• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.170-183
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• 2017

The rapid growth of digital consumption has significantly changed the shopping behavior of consumers. The consumption paradigm is changing; subsequently, an omni-channel has been introduced that empowers consumers to interact with firms through a myriad of touch points in multiple channels. This study is to understand the perceptions and behavioral characteristics of consumers in the purchase process (e.g., information search and purchase phase). A qualitative method was adopted for this study and data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 omni-channel consumers. The results of this study were as follows. At the information search stage, consistency was the most important consideration for consumers who also wanted to retain channel-specific benefits. Consumers also searched for differentiated information among distribution channels. At the purchase stage, participants choose a shopping channel according to shopping values. They utilized newly introduced services (e.g., "online purchase, offline pick-up", FinTech) that combine retail channels. Our findings provide significance in managing omni-channel services. First, it is recommended that fashion retailers provide seamlessly integrated experience to consumer and adopt a consumer-centered channel choice strategy. Second, fashion retailers must maintain a constant attitude toward shopping experience to fashion, such as shopping enjoyment and exclusiveness.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.123-128
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• 2014

Purpose - The purpose of the study is to reexamine the price fairness as practiced by low cost airlines, as a consumer has to experience such inconveniences as inferior airport transportation, extra fees on in-flight meals, and non-negotiable seats, and consumers evaluate such experiences keeping in mind their total costs. This evaluation includes price fairness and allows a reasonable and overall consideration of factors of low cost airlines. It tries to set up a measurement of the indicators consumers' perceptions of price fairness academically as it adapts price fairness to airline services which are renowned for price volatility. Research design, data, and methodology - The research proposes an alternative pricing strategy for the long term profit of low cost airlines after going over conflicts between the traditional theory of consumers' price perception mechanism and flexible fair policy of low cost airlines. It was meaningful when it relates to the early stage of the business, while it enhances the risks relating to the long term survival of low cost airlines. In addition, it is significant as it highlights the negative influences on consumers' perceptions of price fairness, as low cost airlines run on extremely low cost perspectives. Results - The results of the research provide insight into four perspectives, as consumers' perceptions of price fairness are influenced by the frequency and range of price changes and services. The first perspective is that it would lead to positive price evaluation when a low cost airline cuts prices frequently with little changes than one big change. It also would lead to the same result when it comes to necessary services. The second perspective is that one big increase of price would rather undermine the negative aspects of price changes than those of several smaller ones. The third perspective is that additional services would be good to consumers' perceptions of price fairness as compared to discount benefits with respect to the cost. Finally, a low cost airline should consider that consumers will change airlines or defer their flight schedule if the flight fares increase beyond their limits. Conclusions - Low cost airlines should reconsider their pricing policies for services that were provided free earlier. A consumer would not like discount benefits when made to pay for services that were, for long, free of charge. If a low cost airline can provide services with no charge, it should improve volumes if the costs are standardized and, moreover, should consider the charging fees. Alternatively, a consumer can choose between services and fair discount. Low cost airlines are implementing sales promotion strategies, as the competition is more intense than it used to be. In these days, they should regard services over sales promotion, as consumers may prefer to spend money on good premium services. Some differentiation in services could create a good market position for the airlines and, hence, good financial performance.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.329-338
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore consumers' perceptions and satisfaction of Makgeolli in Daejeon. The study examined the perceptions of consumers of a number of Makgeolli characteristics. A total of 199 respondents provided information regarding their perceptions of Makgeolli. Exploratory factor analysis showed that six factors of consumers' perceptions toward Makgeolli were: delight, harmony with food, atmosphere, health /tradition-related, self-fulfillment, and emotion. Examining the effect of each factor on Makgeolli satisfaction showed that delight had a negative relationship with satisfaction while harmony with food and health/tradition-related showed positive relationships. Atmosphere, self-fulfillment, and emotion did not impact satisfaction. Comparisons of the eleven attributes using t-test between Makgeolli and alcoholic beverages showed significant differences in six attributes: creating a special dining ambience(p<0.001), socializing(p<0.001), enhancing the taste of food(p<0.001), satisfying thirst(p<0.01), esthetic(p<0.01), and stylish(p<0.001). Most of the places where Makgeolli was consumed were traditional bars(53.4%) and Korean restaurants(29.1%). In order to make Makeolli as a global beverage further studies regarding Makgeolli purchasing motivation, satisfaction, consumer characteristics should be studied.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 2014

Purpose - This study aims to understand the brand marketing of agricultural products and redefine their status in South Korea by analyzing impacts on consumer buying behaviors. Research design, data, and methodology - Products, with independent variables, were divided into agricultural brand products and generic products. Dependent variables were limited to expanding sales of a specialty brand through consumer awareness, consumer buying behavior, and confidence in agricultural products' quality. Control variables were based on characteristics of products such as freshness, safety, quality, and their category. Moderating effects were examined on consumer characteristics, including income levels and age. Results - Consumers increasingly purchased agricultural brand products rather than generic agricultural products because of the general reliability of quality assurance. Conclusions - Large agricultural specialty stores have enhanced the perceptions of quality assurance, freshness, safety, and diversity. Through a critical analysis of the domestic consumer income levels and age, gender, and demographic factors, such as agricultural consumer buying behavior not affecting consumers' health and life, this study proposes positive changes in quality perception.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1099-1111
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• 2011

