• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-96
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• 2012

Brand has received much attention from considerable marketing research. When consumers consume product or services, they are exposed to a lot of brand related stimuli. These contain brand personality, brand experience, brand identity, brand communications and so on. A special kind of new crisis occasionally confronting companies' brand management today is the brand related rumor. An important influence on consumers' purchase decision making is the word-of-mouth spread by other consumers and most decisions are influenced by other's recommendations. In light of this influence, firms have reasonable reason to study and understand consumer-to-consumer communication such as brand rumor. The importance of brand rumor to marketers is increasing as the number of internet user and SNS(social network service) site grows. Due to the development of internet technology, people can spread rumors without the limitation of time, space and place. However relatively few studies have been published in marketing journals and little is known about brand rumors in the marketplace. The study of rumor has a long history in all major social science. But very few studies have dealt with the antecedents and consequences of any kind of brand rumor. Rumor has been generally described as a story or statement in general circulation without proper confirmation or certainty as to fact. And it also can be defined as an unconfirmed proposition, passed along from people to people. Rosnow(1991) claimed that rumors were transmitted because people needed to explain ambiguous and uncertain events and talking about them reduced associated anxiety. Especially negative rumors are believed to have the potential to devastate a company's reputation and relations with customers. From the perspective of marketer, negative rumors are considered harmful and extremely difficult to control in general. It is becoming a threat to a company's sustainability and sometimes leads to negative brand image and loss of customers. Thus there is a growing concern that these negative rumors can damage brands' reputations and lead them to financial disaster too. In this study we aimed to distinguish antecedents of brand rumor transmission and investigate the effects of brand rumor characteristics on rumor spread intention. We also found key components in personal acceptance of brand rumor. In contextualist perspective, we tried to unify the traditional psychological and sociological views. In this unified research approach we defined brand rumor's characteristics based on five major variables that had been found to influence the process of rumor spread intention. The five factors of usefulness, source credibility, message credibility, worry, and vividness, encompass multi level elements of brand rumor. We also selected product involvement as a control variable. To perform the empirical research, imaginary Korean 'Kimch' brand and related contamination rumor was created and proposed. Questionnaires were collected from 178 Korean samples. Data were collected from college students who have been experienced the focal product. College students were regarded as good subjects because they have a tendency to express their opinions in detail. PLS(partial least square) method was adopted to analyze the relations between variables in the equation model. The most widely adopted causal modeling method is LISREL. However it is poorly suited to deal with relatively small data samples and can yield not proper solutions in some cases. PLS has been developed to avoid some of these limitations and provide more reliable results. To test the reliability using SPSS 16 s/w, Cronbach alpha was examined and all the values were appropriate showing alpha values between .802 and .953. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted successfully. And structural equation modeling has been used to analyze the research model using smartPLS(ver. 2.0) s/w. Overall, R² of adoption of rumor is .476 and R² of intention of rumor transmission is .218. The overall model showed a satisfactory fit. The empirical results can be summarized as follows. According to the results, the variables of brand rumor characteristic such as source credibility, message credibility, worry, and vividness affect argument strength of rumor. And argument strength of rumor also affects rumor intention. On the other hand, the relationship between perceived usefulness and argument strength of rumor is not significant. The moderating effect of product involvement on the relations between argument strength of rumor and rumor W.O.M intention is not supported neither. Consequently this study suggests some managerial and academic implications. We consider some implications for corporate crisis management planning, PR and brand management. This results show marketers that rumor is a critical factor for managing strong brand assets. Also for researchers, brand rumor should become an important thesis of their interests to understand the relationship between consumer and brand. Recently many brand managers and marketers have focused on the short-term view. They just focused on strengthen the positive brand image. According to this study we suggested that effective brand management requires managing negative brand rumors with a long-term view of marketing decisions.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.209-227
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• 2010

One type of innovative multimedia platform environments is mobile data services (MDS), exemplified by Nate, Show, and OZ. In the context of MDS, enhancing user's continuance intention is a significant challenge to the continuing growth and long-term viability of MDS. Because the cost of using MDS is borne mainly by users, they are likely to evaluate it based on perceptions of what is received and what is given. This study identifies perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment as the 'get'components, and perceived fee and perceived anxiety as the 'give' components. To understand the role of get and give components in the MDS post-adoption environment, this study incorporates these components into expectation confirmation model. We collected data from 204 users who had direct experiences with MDS within recent 3 months. The data was analyzed by employing PLS (partial least squares). Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.213-231
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• 2015

In this paper, I examine whether the listed companies in Korea tend to manage operating cash flows upward via classification shifting after the adoption of K-IFRS. As proxies for cash flow management, I derive a measure of abnormal operating cash flows borrowing from Lee(2012). Alternative proxies include a series of categorical variables designed to identify the types of classification shifting of interest and dividend payments among others, in the statement of cash flows. Higher level of estimated abnormal operating cash flows, and the classification of interest/dividend payments in non-operating activity sections are considered to indicate the managerial intention to maximize reported operating cash flows. I consider several potential incentives to manage operating cash flows, which include financial distress, the credit rating proximity to investment/non-investment cutoff threshold, avoidance of negative or decreasing operating cash flows relative to previous period and so forth. In a series of empirical analyses, I do not find evidence in support of the opportunistic classification shifting explanation, inconsistent with several previous literature in Korea. In contrast, I observe negative associations between the CFO management proxies and selected incentives, which suggest that the classification is likely to represent above average cash flow performance rather than opportunistic motives exercised to maximize reported operating cash flows. I reckon that this observation is, in part, driven by the K-IFRS requirement to maintain temporal consistency in classifying interest and dividend receipts/payments in cash flow statement.

