• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.563-570
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• 2016

Onion vinegar has an undesirable flavor and taste that results from alcohol and acetic acid production from fermentation. In this study, we have used onion vinegar to develop an onion vinegar beverage with better sensory quality. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum blending ratio by using response surface methods to produce an onion vinegar beverage containing Yuza (Citrus junos Sieb ex Tanaka). The optimal formula for a fermented onion beverage was determined using a central composite design by the response surface methodology. The independent variables were obtained by regression analysis of the reaction surface of brown sugar, apple extracts and Yuza extracts. The optimum mixing ratio for onion vinegar:water:brown sugar:apple extracts:Yuza extracts was 6.0:77.6:4.9:9.2:2.3 (w/w). The actual overall acceptance was 7.08 under optimum conditions, which was close to the maximum predicted value of 6.96. The concentration of phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and quercetin present in the onion vinegar beverage was 14.8 mg/100 g, 2.6 mg/100 g and 1.4 mg/100 g, respectively. The onion vinegar beverage showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Enterobacter aerogenes. It also showed antioxidant effects, with a DPPH radical inhibition rate of 18.2% and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of 11.5%. In conclusion, the onion vinegar beverage described here seems to have nutritional value and potential biological activity.

• 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 Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.79-86
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• 2018

Purpose - Many retail stores tend to use scarcity-laden message in order to influence consumers, where scarcity refers to insufficiency of product supply or time of availability. For example, inside stores, the displayed products are often accompanied by scarcity message such as 'exclusive offer, limited time only.' According to past research, scarcity has a positive effect on product evaluation, since scarcity can acts as a signal of consumer demand, and thus product quality. Prior studies argue that consumers face a scarce product, they logically infer that other consumers buying the product in large numbers cause the scarcity. We propose that scarcity can be interpreted as a sales tactic artificially created by retail stores in order to increase sales of product. Research design, data, and methodology - We use a persuasion knowledge perspective framework to develop our hypotheses. In the present research, we show that product curation type is a key variable that moderates consumer response to scarcity, and thus the scarcity effect on product evaluation. Results - In this research, we showed when scarcity-laden message was used inside the store using consumer-centric curation message, scarcity had a positive effect on product evaluation. In contrast, when scarcity-laden message was used inside the store using marketer-centric curation message, the positive of scarcity message on product evaluation was diluted. Conclusions - Our study makes two important contributions to the literature on consumer response to scarcity. First, we identify a variable - namely, product curation type - that determines when either 'scarcity = good' or 'scarcity = marketing tactic' interpretation is likely to be dominant. Second, we cite persuasion knowledge perspective to explain the moderating function of product curation type in a retail store-related scarcity context. This research is relevant to practitioners, such as brand manager, retail environment manager, and advertising agencies, for the effective use for the scarcity-laden message in retail. The proposed moderator can operate in many real-life situations in retail where consumers are exposed to scarcity. And curation message related to scarcity has been facilitated by the inner-retail activities. These factors of the marketplace indicate that the boundary conditions of scarcity can have a significant effect on real-life consumer judgment.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.9
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• pp.53-62
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• 2018

Purpose - The focus of this study is to investigate the structural influences such as brand value, relationship value, market orientation, long-term orientation, and performance. The effects of brand value and relationship value on the differences on transaction performance in b2b was investigated. Research design, data, and methodology - The subject of this study was a liquor and beverage distribution company that deals in b2b. The research hypothesis is based on literature of the preceding research analysis of brand value, relationship value, market orientation and long-term orientation. This study has constructs that was defined operationally by referencing previous studies. Operational questionnaire was used to investigate the target key staff who work in the liquor and beverage distribution company. 178 survey data were used for empirical analysis to prove the hypothesis. This study used structural equation techniques(AMOS) to prove the research hypothesis. Results - The main results of this empirical study were as follows. First, supplier's brand awareness has a positive effect on market orientation, but did not affect long-term orientation. Brand awareness of suppliers indicates that they are not directly related to long-term orientation. Second, supplier's brand image has a positive effect on market orientation and long-term orientation in b2b transaction. So, the brand image and reputation of the supplier suggest that it is important for the b2b transaction to have a market orientation tendency or a long-term orientation. Third, supplier's relationship value has a positive effect on long-term orientation, but does not affect market orientation. Relationship value indicates that they are not directly related to market orientations of the buyer. Fourth, Market orientation has a positive effect on long-term orientation and marketing performance and long-term orientation has a positive effect on marketing performance in b2b. Additionally, the buyers market and long term orientation are important factors in marketing performance in b2b. ' Conclusions - Based on empirical results, this study confirmed that brand image rather than brand awareness positively influenced long-term orientation as well as market orientation in b2b. Relationship value can be found in transactions, which is important for long-term orientation. Especially, these findings are suggestive in the consumer goods distribution market.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.550-566
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• 2017

