• 유통과학연구
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• 제20권7호
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• pp.119-127
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• 2022

Purpose: The underdog effect refers to a positive attitude towards the underdog who lacks resources and opportunities but has passion and determination. Extensive research has been investigated how the underdog effect affects distributing consumer preference and purchase intention. The purpose of this study is to identify the theoretical basis on which the underdog effect is grounded by analysing the prior research in the underdog literature. Research design, data and methodology: This study organizes the literature on the underdog effect by analyzing a total of 33 journals published in the past 16 years. Constructs and variables were extracted from the selected articles through the content analysis on a systematic literature review. Results: This literature review reveals that identity theories served as an overarching theoretical lens when examining the underdog effect. Additionally, the underdog effect was rooted in theories of justice and equity to explain the relationship between underdog brand positioning and consumer preference. Conclusions: This paper paves the way for future research based on prior research and trend analysis of underdog brand positioning. This article also provides an insightful interpretation and synthesis of the theoretical underpinnings of the impact of underdog effects on consumers' overall brand evaluations.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.105-117
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• 2019

Purpose - Underdog positioning is often used to evoke a positive attitude when interacting with consumers. However, little research has been conducted on the market competition structure and innovation contexts in which underdog positioning produces the most impact. This research aims to investigate unexplored boundary conditions of underdog positioning and addresses two issues: market structures (oligopoly vs monopolistic competition) and perceived firm innovativeness (PFI). Design/methodology - Two one-way ANOVA designs (market structures: monopolistic competitions vs. oligopoly; perceived frim innovativeness: strong vs. weak) were randomly assigned to 297 graduate and undergraduate students (52 % female) majoring in business. Study 1 examined the effect of underdog positioning on consumer attitudes in the different market structures. Study 2 investigated the relationship between underdog effect and consumer attitudes through viewing conditions that varied in PFI. Findings - Drawing on the results of the study, the authors conclude that underdog positioning is effective to generate more positive consumer attitudes when employed in the market structure of monopolistic competition rather than oligopoly. Moreover, both underdog and top dog positioning are likely to generate more positive consumer attitudes when accompanied with strong PFI than weak PFI. Originality/value -This is the first study to distinguish between monopolistic competition and oligopoly market structures with underdog positioning as well as to demonstrate a positive effect of PFI, regardless of the type of brand narratives.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.76-87
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• 2022

Purpose - Small independent brands from local companies often use underdog positioning to compete with established global brands. However, whether the effectiveness of underdog positioning of local businesses in the service sector remains insufficient. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the underdog effect on the preference of Korean consumers for individual service providers positioned as underdogs. Design/methodology - The author examines the research question of this study using a one-way ANOVA in three different positioning (underdog vs. top dog vs. control) between-subjects design, with a group of Korean participants. Findings - The experimental study shows that support for independent local (vs. global) service providers positioned as underdogs is straightforward. Using the lens of consumer identification with underdog biographies, this study found that consumers prefer small local service providers with passion and determination regardless of their disadvantages. Originality/value - To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effectiveness of underdog positioning in the context of individual service providers. As it competes with global service companies for domestic consumer preference in Korea, the findings have great implications for ensuring the sustainability of small local service providers.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.527-541
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• 2020

윤리적 제품과 기업에 대한 소비자의 호의적인 태도, 윤리적 소비자의 증가는 최근 전 세계적인 흐름이다. 그럼에도, 윤리적 제품에 대한 호의가 반드시 구매로 이어지지 않는다는 연구들 또한 등장하고 있다. 본 연구는 그러한 사실에 주목하여, 윤리적 제품의 어떠한 특성에 대한 소비자의 지각이 구매행동으로 연결되는지 탐색하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 3개의 실험이 수행되었으며, 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 같은 윤리적 제품이라 할지라도 소비자가 지각한 윤리성의 정도가 높아야 소비자의 선택 가능성이 높아졌으며. 이러한 경향은 친환경 제품과 기부형 제품을 막론하고 확인되었다. 이는 최근 이슈가 되고 있는 '진정성(authenticity)'에 대한 소비자의 지각으로도 이해할 수 있을 것이다. 둘째, 지각할만한 윤리성의 차이가 없다면, 윤리적 소비자들은 브랜드명성을 구매의사결정의 중요한 요인으로 판단하는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 기업별로 윤리성의 정도가 차이가 나는 제품이 아니라면, 결국 윤리적 소비에 있어서도 브랜드명성이 중요한 요소로 작용할 수밖에 없다는 사실을 시사해준다. 셋째, 윤리적 제품의 소비는 소비자의 특성에 따라 차이점을 나타내지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 소비자의 이타성과 과시성을 중심으로 비교하였으나, 이러한 개인 특성의 여부와 상관없이 브랜드명성과 지각된 윤리성이 매우 큰 영향을 지니는 것으로 나타났다. 예상과는 달리, 이타적 성향의 소비자들에게서 언더독 효과가 발생하지 않았다는 점이다. 연구 결과와 관련하여 몇 가지 시사점과 연구의 한계, 향후 연구에 대한 제언을 논의하였다.