• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.271-286
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• 2023

The global COVID-19 pandemic has transformed face masks from situational accessories to indispensable items in daily life, prompting a shift in public perception and behavior. While the relaxation of mandatory mask-wearing regulations is underway, a significant number of individuals continue to embrace face masks, turning them into a form of personal expression and identity. This phenomenon has given rise to the Fashion Mask industry, characterized by unique designs and colors, experiencing rapid growth in the market. However, existing research on masks is predominantly focused on their efficacy in preventing infection or exploring attitudes during the pandemic, leaving a gap in understanding consumer preferences for mask design. We address this gap by investigating consumer perceptions and preferences for two prevalent mask designs-horizontal fold flat masks and vertical fold flat masks. Through a comprehensive approach involving surveys and eye-tracking experiments, we aim to unravel the subtle differences in how consumers perceive these designs. Our research questions focus on determining which design is more appealing and exploring the reasons behind any observed differences. The study's findings reveal a clear preference for vertical fold flat masks, which are not only preferred but also perceived as unique, sophisticated, three-dimensional, and lively. The eye-tracking analysis provides insights into the visual attention patterns associated with mask designs, highlighting the pivotal role of the fold line in influencing these patterns. This research contributes to the evolving understanding of masks as a fashion statement and provides valuable insights for manufacturers and marketers in the Fashion Mask industry. The results have implications beyond the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of design elements in sustaining consumer interest in face masks.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.559-568
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify the socio-psychological variables and demographic factors influencing the difficulty people may have in discarding fashion goods. In addition, differences of disposal behavior were investigated according to the degree of reported difficulty with which people discarded fashion goods. A total of 260 survey questionnaires were analyzed. Frequency, correlation, exploratory factor analysis, reliability, t-test and multiple regression analyses were used for data analysis using SPSS 22.0. The study results were as follows. First, the difficulty of discarding of fashion goods was positively affected by concern for the environment and the potential for creative reuse of fashion goods, whereas it was not influenced by interdependence. Second, there were differences in the difficulty with which people discarded fashion goods according to demographic factors such as gender and whether or not they held certain religious beliefs; however, there were no differences among other demographic factors. Third, the group demonstrating a high degree of difficulty in discarding fashion goods preferred certain disposal behaviors such as donating to religious organizations, schools, charities etc., exchanging with other people or bartering, reforming for other purposes, selling to secondhand shops or on the internet, storing without wearing it, or discarding it after salvaging reusable parts. The results of this study provide various guidelines for consumers and retailers of fashion products who are interested in the efficient disposal of fashion goods.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Social commerce is a kind of internet shopping mall in which consumers purchase the products with other consumers through mutual interactions including the development of SNS(social network service). Social commerce has expanded rapidly as a mainstream online shopping mall over the past five years driving consumers to purchase more fashion products providing the cheaper prices than open market internet shopping mall. The purpose of this study is to identify the important parameters of social commerce characteristics and consumer characteristics that affect repurchase intention and word-of-mouth intention. A 221 survey questionnaire was distributed to men in their 20's and 30's who live in Seoul metropolitan area. The data were analyzed utilizing Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, factor analysis, and regression analysis using the SPSS 18.0 program. The results revealed, first, that in terms of social commerce characteristics, three variables(website reputation, interactivity, and product scarcity) influenced repurchase intention. Among them, website reputation identified as the most important factor influencing repurchase intention and word-of-mouth intention. Second, with regard to consumer characteristics, interest and a tendency toward impulse buying affected the repurchase intention, and interest and internet shopping experience have influenced the word-of-mouth intention. Among three variables interest in social commerce identified as the key factor affecting both repurchase intention and word-of-mouth intention. The results of the study provide the practical implications and suggest the business strategies to enhance social commerce in the future by identifying the key social commerce characteristics and consumer characteristics that influence male consumers' buying behaviors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.88-103
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• 2018

Message sidedness of fashion salespersons on consumer behavior with the consideration of the mediating roles of trust and cognitive efforts, and the moderation of a regulatory focus of consumers. Two scenarios were devised, a single message in which a salesperson explains only the advantages of a product to customers, and the second with a double message that explains both the advantages and drawbacks of the product. The results showed that participants trusted a fashion salesperson more and perceived stronger cognitive effort for two-sided messages. The two-sided messages mediated the consumer's trust in the salesperson and cognitive effort, and influenced consumers' buying behavior. This study also found that salesperson trust was stronger in the two-sided messages scenario than in the one-sided message scenario, regardless of consumers' focused preference, and that it was more effective for promotion focus customers. The analysis of the results on consumers' cognitive effort indicated that prevention focused customers did not exhibit any difference in cognitive effort concerning two-sided messages. However, promotion focused customers exhibited an increased cognitive effort in the two-sided message scenario than in the one-sided message scenario. Marketing implications were discussed based on the findings.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.251-262
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• 2016

This study analyzes the relation of the consumption values and ethical fashion consumption behavior as well as other influential factors between Korean and German ethical consumers based on the 'Modified Theory of Planned Behavior.' A survey was conducted on female consumers in their 20s and 30s, who experienced ethical fashion consumption in Seoul and Berlin. A factor analysis, reliability analysis, F -test and multiple regression analysis were performed for model verification. The research results indicated that emotional value (in case of Korea) and functional value out of consumption values (in case of Germany) have significant effects in regards to the influence of consumption values on ethical self-identity. The effects of ethical self-identity on ethical fashion consumption behavior indicated that Korean ethical self-identity influenced the ethical fashion consumption behavior of moderating and simplicity and eco-friendly certification versus local consumption as well as above factors (in case of Germany) explained by ethical self-identity. Both variables had a negative moderating effect in Korea in regards to the moderating effects of social comparison and materialism in the relations of ethical self-identity and ethical fashion consumption behavior; however, only materialism was an influential factor in Germany. The results of the research variables by individualism/collectivism indicated that the horizontal-collectivism group showed the highest ethical self-identity along with the lowest materialism tendency that had a high point of consumption behavior towards local consumption. However, the vertical-individualism group was outstanding. The consumption behavior aimed at moderating and simplicity.

• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.5 s.67
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• pp.203-212
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• 2006

With interests and participation in the costumeplay that mimics characters appeared on carton or animation in recent days, the costumeplay becomes one of cultural phenomena. Using a qualitative research method, this study identified costumeplayers' costume consumption pattern and explored its meanings from the perspective of consumption culture. Indeed, this study intended to help for understanding costumeplayer group as a consumer, and to provide basic knowledge about new market analysis related to fashion design and marketing. The results from the analyzing participant observation and in-depth interviews data are as follows: first, costumeplayers usually begin costumeplay by friends' invitations or by themselves and then continue on participating. Through the costumeplay, participants have benefits such as fun, departure from the daily life, and social interaction. Second, participants acquire costumes through purchase, rent, producing or combination of daily wear, but both purchase and rent account high. Third, the meanings of consumption culture in costumeplay include consumption behavior repeating possession and disposal. Also, costumeplayers concerns efficiency when purchasing or renting the costumes, and internet is a place where information search, comparison, and actual purchasing are occurred. Based on the results, fashion design and marketing implication, limitation of this study and further research ideas were suggested.