Recent advances in wearable devices and quantified-self movement increase the number of personal informatics application that may cause an concern to health industry and user. In this light, the goal of this study is to identify more effective ways of design and evaluation of personal informatics application for self-tracking and delivering health information to users. For this goal, this study conducted areal-world study that processes such that user can assess, be aware of, and self-reflect on their data and behavior activity. In doing so, this study aims to determine the psychological effects of forms of health feedback (comparative vs. non-comparative) and presentation modes (text vs. image) on users' tendencies toward health conservation. Results from a between-subjects experiment revealed that health information in a comparative and textual format was more effective in encouraging health conservation in participants than identical information presented in a non-comparative and image format. In addition, participants' level of health consciousness emerged as a significant predictor. Through this analysis of quantitative data and inferences, this study make a number of contributions to the user affordance research and its methodology of health informatics study and designing personal informatics application that support user's behavior change in various contexts.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.141-151
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• 2016

Purpose - Salesperson perceptions of the fairness and accuracy of a performance evaluation system were examined by managerial and professional employees of large organization. The performance evaluation process is central to many personal decisions such as attitude for job and sales performance. This study investigates the relationship between perceived evaluation fairness, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and sales performance. The main purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a comprehensive model of salespersons' perceived evaluation fairness on sales performance. For this purpose, we identified the structural relationship between perceived evaluation fairness, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and sales performance. Also we investigate the mediating effects on job satisfaction and organizational commitment between perceived evaluation fairness and sales performance. Research design, data, and methodology - To empirically test these relationships, data were collected by in-depth interviews from sales managers and questionnaire surveys from 300 salespersons who work for sales area (credit card company, insurance company). Demographically, the overall sample was 91.6% female, 77.9% 30s and 40s, and 34% college educated, with an average tenure with their present organizations of 4 years. The questionnaire was composed of total 20 items dealing with frequency, quality, and consequences of perceived evaluation fairness, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and sales performance. To test the research hypotheses, collected data analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structure equation model (SEM). Results - Through extensive and rigorous literature review process of related literature(Perceived evaluation fairness, Job satisfaction, Organizational commitment, Sales performance), research model and research hypothesis was set up. This study obtains the following research results. First, perceived evaluation fairness has a positive effect on job satisfaction, whereas the effects of perceived evaluation fairness on organizational commitment and sales performance did not show statistically significant result. Second, job satisfaction and organizational commitment have complete mediating roles to the relationship between perceived evaluation fairness and organizational commitment, and relationship between perceived evaluation fairness and sales performance. Conclusions - Based on the results, salespersons' perceived evaluation fairness is one of the key independent variable for making high job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and sales performance. Finally the theoretical, managerial implication and research limitations are mentioned in the discussion.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.53-59
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• 2018

