• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2022

The industrial development and socioeconomic structures of a society are inextricably linked to occupational accidents and diseases. Since the 1970s, a series of major occupational diseases have occurred in South Korea, such as mercury poisoning in Munsong-myeon, carbon disulfide poisoning at Wonjin Rayon, and leukemia at Samsung Electronics. These incidents have caused us to take a critical look at the level of worker safety and health management within companies and the government. These serve as symbolic and representational events. Doctors, lawyers, and labor activists concerned about employee safety and lives came together for years to struggle with the government and industry in order to determine what caused the diseases and to obtain compensation for victims. They finally achieved recognition for occupational diseases and recompense for losses. It is difficult to find similar cases to the baby powder asbestos talc cases and the radon bed case internationally, or there is no case where such a large number of consumers have been potentially harmed. It is also difficult to prove that the damage took place due to the victims' diverse geographic locations and ages, as well as the disease's long incubation period. Based on this premise, businesses and the government have been apathetic in acknowledging these diseases and compensating for damages, with few practical outcomes. Furthermore, unlike the large-scale occupational disease cases, only a few people including expert groups were organized and actively participated in the settlement of these issues, so it remains unfinished business for our society to address.

• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.25-35
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the consumption behavior of consumers more closely and efficient purchasing channels of domestic e-commerce buyers by specifically analyzing the relationship between demographics and channels that are used first to acquire purchasing information during e-commerce. Research design, data and methodology: Korean Media Panel Survey performs 17 cities and provinces nationwide, and 4,537 panel households (all household members aged 6 or older) are surveyed, and a household visit interview is conducted. Correspondence analysis, one of the popular multivariate techniques, is exploited to explore the association between priority channel for acquisition of information and demographics. Results: The findings show that the considered demographics are closely associated with the priority channel for acquisition of purchase information. In particular, 'searching for portal sites' are closely relevant to 'more than 5 million won', 'device & machine control assembly', 'graduate school or higher', and '40-59', while 'searching for online open market' is linked with college graduate and '20-39'. Conclusions: The substantial contribution of this work is that by analyzing the association between demographics and priority channel for acquisition of purchase information in e-commerce in South Korea, we can discern the segmentation standard factor for e-commerce market and advance the subdivided market.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.199-203
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• 2018

Objectives: The market for bottled water is increasing steadily in South Korea. Bottled water contains several naturally occuring minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and fluoride. Fluoride is proven to be effective in preventing dental caries. In South Korea, the maximum permissible concentration of fluoride is 2 ppm for bottled water and 1.5 ppm for tap water. The aim of this study was to investigate the fluoride content of different commercially available brands of bottled water in South Korea, and compare the measured fluoride concentration to the concentration written on the label of each brand of bottled water. Methods: Twenty-seven of the 59 different brands of bottled water produced in South Korea were investigated in this study. Three bottles of each brand were purchased from supermarkets, marts, and convenience stores in each region of Korea in August 2016. For each bottled water brand, the fluoride content was measured three times using a fluoride-ion selective electrode (Orion ionplus Fluoride Electrode 9609, Orion Research, USA). The calibration curve was generated using 0.2 and 2 ppm standard solutions, and confirmed using a 1 ppm standard solution. Results: The mean fluoride content of the 27 brands of bottled water was $0.374{\pm}0.332mg/L$ (range=0.040 to 1.172 mg/L). The fluoride content was labeled by the manufacturer, on each of the tested brands of bottled water. In eight brands, the labeled fluoride content differed from the experimental data. The minimum to maximum fluoride content measured from 10 brands showed a variation of 0.3 mg/L or more when compared to the labeled fluoride content. Conclusions: This study investigated the fluoride content of various brands of bottled water produced in South Korea and compared the measured fluoride levels with fluoride information on the bottle labels. To ensure that consumers are suitably informed regarding their exposure to fluoride, correct labelling of fluoride content in bottled water is important.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.107-118
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• 2014

