The Effects of Consumption Value of Smartphone Users on Relational Factors and Repurchase Intention

스마트폰 이용고객의 소비가치가 관계적 요인과 재구매 의도에 미치는 영향

Purpose - As the smart-phone market adds new technologies and introduces new marketing trends, competition among companies is getting fierce. Now, smart-phone companies need to pay attention not only to attaining new customers but also to retaining customers, which means managing relationships to prevent customer defection. Therefore, how to satisfy customer needs and maintain long-term relations are both important to make consistent progress in the rapidly changing smart-phone market. To illustrate this point, the study focuses on analyzing the effects of consumption value on relational factors and buying intentions among smart-phone users. First, consumption value was divided into functional, economic, and emotional values. After that, the effects of these values on satisfaction and brand trust were confirmed. Additionally, effects of satisfaction and brand trust on repurchase intention were analyzed. Research design, data, and methodology - The data was collected in a self-administered survey among 270 undergraduate students, using smart-phones between June 4th-12th, 2012. A total of 257 questionnaires were collected and used for the data analysis. A path analysis based on Lisrel 8.54 was used for the hypothesis test. Consumption value was divided into functional, economic, and emotional values. Subsequently, the effects of these values on satisfaction and trust in the brand were confirmed. Additionally, the effects of satisfaction and trust in the brand on repurchase intention were analyzed. Results - First, functional value, economic value, and emotional value - especially emotional value - were revealed to have positive effects on satisfaction. Second, emotional value was shown to have positive effects on brand trust, while functional and economic values did not. Third, satisfaction had positive effects on brand trust. In considering the relative influence on brand trust, satisfaction was the most crucial factor. It is clear that in the evaluation of the direct experience, using the product or the service plays an important role in building brand trust. Fourth, satisfaction and brand trust positively influenced repurchase intention. This indicates that both factors must be achieved to induce the repurchase Intention among customers. Conclusions - One can see that the enjoyable emotions consumers feel while using smart-phones is the most important factor in increasing levels of satisfaction. Moreover, this indicates that consumers pursue economic desires along with convenient functions in order to reduce opportunity costs. Additionally, consumers are affected by psychological and emotional messages in building trust, rather than practical and rational ones. Thus, in order to appeal to young clients as an attractive brand in the smart-phone market, approaching customers with an emotional value is recommended. In addition, in order for the brand to gain trust, the overall experience the consumer feels while using smart phones should be maximized. After all, one must fulfill the consumers' desire for a new experience and show a willingness to faithfully accomplish the responsibility of the brand to strengthen relationships with customers in the smart-phone market.