• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.83-94
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate effective expression method of performance information of functional clothing and preferred alternatives for the categorized consumer groups according to the perception about the functional outdoor jacket. 472 males and females in their 20s-60s' were surveyed and their answers were analysed and categorized by using SPSS 21.0 statistical program. For the study, four different expression methods for waterproof & breathable fabric, 'illustration only', 'illustration+Korean text', 'illustration+foreign text', and 'chart with Korean text', were presented and asked for finding correct answers. The analysis was done for three categorized consumer groups from the former study, 'unconversant/brand & design pursuing group', 'conversant/function pursuing group' and 'high price/high function preferring group'. The results showed that regardless of groups, 'picture only' was the most preferred method and 'graph' was the least. However, the percentage of correct answers for the 'graph' was the biggest, especially for 'conversant/function pursuing group'. It implied that the effective expression method should be differentiated depending on the target consumer groups. 'Conversant/function pursuing group' more agreed on the need for additional information, such as 'after-washed performance', than other two groups.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.75-86
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• 2015

As a part of integrated study for technical communication between consumer and manufacturer of functional clothing, functional clothing consumers were categorized based on their perception of the functional outdoor jacket and the differences in the source of information and use of hang-tag were examined according to the groups. Questionnaire survey was conducted on 472 males and females in their 20s to 60s, who have experience of purchasing functional outdoor jackets. Perception of functional outdoor jackets was classified into four factors ('functionality', 'price', 'experience/knowledge' and 'brand/design') and the respondents were categorized into three groups according to the factors: 'unconversant/brand & design pursuing group', 'conversant/function pursuing group' and 'high-priced products preferring group'. 'Unconversant/brand & design pursuing group' was composed of high rate of office workers and students in their 20s and 30s who use internet most frequently as source of information while 'conversant/function pursuing group' was composed of high rate of professionals in their 40s and 50s who make the most frequent use of information on hang-tag. 'High-priced products preferring group', which has high rate of the elderly in their 60s and housewives, obtain their information mainly from salespersons. 'Unconversant/brand & design pursuing group' was satisfied with functional information more than other two groups and 'conversant/function pursuing group' concerned for the hang-tag and required more explanation of terminology used in hang-tag. The results effectively explained the features of consumer groups and their different responses toward the information of functional outdoor jacket.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.800-810
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• 2014

In this study, the current status of product information of functional outdoor jackets in the hang-tags was investigated in perspective of consumer protection. Effectiveness and preferred alternatives to hang-tag information were also investigated. For the market survey, 1560 hang-tags from 676 functional outdoor jackets were investigated. For the effectiveness and preferred alternatives, 472 adults in their 20-60's were surveyed. The average number of hang-tags was 2.3 but 5.9% did not provide any product information. The contents included functional property of fabric; quality guarantee; brand introduction; product characteristics; instructions for care/usage; subsidiary material information, and they were different depending on end-use of jackets. Consumers strongly wanted explanations of the terms used in the hang-tag and could not accurately figure out the functions of the products from hang-tag information regardless of expression methods. The percentage of incorrect answer of 'figure/foreign language' method was extremely high. It is a noticeable feature of graph method that customers perceived that the graph was difficult to understand, but the percentage of correct answers was much higher than other methods, implying that graph method was possibly more useful at delivering accurate information to the customers who pursuit information. Customers strongly agreed to need of alternative methods and preferred an unified performance grade from selected functions based on the end-use of products. Customers also wanted to include the information of performance change after laundering. The results could provide practical insights to the consumers, companies, and the government to prepare proper guideline/policies for consumer protection.