This study identified the types of consumer review information about apparel products based on consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the availability/non-availability of consumer review information for online stores. Data were collected from 318 females aged 20s' to 30s', who had significant experience in reading consumer reviews posted on online stores. Consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with availability or non-availability of review information on online stores is different for information in regards to apparel product attributes, product benefits, and store attributes. According to the concept of quality elements suggested by the Kano model, two types of consumer review information were determined: Must-have information (product attribute information about size, fabric, color and design of the apparel product; benefit information about washing & care and comport of the apparel product; store attribute information about responsiveness, disclosure, delivery and after service of the store) and attracting information (attribute information about price comparison; benefit information about coordination with other items, fashionability, price discounts, value for price, reaction from others, emotion experienced during transaction, symbolic features for status, health functionality, and eco-friendly feature; store attribute information about return/refund, damage compensation and reputation/credibility of online store and interactive and dynamic nature of reviews among customers). There were significant differences between the high and low involvement groups in their perceptions of consumer review information.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.997-1007
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• 2010

This study examines the role of consumer perception of social presence in e-tailing websites. The study proposes that the perception of social presence influences the variables that are important for e-tailers to build a relationship with consumers, which are the attitudes of consumers toward an e-tailer and patronage intentions toward the e-tailer. This study hypothesizes that the attitudes of consumers are influenced by individual perceptions of social presence that guide their patronage intentions. Consumer trust and their affective states are hypothesized to serve as mediators in the relationship between consumer perception of social presence and the attitudes toward an e-tailer. Sixty-one female students were used to test the proposed model. The findings from regression and mediation analyses supported all hypotheses, suggesting that the perception of social presence plays a significant role in consumer shopping habits for apparel: consumer perception of social presence influences consumer trust and affective states that modify attitudes toward an e-tailer and consumer patronage intentions. The theoretical and managerial implications for apparel e-tailers are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.51-65
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• 2023

Purpose: As social interest in environmental issues increases, pro-environmental initiatives are becoming more active in many industry sectors. This study explores how a firm's perceived green brand image affects consumer loyalty through brand trust and attachment. Research design, data, and methodology: The data of 363 respondents aged 20 to 59 who purchased the franchise lunchbox in the last three months were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and SmartPLS 4.0. Result: Green brand image affects consumer loyalty through cognitive trust, affective trust, and brand attachment. Regarding serial mediations, cognitive trust affects brand attachment only through affective trust and, in turn, consumer loyalty. Conclusions: This study employs the hierarchy of effects theory to explore the role of the perceived green image of the franchise lunchbox brand in prompting consumer loyalty through brand trust and attachment. The eco-friendly initiatives are imperative in establishing a green brand image, given their critical roles in generating consumer brand trust and attachment as well as consumer loyalty in the franchise lunchbox industry. The franchise lunchbox firms should implement environmental initiatives and effectively communicate and actively inform these initiatives to raise perceptions of green brand image and build cognitive brand trust.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.139-151
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• 2024

In recent years, consumer clothing behaviors have undergone significant changes due to global phenomena such as climate change, pandemics, and advances in IT technology. Laundry behaviors closely connected to how consumers handle clothes and their clothing lifecycle have also experienced considerable transformations. However, research on laundry behavior has been limited despite its importance in understanding consumer clothing habits. This study employed text mining analysis of social data spanning the past decade to explore overall trends in consumer laundry behavior, aiming to understand key topics of interest and changes over time. Through LDA topic modeling analysis, nine topics were identified. They were grouped into subjects, targets, methods, and reasons related to laundry. Analyzing relative frequencies of keywords for each topic group revealed evolving consumer laundry behavior in response to societal changes. Over time, laundry behavior showed a dispersal of agents and locations, increased diversification of laundry targets, and a growing interest in various methods and reasons for doing laundry. This research sheds light on the broader context of laundry behavior, offering a more comprehensive understanding of consumer attitudes and perceptions than previous studies. It underscores the significance of laundry as a daily, socio-cultural aspect of our lives. Additionally, this study identifies changing customer values and suggests improvements and strategic branding for laundry services, providing practical implications.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.143-155
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• 2015

This study analyzed domestic consumers' perceptions of and participation in consumer boycotts and its relation to ethical consumerism by surveying 1,000 people aged 20 or more with an on-line questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed in terms of frequency, factor analyses, cluster analysis, ${\chi}^2$, and one-way analysis of variance. The research findings are summarized as follows. First, consumers had an average (or higher) perception level of consumer boycotts and were categorized into consumer boycott groups of pursuit of self-realization, achievement of results, and pursuit of rationality according to perception patterns of consumer boycotts. Second, the consumer boycott group of self-realization exhibited a high intention for participation in economic and ethical consumer boycotts and was active in all aspects compared to other groups; in addition, the consumer boycott group of results achievement was in the lowest level of ethical consumerism with a low intention for participation in consumer boycotts and ethical consumer boycotts along with the lowest perception level for consumer boycotts as ethical consumption. The consumer boycott group of rational pursuit was comparatively skeptical about the influence of consumer boycotts and with a low level of deontological ethical consumerism. They had additional doubts about the effectiveness of consumer boycotts despite being active participants. The study contributes to the establishment of an ethical consumer behavior theory by investigating connections between the perception patterns of and participation in consumer boycotts as well as ethical consumerism as consumer boycotts conceptually expand as a form of ethical consumption.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.21-37
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• 2007

This research investigates relationships between a company's corporate image and consumer attitudes toward brands in the company. It also examines the fit between a company and its individual products and consumer-company identification as intervening variables between the relationships. Data for this research were collected from 347 undergraduate students through a survey. They were asked to provide their perceptions on two brands for each of 8 large Korean companies. The results indicate that corporate image directly influences brand trust, whereas it does not affect brand trust indirectly, through company-product fit. Also, the results indicate that corporate image does not directly influence brand affect, whereas it does influence brand affect indirectly, through consumer-company identification.