• 유통과학연구
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.89-98
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• 2016

Purpose - This article tackles risk communication issues and aims to address the characteristics of MERS risk information distribution in South Korea, and secondly to examine the communicative behavior of the public health authority in terms of the quality of communication strategies. Thirdly, the study attempts to figure out the risk communication to cope with MERS through the applications of SMCRE model in chronological order. We employ the social amplification of risk framework for analyzing the emergent public response as one of the main approaches. Research Design, Data and Methodology - The main framework of this study is theoretically based on the social amplification of risk, which describes signals about risk transmitted and processed by individuals and social groups. The model also reflects the interactions between social groups and institutes about disaster-related risk issues, which are potential amplifiers or attenuators of communication signals. S-M-C-R-E Model is methodologically employed to examine the social amplification for MERS risk information in each period, which we defined operationally. The proposed methodology allows the assessment of effectiveness and ineffectiveness on risk communication to be conceptualized as a countermeasure against disasters. The paper focuses on exploring how social risk amplification can be applied and organized in each stage. Results - The SMCRE model describes the exchange of risk information and is also applied to all forms of communication between stakeholders including public health authority, local government and media. Each factor of risk communication includes source, message, channel, receiver and effect. The results support that the effective risk communication involves not only the improved reliability of public health authority as a key factor of risk communication, but also a close cooperation and good collaboration with local governments. It does not seem to be possible that the government-initiated risk communication based on controllability and management cope effectively with infectious disease in early stage. The results of this study imply that the shared risks between local, regional and national authorities can enhance risk communication system. Conclusions - The study supports that the disparities in how disaster-related risk information is interpreted and coded, have made effective risk communication and public sense-making impeded. Our findings support a more communicative discussion about the role of risk information sharing between governments for the improvement of emergency management and underline the importance of social elements in the risk communication, such as relationship and trust building. Findings suggest that trust building between stakeholders could be added to help explain the processes of social amplification and attenuation of risk. It would be recommended that the continuous risk communication with all the involved stakeholders will be able to help national health promotion policy to be improved regarding emergency management. Furthermore, risk communication has to be a scientific approach for the communication pertaining to potentially sensitive or controversial situations with public concerns and low public trust.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2015

Purpose - When it comes to first impressions of family restaurants, people basically think of the following factors: cozy, a refreshing space, indoor lighting, atmospheric music, the best-quality service through mutual interactions with employees, birthday events, follow-up customer management, brand image, and many others. Focusing on such family restaurants characteristics, with consumption experience and customer satisfaction determined as mediator variables, this study looks into the selection factors that affect customer loyalty when choosing a family restaurant. Subsequently, the study conducts an empirical analysis of these selection factors with the greatest influence. Research design, data, and methodology - This study analyzed 200 total surveys of family restaurant customers including college students, workers, housewives, and others. The survey was conducted over two weeks in May 2014. For statistical processing, SPSS 21 was used for factor analysis and reliability analysis as well as AMOS for structural equation analysis. In terms of a variable that would influence either consumption experience or customer satisfaction at the restaurants, the study introduced the concept of customer equity. The study designed a model based on a hypothesis developed using the following factors: customer encounter service value, customer convenience value, brand equity, relationship equity, and other factors defined as components of customer equity by Rust et al. (2000) determined as independent variables as well as with customer experience and customer satisfaction set as mediator variables. The hypothesis, after all, assumed that customer loyalty would be positively (+) influenced. Results - The analysis results from the study reported that brand value, customer encounter service value, and relationship value have positive (+) effects on consumption experience and customer satisfaction. However, as for customer convenience value, this turned out not to have a statistically significant influence on consumption experience and customer satisfaction. In regard to a relation between consumption experience and customer satisfaction, the results showed that the former affects the latter, and in terms of intervening variables, both of these appeared to have a positive (+) effect on customer loyalty. Conclusions - This study suggests that family restaurants should look for strategies that focus on how to promote customer relationships. For example, restaurants could try birthday events or discount events to achieve this goal. Since the study ended up realizing relatively low levels of suitability and statistical significance, the path of the study changed. After all, in order to increase suitability and statistical significance, the study had to eliminate factors such as service quality and others and for this reason the study was unable to conduct the analysis as initially planned. In addition, the data samples of the research were mainly gathered from students, which made it hard to say that the analysis was carried out on samples from every different group. Future research should analyze the characteristics of each group of customers for factors affecting customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the family restaurant chain.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.37-49
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• 2013

