• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.527-541
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• 2020

Consumers' favorable attitude toward ethical brands, and the rise of ethical consumers, is a recent global trend. Nevertheless, prior studies have emerged that favoring ethical products does not necessarily lead to consumers' purchase. Focusing on this, authors attempted to explore what perceptions of the brand lead to purchase behavior. Three experiments were conducted for this purpose. Results are as follows. First, even in ethical products, consumers choose the product when it is perceived as more ethical. This tendency has been shown for both eco-friendly type and donation type products. Second, when there was no noticeable difference in ethicality, ethical consumers consider brand reputation as an important factor in choice. Third, results remains regardless of consumer individual characteristics (consumer altruism, conspicuousness). Note that, unexpectedly, the underdog effect was not observed among altruistic consumers. Several implications, limitations of research, and suggestions for future research were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.505-526
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• 2012

The purpose of this research is to investigate changes in ethical consumption practices after taking an undergraduate course 'Consumption and Ethics'. Through Qualitative & Quantitative research methods, students' pre-course and post-course attitudes were compared to understand changes in behavior. Before taking the course 'Consumption and Ethics', undergraduate participants displayed little regard for ethical consumption, instead displaying primary sensitivity to price and values based on self-centered and conspicuous consumption. After taking the course 'Consumption and Ethics', participants displayed a more altruistic awareness of consumption on society and the environment. In addition, participants displayed a stronger sense of pride as ethical consumer. These emerging values were contrasted with conflicting feelings resulting from the higher prices often associated with ethical products, feelings of regret resulting from ethically-based impulse purchases, and an inability to categorically evaluate the reliability of available information on the ethical products. However, participants demonstrated a willingness to practice ethical consumption and recommend ethical consumption to their friends and neighbors. Overall, participants in the study demonstrated a strong shift to be an ethical consumer as a result of taking the course 'Consumption and Ethics'.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.25-57
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• 2012

This study identified motives for writing apparel product reviews in online stores, and determined what motives increase the behavior of writing reviews. It also classified store customers based on the type of writing motives, and clarified the characteristics of internet purchase behavior and of a demographic profile. Data were collected from 252 females aged 20s' and 30s' who have experience of reading and writing reviews on online shopping. The five types of writing motives were altruistic information sharing, remedying of a grievance and vengeance, economic incentives, helping new product development, and the expression of satisfaction feelings. Among five motives, altruistic information sharing, economic incentives, and helping new product development stimulate writing reviews. Store customers who write reviews were classified into three groups based on their writing motive types: Other consumer advocates(29.8%), self-interested shoppers(40.5%) and shoppers with moderate motives(29.8%). There were significant differences among three groups in writing behavior (the frequency of writing reviews, writing intent of reviews, duration of writing reviews, and frequency of online shopping) and age. Based on results, managerial implications were suggested. Long Abstract : The purpose of present study is to identify the types of writing motives on online shopping, and to clarify the motives affecting the behavior of writing reviews. This study also classifies online shoppers based on the motive types, and identifies the characteristics of the classified groups in terms of writing behavior, frequency of online shopping, and demographics. Use and Gratification Theory was adopted in this study. Qualitative research (focus group interview) and quantitative research were used. Korean women(20 to 39 years old) who reported experience with purchasing clothing online, and reading and writing reviews were selected as samples(n=252). Most of the respondents were relatively young (20-34yrs., 86.1%,), single (61.1%), employed(61.1%) and residents living in big cities(50.9%). About 69.8% of respondents read and 40.5% write apparel reviews frequently or very frequently. 24.6% of the respondents indicated an "average" in their writing frequency. Based on the qualitative result of focus group interviews and previous studies on motives for online community activities, measurement items of motives for writing after-purchase reviews were developed. All items were used a five-point Likert scale with endpoints 1 (strongly disagree) and 5 (strongly agree). The degree of writing behavior was measured by items concerning experience of writing reviews, frequency of writing reviews, amount of writing reviews, and intention of writing reviews. A five-point scale(strongly disagree-strongly agree) was employed. SPSS 18.0 was used for exploratory factor analysis, K-means cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA(Scheffe test) and ${\chi}^2$-test. Confirmatory factor analysis and path model analysis were conducted by AMOS 18.0. By conducting principal components factor analysis (varimax rotation, extracting factors with eigenvalues above 1.0) on the measurement items, five factors were identified: Altruistic information sharing, remedying of a grievance and vengeance, economic incentives, helping new product development, and expression of satisfaction feelings(see Table 1). The measurement model including these final items was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis. The measurement model had good fit indices(GFI=.918, AGFI=.884, RMR=.070, RMSEA=.054, TLI=.941) except for the probability value associated with the ${\chi}^2$ test(${\chi}^2$=189.078, df=109, p=.00). Convergent validities of all variables were confirmed using composite reliability. All SMC values were found to be lower than AVEs confirming discriminant validity. The path model's goodness-of-fit was greater than the recommended limits based on several indices(GFI=.905, AGFI=.872, RMR=.070, RMSEA=.052, TLI=.935; ${\chi}^2$=260.433, df=155, p=.00). Table 2 shows that motives of altruistic information sharing, economic incentives and helping new product development significantly increased the degree of writing product reviews of online shopping. In particular, the effect of altruistic information sharing and pursuit of economic incentives on the behavior of writing reviews were larger than the effect of helping new product development. As shown in table 3, online store shoppers were classified into three groups: Other consumer advocates (29.8%), self-interested shoppers (40.5%), and moderate shoppers (29.8%). There were significant differences among the three groups in the degree of writing reviews (experience of writing reviews, frequency of writing reviews, amount of writing reviews, intention of writing reviews, and duration of writing reviews, frequency of online shopping) and age. For five aspects of writing behavior, the group of other consumer advocates who is mainly comprised of 20s had higher scores than the other two groups. There were not any significant differences between self-interested group and moderate group regarding writing behavior and demographics.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.119-128
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• 2024

