• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.770-780
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to classify customer experience components using Bernd H. Schmitt's Strategic Experiential Modules and explore the relevance between fashion lifestyle and customer experience components. A survey was conducted on 400 adults between the ages of 20s to 50s who had experience in sportswear stores. The results obtained are as follows. First, according to fashion lifestyle, the respondents were divided into an individuality-valued pragmatic group, a trend-oriented brand-seeking group, a fashion-interested group, and a conservative pragmatic group. Second, customer experience components were divided into sensory experience, emotional experience, cognitive experience, behavioral experience, and relational experience. Third, on analyzing the relationship between customer experience and fashion lifestyle, it was found that a fashion-interested group has the highest value in all experiences; therefore, it can be considered that the higher the interest in fashion, the more important is the customer experience. On the other hand, the conservative pragmatic group represented generally smaller values than the other three groups in all customer experiences. Fourth, there were significant differences in the customer experience components that were considered to be important depending on the fashion lifestyle type. An individuality-valued pragmatic group valued cognitive experiences, a fashion-interested group valued all experiences, and a conservative pragmatic group showed low scores in all customer experiences. The results of this study will allow companies to build more customer-friendly experiences and enable consumers to engage in satisfactory purchasing activities through better customer experiences.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.229-240
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• 2022

This study explores the effect of anthropomorphism on fashion chatbot reliability, mediated by perceived intelligence and cognitive evaluation. The moderating effects of individuals' need for human interaction between chatbot anthropomorphism and perceived intelligence, cognitive evaluation, and chatbot reliability are also explored. Participants, who were recruited through the online research firm, responded to questions after watching a video clip showing a conversation with a fashion chatbot on a mobile screen. The data were collected through Mturk, a crowdsourcing platform with an online research panel. All responses (N = 212) were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 for the descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and PROCESS procedure. The results demonstrate that chatbot anthropomorphism increases chatbot reliability, and this is mediated by chatbot intelligence. Although chatbot anthropomorphism increases cognitive evaluation, the effect of cognitive evaluation on chatbot reliability is not significant; thereby, the effect of chatbot anthropomorphism on chatbot reliability is not mediated by the cognitive evaluation. The direct effect of anthropomorphism on chatbot reliability is also moderated by individuals' need for human interaction. For participants with a high need for human interaction, chatbot anthropomorphism increases chatbot reliability; however, anthropomorphism does not significantly affect chatbot reliability for participants with a low need for human interaction. The study's findings contribute to expanding the literature on consumers' new technology acceptance by testing the antecedents affecting service reliability.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.431-442
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• 2022

Despite the rapid reorganization of the center of consumption online, the fashion industry is still strengthening brand marketing using offline stores. This study investigates the psychological mechanisms of shopping flow by three mediators that influence the e-word of mouth(e-WOM) as a marketing performance variable in recent marketing. Data collection was conducted online for 241 women in their 20s and 30s. The significance of multi-mediated pathways was verified using Process 3.5 Model 6. The results for multiple mediation paths are as follows. First, the direct effect of shopping flow on brand advocacy was not significant. Second, analysis of the significance of the indirect effect via simple mediation found that the path mediated by shopping value in the path from the shopping flow to brand advocacy was significant. Third, analysis of the indirect effect by double mediation revealed all three double mediating effects of shopping flow on brand advocacy were significant(emotional response and shopping value, emotional response and store attachment, shopping value and store attachment). Fourth, analysis of the significance of the indirect effect by sequential multiple mediation established the indirect effect leading to emotional response, shopping value, and store attachment was significant. These results indicate that the operation of an experiential fashion store is not just a means for sales, but a communication tool that improves and promotes the brand advocacy by providing brand experience in a store.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.139-152
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• 2023

