• Asia Marketing Journal
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.25-51
• /
• 2012

Researches about the relationship between SST(Self Service Technology) and TRI(Technology Readiness Index) have been carried out after TRI was developed by Parasuraman and his colleagues(2000). We hypothesize Consumer Readiness can also influence consumer's motivation, attitude, and intent to use SST. Currently, there has been no research on this subject. In this study, we investigated the relationship between TR, Consumer Readiness and SST Core Attitudinal Model which Dabholkar & Bagozzi(1994) proposed. The researchers also investigated moderating effects of consumer traits and situational factors to verify the acceptance of such forms of service delivery by all kinds of consumers and under different situational contexts. Self consciousness, the need for interaction with an employee, and the technology anxiety were used as consumer trait variables. Perceived waiting time and perceived crowding were used as situational variables. 380 questionnaires were distributed to a sample group of people in their 20's and 30's, and the data were analyzed with structural equation model using AMOS 18.0 program. All of Cronbach's alpha values representing reliabilities were satisfactory. The values of Composite Reliability(CR) and Average Variance Extracted(AVE) also showed the above criteria, thus providing evidence of convergent validity. To confirm discriminant validity among the constructs, confirmatory factor analysis and correlations among all the variables were examined. The results were satisfactory. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. Optimism and innovativeness of TR partially influenced the motivation to use SST. People who tend to be optimistic use SST because of ease of use and fun. The innovative however, usually use SST due to its performance. However, consumer readiness of role clarity, ability and self-efficacy influence all the components of motivation to use SST, ease of use, performance and fun. The relative effect of consumer readiness on the motivation to use SST was much stronger and more significant than that of TR. No other previous studies have examined the effects of Consumer Readiness on SST usage motivation, attitude and intention. It is academically meaningful that the researchers verified that Consumer Readiness is the important precedent construct influencing the self service technology core Attitudinal Model. Our findings suggest that marketers should consider fun and ease of use attributes to promote the use of self service technology. In addition, the SST usage frequency will rise rapidly when role clarity, ability, and self-efficacy which anybody can easily handle SST is assured. If the SST usage rate is increased, waiting times for customers could be decreased. Shorter waiting time could lead to higher customer satisfaction. It may also result in making a long-term profit owing to the reduced number of employees. Thus, presentation of using SST by employees or videos showing how to use it will promote the usage attitude and intent. 2. In SST core attitudinal model, performance and fun factors among SST usage motivation affected attitudes of using SST. The attitude of using SST highly influenced intent to use SST. This result is consistent with previous researches that dealt with the relationship between motivation, attitude and intention. Expectation of using SST could result in good performance just like the effect of ordering menu to service employees and to have fun since fun during its use could promote more SST usage rate. 3. In the relationship among motivation, attitude and intent in SST core attitudinal model, the moderating effect of consumer traits(self-consciousness, need for interaction with service employees and technology anxiety) and situational factors(perceived crowding and perceived waiting time) were tested. The results also supported the hypothesized moderating effects except perceived crowding. The highly self-conscious tended to form attitudes to use SST because of its fun compared to those who were less self-conscious because of its performance. People who had a high need for interaction with service employees tended to use SST for its performance. This result indicates that if ordering results are assured, SST is easily accessible to even consumers who have a high need for interaction with a service employee. When SST is easy to use, attitudes strengthen intent among people who had a high level of anxiety of technology. People who had low technology anxiety formed attitudes to use SST because of its performance. Service firms must ensure their self service technology is designed to be easy to use for those who have a high level of technology anxiety. Shorter perceived waiting times strengthened the attitude to use self service technology because of its fun. If the fun aspect is assured, people willing to use self service technology even perceive waiting time to be shorter than it actually is. Greater perceived waiting times form higher level of intent to use self service technology than those of shorter perceived waiting times. This implies that people view self service technology as a faster alternative to ordering service employees. The fun aspect of self service technology will attract a higher rate of usage for self service technology. 4. It has been proven that ease of use, performance and fun aspects are very important factors in motivation to form attitudes and intent to use self service technology regardless of the amount of perceived waiting time, self-consciousness, need for interaction with service employees, and technology anxiety. Service firms must consider these motivation aspects(ease of use, performance and fun)strongly in their promotion to use self service technology. Ease of use, assuring absolute performance compared to interaction with service employees', and adding a fun aspect will positively strengthen consumers' attitudes and intent to use self service technology. Summarizing the moderating effects, fun is the most valuable factor triggering SST usage attitude and intention. Therefore, designing self service technology to be fun will be the key to its success. This study focused on the touch screen self service technology in fast food restaurant. Although it has its limits due to the fact that it is hard to generalize the results to any other self service technology, the conceptual framework of this study can be applied to future research of any other service site.

