• 융합경영연구
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.41-51
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• 2024

Purpose: This study explores the distinctive characteristics of virtual influencers compared to human influencers and examines how parasocial relationships with human consumers affect brand attitude. The hypothesis suggests that virtual influencers can overcome social distance barriers, emphasizing their role in fostering engagement. Research design, data and methodology: A structural model based on the source credibility model and unique traits of virtual influencers analyzes these dynamics. An online survey conducted in April 2024 garnered responses from 286 participants. Results: Findings reveal that virtual influencers positively impact parasocial interactions, which in turn enhance parasocial relationships and brand attitudes. However, the proposed effect of novelty on brand attitude through parasocial interaction was not statistically supported. Conclusions: This study highlights the unique attributes of virtual influencers, such as anthropomorphism, empathy, and novelty, which enhance consumer engagement through parasocial interactions and influence brand attitude. It provides a comprehensive framework for leveraging virtual influencers in marketing, offering significant advantages in maintaining consistent brand messaging and reducing risks associated with human influencers.

• 웰빙융합연구
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.39-47
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• 2024

This study investigates the impact of mega-influencers and micro-influencers on consumer trust, brand attitude, and purchase intention within the beauty industry. Methods: A survey of 160 adults was conducted in March 2024, analyzing responses to the influence of a beauty mega-influencer ("Isa Bae") and a micro-influencer ("Day Beauty"). Participants were surveyed online over two weeks, and the data were analyzed using statistical tools to compare the influence of both types of influencers. Results: The results indicated that mega-influencers had a more substantial effect on reliability and brand attitude compared to micro-influencers, although both types of influencers significantly influenced purchase intentions. Influencer attractiveness and expertise emerged as critical factors in shaping consumer perceptions and behaviors. Conclusion: This study provides insights into optimizing influencer marketing strategies by leveraging the distinct characteristics and scales of influencers to enhance consumer engagement and brand loyalty. The findings underscore the importance of choosing the appropriate influencer type to maximize marketing effectiveness and consumer trust in the digital marketing landscape.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.200-211
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• 2021

This study examines the effects of fashion influencers' body types (realistic versus ideal body types) on self-expression, self-representation, and recommendation intentions, as mediated by familiarity toward influencers. Although fashion influencers lead to a positive consumer response compared to traditional advertisements, previous research on the effects of fashion influencers on consumers is limited. Thus, this study tests the role of consumers' socio-psychological aspects in understanding how and why fashion influencers affect consumers' behavioral intentions associated with self-expression, self-representation, and influencer recommendation. A total of 180 women in their 20s and 30s participated in the survey. The responses were collected after showing them stimuli featuring fashion influencers with either ideal or realistic body shapes. The data were analyzed using SPSS18.0 for descriptive statistics, and AMOS 18.0 for confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results showed that participants who were shown realistic body types perceived familiarity, which generated positive effects on self-expression, self-representation, and recommendation intentions. Hence, the effects of influencers' body types on recommendation intention are mediated by familiarity. Self-expression and self-representation intentions also increase influencer recommendation intention. Comparatively, participants who were shown ideal body types only induced higher self-representation intention, which increased their recommendation intention. The current findings can help fashion marketers select the appropriate influencers who fit their target customers as promotional models, as well as to induce changes in consumers' behavioral intention.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.152-161
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• 2023

Modern people live a life connected with the real world and the virtual world by relying on the new media of enterprises and social consumption led by innovative technologies. In this environment, virtual influencers actively communicate with consumers and build relationships through social media, which is a new marketing tool that has attracted widespread attention. From a business perspective, it is necessary to have a solid understanding of this phenomenon, and then explore communication strategies to effectively develop virtual influencers. To investigate followers' preference for virtual influencers, this study employs the Q-method, which studies human subjective attributes, an empirical research effort to uncover complex issues in human subjectivity. To determine the factors that trigger people's voluntary and active practice and the preference degree of virtual influencers, the Q method is implemented to examine human subjectivity, thoughts and attitudes. According to the results of this study, virtual influencers are a new group of idols full of vitality. The interviews found that there are still many virtual influencers who do not know about followers, but each type can be clearly understood through the intuitive understanding of the interviewees. Divided out, type 1 one egoideal virtual influencers aim to represent an idealized version of the creator or target audience. Embodies ideal physical characteristics, personality or lifestyle desired by the audience. Type 2 is charismatic and attractive, and has the characteristics of most virtual influencers. It is suggested that it can be developed into a potential type, doing brand cooperation, and content production on social media platforms. Type 3: Game animation, derived from the image of characters in games or comics, with stylized features and energetic personalities, which can be integrated into games or entertainment experiences. Type 4 development potential type is the most successful type among virtual imagers, and it is also the purpose of marketing virtual influencers. It is essential that brand endorsement on social media platforms, integrated marketing, and driving advertising traffic. It is recommended to improve production technology to reduce investment costs.