• Informatization Policy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.22-44
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• 2015

With the growing interest being reflected in the FinTech industry, much attention has been paid to mobile easy payment services as well. In the era of mobile commerce, the core advantage of using mobile easy payment services(simplifying complex payment procedures and thus facilitating user convenience and reducing the chance of giving up payment) are being more emphasized. Mobile easy payment service market not only includes mobile easy payment service providers but also users, non-users, affiliates, banks, and credit card companies as main stakeholders. Exploring those stakeholders is thus important to thoroughly understand such market. However, extant literature on mobile easy payment services mostly focuses on examining adoption intention of users or non-users. This study, an exploratory research based on interviews, thus aims to extract driving as well as inhibiting factors of mobile easy payment service use from six different perspectives (i.e., social platform, bank, credit card company, affiliate, user, and non-user) and analyze a sequence of cause and effect for each factor. For this, the causal loop diagram was developed to deduce key issues and propose an alternative. Theoretical and practical implications of this study will also be discussed.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.101-111
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• 2015

The modular construction method has been getting more attention followed by global eco-friendly trend as the domestic construction industry has focused more on remodeling and extension work. The modular construction method is an industrialized construction system which is not likely as the existing construction method it manufactures more than 70% modules at the factory then assembling can be completed in a short amount of time on site. The modular construction method has various strengths; shortening of construction period by on-site work decrease, weight pressure reduction by usage of light steel frames and cost saving by repetitive manufacturing. However, it is currently not expanded due to the existing commercialized construction method. Therefore, this research is in order to help the related authorities make decisions to select the construction method and motivate expansion of modular construction method which can be utilized effectively in the extension works. The intention of this research is to stress differentiation from other construction methods in construction period, construction expenses, labor and forces by comparing and analyzing actual cases, to inform competitiveness of modular construction method by concrete effect analysis and to support adoption of the modular construction method into the domestic industry.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite successes recorded in combating iodine deficiency, more than 2 billion people are still at risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Rural landlocked and mountainous areas of developing countries are the hardest hit, hence the need to explore and advance novel strategies such as biofortification. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We evaluated adoption, purchase, and consumption of iodine biofortified vegetable legumes (IBVL) using the theory of protection motivations (PMT) integrated with an economic valuation technique. A total of 1,200 participants from three land-locked locations in East Africa were recruited via multi-stage cluster sampling, and data were collected using two, slightly distinct, questionnaires incorporating PMT constructs. The survey also elicited preferences for iodine biofortified foods when offered at a premium or discount. Determinants of protection motivations and preferences for iodine biofortified foods were assessed using path analysis modelling and two-limit Tobit regression, respectively. RESULTS: Knowledge of iodine, iodine-health link, salt iodization, and biofortification was very low, albeit lower at the household level. Iodine and biofortification were not recognized as nutrient and novel approaches, respectively. On the other hand, severity, fear, occupation, knowledge, iodine status, household composition, and self-efficacy predicted the intention to consume biofortified foods at the household level; only vulnerability, self-efficacy, and location were the most crucial elements at the school level. In addition, results demonstrated a positive willingness-to-pay a premium or acceptance of a lesser discount for biofortification. Furthermore, preference towards iodine biofortified foods was a function of protection motivations, severity, vulnerability, fear, response efficacy, response cost, knowledge, iodine status, gender, age. and household head. CONCLUSIONS: Results lend support for prevention of iodine deficiency in unprotected populations through biofortification; however 'threat' appraisal and socio-economic predictors are decisive in designing nutrition interventions and stimulating uptake of biofortification. In principle, the contribution is threefold: 1) Successful application of the integrated model to guide policy formulation; 2) Offer guidance to stakeholders to identify and tap niche markets; 3) stimulation of rural economic growth around school feeding programmes.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.142-159
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• 2023

As the core technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution are introduced into luxury hotels, they are taking off as cultural and experiential spaces that provide new products and services to hotel users and new experiences. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of hotel users' perception of the experience of using technological amenity services on their trust and satisfaction, focusing on luxury hotels as smart hotel to identify the essential factors of smart hotels that can lead to continuous competitive advantage and improvements in the future. In addition, the study aimed to find an effective hotel marketing strategy and plan to satisfaction the smart hotel by maximizing customer satisfaction. To verify the research hypothesis, a survey was conducted targeting hotel users with experience using technological amenities in smart hotels within the last two years. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that all hypotheses were adopted except for the relationship between personification, intention to use technical amenities, and perceived performance expectations and satisfaction with smart hotels. Based on these research results, this paper presents theoretical and practical implications. Smart hotels are rapidly changing by introducing various smart technologies. Therefore, it will be meaningful data for securing a sustainable competitive advantage and establishing differentiated hotel management and marketing strategies.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.23-43
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• 2021