Despite efforts to apply 3D print (3DP) technology in the field of fashion and endless discussions about the possibility of future development, in reality, it is difficult to utilize 3DP technology in fashion for reasons related to material, technology, and cost constraints. The purpose of this study was to supplement the limitations of 3DP technology in order to promote its utilization in fashion and simultaneously find a solution to achieve aesthetic satisfaction in the design method. Specifically, through the development of fashion products with a 3DP polymer-fabric structure to which the parametric design methodology has been applied, this study explored the possibility of practical application and proposes a new 3DP fashion design method. The 3DP polymer-fabric developed as a result of the research was stably adhered to the fabric. Additionally, the study confirmed the possibility of making 3DP clothes that are amenable to the wearer's activities, as it was verified that cutting and sewing tailored to the human body's curvature and structure can be performed. The design process using the 3DP polymer-fabric presented in this study is meaningful in that it suggests a solution to complement the limitations of modern technology in connection with designers' creativity. Moreover, the design process presented in this study is expected to contribute to the commercialization and generalization of 3DP by providing practical help to allow fashion experts to utilize 3DP technology.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.386-397
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• 2023

In this study, the efficacy of ultrasonic washing in cotton and wool fabrics was compared and evaluated against conventional washing in terms of cleaning properties and fabric deformation. Factors such as washing temperature, time, liquid ratio, and detergent concentration were kept varied, and the cleaning properties of sebum-soiled fabrics were assessed using different detergents such as alcohol ethoxylate, linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, and IEC 60456 Reference Detergent A^*. In addition, the effects and emulsification power of enzymes and oxygen bleach were examined. To compare the cleaning properties with general washing, a launder-O-meter was used. To investigate fabric deformation during the washing process, the loosening test cloth, shrinkage test cloth, and mechanical strength test cloth were compared between ultrasonic washing machines and household drum washing machines. The results indicate that ultrasonic washing exhibits superior cleaning properties than launder-O-meter when the temperature is low and the washing time is short. Furthermore, there is less deformation and damage during the washing process. It was also observed that the activity of the detergent increases when ultrasonic waves are applied to the washing process. Considering the increasing tendency to pursue convenience and simplicity in clothing management as well as the anticipated commercialization of smart clothing with built-in electric circuits, ultrasonic laundry could serve as a new alternative to existing laundry methods.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.280-290
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• 2023

As consumers are increasingly shopping online for fashion products, their return behavior is also increasing. Regarding the factors affecting return behavior, this study explores the effect of the purchasing orientation considering returns that are derived from bracketing purchase behavior, monetary lenient return policies, and non-monetary lenient return policies. Additionally, this study examines the effect of monetary/non-monetary lenient return policies on return behavior, mediated by the purchasing orientation considering returns. This study was conducted through an online survey and 238 data were collected and used for analysis. Two research models were designed for each independent variable of monetary lenient return policies, and non-monetary lenient return policies, and the path of the research model was analyzed using Process Macro 4.0. The study found that the sub-dimensions of return policy - monetary or non-monetary return policies - had different effects on return behavior through purchasing orientation considering returns. Monetary lenient return policies had a positive direct effect on return behavior, and purchasing orientation considering returns mediated the effect of the monetary lenient return policies on return behavior. However, the non-monetary lenient return policies only positively and significantly directly affected return behavior. The findings of this study contribute to understanding consumers' purchasing orientation considering returns. Furthermore, from the effect of the return policy on return behavior, the results are valuable as they can help fashion marketers establish a return strategy.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.418-430
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• 2022