Purpose: his study examines the effect of message valence on consumer perceptions of sales messages and salesperson evaluations in retail contexts. In contrast to previous studies on the negativity effect, it examines the positivity effect, which implies that the effect of positive information may outweigh that of negative information in certain situations. In addition, the current research examines how the content of the sales message influences consumers' perceptions of salespeople. Research design and methodology: The study presents an analytical model in which a potentially altruistic salesperson transmits quality information as a form of cheap talk. Several predictions were derived from the model and then empirically tested in two experiments. Results: When the sales message is about relatively less expensive products, positive information can be more credible and diagnostic than negative information. In addition, positive sales messages about the less expensive products signal the salesperson's benevolence. Conclusion: This paper is one of the few studies to predict and empirically test the positivity effect. It also contributes to the literature on trust in salespeople by showing that message valence influences buyers' perceptions of salespeople.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.162-180
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• 2019

This study examined the effects of value-in-behavior toward pro-social consumption behavior on consumers' pro-social practices and the moderating effects of consumer's social capital based on trust and reciprocity that enhances collective actions to seek socially common values. The result showed that the value-in-behavior toward pro-social consumption was positive in general, and altruistic value was the highest, followed by emotional value, social value, and functional value. The pro-social behaviors of age groups were significantly different. In all pro-social behaviors, the older group was more active, except for the rejection of the unfair business. The result also showed that the functional value and emotional value have significant effects on consumer's pro-social practices. The interaction effects between trust and emotional value and between reciprocity and functional value were significant. Based on these results, the theoretical and practical implications for facilitating the transition to the direction of consumer's role in making positive social impacts.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2017

Purpose - This study attempts to extend the research in responsible luxury by identifying contexts where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can promote luxury brands' evaluation. It contributes to the literature on consumer responses to CSR, and to responsible luxury in particular and demonstrates how dispositional consensus and luxury-CSR information of luxury brands affects consumers' evaluation of brand. Research design, data, and methodology - An experiment was conducted to test the relationship between brand evaluation and responsible luxury brands' CSR information using collected data through a survey in a large university of South Korea. Study conditions were manipulated with various product types to analyze the relationship in different product domains. Results - When consensus regarding sincere and altruistic motive of companies for CSR activity is high, the perceived fit between luxury brand and the type of CSR has no effect on brand evaluation. But, in case of lower consensus regarding the benevolent company motives, higher fit enhances evaluation than lower fit. Conclusions - In using consensus as a guiding factor to choose the type of charity with favorably view, the level of irrespective fit can help luxury firms to enjoy the benefits of better image. In case of low consensus donating to charities that are closely related to the brands' product or area of business seems to be fruitful.

