• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.71-80
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• 2016

Purpose - In case of automobile parts, there has been a lot of progress in the study on supplier development plans and SCM in industrial progress study as well as on the relationship between ERP and SCM. But supplier development program providers have researched on SCM performance in accordance with the interests of the supplier development program most, thus, buyers were knowledgeable about the earlier program performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to prove correlation factor, supplier factor, purchaser factor affecting SCM performance and ERP activating diffusion through the process of supplier development. Supplier development maturity formation model is considered important variables as mediators related to the procedure. Finally, the performance formation model of the supplier development maturity through supplier development factor would be presented as the outcome of this study. Research design, data, and methodology - Data gathering was as follows: questionnaires were delivered to 87 companies that have business connection with H Company. The empirical research to test our hypothesis was grounded on statistical analysis (adapting SPSS 19.0 & AMOS 19.0). The hypothesis is that the supplier development factor variables consist of correlation factor, supplier factor, purchaser factor, and have non-negative effects on the next variables: mediators such as supplier development maturity; and the supplier development maturity variables have a positive effect on the next variables: ERP activating diffusion, ERP activating diffusion has a non-negative effect on supply chain performance. We experimented the hypothesized model using path analysis with latent variables. Results - First, it was known that cooperation

, reliability

, comprehension on the purpose of SDP

, adaptation of change

, knowledge transfer program

, have significant positive effects on supplier development maturity. Second, supplier development maturity has positive effects significantly on ERP activating diffusion

. Finally, the causal relationships from ERP activating diffusion to SCM performance were significantly accepted. Its significance, as through the hypotheses, presented a structural model for the elaboration, suppliers develop maturity, and ultimately SCM performance that affect ERP leveraging spread beyond the concept of maturity of information system. Therefore, it was a mainstay of research on the existing ERP has they believed. Conclusion - First, with the fast changes in business circumstances, company should get the right information to implement SCM appropriately. For successful SCM, firms should understand the supplier development maturity formation and ERP activating diffusion. Second, supplier development factor has significant effects on supplier development maturity. Third, mediator such as supplier development maturity significantly affects ERP activating diffusion. Finally, ERP activating diffusion has significant impacts on SCM performance. This study makes a meaningful contribution to further appreciation on how supplier development maturity formation affects SCM performance. This study shows implications. First, there would not have been dealt with introducing the concept of supplier development maturity. Second, through empirical analysis and provider factors, the providers will develop the maturity that affect interactive factors between purchaser and supplier.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2018

Purpose - This research examined the effect of hedonic and utilitarian eating-out motivations on the evaluation of restaurant selection attributes in a fashion premium outlet. Additionally, the influence of experimental and functional attributes on customers' preference for hedonic eating-out motives and utilitarian eating-out motives, and variation of moderating effects through the gender was examined. Research design, data, and methodology - A survey was conducted to verify the established research hypothesis. The questionnaire items for the research were modified to fit the situation of the present study. In order to elaborate the questionnaire, the literature of the previous researchers was reviewed and supplemented. The survey conducted 207 online questionnaires for consumers who have visited domestic fashion premium outlets from July 4, 2017 to July 27, 2017. A total of 207 questionnaires were collected, and a total of 206 questionnaires were used for the empirical analysis after excluding one inappropriate response. In order to verify the reliability and validity of the measured variables, exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0. Next, the structural equation model (SEM) statistical method was used to test the hypotheses of the study. Results - Hedonic motivation had more influence on experimental attribute importance than the functional attribute importance of the restaurant. However, this result was different depending on the gender. The effects of hedonic motives on empirical attributes were more influenced by female groups, and when influencing functional attributes, male groups were more influenced. However, it was statistically significant (p <0.05) in the female group only when the hedonic eating out motives influenced empirical attributes. Conclusions - This study analyzed the effect of eating-out motivation on the restaurant preference attributes and suggested practical implications. First, customers with hedonic eating-out motivations were evaluating experiential attributes to be more important than functional attributes. Second, for customers who are motivated to use practical eating-out habits, companies should provide services that meet practical and economic needs. In particular, female customers visiting restaurants need differentiated marketing strategies that make them feel new experiences rather than practical ones. In addition, it is necessary to study more complex and integrated studies which will influence restaurant selection attributes of premium outlets customers by adding various eating out motives and selection attributes.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2019

