• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.5-16
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• 2017

Purpose - This research is to provide new insights for policy makers in Korea, comparing South Korea and foreign countries such as Japan, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and the forth, in terms of the effects of retail regulations on a retail trade industry. Research design, data, and methodology - After introduction, the research begins with literature review on the background why advanced countries have introduced retail legislations, then, will present their effects. The fourth section will compare the South Korea with the above foreign countries. Finally, the authors will draw conclusions and mention not only research limitations but also future research directions. Results - Based on the previous research, the authors compared Korea and advanced countries, in terms of how retail regulations influence retail employment, retail productivity, retail price, and the protection of independent retailers. The authors found that industrialized countries have made a significant effort to protect small shops for social stability with many different regulations and/or budget. With regard to results, however, the degree of its achievement is lower than expected. Conclusions - In order to protect small- and medium-sized retailers efficiently and effectively, policy makers need to develop better sophisticated retail regulations than those of advanced countries.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.77-88
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• 2014

Purpose - Based on the existing retail policy literature, this study aims to compare Korea with foreign countries, to propose better ideas for the Korean retail market. Research design, data, and methodology - It is necessary to analyze the existing retail regulations after categorizing them into several groups, depending on why governments have regulated retailers and the background for the retail policy. Results - Given that Korean retail regulations have focused on protecting conventional markets, comparing the retail policy objectives of South Korea and foreign countries is difficult. Conclusions - It is necessary examine how to protect independent stores, irrespective of store locations across the country. Rather than limiting the distance between traditional markets and the projected locations suggested by large retailers, various factors such as store size limit, opening and closing times, below-cost selling, land use planning, and competition tests are needed to protect small stores. Further, centralized authority for store operations should be delegated to local governments, to tackle the aggressive expansion of retail giants. To protect independent stores, political background is among the most important factors.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.5-14
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• 2017

Purpose - This study empirically analyses the sale changes in large retail stores directly resulting from increased controls on those stores. More specifically, we discuss the economic impacts on Korean regulations that restrict trading hours and mandate statutory store closure 'holidays' twice per month. Research design, data and methodology - we attempt to empirically analyse the economic effects of trading hours regulations through quantitative analysis of the sales revenue data of large retail stores. We introduce the data and methods of empirical analysis used to analyse the economic effects of trading-hour regulations on large retail stores. We use a panel regression to analyse the sales losses of large retail stores caused by the new constraints on business hours. Results - The results of this study show that the sales of large retail stores fell by the average of 3.4% per month during the regulation periods. However, regulations affecting large retail stores have various economic impacts, including variations in sales, changes in consumption patterns, and influences on consumer welfare and national economy. Conclusions - Such changes may also be captured by other metrics: accordingly, further researches are needed to measure the impact of regulations on economic indicators such as employment and GDP.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Purpose -This study is to measure the effects of retail legislations on small retailers and traditional markets. Research Design, Data, and Methodology - The authors have developed a questionnaire with five hypotheses on the basis of previous research results and six constructs: the improvement of sales volume, the number of customers, the improvement of store traffic, the increase of store staff, business expansion and retail regulation. Furthermore, the research has adopted a five-point Likert-scale technique. In order to increase research reliability as well as validity, the authors have adopted a few different research techniques such as exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results - Although existing retail regulations might be better than nothing for now, the degree of retail constraints on large retailers should be strengthened. Furthermore, different legal methods to protect mom and pops are needed. Conclusions - In order to improve the effects of retail restrictions on large retailers, the research indicates that the central government should change a retail policy, that is, introduce new technical ways to keep mom and pops and conventional markets.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