• Journal of Distribution Research
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.1-32
• /
• 2011

I. Introduction: In Chinese electronics industry, the local wholesalers are still dominant but power is rapidly swifting from wholesalers to retailers because in recent foreign big retailers and local mass merchandisers are growing fast. During such transient period, conflicts among channel members emerge important issues. For example, when wholesalers who have more power exercise influence strategies to maintain status, conflicts among manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer will be intensified. Korean electronics companies in China need differentiated channel strategies by dealing with wholesalers and retailers simultaneously to sell more Korean products in competition with foreign firms. For example, Korean electronics firms should utilize 'guanxi' or relational quality to form long-term relationships with whloesalers instead of power and conflict issues. The major purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of conflict, dependency, and influence strategies between local Korean-products-selling retailers and wholesalers on performance in Chinese electronics distribution channels. In particular, this paper proposes effective distribution strategies for Korean electronics companies in China by analyzing moderating effects of 'Guanxi'. II. Literature Review and Hypotheses: The specific purposes of this study are as follows. First, causes of conflicts between local Korean-products-selling retailers and wholesalers are examined from the perspectives of goal incongruence and role ambiguity and then effects of these causes are found out on perceived conflicts of local retailers. Second, the effects of dependency of local retailers upon wholesalers are investigated on local retailers' perceived conflicts. Third, the effects of non-coercive influence strategies such as information exchange and recommendation and coercive strategies such as threats and legalistic pleas exercised by wholesalers are explored on perceived conflicts by local retailers. Fourth, the effects of level of conflicts perceived by local retailers are verified on local retailers' financial performance and satisfaction. Fifth, moderating effects of relational qualities, say, 'quanxi' between wholesalers and retailers are analyzed on the impact of wholesalers' influence strategies on retailers' performances. Finally, moderating effects of relational qualities are examined on the relationship between conflicts and performance. To accomplish above-mentioned research objectives, Figure 1 and the following research hypotheses are proposed and verified. III. Measurement and Data Analysis: To verify the proposed research model and hypotheses, data were collected from 97 retailers who are selling Korean electronic products located around Central and Southern regions in China. Covariance analysis and moderated regression analysis were employed to validate hypotheses. IV. Conclusion: The following results were drawn using structural equation modeling and hierarchical moderated regression. First, goal incongruence perceived by local retailers significantly affected conflict but role ambiguity did not. Second, consistent with conflict spiral theory, the level of conflict decreased when retailers' dependency increased toward wholesalers. Third, noncoercive influence strategies such as information exchange and recommendation implemented by wholesalers had significant effects on retailers' performance such as sales and satisfaction without conflict. On the other hand, coercive influence strategies such as threat and legalistic plea had insignificant effects on performance in spite of increasing the level of conflict. Fourth, 'guanxi', namely, relational quality between local retailers and wholesalers showed unique effects on performance. In case of noncoercive influence strategies, 'guanxi' did not play a role of moderator. Rather, relational quality and noncoercive influence strategies can serve as independent variables to enhance performance. On the other hand, when 'guanxi' was well built due to mutual trust and commitment, relational quality as a moderator can positively function to improve performance even though hostile, coercive influence strategies were implemented. Fifth, 'guanxi' significantly moderated the effects of conflict on performance. Even if conflict arises, local retailers who form solid relational quality can increase performance by dealing with dysfunctional conflict synergistically compared with low 'quanxi' retailers. In conclusion, this study verified the importance of relational quality via 'quanxi' between local retailers and wholesalers in Chinese electronic industry because relational quality could cross out the adverse effects of coercive influence strategies and conflict on performance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.199-210
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sustainability management in institutional foodservice on store image and behavioral intention (revisit intention, word of mouth, willingness to pay a premium). Methods: Based on a total of 371 samples obtained from the empirical research, this study reviewed the reliability and fitness of the model. Results: According to results of exploratory factor analysis, sustainability management derived three factors, economic value, socially responsible, and environmentally sound. The structural equation modeling showed that social responsibility in sustainability management had a significant positive effect on store image and behavioral intention. In addition, customer's perceived store image in foodservice had a significant positive effect on behavioral intention. The relationship between sustainability management and behavioral intention was found to be a partially significant effect. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed the importance of sustainability management of foodservice to improve store image and behavioral intention.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2008