Purpose - The Millennial Generation, which grew in the wake of the spread of the Internet and rapid changes in the media environment, is rapidly moving from the traditional broadcasting environment to the Internet-broadcasting environment in terms of content acceptance. With the emergence of UGC (User-generated content), the change in the status of single-person content creators enables the growth of multi-channel networks (MCN), a new content-distribution platform and an agency concept for single creators. Youtube-based MCN produces multiple single star producers and casts and provides its own video series through Youtube. It is also emerging as a major M&A target for global media providers in terms of providing content to a wide range of consumers with the same interests and consumption characteristics. In addition, for the Millennials generation, which are part of their lives, MCN is becoming the most suitable media for TGIF (Twitter, Google, i-phone, Facebook). Accordingly, this study defines newly emerging MCNs and analyzes the factors for accepting MCN-produced content based on the push-pull-mooring (PPM) model. Research design, data, and methodology - An empirical analysis is performed through a questionnaire survey. For this purpose, 204 people who have experience of watching MCN were studied. Collected data is processed through analysis of a structural equation model using R to test the hypothesis. Results - For the MCN service to become an alternative to existing media, it is necessary to continuously promote cultural diversity and diversity of attempts that conventional media cannot provide. It is the attractiveness of the alternative that has the greatest influence on the intention to switch to a MCN service. When we look at MCN content so far, certain patterns such as game progress, introduction, food, and chat rooms have already appeared. We need to overcome this and develop a completely new conceptual content that we have never seen before. This requires a more generous viewer perception of the topics covered. For diversity, linguistic and verbal violence should be tolerant in common sense to provide a foundation for securing cultural diversity. Conclusions - In this study, we tried to develop a comprehensive approach to the substitution effect of MCN. In terms of academic achievement, the PPM model is used to enhance the utilization of media and broadcasting. Practical implications are to provide an analytical framework for verifying alternative or complementary effects when viewers switch to MCN.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.681-698
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• 2020

The paper addresses contribution to the modeling and optimization of major machinability parameters (cutting force, surface roughness, and tool wear) in finish dry hard turning (FDHT) for machinability evaluation of hardened AISI grade die steel D₃ with PVD-TiN coated (Al₂O₃-TiCN) mixed ceramic tool insert. The turning trials are performed based on Taguchi's L₁₈ orthogonal array design of experiments for the development of regression model as well as adequate model prediction by considering tool approach angle, nose radius, cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut as major machining parameters. The models or correlations are developed by employing multiple regression analysis (MRA). In addition, statistical technique (response surface methodology) followed by computational approaches (genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization) have been employed for multiple response optimization. Thereafter, the effectiveness of proposed three (RSM, GA, PSO) optimization techniques are evaluated by confirmation test and subsequently the best optimization results have been used for estimation of energy consumption which includes savings of carbon footprint towards green machining and for tool life estimation followed by cost analysis to justify the economic feasibility of PVD-TiN coated Al₂O₃+TiCN mixed ceramic tool in FDHT operation. Finally, estimation of energy savings, economic analysis, and sustainability assessment are performed by employing carbon footprint analysis, Gilbert approach, and Pugh matrix, respectively. Novelty aspects, the present work: (i) contributes to practical industrial application of finish hard turning for the shaft and die makers to select the optimum cutting conditions in a range of hardness of 45-60 HRC, (ii) demonstrates the replacement of expensive, time-consuming conventional cylindrical grinding process and proposes the alternative of costlier CBN tool by utilizing ceramic tool in hard turning processes considering technological, economical and ecological aspects, which are helpful and efficient from industrial point of view, (iii) provides environment friendliness, cleaner production for machining of hardened steels, (iv) helps to improve the desirable machinability characteristics, and (v) serves as a knowledge for the development of a common language for sustainable manufacturing in both research field and industrial practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.455-460
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine geographic clustering of breast cancer incidence in Kanagawa Prefecture, using cancer registry data. The study also aimed at examining the association between socio-economic factors and any identified cluster. Materials and Methods: Incidence data were collected for women who were first diagnosed with breast cancer during the period from January to December 2006 in Kanagawa. The data consisted of 2,326 incidence cases extracted from the total of 34,323 Kanagawa Cancer Registration data issued in 2011. To adjust for differences in age distribution, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of breast cancer were calculated for each of 56 municipalities (e.g., city, special ward, town, and village) in Kanagawa by an indirect method using Kanagawa female population data. Spatial scan statistics were used to detect any area of elevated risk as a cluster for breast cancer deaths and/or incidences. The Student t-test was performed to examine differences in socio-economic variables, viz, persons per household, total fertility rate, age at first marriage for women, and marriage rate, between cluster and other regions. Results: There was a statistically significant cluster of breast cancer incidence (p=0.001) composed of 11 municipalities in southeastern area of Kanagawa Prefecture, whose SIR was 35 percent higher than that of the remainder of Kanagawa Prefecture. In this cluster, average value of age at first-marriage for women was significantly higher than in the rest of Kanagawa (p=0.017). No statistically significant clusters of breast cancer deaths were detected (p=0.53). Conclusions: There was a statistically significant cluster of high breast cancer incidence in southeastern area of Kanagawa Prefecture. It was suggested that the cluster region was related to the tendency to marry later. This study methodology will be helpful in the analysis of geographical disparities in cancer deaths and incidence.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.77-83
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• 2014