Purpose - Due to the recent slowdown of growth in global luxury brands, which have been an engine of our domestic fashion market growth, there is an increasing need to develop a global market for domestic high-priced fashion brands. In spite of the large scale of trade between Korea and China with respect to fashion products, current trade concentrates on middle- and low-priced products rather than high-priced products. Diversification of the trade between Korea and China in terms of the price levels of trade products is needed. An understanding of Chinese consumption values and purchase intentions for luxury fashion brands will be very helpful for the establishment of strategies with the aim of increasing the level of trade with regard to high-priced fashion products. Therefore, the study aimed to identify the differences in the clothing consumption values of South Korean and Chinese women in their 20s, especially with reference to how those values affect their preference and purchase intention for luxury fashion brands. Research design, data, methodology - The study was implemented through a descriptive survey method using a self-administered questionnaire. The sample consisted of 283 Korean and 306 Chinese women in their 20s, residing in Seoul, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Data were collected from March 3 to 15, 2014. A total of 589 completed responses were analyzed. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Results - Fivefactors for clothing consumption values were formulated: conspicuous/social value, fashionability value, personality expression value, hedonic value, and practical value. There were significant differences between Korean and Chinese consumers in clothing consumption values (except social value), preference, and purchase intention for luxury fashion brands. With regard to clothing consumption values, Chinese women attached more importance to fashionability value, personality expression value, hedonic value, and practical value than South Korean women. In addition, Chinese women's preference and purchase intention for luxury fashion brands were higher than South Korean women's. Second, in the case of South Korean women, social value, practical value, and fashionability value had positive effects on preferences for luxury fashion brands, while attractive/personality expression value and hedonic value had no influence. In contrast, in the case of Chinese women, social value and fashionability value had positive effects on preference for the luxury fashion brands. Third, in the case of South Korean women, social value and practical value had positive effects on purchase intentions for luxury fashion brands. In contrast, in the case of Chinese women, social value, personality expression value, and fashionability value had positive effects on purchase intention for luxury fashion brands. Conclusions - Considering the findings of the study, it is clear that differentiated marketing strategies are needed for luxury fashion brand markets in Korea and China. The results of the study could provide useful information that will help increase the effectiveness of luxury fashion brand marketing strategies in Korea and China.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.161-168
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• 2023

With the increased mobility within nations, relocation has become a frequent and regular occurrence in modern life. However, we know little about how residential mobility affects purchase type. How does residential mobility affect our purchase behavior? This research explores the relationship between residential mobility and preference of purchase type, with psychological processes. The study primed participants with either a high or low mobility mindset to investigate the effect of mobility on consumption style in U.S. and South Korean. The results of the study confirm that the consideration of residential mobility shifts consumers' preferences toward material goods and experiences. In addition, results also indicate that the connection between mobility and purchase type was mediated by autonomy and moderated by cultural factor. Lastly, the theoretical and practical implications are covered.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of LOHAS consumption tendency and of the perceived consumer effectiveness of young consumers on trust and purchase intentions regarding upcycling fashion goods. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey of 201 university students living in Daegu City, South Korea. The data were analyzed to investigate a structural model and test the research hypotheses, using the AMOS 20.0 statistical package. The results can be summarized as follows. First, LOHAS consumption tendency had a positive impact on trust in upcycling fashion goods. Second, LOHAS consumption tendency did not impact purchase intention with regard to upcycling fashion goods. Third, perceived consumer effectiveness had a positive effect on trust in upcycling fashion goods. Fourth, perceived consumer effectiveness had a positive impact on purchase intention with regard to upcycling fashion goods. Fifth, trust had a positive influence on purchase intention regarding upcycling fashion goods. The results of this study provide guidance for marketers and retailers who are interested in upcycling fashion goods.