We present a method for interpreting seismic records with arrivals and waveforms having characteristics which could be generated by extremely inhomogeneous velocity structures, such as non-typical oceanic crust, decollement at subduction zones, and seamounts in oceanic regions, by comparing them with synthetic waveforms. Recent extensive refraction and wide-angle reflection surveys in oceanic regions have provided us with a huge number of high-resolution and high-quality seismic records containing characteristic arrivals and waveforms, besides first arrivals and major reflected phases such as PmP. Some characteristic waveforms, with significant later reflected phases or anomalous amplitude decay with offset distance, are difficult to interpret using only a conventional interpretation method such as the traveltime tomographic inversion method. We find the best process for investigating such characteristic phases is to use an interactive interpretation method to compare observed data with synthetic waveforms, and calculate raypaths and traveltimes. This approach enables us to construct a reasonable structural model that includes all of the major characteristics of the observed waveforms. We present results here with some actual observed examples that might be of great help in the interpretation of such problematic phases. Our approach to the analysis of waveform characteristics is endorsed as an innovative method for constructing high-resolution and high-quality crustal structure models, not only in oceanic regions, but also in the continental regions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.897-905
• /
• 2013

In this study, sorption coefficients (${\log}K_{OC}$, n) for the binding of phenanthrene (PHE) to soil humins, insoluble fraction of soil humc substances (HS), were determined and relationship between the sorption coefficients and structural characteristics of the soil humins were investigated. The soil humins used in the present study were isolated from 7 different soils including 5 domestic soils, an IHSS standard and a peat soil, and characterized by elemental analysis and CPMAS $^{13}C$ NMR method. $^{13}C$ NMR spectral features indicate that the soil humins are mainly made up of aliphatic carbons (57.1~72.3% in total carbon) with high alkyl-C moiety, and the alkyl-C contents ($C_{Al-H,C}$, %) was in order of granite soil Hu (26~42%) > volcanic ash soil, HL Hu (23.9%) > Peat Hu (14.0%). The results of correlation study show that a positive relationship ($r^2$ = 0.77, p < 0.05) between organic carbon normalized-sorption coefficients ($K_{OC}$, mL/g) and alkyl-C contents($C_{Al-H,C}$, %), while negative relationship ($r^2$ = (-)0.74, p < 0.05) between Freundlich sorption parameter (n) and H,C-substituted aromatic carbon contents ($C_{Ar-H,C}$, %). The magnitude of $K_{OC}$ values are also negatively well correlated with polarity index (e.g., PI, N + O)/C) ($r^2$ = (-)0.74, p < 0.1). These results suggest that the binding capacity (e.g., $K_{OC}$) for PHE is increased in soil humin molecules having high contents of alkyl-C or lower polarity, and nonlinear sorption for PHE increased as the H,C-substituted aromatic carbon contents ($C_{Ar-H,C}$, %) in the soil humins increased. The PHE sorption characteristics on soil humins are discussed based on the dual reactive mode of sorption model.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.8
• /
• pp.851-859
• /
• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate whether ethanol extracts of Sophora flavescens (GS), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GC), Dictamnus dasycarpus (BSP), and their mixtures (GGB-1, -2, -3, and -4) inhibit 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in a mouse model. DNCB was topically applied on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice to induce AD-like skin lesions. The pathological phenotypes of AD, such as erythema, ear thickness, edema, scabs, and discharge, were significantly decreased in the GGB (DNCB + GS:GC:BSP = 3:1:1 mixture)-1-treated groups compared with the other treated groups. The weight of the spleen in immune organs was significantly decreased in the GGB-1-treated groups, whereas the weight of the liver in a control group was similar to that of the groups treated with the samples. Furthermore, toluidine blue staining analysis, a method used to specifically identify mast cells, showed that master cell infiltration into the dermis of the GGB-1-treated group was significantly decreased. The immunoglobulin E concentration was lower in the GGB-1-treated group. In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin-1, 4, 5, 6, and 13, $1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were also significantly reduced in the GGB-1-treated group. Taken together, these results suggest that a mixture of GS, GC, and BSP in a proportion of 3:1:1 (GGB-1) may contribute to the relief of AD symptoms and may be considered an excellent candidate for an AD therapeutic drug.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.109-128
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study is to verify the validity of KEDI Leadership Inventory (Simplified) for elementary and secondary school student. The existing Leadership Inventory is outdated by excessive or insufficient items. To verify reliability and validity of this KEDI Leadership Inventory (Simplified), we analyze internal consistency of scale for reliability and construct validity, convergent and discriminative validity. criterion-related validity. The internal consistency of the scale is relatively high from .610 to .838 for elementary school student, and from .734 to .936 for secondary school student To verify construct validity, we analyze a confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS whether revealed that the structural equation model including 5 construct validity in KEDI Leadership Inventory(Simplified) showed fit index at a satisfactory level as follows. The major fit indexes are showed as follows; CFI (.954), TLI (.943), RMSEA (.068) in the scale for elementary school student, CFI (.935), TLI (.915), RMSEA (.070) in the scale for secondary school student. Futhermore, to secure criterion-related validity, this KEDI Leadership Inventory(Simplified) showed significant correlations with student's leader position in their classroom for r=.358 (p<.01), and gifted education students are significantly higher .50 than no gifted student. This KEDI Leadership Inventory (Sim'plified) is made up of parsimonious 20 items, so that teachers can be convenient to identify intra-inter personal leadership characteristics of a student and recommend the student for gifted education institution.