This study aims to analyze consumers' purchase decision-making process of buying avatar fashion items on the Metaverse platform. Drawing on the connection between the self-expression tendency of the MZ generation and that of avatars in the Metaverse, this study uses a qualitative research method to analyze how consumers express their self-image through the appearance of their avatars. Unlike previous studies on the clothing purchase decision-making process, this study shows that purchasing and consumption behavior involve the following six stages: recognizing desire, collecting information, evaluating alternatives, making purchases, evaluating the consumption, and post-purchase action-taking. In the first stage of the purchase decision-making process, consumers' desire arises with self-image expression and confirmation. In the second stage, consumers have a high tendency to shop in the best item category. In the alternative evaluation stage, consumers tend to seek items that match their highest standard while considering their personal preferences. In the fourth stage, when making actual purchases, unplanned purchase behavior often occurs along with an active practice of alternative evaluation. In the fifth stage, the evaluation of the consumption shows that consumers achieve satisfaction by applying a style to their avatars that they are unable to try in the real world. In the last stage, consumers often use their purchases to communicate their various styles with other online consumers. Therefore, we conclude that the online purchase decision-making process differs from the offline process as it is divided into six stages.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.907-918
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• 2015

With the pervasiveness of digital environment and expansion of new media, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) leads the role of consumer to change from a passive customer into an active co-producer. As customer participation in the fashion industry increases, this study attempts to explore the cases of customer participation as a co-producer in fashion industry through analyzing business models of companies, including Threadless, Blank label, Cut on Your Bias, Acustom Apparel, Thinkgivers. The results show that customer participation is mainly facilitated through design participation in fashion industry, with different level of participation and IT as well as different contribution target. Compared to the past, consumer’s preference is reflected through participation before the stage of production. Results indicate three main characteristics of customer participation in fashion industry. First, value co-creations using customer experiences and understanding customer needs are important. Second, active online communication among customers are critical. Third, it is important to ensure customer’s own item. From a customer perspective, participation enables them to purchase their own distinctive product and offers exciting experience and satisfaction over the production processes, and compensation can be used to increase customer participation. On the other hand, companies using customer participation can take advantage of cost reduction in product development, inventory, and marketing. Customer participation, as a win-win strategy for business and consumer, is expected to expand further in the future with the development of ICT.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.6 no.10
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• pp.163-173
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• 2006

It is frequent to develop the fashion product through predict purchasing needs of consumers in Textile and Fashion Industry. If failed in its prediction, that is, if consumers would not purchase the product, there comes some problems that big sale is inevitable or stock increase tremendously. Otherwise, Quick Response System allows that the company observe the consumer's needs consistently and design products and establish manufacture schedule rapidly so that they could prohibit the products unnecessarily stocked. Consumer's preference is collected and analyzed through the data generated by POS system, and this is provided to the related manufacturer through network in realtime, so that the manufactures could merchandise, produce and provide the products according to the consumer's need. Thus, this study developed POS system-education program, that is, the merchandising of apparel product, product by prediction, retailer, purchase behavior, reduction in stock inventory and product lead time, cooperative system between apparel company and retailer, and conformation to the consumer's needs are included in this program, through binding the new technology in textile and fashion industry for the purpose of Quick Response system.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2022

This study aims to understand the consumers' negative responses to communication failure of chatbots caused by their imperfections. Specifically, this study examines 1) the relationship among chatbot's communication failure, dissatisfaction, negative behavior (complaint, negative word-of-mouth (nWOM), and inertia); 2) the moderating effect of technostress on the relationship between chatbot's communication failure and dissatisfaction; 3) the differences in the negative responses between the generation MZ and the previous generations. Data were collected via an online survey. First, the participants interacted with the chatbot developed for this survey, to experience the chatbot's communication failure. Thereafter, they responded to a questionnaire. PLS-SEM was conducted using the R software environment to test the hypotheses. This study empirically identified that chatbot's communication failure positively affected dissatisfaction. In addition, the customers who were more dissatisfied with the chatbot's communication failures were more likely to complain than engage in nWOM. Compared to the generation MZ, chatbot's communication failure caused a higher level of dissatisfaction in previous generations. The results suggest that online shopping malls should carefully introduce an improved chatbot service after minimizing its communication failure rate. The chatbot developers of online shopping malls targeting middle-aged and elderly consumers should strive to develop and implement strategies to further alleviate consumers' dissatisfaction in the situation of chatbot's communication failure.