Purpose - The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of Korea and National Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Korea have prosecuted both financial and retail businesses. As cooperatives are public institutions and receive government support, their sound management is required by the Financial Supervisory Service in Korea. This is mainly managed by CAEL, which is changed by CAMEL. However, NFFC's business section, managing the finance and retail businesses, is unified and evaluated; the CAEL model has an insufficient classification to evaluate the retail industry. First, there is discrimination power as regards CAEL. Although the retail business sector union can receive a higher rating on a CAEL model, defaults have often been reported. Therefore, a default prediction model is needed to support a CAEL model. As we have the default prediction model using a subdivision of indexes and statistical methods, it can be useful to have a prevention function through the estimation of the retail sector's default probability. Second, separating the difference between the finance and retail business sectors is necessary. Their businesses have different characteristics. Based on various management indexes that have been systematically managed by the National Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Korea, our model predicts retail default, and is better than the CAEL model in its failure prediction because it has various discriminative financial ratios reflecting the retail industry situation. Research design, data, and methodology - The model to predict retail default was presented using logistic analysis. To develop the predictive model, we use the retail financial statements of the NFCF. We consider 93 unions each year from 2006 to 2012 to select confident management indexes. We also adapted the statistical power analysis that is a t-test, logit analysis, AR (accuracy ratio), and AUROC (Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis. Finally, through the multivariate logistic model, we show that it is excellent in its discrimination power and higher in its hit ratio for default prediction. We also evaluate its usefulness. Results - The statistical power analysis using the AR (AUROC) method on the short term model shows that the logistic model has excellent discrimination power, with 84.6%. Further, it is higher in its hit ratio for failure (prediction) of total model, at 94%, indicating that it is temporally stable and useful for evaluating the management status of retail institutions. Conclusions - This model is useful for evaluating the management status of retail union institutions. First, subdividing CAEL evaluation is required. The existing CAEL evaluation is underdeveloped, and discrimination power falls. Second, efforts to develop a varied and rational management index are continuously required. An index reflecting retail industry characteristics needs to be developed. However, extending this study will need the following. First, it will require a complementary default model reflecting size differences. Second, in the case of small and medium retail, it will need non-financial information. Therefore, it will be a hybrid default model reflecting financial and non-financial information.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.85-100
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• 2014