Purpose - This study examines the effect of control-ownership wedge on stock crash risk. In Korea, controlling shareholders have exclusive control rights compared to their cash flow rights. With increasing disparity, controlling shareholders abuse their power and extract private benefits at the expense of the minority shareholders. Managers who are controlling shareholders of the companies tend not to disclose critical information that would prevent them from pursuing private interests. They accumulate negative information in the firm. When the accumulated bad news crosses a tipping point, it will be suddenly released to the market at once, resulting in an abrupt decline in stock prices. We predict that stock price crash likelihood due to information opaqueness increases as the wedge increases. Research design, data, and methodology - 831 KOSPI-listed firm-year observations are from KisValue database from 2005 to 2011. Control-ownership wedge is measured as the ratio (UCO -UCF)/UCO where UCF(UCO) is the ultimate cash-flow(control) rights of the largest controlling shareholder. Dependent variable CRASH is a dummy variable that equals one if the firm has at least 1 crash week during a year, and zero otherwise. Logistic regression is used to examine the relationship between control-ownership wedge and stock price crash risk. Results - Using a sample of KOSPI-listed firms in KisValue database for the period 2005-2011, we find that stock price crash risk increases as the disparity increases. Specifically, we find that the coefficient of WEDGE is significantly positive, supporting our prediction. The result implies that as controlling shareholders' ownership increases, controlling shareholders tend to withhold bad news. Conclusions - Our results show that agency problems arising from the divergence between control rights and cash flow rights increase the opaqueness of accounting information. Eventually, the accumulated bad news is released all at once, leading to stock price crashes. It could be seen that companies with high control-ownership wedge are likely to experience future stock price crashes. Our study is related to a broader literature that examined the effect of the control-ownership wedge on stock markets. Our findings suggest that the disparity is a meaningful predictor for future stock price crash risk. The results are expected to provide useful implications for firms, regulators, and investors.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

Purpose - This study's objective is to analyze the content of the communications between users and producers based on the construal level theory. User generated content refers to content created in an online-based service where users and producers communicate interactively with each other. In a user generated content platform, the messages sent and received between the many players, the users and producers who use the content, may be analyzed at the psychological level based on construal level theory. Research design, data, and methodology - This study gathered user and producer participation through a snow-bowling sampling method. The data analyzed includes 125 video clips and 2,912 comments. The period of the data collection was from September 2014 to December 2014. The collected data was analyzed using a t-test and two-way ANOVA. Results - This study obtained the following research results. First, users who were a short social distance from producers responded to user participatory activities stated in concrete language rather than abstract language. In contrast, users who were at a longer social distance from producers tended to respond to the content requesting user participation through abstract language. Second, if users and producers were at a short social distance from each other, user preference increased more when a producer response to user participation was expressed concretely rather than when it was expressed abstractly. In contrast, if the users were at a longer social distance, users' preferences increased more when producer response was expressed abstractly rather than when it was expressed concretely. Conclusion - This study found that the effect of suitability, in which the social distance and the content were in congruence at the construal level, could be observed. Therefore, based on this, academic and practical implications were drawn. The three main insights of the study are as follows. First, firms can use psychological factors to analyze the message content of users in their distribution platforms. This study reveals managerial implications for marketing managers who want to take make use of this analysis of user and producer communications. This study indicates that the main factors include the concrete and abstract scores and social distance between users and producers. Second, we also provide the strategic guidelines to maximizing user preferences and other outcomes. The main dependent variable in this study is the user preference shift; the variable increases through the congruence effect; and the construal level is determined by the social distance between the users and producers and the type of producer response. The outcomes here from users can be utilized to develop several systemic strategies. One process to use the outcomes could be: (1) firms could measure the users and producers social distance; (2) calculate the concreteness or abstractness of the messages; and, (3) predict the user preference outcomes by the congruence between user and producer social distance and the abstractness or concreteness of the message content.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.23-35
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• 2013

