• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2023

Despite the emergence of obesity as a significant public health concern, artificial sweeteners have made their way into various food products due to the perception, that they serve as substitutes for sugar. Artificial sweeteners are used to supposedly achieve weight management and health improvement. However, their efficacy and safety remain debatable. Commonly used artificial sweeteners include aspartame, acesulfame potassium, saccharin, and sucralose. This article discusses the effects of artificial sweetener consumption on weight loss, appetite regulation, blood glucose control, and gut microbiota. Research findings, concerning the consumption of artificial sweeteners and their association with body weight, have shown inconsistencies between randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. Studies, comparing artificial sweeteners to sugar, have reported no significant differences in satiety. Although artificial sweeteners have no calories, they can affect blood sugar levels through the cephalic phase insulin response. A recent study suggested that artificial sweeteners influenced the occurrence of diabetes. Due to limitations in the study design, excluding diabetes-influencing factors was not feasible. The evidence showed that artificial sweeteners harbored potential health risks, necessitating further investigation. According to recent studies, the consumption of artificial sweeteners was associated with gut microbiota changes and individual blood sugar responses. It is important to note that artificial sweeteners cannot be considered safe alternatives to sugar, and further research is required.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 1985

The central problem of purchasing houses is choice, which is accompanied by perception of risk. Perceived risk is defined as a risk perceived by a consumer subjectively in choice situations. The components of perceived risk are uncertainty and consequence. There are seven types of perceived risk in purchasing houses. Those are financial risk, functional risk, social risk, psychological risk, physical risk, time risk and future opportunity lost risk. The empirical survey about comsumer's purchasing Public Apartment suggests : 1) In general, rspondents perceive relatively high risk in purchasig Public Apartment. 2) Of seven risk types, financial, functionalm, future opportunity lost, time, and social risk correlate highest with overall perceived risk and explain the variance of it. 3) Physical and psychological risks don't correlate significantly with overall perceived risk. From the findings in empirical analysis, consumers are recommended to device riskreduction activities in purchasing Public Apartment. 1. Active information search is needed in purchasing Public Apartment in order to reduce overall perceived risk. 2. Housing concept should change from ownership to rental thinking. 3. Consumers should be accustomed to Housing Loans by bank. 4. Purchasing goals should be established clearly before purchasing houses. 5. Careful deliberation is required and informations from personal sources are useful.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.69-77
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• 2003

The goal of this study was to examine which factors influence consumers' demands to reveal the identity of GMO(Genetically Modified Organism) food, risk perception, and decision-making to purchase it. Consumers perceived its risk, and demanded labeling to identify it. Not many consumers wanted to buy GMO food. The results also revealed as follows. First, the level of demand to label for identifying GMO food were high among female consumers, consumers with negative attitude, and consumers severly perceived its risk. The level of perceived risk was high among consumers who were old and had high income, exercised their own healthy programs, showed negative attitude toward GMO food, and demanded strongly for labelling. Second, old consumers, consumers with high income, consumers concerning more about health, consumers with negative attitude and strong demand to label for identifying GMO food were more likely to perceive risk highly for GMO food. Third, consumers' attitudes and the level of perceived risks for GMO food significantly influenced the decision-making to purchase GMO food. However, other variables turned out not to affect consumers' decision-making to purchase it.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.51-61
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• 2024