• International Journal of Contents
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.10-24
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• 2020

As many brands use social media influencers (SMIs) on Instagram to advertise, not disclosing advertised content affects how consumers perceive these influencers. The purpose of this study was to investigate two objectives: 1) recent advertising disclosure types on Instagram and 2) the factors that affect consumer responses towards Instagram influencers posting advertised content. Using an experimental 2x2 between-subjects design (N=200), the findings show that "sponsored" and "paid partnership with" are two recent types of ad disclosures. However, both factors are insignificantly different from each other. Also, ad disclosure condition enhances the trustworthiness of the influencer than no disclosure. Ad skepticism, source credibility, and the level of persuasion strongly relate to how consumers perceive Instagram influencers advertising for brands. These factors enable consumers to assess if the influencer is a reliable source of information when faced with advertisement. Ultimately, using disclosure gives full information to consumers about the persuasive intent, as well as increases positive consumer responses towards the influencer who discloses, thereby, enhancing the ethical use of the influencer advertising strategy and long-term consumer relationship.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2024

Virtual influencers, who are emerging as new players in digital marketing, impact consumers' purchase intentions. They promote positive perceptions and mimetic consumption of specific brands or products through interactions with followers. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of the characteristics of virtual influencers on the purchase intention for fashion products through the consumers' mimetic desire. As characteristics of virtual influencers, five factors were set: reality, attractiveness, professionalism, trustworthiness, and curiosity. Data for analysis were collected through an online questionnaire from the 8th to the 15th of August 2023, and 268 data points in total were analyzed using SPSS and Process Macro 4.3. The results of the study showed that the characteristics of virtual influencers all positively affected mimetic desire and purchase intention for fashion products. Moreover, it was found that mimetic desire has a mediating effect between the five characteristics of virtual influencers and the purchase intention for fashion products. Mimetic desire fully mediates the relationship between reality and the intention to purchase fashion products, and partially mediates the relationship between attractiveness, professionalism, trustworthiness, and curiosity and the purchase intention for fashion products. These findings further enhance the understanding of the relationship between virtual influencers and consumer behavior and identify the relationship between virtual influencers, mimetic desire, and fashion product purchase intentions. Consequently, leveraging virtual influencers strategically in digital marketing, the fashion industry can amplify positive brand perceptions, drive consumer engagement, and ultimately foster increased purchase intent.

• 한국인터넷방송통신학회논문지
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2023

본 연구는 가상 인플루언서에 대한 감성반응이 광고효과에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 확인하고자 하였다. 기존 연구들이 인플루언서의 속성에 주목한 것에 반해, 가상 인플루언서를 경험하면서 나타나는 소비자의 심리적 반응이 의사결정에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 살펴보았다. 연구결과, 가상 인플루언서를 경험하면서 소비자들은 구체적인 감성반응을 나타내고 있었으며, 당당함, 청초함, 은은함, 트렌디함, 화려함, 단순함, 소탈함이 대표감성으로 추출되었다. 또한 이러한 감성반응들이 브랜드태도와 구매의도, 추천의도에 영향을 미치는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 연구결과는 가상 인플루언서를 활용한 마케팅 커뮤니케이션에 실무적 함의를 제공하고 있다.