Purpose - Recently, the prevalence of high-speed mobile communication technology (4G) and mobile devices (smart phones, tablet PC, etc.) is leading innovative changes across all fields in society as well as business environments. Furthermore, a diversified mobile application service has spread rapidly through mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet PCs. Accordingly, the traditional E-government services paradigm has rapidly changed into mobile intelligence. To identify the influencing factors on the using intention of G4C smart app services, based on previous studies, the variables that influence using G4C smart app services are defined; these are user cognitive factors (perceived usefulness, perceived easiness), user characteristics factors (user innovativeness, self-efficiency, social influence), service quality factors (convenience, interactivity, accessibility), and system quality factors (instant connectivity, safety). Research design, data, and methodology - This is designed not only to collect data with a questionnaire survey (9/22/13~10/23/13) but also to test hypotheses with SEM by SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 in both Korea and China. All items are used with Likert 5 scales. A total of 643 questionnaires (Korea 318, China 325) are used. Results - The perceived usefulness and perceived easiness in user cognitive factors have positive influence on using intention. The user innovativeness, self-efficiency, and social factors in user characteristics factors have positive influences on using intention. The convenience, interactivity, and accessibility in service quality factors have positive influences on both reliability and using intention. Safety in system quality has positive influence on both reliability and using intention. Reliability has positive influence on using intention. The control variables (Korea and China) affect its control hypothesis. Strategies and implications are suggested to assist the public using the intention of smartphone's e-government services based on the results of the empirical analysis. The mobile application service can be considered a new emergence of the paradigm just like the government's on-line portal websites appeared in the past. Under this prevailing situation of mobile smart devices, to promote the success of e-government mobile APP services, accurate analysis and understanding of users should precede anything, to provide services to grasp and satisfy users' desire properly. Conclusions - This study proposes implications to help E-governmental officers and companies make strategies. First, this is expected to give some information on the understanding and knowledge regarding the process of G4C smart APP service based on the empirical study. Second, this helps to make future policies and ways about E-government G4C smart APP service. Third, it is proved that super speed mobile communication technology and devices including phones will be crucial to change the structure of E-government services in 2-3 years. Fourth, it is necessary to increase the trust and using intention of users. Fifth, considering what type of environment users are placed in, to present proper public information matching their inclination, is important. Finally, various ways of experiencing service to explore potential users and ceaseless public relations are required.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.47-58
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to seek determinants of department store sales commission rates under consignment contracts based on transaction cost theory, the power-dependence view, and the resource-based view. A consignment contract is a unique contract where the retailer, over a given period, takes possession of goods owned by a supplier, promotes the sales of these goods, and receives a profit share from their sales. Under this contract, the supplier owns the goods until they are sold. In department stores in South Korea, over 70% of overall sales comes through consignment contracts. In other words, this is the most popular contract agreement between large retailers and vendors in South Korea. Consignment contracts yield high profits to department stores with minimal sales uncertainty, stock cost, and marketing investment. Many suppliers believe the consignment contract commission rates are too high. However, department stores disagree. They state that the commissions are not high as they generate new value for the suppliers by accumulating up-to-date merchandise and supporting various marketing programs on their behalf. Recently, consignment contracts have been critically examined and scrutinized by politicians, mass media, and the public of Korea. This study further intends to derive implications reflecting both buyer and seller perspectives as well as offer insights to policy makers in making appropriate decisions. Research design, data, and methodology - To verify the proposed research model and test hypotheses, the authors selected 164 suppliers, which currently have relationships with department stores. This study carefully investigated the reliability, content validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the proposed model. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 and AMOS structural equation modeling program Results - For the transaction cost theory and the power-dependence view, the results indicated that product diversity and demand volatility had a positive impact on the sales dependence on a department store. Dependence in turn had a positive effect on the sales commission under the consignment contract. Based on the resource-based view, the department store's marketing capability, the supplier's perception toward merchandising, and supporting activities could enhance the department store's channel leadership in the buyer-seller relationship. Subsequently, the channel leadership had a positive effect on the sales commission. However, product complexity had no relationship with department store dependence. Conclusions - This is the first empirical research that investigates the determinants of sales commissions under consignment contracts in the domestic retail industry. This study reveals several theoretical and practical implications for both marketing scholars and marketers. In terms of theoretical implication, this study integrated and enlarged certain theoretical background, such as transaction cost theory, the power-dependence view, and the resource-based view, to explain the determinants of sales commissions under consignment contracts that include sales revenue. From a business management viewpoint, this research offers useful insights for policy makers by applying two different perspectives, both the manufacturer and the retailer, in terms of the sales commission issue under a consignment contract.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.79-92
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• 2015