Purpose - This study is to identify how the retail regulations influence customer shopping behaviours and furthermore, whether the Store Closing Act really protects independent retailers as well as traditional markets in Korea. Research design, data, and methodology - By adopting frequency analysis and factor analysis method, the research achieved research objectives. Before a field survey, the authors pre-tested the questionnaire developed, based on similar previous articles, and finalized. Amongst the 353 questionnaires distributed, 332 were returned. It means the response rate is 94.5%. Furthermore, available questionnaires are 330. Results - Rather than stimulating customers to more frequently visit public markets, the regulation has provoked new customer shopping behaviours. In other words, some consumers tend to shop in big box retailers before or after a store closing day, whereas others are likely to stop shopping. What is important is that customers do not patronise small retailers and conventional markets, thanks to the Store Closing Act. Conclusions - In order to keep retailers and public markets independent, the researchers suggest that the government should introduce new techniques without impeding the growth of a retailing sector.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.55-65
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• 2014

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the process of political changes in Japan, which has introduced regulatory policies for large-scale retail stores since the 1930s, as well as the examples, and suggests improvement schemes for our policies in Korea, which imposes restrictions on business hours and forced holidays in accordance with the current Distribution Industry Development Act. Research design, data, and methodology - After examining the political change processes related to large-scale retail stores in japan, this study analyzes individually regulated cases based on the ordinances enacted by each local government. Through case analysis in Japan, this study makes political suggestions that may be helpful for our country substantially. Results - Since there is an obvious possibility that our economic restrictions on business hours and mandatory holidays do not coincide with WTO GATS, it is necessary for large-scale distributors to introduce new social and environmental regulations similar to Japan, rather than imposing controls to restrict free competition and also introduce a policy to induce cooperation with small businesses for the advancement of the distribution industry. Thus, it is desirable to take measures on noise, waste, traffic, and parking for the preservation of the living environment in the surroundings when building new large-scale retail stores. It is also important to establish measures to improve the welfare of neighborhood residents and consumers, create a pleasant urban environment, and make it mandatory to make presentations at public hearings among residents. Furthermore, it should be mandatory to establish regional contribution plans when a retail store is established, and take measures to solve various civil complaints or problems that may occur after entering the market. Moreover, it is desirable for large-scale retail stores that entered the market to induce cooperation in performing various activities in the area with a strong sense that they are all members of the local economy. Conclusions - If introducing social regulations like in Japan, there is probably an advantage that the conflicts seen when large-scale retail stores enter the market are absorbed by adjusting the persons concerned within the established institution in order to establish a field to solve such conflicts systematically. In contrast, there are still concerns regarding chaotic operation without any active attempts to have a conversation with large-scale retail stores and local small merchants due to a sharp conflict among the persons concerned, and if it is a briefing session without any decision of the restrictions on their opening itself, there may be doubts with regard to their effectiveness. Moreover, if the de facto opening is restricted by the introduction of such a briefing session procedure, the choice of whether to protect the existing rights of large-scale retail stores might become problematic. However, such problems could be minimized in a way by forming a separate consultative group for all persons concerned including residents, local governments, professionals, civic organizations, small merchants, and massive retail store-related persons.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.17-26
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• 2016

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to measure the effect on the attributes for store selection and Korean government regulations for large retailers on consumption emotion. Research Design, Data, and Methodology - Using SPSS ver.22, factor analysis & Cronbach's alpha, correlation, and regression test were performed. The total of 287 questionnaires were used for the analysis Result - Familiarity, perceived price, and perceived image have a positive effect on consumption emotion, but perceived quality & service did not. The Consumption emotion had a positive effect on traditional market revisit intentions. Retail regulation preference has a mediate effect between consumption emotion and familiarity & perceived price. Retail regulation preference also has a mediate effect between consumption emotion and traditional market revisit intension. Conclusion - Relationship marketing with sincerity is very important to keep familiarity, perceived price and image. People's consumption trend was changed due to dual career couple and heavy traffic jam in big cities. Therefore, a retail regulation cannot be a right solution for revitalizing traditional markets. So we need to find out an actual situation and design a win-win strategy between large retailers and traditional market.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.9
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• pp.43-49
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• 2013