Purpose - This research identifies the meaning of the core capability level of Car Master and the reason why its service at the Moment of Truth should be demonstrated through empirical cases. It can be seen that this study differs from existing research because it proposes that the recognized core capability level to achieve customer satisfaction should focus on the mediating effect of Moment of Truth quality. This paper examines the effect of Car Master's recognized core capability level on customer satisfaction by using the variables mentioned above. Moreover, this study uses regression analysis to verify that the mediating effect of Moment of Truth quality on Car Master's capability level achieves customer satisfaction. Research design, data, and methodology - First, we present evidence that could apply to Car Master's recognized core capability level by detailing the relationship between customer satisfaction and a structuring factor for Car Master's core capability level. Our proposed research model observes the relationship between the structuring factor of core capability and customer satisfaction. Second, we had an opportunity to define how the core capability and Moment of Truth quality affect customer satisfaction by performing empirical analysis on the partial mediating effect of Moment of Truth quality at a recognized core capability level and Moment of Truth quality affecting customer satisfaction. Results - First, the results indicate that Car Master's recognized core capability level (product professionalism, marketing skill, and reliability) positively affects customer satisfaction. Second, the results show that an ability to listen and a sense of dedication positively affect customer satisfaction, and are among the Moment of Truth quality factors; but performance capability, which is one of the Moment of Truth quality factors, does not positively affect customer satisfaction. These results clearly differ from prior studies focused on Moment of Truth quality and consumer satisfaction. Third, the results show that Moment of Truth quality has a partial mediating effect in terms of the impact of Car Master's recognized core capability level in achieving consumer satisfaction. Conclusions - This research indicates that the company will be able to expand if they investigate and show an interest in more training and education for Car Master. The study verified that outstanding Car Masters show differentiated performance on customer satisfaction at the Moment of Truth in various instances. Thus, we believe that this is the time for a discussion on systematic and empirically recognized core capability levels and the Moment of Truth quality. The study on Car Master's recognized core capability level offers suitable solutions for Car Masters to respond to customers at the Moment of Truth. Further, this study emphasizes the importance of service as a critical factor having a direct relationship with the company's success and failure and contributing to building trust with the customer. Thus, an investment in continuous education and training for Car Master will help the growth of the business.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제11권10호
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• pp.17-25
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• 2013

Purpose - This study analyzes the effect of customers' perceived service innovativeness of service centers for electronic goods, on repurchase intentions of customers, using behavior intentions of service centers as a mediator variable. In customer management and customer relationship marketing, service centers can be the most representative customer relationship management departments because they are most closely placed at the interface with customers. In addition, this study intends to investigate if continuous relationship with customers during one-time product-selling can affect their repurchase intentions. Specifically, this research aims to investigate if the expansion of the saturated physical market of the manufacturing business, to intangible service markets, can be competitive enough to satisfy customer needs. Research design, data, and methodology - This study targets college students, and especially those who have computers, digital cameras, or cell-phones, and often use electronic products and services. In order to investigate our hypothesis, we analyzed dates through SEM (structural equation modeling) using SPSS for Windows 18.0 and AMOS 18.0. In addition, we measured Cronbach's α coefficient using SPSS for Windows 18.0 in order to measure reliability. Further, using AMOS 18.0, this research statistically measured convergent validity as well as discriminant validity, and examined mediation models and path models in which service innovativeness leads to customers' repurchase intentions of electronic products. Results - As a result, this research shows that customers' perceived service innovativeness of service centers for electronic goods has significant positive influence on customers' behavior intentions of service centers. In addition, service innovativeness of electronic goods' service centers also has significant positive influence on repurchase intentions of customers. Conclusion - This study investigates the effect of customers' positive relation with the innovativeness of electronic service center on their behavior intention and product repurchase. The more concrete, important results of the study are as follows. Through the mediating effect, the findings of the study suggest that customers' behavior intentions of service centers partially mediate the effect of customers'perceived service innovativeness of service centers for electronic goods on customers' repurchase intentions. This research also provides an insight that the importance of service innovativeness and innovative approaches in managing customers should be recognized in the process of repurchase and service roles of manufacturing business as a way for customer management. As a result, the relationship between customer satisfaction and service quality of service centers for the electronic products is very sensitive. Although previous studies focus on certain aspects of the case for enhancing service innovation (Kim, 2012), this research recommends that the service centers need to understand the customers'desire first and try to adapt to achieve customer satisfaction by being innovative. This innovativeness of service centers would make customers visit them consistently, which in the long run, will also influence their repurchase decisions.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제12권12호
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• pp.43-54
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• 2014

