Product Characteristics of Clothing and Risk Perception and Risk Reduction Behavior of Consumers.

의복상품특성에 따른 소비자 위험지각 및 위험감소행동에 관한 연구

This research was intended to investigate how risk perception and risk reduction behavior by consumers differ according to different product characteristics of clothing. The responses of 318 female college students living in Seoul and surrounding vicinities were collected and analyzed. Inner wear, blue-jean pants, coat were selected as representing each clothing product characteristics. Frequencies distribution, regression and correlation coefficient were utilized for statistical analysis. Results are as follows. 1. The type of perceived risk and risk reduction behavior differed according to product characteristics of clothing. Physical and performance risk were more highly perceived for the purchase of innerwear. However, for the purchase of jean pants and coat, socio-psycho-logical and economic risk were also perceived highly because the rate of fashion change, social symbolism, and coordination with other clothing items become more important characteristics. To reduce perceived risk, dependency on past purchase experiences and shop-ping were mostly preferred method regardless of product characteristics of clothing. 2. Risk type as determinant variables for predicting overall risk differed according to product characteristics of clothing. But fashionability and usefulness were common determinant risk variables, which identifies typical characteristics of clothing product.