Purpose - The competitiveness of small- and medium-sized distribution companies has weakened with the entry of large distribution companies and Super Super Markets (SSMs). These companies have nationwide distribution networks and capital to take over street markets, thereby threatening the very survival of small merchants. In order to help these small- and medium-sized merchants, the government has recently reinforced distribution regulations for large distribution companies. Research design, data, methodology - The purpose of this study is to review domestic and foreign distribution regulations and to provide direction for establishing domestic distribution policies in the future. Results - The government must fully reassess its assistance policy for small and medium distribution companies to enable them to engage in differentiated competition with large retailers, based on their own strengths. This will allow all interested parties to coexist. Conclusions - Government assistance policies for small and medium distributors such as traditional markets must be reorganized. The objective is to ultimately protect small and medium distributors and allow them to coexist on their own strengths, rather than have regulations for large retail stores.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.69-77
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• 2015

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine whether the cash policies of retail firms listed on Korean stock markets are consistent with the evidence provided in the study of Almeida et al. (2004). Liquidity management is an important issue for financially constrained firms relative to financially unconstrained firms. Because there are few sources of external funding, the optimal liquidity policies of financially constrained firms should reflect their own earnings or cash inflows to create opportunities for current and future real investments. According to this simple idea, we estimate the sensitivity of cash to cash flows and simply check whether the estimated sensitivity to cash flows of the cash retained by constrained retail firms is greater than that of the cash retained by unconstrained retail firms. Through this work, we aim to explain why the cash policies of the retail firms listed on the Korean stock markets differ from those of listed manufacturing enterprises. Research design, data, and methodology - To explain a firm's cash holdings, we use only three explanatory variables: earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), Tobin's q, and size. All the variables are defined as the value of the numerator divided by aggregate assets. Thanks to this definition, it is possible to treat all the sample firms as a single large firm. The sample financial data for this study are collected from the retail enterprises listed on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets from 1991 to 2013. We can obtain these data from WISEfn, the financial information company. This study's methodology has its origin in Keynes's simple idea of precautionary liquidity demand: When a firm faces financial constraints, cash savings from earnings or cash inflows become important from the corporate finance perspective. Following this simple idea, Almeida et al. (2004) developed their theoretical model and found empirical evidence that the sensitivity of cash to cash flows varies systematically according to different types of financing frictions. To find more empirical evidence for this idea, we examined the cash flow sensitivity of the cash held by Korean retail firms. Results - Through several robustness tests, we empirically showed that financially constrained Korean retail firms display significant positive propensity to save cash from earnings before interest and taxes, while the estimated cash flow sensitivity of the cash held by unconstrained retail firms is not significant. Despite the relatively low earnings of retail firms, their sensitivity is three times greater than that of manufacturing enterprises. This implies that Korean retail firms have greater intentions of facilitating future investments rather than current investments. Conclusions - The characteristics of the cash policies of Korean retail firms differ from those of manufacturing firms. This contrast may be attributable to industry-oriented policy planning, regulations, and institutional differences. However, the industrial policymakers should observe signals of the long-term growth options of retail firms based on their high propensity to save from their cash inflows.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.113-121
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• 2023

Purpose: Online distribution channel alludes to the many different digital channels utilized in marketing and distributing goods and services to end users. The present research aims to explore and provide various retail strategy for the success of the art market within online distribution channel. Research design, data and methodology: The current author has conducted and investigate the qualitative textual methodology to take a look at carefully the current and prior literature dataset to achieve the purpose of the present research so that the present author could obtain total 27 relevant prior studies. Results: According to the comprehensive literature investigation, this research has found that there are six kinds of retail strategy for the prosperity of the art market within online distribution channel as follows: (1) Blockchain Technology, (2) Artificial Intelligence (AI), (3) Virtual Reality (VR), (4) Online Market Places, (5) Social Media, and (6) Regulations. Conclusions: The results of this analysis of the relevant literature show that the art market industry needs to adjust to keep up with the quickly shifting landscape of the digital world. In addition, although these technologies can be helpful in addressing difficulties linked to authenticity and transparency, they cannot eliminate the hazards of fraud and misrepresentation.