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.51-68
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to analyze how consumption value affects customer satisfaction toward eco-friendly seafood products. Moderating role of gender is also examined. For empirical validation of our model, data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 307 consumers in the South Korea, who have bought a eco-friendly seafood, a representatives eco-friendly product. The results demonstrated several important findings. First, emotional consumption value, social consumption value and functional consumption value had significant positive effects on eco-friendly seafood product satisfaction, Second, interaction effect of social value and gender had a positive effect on satisfaction. Third, interaction effect of functional value and gender had a negative effect on satisfaction. Theoretical and managerial implications are suggested.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.951-960
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• 2018

Hanwoo cattle are an important food source in Korea and their supply can have a major impact on meat availability for Korean consumers. The Hanwoo population was 1.8 million head in 2005 and gradually increased to 2.6 million in 2015. Per capita beef consumption has also increased, to 11.6 kg per year in 2015, and is expected to continue to increase. Because intramuscular fat percentage is a critical contributor to meat quality, Hanwoo cattle are fed a high-energy corn-based diet for long fattening periods. Long fed diet causes significant alterations in fat percentage in the loin muscle and other areas of the carcass. However, these long feeding periods increase feeding costs and beef prices. Recently, there has been increased Korean consumer demand for lean beef which has less fat, but is tender and priced more reasonably. These consumer demands on the Korean beef industry are driving differing beef production systems and also changes to the beef grading methodology. Korean government has made a significant investment to select bulls with favorable production traits using progeny testing. Progeny tested bull semen has been disseminated to all Hanwoo farmers. A beef traceability system has been employed for all cattle breeds in Korea since 2009. Hanwoo cattle are ear-marked with a 12-digit identification number from birth to slaughter. This number allows traceability of the management history of individual cattle, and also provides information to consumers. Traceability including management information such as herd, farm, year of birth, and carcass data can determine estimated breeding values of Hanwoo. For a sustainable Hanwoo industry, research scientists in Korea have attempted to develop feeds for efficient fattening periods and precision feeding systems based on genetic information for Hanwoo cattle. These initiatives aim to Korean consumer demands for beef and provide more precision management in beef production in Korea.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between refined grain consumption by subtype and the incidence of hypertension from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study data. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In total, 5,018 participants (2,439 men and 2,579 women) from 40 to 69 years without hypertension were recruited at the beginning (2001-2002). Blood pressure and antihypertensive medication use were assessed biennially for the incidence of hypertension during the 8-year follow-up period (2009-2010). Hypertension was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure ${\geq}140mmHg$ or diastolic blood pressure ${\geq}90mmHg$ or antihypertensive medication use. Dietary intake including refined grains was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and the follow-up (2005-2006). A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident hypertension according to refined-grain consumption. RESULTS: A total of 1,377 cases of hypertension (710 men and 667 women) were newly ascertained. Frequent noodle consumers (${\geq}5servings/week$) among the women had a 2.3-fold higher risk of hypertension than infrequent noodle consumers after adjustment for potential confounders (HR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.33-4.01, P for trend = 0.0001). However, no significant association was found among the men. The intake of other refined grain products such as white rice and breads was not associated with the incidence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Frequent noodle consumption was positively associated with a risk of incident hypertension in South Korean women.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.107-128
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• 2013

When Korea's retail industry was liberalized, new store formats such as large discount stores and Super Supermarket(SSMs) have grown. New types of business have borne significant influence on traditional market. Traditional markets have been in gradual decline since they fail to meet to consumer's purchasing behavior. The South Korean government has been making sustained efforts to revitalize the modernization of traditional markets since 2004. This research is conducted to analyze how changes in the distribution of different types of distributors influence the consumer's purchasing behaviors depending on the changes in the market environment. The purpose of this research is to present a policy to invigorate consumer-oriented traditional markets by analyzing the consumption behavior among major retail channels at a point when competition among retail channels is becoming intensified. In order to examine the effect of the spatial competitive landscape among major retail channels on consumption behavior, an empirical analysis was conducted with 613 consumers in 6 cities nationwide, using the multiple regression model. This research identified three main areas of factors. The analysis result indicates that the physical factor (time required to go to the traditional market), socioeconomic factors (the number of vehicles owned and average monthly income), and competitive factors (intensity of competition in spatial locations and average monthly spending in supermarkets) have significant influence on consumption patterns of consumers. The findings present that the Korean government should go ahead with policies aimed to revitalize traditional markets, keeping in mind the factors that influence the consumption patterns of customers based on these results. We propose that the policy supporting traditional markets need to be a customized-strategy, considering traditional market's characteristic.