• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.219-243
• /
• 2004

Generally, electricity market has monopoly market structure because of need of enormous investment for infrastructure. However, the introduction of competition in network industry as electricity is a tendency of the world with decreasing the effects of economy of scale due to the advancement of technology. Now, electricity industry restructuring is in progress but the competition in electricity retail market is not in force yet in Korea. Whether a effective competition exist or not is very important to policy decision maker who drive restructuring, but there are small numbers of quantitative researches on that. In this study, we estimated the effectiveness of competition in the electricity retail market through switching costs. If switching costs are high, consumers actually can be locked in incumbent firm in spite of introduction of competition. Therefore switching is a critical factor to determine effectiveness of competition and to estimate the size of switching costs quantitatively can proffer the information about whether the competition in the electricity retail market is effective or not in the future. We estimated switching costs using consumer' stated-preference data by conjoint analysis. In according to estimation results, the cost of switching process is not so high, but the relative brand loyalty of an incumbent company is significantly high. And the price is considered as the most important factor choosing an electric service commodity. Based on the empirical results, it is possible to analyze the relationship between suppliers' competitiveness resulted from management efficiency and customers' switching possibilities. The paper therefore provides guidance for suppliers in deciding to enter into retail competition and for policy makers in introducing retail competition. And it has a significance of estimating the switching costs directly.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2014

Purpose - Theorists and researchers in the area of customer satisfaction generally agree that product satisfaction intervenes between expectancy disconfirmation and various post-purchase cognitive states including attitude and behavioral intention. Studies in a variety of settings have supported the effect of expectation and its disconfirmation on satisfaction, but only a small number of studies address the cognitive consequences of satisfaction decisions and none report data on choice processes such as brand selection. This study examines the influence of satisfaction and its determinants on behavioral intention and product preference in eight coffee shops across the country. Generally it was found in both overall and summed attribute analyses that satisfaction was a function of expectation and disconfirmation, that intention was a function of satisfaction, and that preference was influenced by satisfaction and disconfirmation, the latter having the greater effect. Research design, data, and methodology - The main objective of this study was to assess the dimensions of consumer selection and satisfaction in choosing a coffee shop. In order to achieve this objective, a study of coffee shops across the country was conducted. This study comprised in-depth questionnaires distributed to coffee shop customers. A survey was conducted from September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011, involving franchise coffee shop, independently owned coffee shop, and roastery coffee shop customers. Results - Hypothesis 1-1, which states that coffee shop choice attributes differ based on the type of coffee shop, is accepted. It has a significance level of 0.05, according to choosing properties of coffee shop by convenience of transportation, varieties of beans, residence of the owner (manager), information, and relationships. Hypothesis 1-2, which states that satisfaction with the choice factor differs depending on the type of coffee shops, is accepted. The P-values for cleanliness and varieties of beans were 0.04 and 0.00, respectively, and have a significance level of 0.05, according to the satisfaction with the chosen coffee shop. Hypothesis 2-1, which states that the importance of the choice attributes in coffee shop selections differs based on the demographic characteristics of the customers, is accepted. According to the t-test result, convenience of parking and residence of the owner (manager) are significant. Hypothesis 2-2, which states that satisfaction with the choice factor will differ depending of the type of coffee shop, is accepted. According to the t-test result, convenience of parking and residence of the owner (manager) are significant. Conclusions - This study has shown that intention to revisit a certain shop is most likely correlated to satisfaction in all cases. In order to offer subsequent developments for coffee shops, this study also identifies relations between customer satisfaction and selection by finding significant factors. In order to maximize customers' satisfaction, coffee shops should analyze and satisfy customers' needs and wants in terms of coffee service. While the findings do not generalize beyond the mall sampling procedure used here, we have hopefully identified a close approximation of the process of satisfaction decisions used by consumers generally.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.12 no.10
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2014

