• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.452-459
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to discover a conceptual framework and evaluation process of apparel quality by means-end chain theory. The theoretical study was conducted to find out a conceptual framework and build a hypothetical evaluation process model of apparel quality. Apparel quality was perceived associative network called a means-end chain and was evaluated in several stages. A conceptual framework of apparel quality evaluation was organized into hierarchical relationships among four different dimensions: physical attribute, physical function, instrumental performance, and expressive performance. The means-end structure linked tangible physical attributes and function to more abstract instrumental and expressive performance. A hypothetical evaluation process model linked dimensions of apparel quality to the selected means-end relationship. Different consumers had different means-end chains for the same apparel. Therefore different subjects are likely to have different evaluation paths. From this study we can suggest an evaluation process model of apparel quality.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.18-22
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• 2014

Social network games (SNGs), a rapidly growing online game genre, are built and played on social network sites. SNGs provide an online world for enjoying leisure time and interpersonal communication, and an increasing numbers of college students are involved in such game-playing as a leisure time activity. Despite the popularity, relatively few studies have been conducted to investigate the nature of game players, especially the meaning of such leisure time behavior by college students. This paper's aim was to explore a subjective meaning structure of online social network game play. The means-end chain model was used to link attributes of SNGs to the underlying values of game playing as a leisure activity. The results revealed two emerging end-values: the need for bridging and a sense of belonging. This study sheds light on the meaning of college students' leisure activities when playing social network games.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-66
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• 2018

This research explores a value chain structure of VR-AR media including user's perception, uses, and evaluation. The purpose of this research focused on factor analysis and the relationship among user's VR-AR adoption motivations and utilities. This research explores correlation between personal value and using motivation. This study was to identify the value structure of respondent on VR-AR usages based on means-end chain theory. The research used structured APT laddering questions and 251 data was analysed. Through such analysis, category difference by stage and relationship difference were identified and hierarchical value map was compared. There are four different value ladders: first is attributes, functional consequences, psychological consequences, and final value. This study is based on the analysis of the value chain structure factors that affect VR and AR use behavior (attributes, functional benefits, psychological benefits, use value), 'Hierarchical Value Map' between users' The purpose of the model is to construct a model. For this, 'means-end chain theory' was applied to measure the causal relationship between personal value and VR related use behavior. In order to solve this research problem, 135 people were analyzed through the structured questionnaire using the AR and VR content fitness measure and the second APT laddering, and the use of VR-AR : 1) Functional benefits; 2) Psychological benefits; 3) Means to reach value, 4) Objective value chain structure was identified. The results show that VR users tried to smooth the social life through the new virtual reality audiovisual element, the newness of experience, fun, and pleasure through the departure of reality, vividness of experience, and leading fashion. The AR fitness was a game and a new program, and the value of interacting with other people and the value of 'periwinkle' played an important role through the vividness and peripheral interaction of AR, It was an important choice. The important basic values of users' VR and AR selection were correlated with psychological attributes of interaction with others, achievement, happiness and favorable values.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2013

Purpose - This study attempted to identify the value promotion clues that may operate as a consumer's motive, by shedding new light on consumer value and by reconstructing each variable analyzed through the means-end chain (MEC) theory. Research design, data, and methodology - In this study, 202 copies of effective questionnaires using the data of Yang and Ju (2012) were subjected to correlation, regression, and SEM. Results - All store selection attributes were verified as having a positive influence on the relationship quality. Although the store selection attributes were verified as exerting a positive influence on the relationship quality, according to the verification result of the mediating effect, consumer value was verified to be influenced only by the relationship quality instead of by the store selection attributes. Conclusion - As a result of path analysis on the proposed model after modification, it was verified that only product factor had a statistically significant positive influence and that social value was completely mediating between relationship quality and emotional value. It may be highlighted that the MEC theory concept would be applicable to the cause-and-effect relationship model.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.253-272
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• 2012

One of the fastest growing sectors in tourism industry is the use of applications from the MICE industry in various parts including business, politics, and cultural exchange due to globalization among the countries. The means-end chain theory suggests that convention participants perceive and judge convention destination as the means to achieving a desired end-state in a given destination selection situation. This study aims at establishing a convention destination's attributes, the benefits of consequences of using it, and the personal values it satisfies. A laddering interview was conducting in order to provide in-depth probing and to elicit responses from 96 visitors. This study presents the unique pyramid-structure of the means-end chain; a model linking perceived convention destination attributes to values. Understanding these concepts provides opportunities for convention destinations to target market segmentation and advertising based on the participants' desired end-states. In conclusion, the major correlations of attributions of the visitors, consequences, and the values are; informativeness(A), activity(A), tourist attraction(A) - sympathy(C), human relations(C) - self-development(V), and fellowship(V).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.652-662
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• 2000