Due to the recent transition to a non-face-to-face society, many organizations are quickly adapting to foster a smart work environment. The introduction of smart work does not simply end with incorporating ICT systems or solutions into business models since fundamental factors such as forms of employment and work styles need to be in line with the progression of technological advances. However, previous studies regarding smart work focus on improvements in productivity and efficiency from a technology acceptance perspective. Therefore, there is a lack of discussion on innovation resistance from employees and management control when ICT systems are introduced into the workplace. This study empirically analyzes the moderating effects of the organizational control method for employees and innovation resistance within a smart work environment. Additionally, this study aims to identify the structural characteristics that employees resist from an innovation resistance perspective when organizational innovation occurs. The empirical analysis of this study suggests that when smart work such as ICT technology is introduced into the workplace the level of innovation resistance decreases when there is a high level of relative advantage and self-efficacy, whereas the level of innovation resistance increases when there is a high level of use complexity. Moreover, this study revealed that the level of innovation resistance increases when the employees' behaviors were controlled. The results of this study intend to contribute to improving business management by suggesting factors worth considering when incorporating smart work into work places through a thorough case analysis.

• The Journal of Art Theory & Practice
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• no.1
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• pp.109-144
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• 2003

Orientalness is a concept that expresses the collective identity of the Orient in relation to the West. The concept itself is mutable and defined by the relationship between the two regions at different points in time. Changes in the concept depend on a number of factors, such as cultural influence, the political balance of power between the two regions, and on the interpretative scheme that defines the relationship. In addition, the geographical notion of the concept evolves culturally, socially and politically. During this process, Oriental-ness becomes Oriental-ism at times. I will attempt to survey and measure the progression of Orientalness from its emergence in early 17th century to its subsequent transformation in modern Korea as reflected in art theory and art works. The recognition of the comparative characteristics of Oriental art began when the Orient was exposed to the art of the West in the late Ming dynasty during the early 17th century. The changes in the artistic climate in China affected the late Chosun. I will start with a brief introduction of this time and the birth of Orientalness. The concept gradually changed during the period of Enlightenment(開化期) towards the end of the 19th century, and during the colonial period( 1910-1945) it took on a new form. Establishment of the concept of "Orient"as a single, unifying concept spanning across cultures and national boundaries has been attributed to late Meiji period Japan, whose intention at that time is believed to have been to build a pan-Asia(亞細亞) empire with Japan at its commanding center. It has been stressed that the real motive behind the formation of one single cultural unit, where the shared common written language was Chinese and Confucianism and Taoism were the common metaphysical traditions, was to build one political unit. When the notion of a geographical unit of Asia was replaced by the concept of Asia as a cultural and political unit, a massive growth of interest and discourse were provoked around the concept of Orientalism. When Orientalism was being formulated, Korea automatically became member of "one Asia" when the country became colonized. For Koreans, the identity of the Orient had to be defined in cultural terms, as the political notion of a nation was non-existent at that time. The definition of identity was pursued at two levels, pan-Asian and local. If Orientalism was an elite discourse centered in pan-Asian philosophical and religious tradition, localized Orientalism was a popular discourse emphasizing locality as the byproduct of natural geographic condition. After the liberation in 1945 from colonial rule, a thrust of movement arose towards political nationalism. Two types of discourses on Orientalism, elite and popular, continued as central themes in art. Despite the effort to redefine the national identity by eradicating the cultural language of the colonial past, the past was enduring well into the present time. As discussed above, even when the painting themes were selected from Korean history, the tradition of using history painting as a manifestation of political policy to glorify the local identity had its founding during the Meiji period. The elevation of folk art to the level of high art also goes back to the colonial promotion of local color and local sentiment. Again, the succession of the past (colonial) ideal was defended as the tradition assumed a distinct modern shape that was abstract in style. The concept of the "Orient" is of relative and changing nature. It was formulated in relation to Western culture or civilization. Whatever the real motive of the adoption of them had been, the superiority of the Orient was emphasized at all times. The essence of the Orient was always perceived as the metaphysical tradition as a way to downgrade Western culture as materialistic. This view still prevails and the principle of Orient was always sought in Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Even when Orientalism was employed by imperialist Japan in an effort to establish her position as the center of the Orient, the spiritual source was still in Chinese philosophy and religion. In art also, the Chinese literati tradition became the major platform for elite discourse. Orientalism was also defined locally, and the so-called local color was pursued in terms of theme and style. Thus trend continued despite the effort to eradicate the remnants of colonial culture long after liberation. These efforts are now being supported politically and also institutionalized to become the aesthetic ideal of the modern Korean art.