Purpose - This study analyzed how image affects customer trust and satisfaction in the online shopping mall market, which is becoming more competitive; future implications for customer management in online shopping malls were presented. Consumers visit and prefer a few shopping mall sites instead of many sites. Consumers do not visit sites that cannot provide trust and satisfaction. Therefore, establishing trust and satisfaction with differentiated image is essential for survival and growth. Specifically analyzing company image, shop image, and brand image, I studied how symbolic image, functional image, and empirical image affect satisfaction mediated by trust in the online shopping malls of hypermarket retailers. Research design, data, and methodology - To investigate the relationship between image and satisfaction of big box retailers' shopping malls in the online market, the study is based on analyzed data from questionnaires involving advanced research. From May 1st to 20th in the year 2014, a questionnaire survey targeting university students using big box retailers' shopping malls in Seoul was conducted. A total of 282 questionnaires were conducted, and 276 questionnaires were used for empirical analysis, excluding invalid data. Using the SPSS 21.0 statistics package, factor analysis and regression analysis were implemented, and effects of image on trust and satisfaction were presented. Results - First, symbolic image can affect satisfaction with only trust. Among 3 image factors, symbolic image exerts the most influence on trust; trust is important in coupling the medium to satisfaction. Second, functional image and empirical image affect satisfaction directly and indirectly with trust. Conclusions - As I classified the image of hyper market retailers' online shopping malls into symbolic, functional, and empirical image, I analyzed the effects of image on trust and satisfaction empirically. The results of the study and strategic implications are as follows. First, symbolic image can affect satisfaction with only trust. Among 3 image factors, symbolic image exerts the most influence on trust; trust is important in coupling the medium to satisfaction. The establishment of a distinctive symbolic image, such as the online shopping mall's loyalty, level of awareness, and special service, is needed. With the establishment of symbolic image, trust and satisfaction could be improved. Second, functional image and empirical image affect satisfaction directly and indirectly with trust. Especially, as functional image affects trust more than empirical image, setting and implementing a strategy for empirical image based on the right price, service, and convenience could raise trust and satisfaction. Empirical image affects trust and satisfaction substantially. Even though empirical image's influence on trust is lower than that of other three image factors, empirical image's influence on satisfaction is higher than symbolic image. Therefore, it requires a strategy for providing joyful use, and information research functions and distinctive use experience are important to improve satisfaction. This study analyzed image characteristics of hyper-market retailers' online shopping malls in the fast-growing online market; future strategic implications were presented.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 2016

Purpose - Korean Wave that overspreads around Asia and America, especially the Korean beauty wave, has reached Mongolia and Mongolian consumers. Mongolia consumers usually prefer foreign cosmetic brands to local brands, because the local brands cannot satisfy fast changing needs and wants of local consumers. Research design, data, and methodology - Based on previous studies about life style of Mongolian consumers, advertisement properties and consumer behaviors, we propose a research model and related hypothesis. In order to test hypotheses, we analyzed 366 survey data out of 376 by eliminating improper 10 responses. Factor analysis and reliability analysis was conducted by SPSS 22.0. We used multiple regression analysis and parameter analysis to test the relation between variables. Results - As exploring the Mongolian consumers' current usage of cosmetic products, we found that the customers' focus is how the products fit with their skin. Mongolian consumers often get the information about cosmetic products through TV and internet. Mongolian consumers show positive attitudes on the appearance of Korean celebrities in responsibility, while there is no significant effect on attractiveness. Mongolian consumer's behaviors toward brand have positive effect on both responsibility and attractiveness of Korean commercial celebrities. Responsibility and attractiveness of Korean commercial celebrities have positive effect on the behaviors toward advertisements of cosmetic products. Conclusions - Behaviors toward advertisements of cosmetic products have positive effect on both purchase intention and loyalty of customer. Responsibility and attractiveness of Korean commercial celebrities have positive effect on mediating variable of behavior toward advertisement and independent variable of purchase intention. Responsibility and attractiveness of Korean commercial celebrities have positive effect on mediating variable of behavior toward advertisement and independent variable of loyalty of customer. In order to improve the effect of advertisements, firms need to consider not only the technique of the model but also the image of model in regard to trust and professionalism appealing to consumers. In addition, firms need to choose the model who fits in with the image of the firms and the products and service of the firms. Finally, Mongolian consumers tend to acquire the shopping information through TV advertisements, especially featuring Korean popular stars, thus, TV advertisements can be a wise option in Mongolian cosmetic market.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2018