Purpose: This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between customer engagement, perceived risk, and perceived value within China's burgeoning e-commerce livestreaming sector. It focuses on how different customer engagement types in livestreaming influence their perception of value and risk. Research Design, Data, and Methodology: Adopting a convenience sampling approach, this research scrutinizes data collected from 852 consumers actively involved in e-commerce livestreaming shopping. Participants provided their insights through a meticulously designed questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling helped examine the interplay between customer engagement, perceived risk, and value. Results: Significant impacts of customer engagement on perceived value and risk were found. Observation-based, conversation-based, and action-based engagements enhance perceived risk, while conversation-based and action-based engagement reduce perceived risk. Interestingly, observation-based engagement did not significantly affect perceived risk. The study also uncovered that perceived risk negatively impacts perceived value. Conclusions: The research offers insights into customer behavior and value creation in e-commerce livestreaming. It underscores how different engagement types affect perceived value and risk, aiding e-commerce platforms and businesses in strategy development to improve customer experience and minimize risks, enhancing perceived value in this dynamic sector. Enhances understanding of customer engagement dynamics in China's e-commerce livestreaming, guiding strategic development.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.147-159
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• 2021

After the 2020 Corona 19 pandemic, consumers' online consumption is increasing rapidly, and non-store online retail channels are showing high growth. In particular, social media is gaining its status as a social media market where direct transactions take place in the means of promoting companies' brands and products. In this study, changes in consumer behavior after the Corona 19 pandemic are different in choosing online shopping media such as existing online shopping malls and SNS markets that can be classified into open social media and closed social media when purchasing agri-food online. We tried to find out what type of product is preferred in the selection of agri-food products. For this study, demographic characteristics of consumers, perceived risk of consumers, and dietary lifestyle were set as independent variables to investigate the effect on online shopping media type and product selection. The summary of the empirical analysis results is as follows. When consumers purchase agri-food online, there are significant differences in demographic characteristics, consumer perception risks, and detailed factors of dietary lifestyle in selecting shopping channels such as online shopping malls, open social media, and closed social media. Appeared to be. The consumers who choose the open SNS market are higher in men than in women, with lower household income, and higher in consumers seeking health and taste. Consumers who choose the closed SNS market were analyzed as consumers who live in rural areas and have a high degree of risk perception for delivery. Consumers who choose existing online shopping malls have high educational background, high personal income, and high consumers seeking taste and economy. Through this study, we tried to provide practical assistance by providing a basis for judgment to farmers who have difficulty in selecting an online shopping medium suitable for their product characteristics. As a shopping channel for agri-food, social media is not a simple promotional channel, but a direct transaction. It can be differentiated from existing studies in that it is approached as a market that arises.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.169-189
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• 2006

The product categories that can be sold on-line are expanding. It is interesting to see which product categories have more sales possibilities on internet. Small-sized firms' products have low distribution coverage, low brand recognition, bigger dispersion in the perception on the values which consist of quality vs. price, and higher possibilities of perceived purchase risks. Since on-line shopping is supposed to provide opportunities to small-sized firms that have low distribution and brand power, it is quite necessary to evaluate the fitness of on-line sales for small-sized firms' product categories. There are virtually no research studies on the on-line sales for small-sized firms' product categories. In this study, based on the integration of SEC, FCB, and related concepts, we develop new theoretical framework and test the fitness of on-line sales for small-sized firms' product categories by conducting empirical analysis. The empirical results on 17 product categories show that SEC, FCB, purchase risks, brand factors are somewhat related. Unlike previous studies, since the fitness of SEC and on-line sales are not clearly shown, we need to consider those problems within inter-related multiple frameworks. That is, it is necessary to evaluate the fitness of on-line sales after defining the product categories within the integrated multiple frameworks rather than within the single framework.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.77-85
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined marketing value as online word-of-mouth media in the foodservice industry, and it did research on online word-of-mouth (e-WOM) communication marketing schemes using mass communication in the industry. The study is also intended to investigate the impact of electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) information and communication on product awareness risks, benefits, and word-of-mouth (WOM) impacts on restaurant consumers. Research design, data, and methodology: The analysis was conducted on a valid questionnaire of 425 menu product consumers. The survey was conducted for two months in March 2019. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and hierarchical regression analysis was applied. Results: It did empirical research on the reciprocal casual relations to online and the existing word-of-mouth communication that have to be preceded to understand characteristics of online word-of-mouth communication for the purpose of this study. The result is summarized as follows. First, the online word-of-mouth (e-WOM) effect on product recognition risk shows the statistically significant effect of information sender characteristics, information recipient characteristics, and online word-of-mouth (e-WOM) communication on product recognition risk. Second, the influence of online word-of-mouth (e-WOM) on product risk benefits shows that the information sender characteristics, the information receiver characteristics, and online communications have a statistically significant effect on product risk benefits. Third, online word of mouth risk recognition had a statistically significant effect on word of mouth acceptance. Fourth, online risk benefit had a statistically significant positive effect on word of mouth (WOM) effect. Conclusions: The communication between online word of mouth (e-WOM) sender and recipient had a positive influence on the product evaluation and attitude change in the foodservice industry, and the word-of-mouth (WOM) effect affected financial and non-financial performance. The results mentioned above indicated that the communication between the sender of the information and the receiver of the information had a positive effect on the product evaluation and attitude change of the menu consumer, and the word-of-mouth (WOM) result affected the financial. Therefore, the online word-of-mouth (e-WOM) effect has a positive effect on the word-of-mouth (WOM) effect of menu products when performed simultaneously and positively between the information sender and the information receiver.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-111
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• 2008