• Journal of Venture Innovation
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.123-139
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• 2024

In the rapidly expanding live-commerce market, one of the newer channels in e-commerce, consumer satisfaction appears to have plateaued. This study, therefore, aims to explore the impact of consumers' internal psychological states on the formation of service attitudes and offers practical solutions based on these findings. Whereas previous studies predominantly focused on external factors, this research examines the role of internal psychological states and perceived value in shaping consumer attitudes. Specifically, this study distinguishes between personal loneliness and social isolation, adding an altruistic dimension by incorporating interpersonal orientation, thereby setting it apart from earlier research. The focus of this study is on the psychological conditions of live-commerce consumers, investigating how factors such as loneliness, social isolation, and interpersonal orientation influence service attitudes, moderated by perceived economic value. The analysis reveals that both social isolation and interpersonal orientation significantly affect service attitudes, with social isolation exerting a stronger influence. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between loneliness and service attitude. Additionally, the effects of social isolation and interpersonal orientation on service attitudes were moderated by perceived economic value, which amplified their influence. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating consumer-centric psychological factors when developing strategies. A tailored approach that aligns with the unique characteristics of the live-commerce channel can help businesses provide customized services. This strategic approach is expected to support the development of effective operational strategies and practical solutions not only for live-commerce but also for future two-way communication channels that businesses and small enterprises may leverage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.159-173
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• 2013

This research investigates the mechanism of ethical fashion consumption by examining the effects of benefit and risk perception on ethical fashion consumption attitudes and behavioral intention. To test the hypotheses, 300 female consumers between the ages of 20 and 49 were invited as study participants. The reliability and the validity of multi-item constructs were tested by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The hypotheses were tested by utilizing Structural Equation Analysis and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The benefit perception of ethical consumption was composed of three benefit types, which were altruistic benefit, social image benefit, and self-oriented benefit. Benefit perception, except social image benefit, had significant effects on consumer attitudes towards ethical fashion consumption; similarly, benefit perception had significant effects on behavioral intention (except self-oriented benefit) which had an effect on behavioral intention only when it was mediated by attitudes. Further analysis was conducted to understand the reason for the weak relationship between attitudes and behavioral intention. Financial and performance risk perceptions were tested for the moderating roles of attitudes and behavioral intention; subsequently, only financial risk interacted with attitudes and showed that the positive effects of attitudes on behavioral intention were weakened by a high financial risk perception. Performance risk had a main effect on behavioral intention independent of attitudes. Managerial implication and future study directions are also discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.143-154
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• 2008

This paper considers option and non-use values of rail services. The total economic value of a given transport service can be classified into use, option and non-use values, other grouping rules can be applied though. The use value is the consumer's surplus from the actual rides of a specific mode. The option value, on the other hand, can be defined as a traveler's willingness to pay for reserving a travel mode, which is not his or her main choice, as a standby alternative. Finally, the non-use value represents benefits that are not attributable to the actual use or option use, but to the vicarious, altruistic, functional and existing worth of a transport service. A stated preference survey based on a double-bounded dichotomous choice is conducted. A survival model is applied to the data collected. Calculations of trip makers' willingness to pay for option and non-use values are based on the parameters of the estimated survival model. Some suggestions for transport appraisal are also presented.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.61-78
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the resource transfer process from female baby boomers to their children who have gotten married or plan on getting married. The following research questions were explored. (1)To what extent have female baby boomers been transferring their resources to their children supporting marriage or vice versa? (2)What are the opinions of female baby boomers on future resource transfer plans to their children? (3)What are the opinions of female baby boomers on supporting themselves in their old age, and those of their children on supporting their aging parents? In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 female baby boomers who were born between 1955 to 1963. A case study research method was used to analyze the interview results. The findings were as follows. First, economic resource was the most common type of resources that the interviewees transferred to their children. Those who could not transfer their economic resources instead transferred their instrumental resources. Second, it was anticipated that the current trend of interviewees' resource transfers would be similar in the future. In other words, those who used to transfer a large amount of economic resources to their children showed their willingness to do the same in the future. Third, the interviewees did not expect support from their children, but rather were trying to prepare for their old age by themselves. Based on the overall results, the female baby boomers' transferring economic resources to their children implied that they took responsibility for their children. This appears to stem more from to altruistic motivation than reciprocal motivation. Moreover, it can be cautiously concluded that female baby boomers have different perspectives on the transfer of their resources from male's since the interviewees had different opinions on it from their husbands'.