Purpose - Many retail stores tend to use scarcity-laden message in order to influence consumers, where scarcity refers to insufficiency of product supply or time of availability. For example, inside stores, the displayed products are often accompanied by scarcity message such as 'exclusive offer, limited time only.' According to past research, scarcity has a positive effect on product evaluation, since scarcity can acts as a signal of consumer demand, and thus product quality. Prior studies argue that consumers face a scarce product, they logically infer that other consumers buying the product in large numbers cause the scarcity. We propose that scarcity can be interpreted as a sales tactic artificially created by retail stores in order to increase sales of product. Research design, data, and methodology - We use a persuasion knowledge perspective framework to develop our hypotheses. In the present research, we show that product curation type is a key variable that moderates consumer response to scarcity, and thus the scarcity effect on product evaluation. Results - In this research, we showed when scarcity-laden message was used inside the store using consumer-centric curation message, scarcity had a positive effect on product evaluation. In contrast, when scarcity-laden message was used inside the store using marketer-centric curation message, the positive of scarcity message on product evaluation was diluted. Conclusions - Our study makes two important contributions to the literature on consumer response to scarcity. First, we identify a variable - namely, product curation type - that determines when either 'scarcity = good' or 'scarcity = marketing tactic' interpretation is likely to be dominant. Second, we cite persuasion knowledge perspective to explain the moderating function of product curation type in a retail store-related scarcity context. This research is relevant to practitioners, such as brand manager, retail environment manager, and advertising agencies, for the effective use for the scarcity-laden message in retail. The proposed moderator can operate in many real-life situations in retail where consumers are exposed to scarcity. And curation message related to scarcity has been facilitated by the inner-retail activities. These factors of the marketplace indicate that the boundary conditions of scarcity can have a significant effect on real-life consumer judgment.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.11 no.12
• /
• pp.71-81
• /
• 2013

Purpose - This study investigated the effects of consumers' selection criteria for environment-friendly agricultural products on purchase intention and the effects of consumers' attitudes and the reliability of environment-friendly agricultural products on purchase intention by using the theory of planned behavior. Subjective norms of variables of behavioral intention, attitudes toward behavior and control of the behavior were used to create selection criteria, consumers' attitudes and reliability of environment-friendly agricultural products. The study investigated the effects of consumers' selection criteria, attitudes, and reliability of environment-friendly agricultural products on purchase intention constructing models and hypotheses of mediation and moderation between selection criteria for agricultural products and purchase intention by consumers' attitudes and reliability. Research design, data, and methodology - The findings were as follows: first, consumers' selection criteria for environment-friendly agricultural products had a significantly affirmative influence upon purchase intention. Health was the most important factor of selection criteria convenience was more important than quality and familiarity was next. Consumers' attitudes and trust had a significant influence on purchase intention. Second, testing showed that consumers' attitude and trust partially mediated selection criteria: sub-factors and purchase intention were important in selection criteria. Third, testing showed that consumers' attitude and trust had a significant moderation effect between selection criteria and purchase intention. In the test of the moderation effect between sub-factors of selection criteria and purchase intention, consumers' attitude had a significantly positive influence upon health, convenience, and familiarity, and had no significant influence upon quality and purchase intention. Consumers' trust had no significant influence upon health, convenience, and quality. Results - The study provided several theoretical implications: first, an empirical analysis was undertaken with selection criteria for environmental-friendly agricultural products, consumers' attitude, and trust to investigate subjective norms, attitude toward behavior and control of behavior based on the theory of planned behavior. Second, this study investigated both the mediation effect and moderation effect of consumers' subjective norms on attitudes toward behavior, the mediating effects of perceived behavior control and changes of behavioral intention depending upon size and direction of the variables. This study also provided several practical implications. Conclusions - First, consumption of environment-friendly agricultural products did not increase despite rapid increase of production therefore, promotion of consumption and distribution was needed considering the supply and demand of the products. Second, definite standards for selection criteria were suggested to build up consumers' attitude and trust. Consumers' attitude could be improved by factors including the brand of environment-friendly agricultural products, consistent quality, solving physiological problems caused by adverse effects of environmental problems, supplementary approaches, treatment of adverse effects by eating food, and the development and supply of products in accordance with changes of lifestyle. Finally, consumers' demand for sub-factors of selection criteria could be much higher than health, convenience, and quality of the products. Therefore, a process was needed that could continuously check consumers' needs for the products. Limitations were described at the end of the study.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.141-160
• /
• 2006