Purpose - This study examines how perceived benefits and costs of traditional market support affect relationship quality and support for a marketeer. In addition, it investigates whether support for traditional market aid programs leads to support for the government. The author developed a structural model comprising several variables, in which perceived benefits and costs comprising economic, social, and environmental costs were proposed, to affect the relationship quality (satisfaction and trust) of traditional market aid programs and the government. Consequently, marketeers satisfied and trusted by traditional market aid programs and the government would support the traditional market aid program, resulting in higher support for the government. The model proposed that customer satisfaction would improve customer loyalty and business performance. Thus, the relationship quality (satisfaction and trust) of the traditional market aid program and government was proposed as a core mediating variable between perceived benefits and costs and support. Research design, data, and methodology - To analyze the proposed model, this study investigates the scenario with a traditional marketeer. Data were collected from 331 respondents, and analyzed with SPSS/PC 18.0 and AMOS 18.0. To test the unidimensionality and nomological validity of the measures of each construct, we employed a scale refinement procedure. The result of the reliability test with Cronbach's and confirmatory factor analysis warranted unidimensionality of the measures for each construct. In addition, nomological validity of the measures was warranted from the result of correlation analysis. Results - First, perceived benefit affects the relationship quality of traditional market aid programs and government. Second, perceived costs affect the satisfaction of traditional market aid programs and government. Third, the relationship quality of a traditional market aid program affects the support of a traditional market aid program, and the relationship quality of government affects the support of government. Finally, the support of traditional market aid program affects support of government. The results confirm the findings of previous studies that local development positively influences support, based on the social exchange theory. Conclusions - The theoretical and managerial contributions of this study are as follows. First, it is the first such study, and defines mediating variables, analyzing relationship quality (satisfaction and trust) between perceived benefits and costs and support for the traditional market industry. Further, it investigates the structural relationships between them with the AMOS program. Second, while most previous studies investigating the relationship between similar variables and those of the present study analyzed how perceived benefits and costs influenced support, this study identified the transfer relationship between the support for traditional market programs and support for the government. This study confirms that support for traditional market aid program increases support for the government. Therefore, government policy makers for traditional market aid programs should explain to marketeers the benefits and costs of traditional market development in terms of economic, social, and environmental factors. At the end, limitations, further research directions, and implications are suggested.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제11권10호
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• pp.47-53
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• 2013