Purpose - This paper attempts to identify the problems and limitations of a market maintenance project conducted according to the 「Special Act for the Development of Traditional Markets and Shopping Street」 and to present a revised direction for the special law and lay the groundwork for market maintenance projects to be promoted smoothly. Research design, data, and methodology - The revised direction for the legislation and the proposal were written based on an investigation of the problems and the legal system, and proposed measures for market maintenance operation and system improvements to derive the improvements needed for market maintenance projects. Results - A market maintenance project has been conducted as a means to reinvigorate traditional markets that are economically depressed, and to revive the local economy. It was largely conducted in the form of reconstruction and redevelopment and represents the interests of landowners and merchants. Thus, it is most likely to contribute to the gradual disappearance of traditional markets. First, as part of a market maintenance project, many companies are building multipurpose buildings or high-rise residential buildings to increase profits. In these high-rise buildings, they can raise rents, which may not be affordable for some existing small businesses. To solve such problems, the large-scale store registration requirement needs to be relaxed or abolished once the market maintenance project is completed. If the large-scale store registration requirement is to be abolished, the term 'large retail store' should be changed in the 「Special Act for the Development of Traditional Markets and Shopping Street」. After registration, the Small and Medium Business Administration should train merchants, offer consultations, and support events, to the extent that the existing traditional market management modernization project permits, and further continue to manage and support its ongoing activities. However, unless large-scale store registration is abolished, adding an exception clause in the special law to relax large-scale store registration criteria, and permitting changes to building use is another option. At the end of a market maintenance project, empty stores should be purchased by the Small and Medium Business Administration, and local government, etc., at the actual construction cost, to utilize them as public rental shopping areas, which in turn may be re-utilized as a temporary market for another market maintenance project. The second problem in market maintenance projects is merchant-protection. Currently, the special law prescribes that a temporary market be created for merchants to conduct business during the rental period of a market maintenance project. Conclusions - In reality, a market maintenance project is conducted usually in big metropolitan cities with 500,000 residents or more. The main building type created under these projects is a multipurpose building. For this reason, it is very difficult to secure a location for a temporary market in the surrounding area of such a project. To solve this problem, this study suggests 'public rental shopping areas' as mentioned above.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.75-82
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• 2014

Purpose - Due to the rapidly changing environment, the needs of information distribution are emphasized more than ever before. As information changes to cater to diversity, professionalism, and detailed segmentation, this information is produced exponentially. Many researchers working in intelligence agencies are feeling the need to establish a comprehensive information management and information distribution system in a systematic and more effective manner. Mobile marketing is based on communication when consumers can access information using GPS systems whatever their location may be when they are on a trip. Until recently, Korean companies have been struggling to perform well in the larger mobile tourism information service (MTIS) for Chinese tourists, which is regarded as a blue ocean area. The principal dimensions of the characteristics of a mobile tourism information service were analyzed, and the influence on perceived value and satisfaction was identified. Moreover, the relationship among the variable satisfaction and using intentions was empirically analyzed. Research design, data, and methodology - This study examined the structural relationship among mobile tourism information features, perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. It is based on analyzed data from questionnaires involving advanced research. A questionnaire survey targeting Chinese students using a mobile tourism information service in Korea was conducted. A total of 230 questionnaires were circulated, and 221 questionnaires were used for empirical analysis, excluding invalid data. The data were analyzed with structural equation modeling with SPSS 21.0 statistic package reliability analysis, factor analysis, and regression analysis were implemented, and the effects of the mobile tourism information service features on perceived value, satisfaction, and using intentions were presented. Results - First, mobile tourism information service features have a direct positive effect on the practical value, and do not affect the hedonic value. Second, perceived value has a statistically positive effect on satisfaction. Third, perceived value has a positive effect on behavioral intentions. Fourth, satisfaction has a direct positive effect on behavioral intentions. Conclusion - MTIS (mobile tourism information service) involves personal, social, and technical characteristics. We have analyzed the effects of mobile tourism information service on perceived value, and on satisfaction and using intentions. First, the study shows that the characteristics of mobile tourism information service and perceived value in relation to mobile tourism information service usage are important for marketing in the Chinese market. Moreover, after using a mobile tourism information service, the effect on practical value is more than on hedonic value. We could not analyze the program for tourism information service extensively, and used only questionnaires from Chinese students in Korea. In the future, there should be research on the programs for a tourism information service. We expect to study the MTIS program in greater detail, and to improve the quality and reputation of MTIS through the analysis of its program. We hope that this research will allow an evaluation of the relationship between Korea and China regarding MTIS.