The esthetic center skips over the dimension of simply theoretical knowledge by the specialization, segmentation, and gentrification and the importance of the technical education which introduced into the spot experienceis raising its head. And the esthetic center's importance which copes with the environment changing actively is being cognized. The franchisee system of esthetic shows that while the domestic market is opened, the appearance of foreign famous brand-centered is increasing rapidly. According to this kind of trend, every kind of mediums will not stop the classified ad of franchisee and it will be recognized as the promising sector. Especially, the situation of franchisee is that franchisors and franchisees in the limited relationship and just plan the growth, so the success possibly can be very high. The diffusion of franchisee system and the study about the franchisee are developed on the diverse view points. But still now, the study is just formed from the enterprise's success and the franchisors view point, the study about the franchisees dimension is very small. But it is also very important to exam the decision factors of franchisees success because the franchisors result of franchisee system will come out with franchisee performance totally. In this paper, it will actually proof if the decisive factors that exert influence on the franchisee performance in the franchisee dimension, exert influence on the franchisee performance in substance; and exam what kind of relationship the franchisee performance have with the franchisors and recontract intention. According to this, we can draw out the rest decision factors of improving the franchisee performance, and also show the strategic implication of franchisee efficient marketing.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
• /
• v.9 no.12
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2018

Purpose - The purpose of the study was to investigate operation system of current convenience store and competing retail store and to find out development of unattended convenience store. Operators can save labor cost and solve labor seeking when opening shop under suitable environment and commerce area, and assure of employee's safety. Customers are allowed to select commodity comfortably without disclosure of face and to shorten standby time at simple store opening, buying and paying and to produce convenient living environment by financing, delivery and goods control. This study examined effect and problems of operation of existing and unattended convenience store from point of view of visual merchandising to find out model of unattended convenience store and to strengthen competitiveness of convenience store business. Research design, data, and methodology - Research procedure of accomplishment of goal of the study was: The study investigated state of distribution business, and role and definition of VMD. First, VMD played an important role of promotion and competitiveness of unattended convenience stores. Second, the author investigated research and cases of unattended convenience stores 14 months, that is to say, from August 15, 2017 to October 15, 2018. Third, the author investigated on-the-spot three of common convenience stores, three of unattended convenience stores and three of retailers one month, that is to say, June 1, 2018 to July 1, 2018. The subject was convenience stores and retailers selling similar type of products at Seoul and metropolitan area. Results - Layout, selling place, brand identity, goods assortment, authentication system, product information cognition and control, buying and payment system, security system, salesmen, promotion and other services should be improved from point of view of merchandising. Structure, furniture, lighting, voice, façade, VP, PP, IP and POP should be developed. Conclusions - Unattended convenience stores saved operating cost and lessened labor and gave visitors convenience and comfortable shopping and made use of resources effectively. Further studies with quantitative analysis shall find out strategic conditions for promotion of unattended convenience stores.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
• /
• v.9 no.12
• /
• pp.63-72
• /
• 2018