Due to the development of digital technology, studies regarding smart wear integrating daily life have rapidly increased. However, consumer research about perception and attitude toward smart clothing hardly could find. The purpose of this study was to identify innovative characteristics and perceived risk of smart clothing and to analyze the influences of theses factors on product attitudes and intention to adopt. Specifically, five hypotheses were established. H1: Perceived attributes of smart clothing except for complexity would have positive relations to product attitude or purchase intention, while complexity would be opposite. H2: Product attitude would have positive relation to purchase intention. H3: Product attitude would have a mediating effect between perceived attributes and purchase intention. H4: Perceived risks of smart clothing would have negative relations to perceived attributes except for complexity, and positive relations to complexity. H5: Product attitude would have a mediating effect between perceived risks and purchase intention. A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on previous studies. After pretest, the data were collected during September, 2006, from university students in Korea who were relatively sensitive to innovative products. A total of 300 final useful questionnaire were analyzed by SPSS 13.0 program. About 60.3% were male with the mean age of 21.3 years old. About 59.3% reported that they were aware of smart clothing, but only 9 respondents purchased it. The mean of attitudes toward smart clothing and purchase intention was 2.96 (SD=.56) and 2.63 (SD=.65) respectively. Factor analysis using principal components with varimax rotation was conducted to identify perceived attribute and perceived risk dimensions. Perceived attributes of smart wear were categorized into relative advantage (including compatibility), observability (including triability), and complexity. Perceived risks were identified into physical/performance risk, social psychological risk, time loss risk, and economic risk. Regression analysis was conducted to test five hypotheses. Relative advantage and observability were significant predictors of product attitude (adj $R^2$=.223) and purchase intention (adj $R^2$=.221). Complexity showed negative influence on product attitude. Product attitude presented significant relation to purchase intention (adj $R^2$=.692) and partial mediating effect between perceived attributes and purchase intention (adj $R^2$=.698). Therefore hypothesis one to three were accepted. In order to test hypothesis four, four dimensions of perceived risk and demographic variables (age, gender, monthly household income, awareness of smart clothing, and purchase experience) were entered as independent variables in the regression models. Social psychological risk, economic risk, and gender (female) were significant to predict relative advantage (adj $R^2$=.276). When perceived observability was a dependent variable, social psychological risk, time loss risk, physical/performance risk, and age (younger) were significant in order (adj $R^2$=.144). However, physical/performance risk was positively related to observability. The more Koreans seemed to be observable of smart clothing, the more increased the probability of physical harm or performance problems received. Complexity was predicted by product awareness, social psychological risk, economic risk, and purchase experience in order (adj $R^2$=.114). Product awareness was negatively related to complexity, meaning high level of product awareness would reduce complexity of smart clothing. However, purchase experience presented positive relation with complexity. It appears that consumers can perceive high level of complexity when they are actually consuming smart clothing in real life. Risk variables were positively related with complexity. That is, in order to decrease complexity, it is also necessary to consider minimizing anxiety factors about social psychological wound or loss of money. Thus, hypothesis 4 was partially accepted. Finally, in testing hypothesis 5, social psychological risk and economic risk were significant predictors for product attitude (adj $R^2$=.122) and purchase intention (adj $R^2$=.099) respectively. When attitude variable was included with risk variables as independent variables in the regression model to predict purchase intention, only attitude variable was significant (adj $R^2$=.691). Thus attitude variable presented full mediating effect between perceived risks and purchase intention, and hypothesis 5 was accepted. Findings would provide guidelines for fashion and electronic businesses who aim to create and strengthen positive attitude toward smart clothing. Marketers need to consider not only functional feature of smart clothing, but also practical and aesthetic attributes, since appropriateness for social norm or self image would reduce uncertainty of psychological or social risk, which increase relative advantage of smart clothing. Actually social psychological risk was significantly associated to relative advantage. Economic risk is negatively associated with product attitudes as well as purchase intention, suggesting that smart-wear developers have to reflect on price ranges of potential adopters. It will be effective to utilize the findings associated with complexity when marketers in US plan communication strategy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.552-561
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• 2012