Most of established study about consumer behavior was directly connected abstract value with concrete purchase behavior, nevertheless several recognizable process is intervened between abstract concept and concept behavior. Of course researchers suggest hierarchical causality through means-end chain model. However empirical study is insufficient. And it's not certain whether the consumer's personal value affects actual evaluation about product attributes. Thus the purpose of this paper was to explore hierarchical causality of personal value, benefits sought and clothing product attributes and to suggest an alternative approach method. For the empircial study the data sets were collected through 150 female consumers living in Pusan and SAS and LISREL VIII were used for statistical analysis. As the result, hierarchical causality suggested by means-end chain model was positively substantiated. That is, benefits sought is differentiated according to personal value, and actual product attributes are indirectly influenced by personal value through benefits sought. Benefits sought are found to be key mediating variables.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.21-39
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• 2016

Although the demand for IT outsourcing (ITO) has increased recently because of the recent recession, concerns about business discontinuity in the transition phase cause companies to hesitate to adopt ITO. Therefore, a guideline to improve the prospects is needed. However, studies on the success factors of the transition phase in ITO are lacking. In this study, we develop an expert hierarchical value map (HVM) of the success of the transition phase in ITO by using cognition scientific methodologies. We empirically verify how success factors affect the success of the transition phase. Specifically, we derive an HVM of main stakeholders by using in-depth interviews and approaches, such as repertory grid technique (RGT) and laddering, based on means-end chain theory. We validate the success factors empirically through a bipolar analysis of RGT. Finally, we determine the most important cluster of success factors through cluster analysis.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2014

Purpose - This study investigated relationship quality and/or loyalty, from the viewpoint that merchants and consumers could develop the traditional market. It reorganized variables to find the conditions of values that could stimulate consumers' motives to revive the traditional market. Research Design, data, and methodology - This study employed 202 copies of effective questionnaires, based on the data of Yang & Ju (2012), to conduct correlation, regression, and structured equation modeling (SEM). Results - The results emphasized product and store atmosphere as store selection attributes to consider in the minimum error correction (MEC) model; service factor was not significant. Further, consumers valued relationship quality in the test of mediated effects of the sub-factors of store selection attributes, including consumers' social and emotional value. The relationship quality significantly influenced consumers' value in traditional markets that needed to improve and develop using several variables. Conclusions - This study revealed connections between attributes, consequences, and values using the causal relation model, to generate an optimal model based on a practical and theoretical background and proposed ways to obtain consumer-related information easily.

• Archives of design research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.69-76
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• 2001

In the new product development process, concept testing which screens ideas with the highest probability of market success is very effective in predicting the success of a new product. However, designers do not have accurate guidelines in new product development because the structure of cause and effect of consumers' preference - the most important part of concept testing - has not been provided as quantitative data. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present guidelines for new product concept development through applying means-end chain theory and product form theory which explains what kinds of benefits cause consumers to purchase a product and what kinds of design attributes meet the benefits. In this study, after reviewing means-end chain theory and product form theory, and developing a research model, guidelines for a concept product development (TV are provided through an empirical study.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2020

Current web accessibility checks and automatic assessments have been pointed out that the assessment items and scores are evaluated from the developer's point of view rather than from the user's one. In addition, although most of the grades of an automatic assessment on the public web sites are excellent because they are built in accordance with the web accessibility development guidelines, not a few web sites shows relatively low grades in evaluating their usability test made by those users. Taking into account the inadequacy of these web accessibility assessments, this study has identified the differences between the grades of usability evaluations and automatic evaluations for people with low vision and analyzed the major factors affecting web accessibility usability evaluations using Repertory Grid Techniques. Also, the Hard Laddering method of the Means-End Chain theory was adopted to visualize the relationship between Attributes-Conferences-Value and a hierarchical value system analysis based on FGI(Focused Group Interview) to people with the low vision. This study proposed the measures to improve the current web accessibility automatic assessment allocation, expert evaluation criteria, and user task assessment. In particular, it is a web accessibility user evaluation model that can consider the web accessibility quality certification criteria and user review assessment by directly analyzing the user cognitive structure and value system. This study is expected to be useful as a research to enhance the quality of web accessibility assessment.