Purpose - Six months have passed since the amendment of the SSM regulation law; however, as yet, there is no confirmed research or report on the effects of this amendment, which are indefinite. Further, there have been no attempts to study the effects of the SSM regulation law from the consumers' viewpoint, which is important because consumers are the main agents that are greatly influenced by the amendment law. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the consumers' attitude toward the SSM regulation law as well as the effects of the SSM regulation law on the changes in purchase behavior. Research design, data, and methodology - This study was initiated from four research problems that are linked to consumer reaction to the SSM regulation law. Research problem 1: What is the consumers' reaction (perception, attitude, and perceived fairness) to the SSM regulation law? Research problem 2: How do the consumers' reactions to the SSM regulation law differ by consumers' characteristics? Research problem 3: Could the SSM regulation law change a consumer's purchase behavior? Research problem 4: Is it necessary to amend the SSM regulation law? This study collected the data through the interview and survey of housewives for the purpose of solving the research problems. The interview was conducted as a pilot study for the field survey. We interviewed three housewives, who were: an employed housewife, a full-time homemaker, and a manager of a housewife club, respectively. We then conducted a field survey of 232 housewives who were housewife club members or elementary school parents in Chunghcheong-do. Results - We verified the reliability and validity of the data, and analyzed it to solve the research problems. The main findings of this study were as follows. First, consumers still have a positive attitude toward large discount chains and SSM, which has been the case since the law was introduced. Second, perceived risk of consumers associated with traditional markets and small neighborhood shops was low. Third, consumers think that amendments of the SSM regulation law are important, and they positively assess the satisfaction, necessity, and propriety of the law. Fourth, although the SSM regulation law caused inconvenience to consumers, this law did not have any influence on the usage frequency and the use-behavior of large discount chains. Finally, consumers reacted very negatively to the toughening up of the SSM regulation law. Conclusions - In short, consumers still have a positive attitude toward the SSM regulation law. However, this act did not have any influence on the use-behavior of large discount chains (General Super Market). Thus, policy making authorities require active communication and promotions to enhance the effect of the SSM regulation law. This study was of the nature of exploratory research, which did not focus on hypothesis testing, but on finding solutions to the research problems. Therefore, this study is no more than a simple data analysis. Future studies should attempt to investigate the actual effects of the SSM regulation law, on the basis of sufficient literature review and real sales data.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제11권10호
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• pp.81-92
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• 2013

Purpose - This study empirically analyzes the effect of improvements in the quality of service management performance of college education on traders' conscious change of business management innovation and diverse sales expertise for a year. The use of traders' conscious changes and sales expertise as variables for the verification of the effects of parameters related to the active trader's traditional education market is a desirable direction. The method of research reflects the quality of education service, management result, traders' conscious changes, and sales expertise to understand the precise essence and definition of teaching quality at merchant colleges through theoretical consideration. Moreover, its impact on traders' conscious changes and sales expertise in empirical analysis acts as an intermediary. Research design, data, methodology - The hypothesis of this study leverages the SPSS statistical program. To gather actual proof, sample survey for theoretical research examined 262 valid papers of the 300 papers written by 10 merchants who graduated from merchant's university. First, using the SERVQUAL model, Parasuraman et al. (1996) indicated that for quality of education service, the configuration of factors is the same as the sympathetic performance, that is, responsiveness and empathy, and traders are aware of these elements. However, our preliminary investigation revealed that traders' university education has been excluded as a component of quality of service in the earlier studies. Moreover, we found that certainty of knowledge, reliability, and sympathy are influenced by challenges and by the changing intentions of merchant consciousness. In addition, our study confirms that improvements in convincing abilities and sales technique have a positive impact. Second, merchants' and traders' expertise are proven to affect business performance. In other words, university education of traders and merchants affects the consciousness of consumers, and changes patterns of sales. Third, the quality of service management education and change in the consciousness has a considerable impact on the trader, thereby maximizing business performance and acting as an intermediary for verification. Fourth, the quality of service management education affects the trader's sales expertise to maximize business performance. Results - To summarize, the quality of college educational services relates to the improvement of business performance and the role of the resulting virtuous cycle. Consequently, we can look for suggestions in the traditional markets, where the Government pays attention to the exterior environmental factors as well as to the changing business environment. However, the most important aspect is the merchant awareness. That is, a merchant should understand the distribution environment. Several competitor and trend analyses should be conducted to meet customers' expectations positively and proactively cope with any challenges related to changes. Further, expertise in sales and marketing skills need to be acquired to improve customer convincing abilities and develop a customer-oriented mindset. Conclusions - According to the changes in consumption trends of business enterprises, new management techniques are required to survive competition by improving traditional markets, which will necessitate more competitive education programs in merchant universities.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제12권12호
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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.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제12권12호
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• pp.119-130
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• 2014

