• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.89-116
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• 2004

Insurance companies are in a fierce race to catch a new customer. In this situation. sales force automation technologies are often used to support customer relationship management strategies. This study sets out a research model predicting SFA(Sales Force Automation) usage through theoretical studies. Survey data were collected from 145 salespeople across 2 firms that had implemented sales force automation tools and hypotheses were tested empirically. Data were analyzed by path-analysis method of AMOS. The major findings of this study are as follows: Computer self-efficacy, user involvement and voluntariness have a statistically significant influence on the positive perceptions of SFA. These perceptions have a statistically significant influence on user satisfaction and usage of SFA. while user satisfaction has a statistically significant influence on SFA usage. This paper concludes with the discussion of these results and their implications for academic researchers and insurance company managers.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1017-1025
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• 2005

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationship between customer orientation and sales training. Data were obtained from 297 apparel salespeople working at six department stores in Daegu. Statistics used for data analysis were frequency, factor analysis, correlation, and t-test. The respondents were classified into 3 groups; high, medium, and low customer-oriented groups based on the mean score of customer orientation, and the high and the low were compared in training contents and educational methods. Based on factor analysis, four factors were extracted from 27 items of training content. Two of four factors were significantly correlated with customer orientation. The regression analysis showed that customer service and duration of work had significant effects on customer orientation. Also, the results were found that there were significant differences between the high and the low customer-oriented group in training contents which salespeople want to have in the future. However, there were not significant differences between the two groups in educational methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to examine the components of market orientation of apparel firms and to examine the influence of market orientation, and salesperson's job performance on the salesperson's job satisfaction. Data were obtained from 547 shop-masters working at L' Department Stores in Seoul and Bundang. Statistics used for data analysis were frequency, factor analysis, cronbach's and multiple regression analysis. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) The market orientation of apparel firms is composed of three factors: information generation, information dissemination, and the responsiveness to market information. (2) Market orientation was found to have a positive effect on salespeople's job satisfaction. (3) salespeople's job performance was found to have a positive effect on salespeople's job satisfaction.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.119-128
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• 2024

Purpose: his study examines the effect of message valence on consumer perceptions of sales messages and salesperson evaluations in retail contexts. In contrast to previous studies on the negativity effect, it examines the positivity effect, which implies that the effect of positive information may outweigh that of negative information in certain situations. In addition, the current research examines how the content of the sales message influences consumers' perceptions of salespeople. Research design and methodology: The study presents an analytical model in which a potentially altruistic salesperson transmits quality information as a form of cheap talk. Several predictions were derived from the model and then empirically tested in two experiments. Results: When the sales message is about relatively less expensive products, positive information can be more credible and diagnostic than negative information. In addition, positive sales messages about the less expensive products signal the salesperson's benevolence. Conclusion: This paper is one of the few studies to predict and empirically test the positivity effect. It also contributes to the literature on trust in salespeople by showing that message valence influences buyers' perceptions of salespeople.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.79-96
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• 2008

This research has the goal of model presentation which explains the mediating role of the salespeople-related variables(customer orientation, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment) and the customer-related variables(service quality, service value, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty) on the market orientation's effect on the performance. We collected survey data from 152 shop managers working in the department-store. In the result of final analysis, all 12 hypotheses are supported with statistically significance. The market orientation of firm increases the salespeople-related variables(customer orientation, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment), and the salespeople-related variables increase the customer-related variables(service quality, service value, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty). Finally, customer loyalty increases the performance. This research has the contribution of explanation which shows the mediating role of the salespeople-related variables(customer orientation, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment) and the customer-related variables(service quality, service value, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty) on the market orientation's effect on the performance. According to the result of this research, firms have to focus on the market orientation and understand the role of salespeople-related variables and customer-related variables on the process between the market orientation and the performance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.783-795
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• 2014

This study investigates how the physical attractiveness of salespeople and other customers and self-image congruence influence customer perception and brand attitude. As a result of a pretest, four types of pictorial stimuli were developed: physical attractiveness of salespeople (high/low) ${\times}$ that of other customers (high/low). Stimuli were developed using Photoshop CS. A total of 550 samples in two experiments were used and all respondents were women in their 20s and 30s. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and SEM. The result of analysis shows that the physical attractiveness of salesperson had a significant impact on perceived quality, but that of other customers did not. However, self-image congruence with other customers shows a significant effect on perceived quality; however, salespeople did not. The impact of the perceived product quality on brand attitude is higher than perceived service quality. This study adds to fashion retailing literature by demonstrating that physical attractiveness and self-image congruence can influence a customers' perception of product or service quality and brand attitude. It provides interesting insight into how retailers can use social factors as a strategic tool in a retail setting.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2010