Purpose - In this study, it is classified the service quality dimension of mobile shopping app using Kano model. In addition, it is evaluated quality factors suitable for strategic management from the viewpoint of service provider through mobile application through binary dimension analysis. Research design, data, and methodology - In this study, seven quality dimensions such as information quality, reliability, immediacy, convenience, design, security and customer service were derived through related studies to make binary shopping quality app quality measurement. 37 sub-variables were set by each quality dimensions. Each questionnaire was composed of positive and negative items like Kano's proposed method, and the satisfaction coefficient suggested by Timko(1993) was examined to understand the influence of each factors on customer satisfaction. Results - As a result of research, shopping app users perceived unity quality factor in most items of service quality dimension such as information quality, reliability, immediacy, convenience and customer service. In addition, the satisfaction coefficient showed a good impression, quick response of the result, fast delivery, and the unsatisfactory coefficient showed more interest in personal information such as payment method safety, and transaction security. As a result of research, shopping app users perceived unity quality factor in most items of service quality dimension such as information quality, reliability, immediacy, convenience and customer service. And, in information quality, the information overload was classified as an apathetic quality component, while the related information provision belonged to an attractive quality component. In reliability quality, customized service provision was classified as an attractive quality component. In instant connectivity, the quality of the connection during transport was classified as an attractive quality component. In convenience quality, access to product information was classified as a one-way quality component. All components of designs quality were classified as attractive quality components, and in security quality, all of their components were all classified as one quality component. Lastly, in customer service, they components were all classified as a single quality component. In addition, the satisfaction coefficient showed a good impression, quick response of the result, fast delivery, and the unsatisfactory coefficient showed more interest in personal information such as payment method safety, and transaction security. Conclusion - In the online service environment, which is difficult to differentiate in terms of upward upgrading only by technological implementation and function, the results of this study can be suggested as a differentiating factor for major channels with customers rather than improve the brand image.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.94-109
• /
• 1998

The objective of this study is to measure self-image of adolescence, analyze empirically clothing-purchasing-behavior of adolescence and clarify correlation of two variables, self-image and clothing-purchasing-behavior. For this purpose, the techniques involve theoretical studies and researches based on historical obtained from previous related studies and surveys, 431 high school female students who reside in Seoul are asked to answer selected survey questions to examine three aspects, clothing-purchasing-behavior, self-image and demographics. The evaluation of surveyed information is analyzed by statistical techniques to improve the accuracy of data. Statistical methods used are as follows; Descriptive(frequency, mean, percentage), Factor Analysis(varimax rotation), Crosstabs(Chi-square), T-test, One-Way ANOVA< Correlation Analysis, Reliability Analysis and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The mjor results of this study were as follows: Firstly, there is a discrepancy between real self-image and ideal self-image. Furthermore more significant differences is seen from physical aspects than psychological aspects. Consequently, research proves that the difference derived from their ideal situation and real situation leads to psychological unstableness. In addition, making their real self-image is dependent upon several elements such things as family economic level, pocket money, expenditure on clothing. Therefore, it is critical to combine all factors in order to decide how much to spend for children's clothing and pocket money in parents point of view. Secondly, research shows that shows hat there is correlated relationship between average expenditure on clothing and presence of mother's job. Average expenditure on clothing is, generally, influenced by vogue which is tend to be changed seasonally. It, also, shows that there is positive linear regression between expenditure on clothe and sensitivity for vogue. That is to say, dependent variable, expenditure on clothing, is varied as independent variable, sensitivity for vogue, changes. Female high school students are likely to give much value on brand. Moreover people who are spending more money on clothes have higher tendencies in prompt purchases than who are not. Thirdly, the analysis of clothing-purchasing-behavior and self-image shows that the difference between real self-image and ideal self-image draws the main reason of dissatisfaction after purchase of clothes. As a consequence, their unfilled needs lead them to keep making another purchase to satisfy themselves. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that parents' advices and directions on their children's money spending on clothes are imperative to establish well-behaved purchasing patterns.