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic risk factors associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has increased in Korea. The aim of this study was to develop a Healthy Han-sik Nutrition Education Program (HHNEP) based on commonly recognized Korean foods in order to decrease metabolic syndrome risks. The target population of the HHNEP is adults with metabolic risk factors. The initial version of the HHNEP was developed based on a review of literature and various dietary guidelines by expert committees as well as the results of a survey on the perception of common Korean dishes and foods as Han-sik. The focus group discussion conducted of nine participants from the target population. After minor modification, the final version was developed. The contents included five sections: 1) aims, 2) introduction of Korean Food Guidance System, 3) cholesterol contents in food, 4) menu planning method using Han-sik, and 5) examples of daily Han-sik menu. The Han-sik list was selected based on the results from a Han-sik perception answered by 35 Korean adults aged 30-60 years using 517 frequently consumed Korean foods from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The nutrition education program was developed based on scientific evidence for the prevention of metabolic syndrome and focuses on tailoring education to an individual's dietary problems. Educational method was developed by a group of expert committees based in planned behavior theory and related research results. The education method consisted of assessment of current diet, four face-to-face nutrition education sessions over 8 weeks, and evaluation after 8 and 16 weeks. Initial version of nutrition education materials and methods was tested for feasibility by a select group of nine Korean healthy adults. Successful implementation of the program would include application by nutritional professionals at the health promotion center of the hospitals, public health center, and work sites. Intervention studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this program before large-scale applications.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.49-61
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• 2021

In a disaster situation such as COVID-19, our society has experienced the spread of the damage due to confirmed patients who have a negative or uncooperative attitude toward the disclosure of personal information. Accordingly, this study aims to find a policy direction that can improve the awareness of the disclosure of personal information about confirmed COVID-19 patients. This study classified the concept of acceptability into personal and social acceptability, and statistically verified their relationship with influential factors. In this study, 594 cases of data collected through an online survey were used. The analysis results show that the greater the trust in the government's personal information management capability, the lower the perception of the risks associated with the disclosure of personal information, and the lower the awareness of the risk, the higher the personal and social acceptability of the personal information disclosure of COVID-19 confirmed patients. In addition, the greater the recognition of the utility of personal information disclosure, the higher the perception of personal and social acceptability of the personal information disclosure. It is expected that the analysis results and discussions of this study will be useful information for policy development to create a more mature social atmosphere to reduce the public's reluctance to disclose information not only in COVID-19 but also in new disaster situations in the future.