Objectives: To quantify disability level in salespeople with concurrent low back pain (LBP) and to determine the relative associations between demographic, occupational, psychosocial and clinical factors and back disability. LBP is the most common cause of work-related disability in people under 45 years of age and the most expensive cause of work-related disability, in terms of workers' compensation and medical expenses. Evidence suggests high prevalence of LBP in salespeople. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which 184 saleswomen with a current episode of self-reported LBP working in a large up-scale department store filled out a battery of 6 self-administered questionnaires and received a standardised physical examination. Results: Saleswomen with concurrent LBP had low disability levels. Factors significantly associated with disability were pain intensity, measured by a visual analogue scale, in the past week (p < 0.001), physical and mental health status (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively), fear avoidance scores for both work and physical activities (p = 0.031, p = 0.014, respectively), past history of LBP (p = 0.019), and self-reported frequency of pushing or pulling objects placed in high positions during work (p = 0.047). A significant level (45%) of the variance in disability status was explained by these variables. Conclusion: In clinical management of LBP workers who required prolonged standing, such as salespeople, clinicians should look for modifiable risk factors associated with disability. Specific measures need to be taken to prevent disability due to LBP among salespeople.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.69-81
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• 2016

In this study investigated the effect of emotional labor, emotional exhaustion, and depression on the job-related attitudes. Sample subjects used in this study were salespeople of a fashion shop in Jeollabukdo and Jeollanamdo. Questionnaire data from 160 fashion shop salespeople were analyzed through a reliability analysis, factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results of the study were as follows. First, emotional labor of salespeople was divided into 2 factors, surface acting and deep acting. Second, emotional labor had a significant influence on the emotional exhaustion and depression. Third, the surface acting of emotional labor had a positive influence on the emotional exhaustion and depression; whereas, the deep acting of emotional labor had a negative influence on the emotional exhaustion and depression. Fourth, the surface acting of emotional labor, emotional exhaustion, and depression had a negative influence on job involvement; in addition, the deep acting of emotional labor had a positive influence on job involvement. Fifth, the surface acting of emotional labor, emotional exhaustion, and depression had a positive influence on turnover intention; in addition, the deep acting of emotional labor had a negative influence on turnover intention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.1057-1068
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to clarify service quality of apparel stores and find out related variables. The related variables are contained customer's characteristics (shopping orientation, demographic characteristics), store types and store patronage behavior in apparel store. The subjects selected for the final analysis were 363 females aged from 20 to 59 who lived in Taejon. And the data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed through factor analysis, ANOVA, cluster analysis, regression, Duncan test, Tukey test. The results of this study were as follows; 1. Services quality of apparel stores consisted of seven dimensions ; ability of salesperson, belief in policy, convenience of facility, attractiveness of physical environment, convenience of using credit cards, convenience of space movement. and apparence of salespeople. 2. Shopping orientation consisted of four dimensions; recreational shopping orientation, rational shopping orientation. convenience-oriented shopping orientation, price-conscious shopping orientation. Shopper types consisted of three dimensions ; recreational-economical type shopper, rational type shopper, convenience-oriented type shopper. Significant relationships were found out between those shopper types and service quality. Significant difference was caused by demographic characteristics(age, marital status, education, income. job) except for places of residence and service quality. 3. The significant difference was found out between store types and service quality. 4. Service quality(ability of salespeople. belief in policy, convenience of facility, convenience of using credit cards. apparence of salespeople) were influenced store patronage behavior.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.794-808
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• 2014

This research aimed to examine the effect of emotional dissonance and emotional intelligence on the prosocial behavior of fashion salespeople in department stores, and whether emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between emotional dissonance and prosocial behavior. Moreover, we aimed to suggest a method to improve the prosocial behavior of salespeople as a strategy to obtain a continuous competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive fashion distribution environment. This research was conducted through a questionnaire survey, and 345 responses were collected from department store salespeople for the final analysis. First, the analysis results showed that the emotional dissonance of salespeople arose from their dealings with their organization and with customers. Prosocial behavior was deduced to be a factor of the cooperation with coworker and extra-role customer service. The emotional intelligence was deduced to be a factor of the use of emotion, regulation of emotion, self-emotion appraisal, and others'emotion appraisal. Second, with a higher level of emotional dissonance against the organization, there was less cooperation with coworker, while a higher emotional dissonance against customers resulted in increased cooperation with coworker. Third, it appeared that with a higher level of emotional dissonance against the organization, there was a higher utilization of use of emotion, self-emotion appraisal, and others'emotion appraisal of emotional intelligence. Fourth, as the regulation of emotion, self-emotion appraisal, and use of emotion were higher, there was more cooperation with coworker, whereas an increase in the utilization of one's own emotion and emotional control resulted in a higher level of extra-role customer service. Finally, emotional intelligence has a significant mediating effect between emotional dissonance and prosocial behavior. The above results suggest that for department stores to improve the prosocial behavior of their sales staff requires the establishment of a method to enhance the emotional intelligence of the staff. The results also indicate that there is a need for department stores to prepare a systemic tool to enable them to select people with a high degree of emotional intelligence when recruiting salespeople.