricultural Cooperative should develop the retailing ＆ marketing strategies focusing these findings.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.83-115
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• 2014

The current study aimed to explore the levels of consumers' perception for the PB apples which mainly sold in the large retailers, and then suggest the efficient marketing strategies for activating sales of the PB apples among the farm produce. The findings of the study revealed that the levels of the consumers' perception of value for the PB apples were influential on the brand credibility. In addition, the levels of the quality, perception of value, and brand credibility significantly affected the purchase intention. The image of the brand, however, did not show the effects on the brand credibility and purchase intention. Based on the study, in order to activate the brand for the local farm produce, the analysis results could suggest the four alternatives. Firstly, it is needed for the NB apples to be standardized and improved in terms of the qualities. Secondly, the more efficient ways to facilitate the purchases for the NB apples should be reconsidered in the emotional package. Thirdly, the levels of customers' perceptions for NB apples need to increase by providing them with convenient ways of purchases. Lastly, connecting consumers' groups with producers' groups could eventually enhance the brand credibility.