• Management & Information Systems Review
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.99-122
• /
• 2016

The social networking services (SNSs) have become popular among smartphone users, and one of the most popular services. In order to explain users' motivations toward SNS, this study considers uses and gratification theory which can explain individuals' motivations to select certain media channels. The purposes of this study is to investigate the relationships between motivations and addiction of SNS, and between addiction of SNS and decline in the subjective wellbeing. We examine moderating effects of social tie based on the social capital theory in the relationships between SNS addiction and decline in the subjective wellbeing. The motivations of SNS are subdivided into emotional motive (entertainment and fantasy) and cognitive motive (information share burden and challenge burden) based on the use and gratifications theory. The addiction of SNS is subdivided into time tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, interruption, and barrier of living. The data used in this study were collected from 286 SNS users through surveys. The data analysis in this study was performed using AMOS 17.0, and we used SEM(Structural Equation Modeling) methods in order to test the research model. The result shows that the emotional motive(entertainment and fantasy) and cognitive motive(information share burden and challenge burden) have an effect on the addiction of SNS. Especially emotional motive such as entertainment and users' fantasy toward SNS is an important factor that can cause SNS addiction. The addiction of SNS such as time tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, interruption, and barrier of living has an effect on the decline in the subjective wellbeing. Our result show that social tie partially moderates the relationship SNS addiction and decline in the subjective wellbeing. In addition, social tie between interruption of SNS and decline in the subjective wellbeing is an important moderating factor. The results focuses on the understanding toward relationship between SNS addiction based on the online and decline in the subjective wellbeing in the real world. The findings of this study also provides theoretical as well as practical implications which reflect the major features of SNS, and moderating effects of social tie based on the social capital.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.581-589
• /
• 2021

With the recent increase in the introduction of micro-electric vehicles in Korea, interest in micro-electric vehicle user satisfaction is increasing to revitalize related markets. In this paper, a basic study was conducted on the development of public services using micro-electric vehicle based on the constituent factors of user satisfaction. The survey includes: ① 'Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for selecting the priority factors of user satisfaction of micro-electric vehicles', ② 'A survey of micro-electric vehicles image' to collect data in advance for providing users' preferences and transportation services for micro-electric vehicles, ③ In order to investigate the user satisfaction level of users who actually operated micro-electric vehicles, the order of 'user satisfaction survey of micro-electric vehicle drivers' was conducted. In the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis, it was found that users regarded as important in the order of 'user utilization data', 'vehicle movement data', and 'charging service data'. In the micro-electric vehicle image survey, users perceived micro-electric vehicles more positively in terms of "safety", 'durability', 'Ride comfort', 'design', 'MOOE (Maintenance and other operating expense)', and 'environment-friendly' when comparing micro-electric vehicles with electric motorcycles. In the survey on the user satisfaction of micro-electric vehicle drivers, the use of micro-electric vehicle did not directly affect work performance efficiency, and there was an experience of being disadvantaged on the road due to the size of the micro-electric vehicle, and driving in a cluster of micro-electric vehicle for outdoor advertisements. The city's public relations effect was great, but it was concerned about safety. In the future, based on the results of this study, we plan to build a user satisfaction structural equation model, preemptively discover feedback R&D for micro-electric vehicle utilization services in the public field, and actively seek to discover new public mobility support services.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.59 no.4
• /
• pp.395-404
• /
• 2021

Purpose. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effect of changing structural stability of wax disc on the fit of prosthesis when the milling proceeded in order. Materials and methods. Prepared maxillary left first molar was used to fabricate a Ni-Cr alloy reference model. This was scanned to design crown and then wax pattern was milled, invested and cast to fabricate prosthesis. The wax patterns located in a row centrally within a single wax disc were set into a total of five groups ranging from WM1 group that was first milled to WM5 group that was last milled and the number of each group was set as 10. Silicone replica technique was used to measure the marginal gap, axial internal gap, line angle internal gap, occlusal internal gap. Data was evaluated with one-way ANOVA with significance level set at α = .05 and then Tukey HSD test was conducted for post analysis. Results. Marginal gap measured in each group, it was 40.41 ± 2.15 ㎛ in WM1 group, 40.44 ± 2.23 ㎛ in WM2 group, 39.96 ± 2.25 ㎛ in WM3 group, 39.96 ± 2.48 ㎛ in WM4 group, and 40.57 ± 2.53 ㎛ in WM5 group. No significant difference was found between groups. The significant difference between the groups was also not found in the axial internal gap, line angle internal gap, and occlusal internal gap. Conclusion. Internal and marginal fit of single crown to the sequential order of milling processing in the single machinable wax disc did not seem to be affected by the sequence.