Purpose - Franchise industries are significant both socially and economically. However, with increasing interest, there are manifold problems. It is necessary to seek measures for mature operation constantly despite unprepared franchisors, negative perceptions of the media and society toward franchise, and rapid changes in business start-up trends and propensity to consume that make business start-ups difficult. The paper aims to explain the effects of relational commitment and performance on the franchisor's management characteristics and justice in the food service franchise system. Research design, data, and methodology - This is an exploratory survey examining franchising in Korea. Based on a literature synthesis, we extract five constructs: managerial characteristics, support, fairness, trust, and satisfaction. We hypothesize that these factors influence the trust, satisfaction, and performance of franchisees. To examine these hypotheses empirically, we conducted a survey on the database of the Franchising Council of Korea. The study employs data from May to September 2014. In total, 135 completed questionnaires were received, of which 128 were usable. The data was analyzed with SPSS/PC 22.0. First, to test unidimensionality and nomological validity of the measures of each construct, we employed a scale refinement procedure. The result of a reliability test with Cronbach's α and factor analysis warranted unidimensionality of the measures for each construct. In addition, nomological validity of the measures was warranted from the result of the correlation and regression analysis. By analyzing the data, we can confirm most hypotheses. Results - Frist, franchisor characteristics have a positive effect on trust and satisfaction. Second, franchisor fairness has an effect on trust and satisfaction. Third, franchisor support has an effect on satisfaction. Further, the franchisee trust has an effect on satisfaction. Fourth, the satisfaction of a franchisee with a franchisor affects the performance of a franchisee. Finally, there is a possibility that not only franchisee performance but also increasing the credibility and improving the image of the franchisor through communication between franchisor and franchisee can improve franchisees' performance and satisfaction by motivating the franchisee for sustainable growth. Franchisers should endeavor for franchisees to obtain stable revenue with continuous and practical support. They should recognize that they can expand their business by supporting their franchisees. Franchisors should not only instantly respond to franchisees' troubles with interactive communications but also raise the ability of supervisors for better support. Franchisors should share their visions and goals with their franchisees and provide systematic and continuous support based on trust and clear company management. Franchisees should understand franchisors' position as well as participate in establishing the basic franchise system. Contributions - The paper contributes to understanding franchising in Korea. It offers insights and assistance to franchisors hoping to start franchises. This paper explores measurement issues related to franchisee performance by estimating its determinant factors (managerial characteristics, support, fairness, trust, and satisfaction). This study provides franchisors and practitioners planning to extend their franchising business with some practical knowledge.

• 산경연구논집
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.65-76
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• 2018

Purpose - The study aims to provide the relationships between the social servicescape and customer's emotion and voluntary behaviors were investigated in this study. The social servicescape was largely divided into service employee's image and other customers (in customer's similarity, physical appearance and suitable behavior). Firstly, the relationship between service employee's image and customer's positive emotion was investigated as a specific purpose of study. Secondly, this study attempted to understand the relationship between other customers (in customer's similarity, physical appearance and suitable behavior) and customer's positive emotion. Lastly, the relationship between customer's positive emotion and customer's voluntary behavior dimension (intention to cooperate, intention to participate in and loyalty) was examined. Research design, data, & methodology - In order to prove the hypotheses in this study, the customers who have experienced family restaurants during the last two months were targeted for a survey. A total number of 300 survey papers were distributed and as a result, 248 papers could be used for analysis, except the papers with insincere answers. After the analysis of the reliability and validity of each major variable, the hypothesis was verified through the structure method by using Amos 20.0. Results - First, the results of hypothesis testing on the relationship between social servicescape and customer's positive emotion showed service employee image gives a positively meaningful impact on customer's positive emotion. Secondly, the results on the relationship between other customers and customer's positive emotion indicated that the customer's similarity and physical appearance has a positively significant impact on customer's emotion while customer's suitable behavior has not a significantly positive impact on customer's positive emotion Lastly, customer's positive emotion was shown to have a significantly positive influence on customer's voluntary behavior dimension, that is, intention to cooperate, intention to participate in and loyalty. Conclusions - This study aims to focus on and emphasize the social servicescape and its importance, which is different from the previous studies that have been focused largely on physical servicescape. Such results in this study indicated the social servicescape (service employee's image and other customers) as an important factor that affects customer's positive emotion and voluntary behavior.