• 한국정보시스템학회지:정보시스템연구
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.219-236
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• 2024

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of micro and macro-influencers on consumer purchase intentions, specifically focusing on the role of the product's origin (domestic or foreign). The study will specifically analyze the markets of South Korea and Kyrgyzstan to understand how various types of influencers impact consumer behavior within these unique cultural and economic settings. Design/methodology/approach This study evaluates hypotheses using the factorial design method among social media users in South Korea and Kyrgyzstan. The experiments involve scenarios with eight different groups. The analytical research methodology used is analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings The study findings confirmed that micro- and macro-influencers have varying effects on consumer behavior, which supports previous research. The inclusion of the product origin factor resulted in more accurate data. In both the South Korean and Kyrgyzstan markets, the findings indicated that micro- and macro-influencers have limited success in promoting local products. However, when it comes to promoting foreign products, there are notable differences in effectiveness between micro- and macro-influencers, with macro-influencers being more effective.

• 지식경영연구
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.41-57
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• 2020

본 연구는 인플루언서의 컨텐츠 포스팅 전략이 매출에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 특히, 소셜 미디어 플랫폼에서 인플루언서의 역할이 홍보에만 국한된 것이 아닌 판매자로서 확대됨에 따라 어떤 종류의 컨텐츠를 어떻게 인플루언서가 제공해야 하는 지에 대해 분석하였다. 인플루언서가 물건을 홍보 및 판매하여 소비자가 공동구매("공구")하게 되는데, 이 공구가 시작되기 전 제품에 대해 홍보할 수 있는 기간을 전략 기간이라고 명명하였다. 이 전략 기간 내에 인플루언서는 상업적인 컨텐츠와 비상업적인 컨텐츠를 업로드 할 수 있다. 따라서, 매출에 영향을 주는 컨텐츠의 종류는 무엇인지, 어떤 전략 기간에 업로드를 해야 효과적인 지를 분석할 필요가 있다. 이러한 효과들은 인플루언서의 팔로워 숫자에 따라 달라질 수 있음을 확인하였다. 또한, 본 연구는 계량적으로 상업적인 컨텐츠와 비상업적인 컨텐츠가 전략 기간과 인플루언서의 영향력에 따라 매출에 미치는 영향이 달라짐을 실증하였다. 결론적으로, 인플루언서의 역할이 판매자로 확대됨에 따라 상업적 컨텐츠가 비상업적 컨텐츠보다 매출에 유의한 영향을 주었음을 확인할 수 있었다. 특히, 팔로워 수가 많은 인플루언서는 상업적인 컨텐츠의 업로드 횟수가 중요하였으며, 팔로워 수가 적은 인플루언서에게는 상업적인 컨텐츠의 질이 중요하다는 것을 확인하였다.

• 산경연구논집
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.35-51
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• 2021

Purpose: As the digital environment has expanded opportunity for consumers to acquire information from social media and social network services(SNS), With this environment, influencer has not only promoted products, but also participated in distribution and influencing on their followers. Despite the increasing interest in influencers, there has not been enough research on the structure of fashion influencer, relationship of immersion and purchase intention. This study examined the effects of fashion influencers' characteristics to the immersion of relationship with followers and purchase intention. Research design, data and methodology: For data collection, a pilot survey and the final survey were conducted. The pilot survey data was conducted to 50 female SNS users following fashion influencers. Based on the pilot tests, questionnaire was revised and the final survey was conducted online from august 22 to September 1, 2019 to female SNS users who have followed fashion influencer. A total of 408 data were collected, and exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equational modeling techniques were employed for the data analyses using AMOS 26.0 and SPSS 26.0. Results: First, five factors were extracted for the fashion influencers' characteristics: interactivity, similarity, reliability, expertise and attractiveness. Second, fashion influences' reliability, expertise, similarity, interactivity have a positive (+) effects on relationship immersion; however, attractiveness has no effect on relationship immersion with followers and fashion influencer. It was also determined that relationship immersion had positive (+) influences on purchase intention. The relationship immersion has been found to have a partially mediated effect and similarity has complete mediated effects between interactivity, reliability, and expertise of fashion influencers and purchasing intentions. In terms of fashion opinion leadership, it was found to have a significant influence on purchase intention only for low fashion leadership groups. Conclusions: The present study found the structural relationships among the influencer characteristics, relationship immersion and purchase intentions to provide framework for succeeding research. This research revealed academic association of intention of purchasing through use of fashion social media and fashion influencer marketing. The results also showed the practical implications that fashion influencers' expertise and reliability perceived by their followers are key determinants to success in influencer marketing.