Purpose - The aim of this study is to develop an empirical model of the effects of traditional market service quality factors on customer value, relationship quality, and behavior. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: 1) to classify study objects into cultural tourism markets and non-cultural tourism markets as well as to verify the differences in service quality among the two markets and, 2) to present practical service marketing methods that fit with the characteristics of the traditional markets by amending the five quality evaluation items of SERVQUAL (a multiple-item scale for measuring service quality)to suit the characteristics of the traditional markets and establish the relationship among customer value, relationship quality, and behavior intention. Research design, data, and methodology - The study methods of empirical investigation are as follows. First, this study selected for a study object the Suwon Paldalmun Gate Market to represent the cultural tourism market, and general traditional markets to represent the non-cultural tourism market. This study also conducted personal interviews in order to increase the response rate and collected a total of 418 responses between March 18, 2014 and April 05, 2014. The total of 418 responses used for this study excluded 14 responses that had either misleading information or missing values. Results - This study verified the perceived differences of service quality based on traditional market specialization through an independent sample t-test. It appeared that the perceived service quality of the cultural tourism market was generally higher than that of the non-cultural tourism market. This study executed a path analysis in order to examine the effects of service quality factors on customer value, relationship quality, and behavior intention. This study also comprehensively analyzed the specialized market and non-specialized market separately. Although there were some differences among the results, the overall results were uniform. It appeared that convenience, reliability, and empathy, among the service quality factors, exerted meaningful effects on customer value. On the other hand, convenience, reliability, responsiveness, and empathy, excluding the tangibles, exerted meaningful effects on the relationship quality. In addition, it appeared that all service quality factors exerted meaningful effects on the customer value, relationship quality, and behavior intention. Therefore, the study verified that all of the hypotheses formulated in the study were generally adopted. Conclusions - The implication of this study may be classified into academic and practical implication as follows. With respect to the academic implication, it seems that this study is among the early studies to verify the differences between the cultural tourism market and the non-cultural tourism market. The practical implication of this study is that the perceived service quality, such as convenience, reliability, responsiveness, and tangibles, excluding empathy, was higher in the cultural tourism market than in the non-cultural tourism market. This means that customer satisfaction is enhanced by governmental aid such as hardware, software, and information and communications technology.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.93-100
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• 2015

Purpose - The objective of this research is to investigate whether national culture influences consumers' service evaluations. The services industry is receiving increasing attention from academia and practitioners as its position grows in global markets. Standardization or localization is a traditional managerial decision in global business. As the boundaries of services expand across national borders, firms are required to decide whether to standardize services or adjust to local needs. Though it is imperative to reflect global perspectives in marketing theories, these perspectives are mostly based on Western conceptualization of the world. Through a comparison of consumer groups from two culturally remote countries, service quality evaluation mechanisms are examined based on similar stimuli. The study tries to expand service marketing perspectives across national borders. Research design, data, and methodology - Eastern and Western countries are known to be culturally distinct. One Eastern and one Western country were chosen: an Anglo-Saxon country (the U.S., England, and Australia) and South Korea. In Hofstede's cultural dimensions, the differences between the two are pronounced. The Anglo-Saxon based countries share many similarities. Samples of the same sites are targeted. Questionnaires using a service quality scale (SERVQUAL) and a customer satisfaction scale were distributed. Utilizing Hofstede's typology of culture, the service evaluation mechanisms of the respondents from the two groups are evaluated. Three hypotheses are proposed from the review of the literature. These are service evaluation habits, importance of service quality dimensions for the individualistic/collectivistic countries, and strong/weak uncertainty avoidance cultures. Consumers from the individualistic countries are considered to care about themselves and demand a higher level of responsiveness and assurance. On the other hand, consumers from high uncertainty avoidance cultures are assumed to rely more on tangible questions of service quality, as these are the only predictable service quality indicators. A t-test and regression analysis are applied to validate the constructs. Results - The respondents from the Anglo-Saxon countries are more generous on service evaluations than Koreans. Researchers have indicated that Americans tend to give higher service evolution scores than European, Mexican, and Korean counterparts. The tendency is the same here. The sample from Anglo-Saxon countries demonstrated higher service evaluation scores on every dimension of SERVQUAL. For the second hypothesis, the respondents from the collectivistic culture rely less on core service dimensions (assurance and responsiveness) due to their tendency to place more value on group harmony than individual interest. However, the third hypothesis was not validated. Conclusions - The study attempted to expand the scope of service marketing to reflect cross-national perspectives. Service quality is known to have a strong influence on customer satisfaction and loyalty behavior. However, this research demonstrated that individuals from different cultural territories respond heterogeneously to the same stimuli. Scholars argue that national cultures are main factors in such deviated behavior. Scholars and global managers should be aware of differences in consumer value judgment mechanisms such as satisfaction, expectations, and perceptions.