• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.65-76
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• 2015

Purpose - This article aims to present and test a model regarding franchisors' supporting activities that may positively influence franchisees' attitude toward the franchising headquarter and their own business performance. Moreover, the authors examine the moderating effect of competitive intensity between franchisee attitude and business performance. Most previous research focused on behavioral performance measurements such as satisfaction, trust, and commitment. There are few empirical studies that focus on financial performance data because it is difficult to determine a relational mechanism between behavioral and financial performance. Moreover, financial data is confidential and difficult to collect in many cases. However, this study measures financial performance (e.g., sales revenue per square meter) differently than most previous research, which is mostly focused on the behavioral performance measurements. Research design, data, and methodology - To test our hypotheses, we selected 137 franchisee managers who are running chains of one of the foremost bakery franchise brands in South Korea. This study carefully investigated the reliability, content validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the proposed instrument by analyzing the data obtained from the samples. The data was analyzed using the AMOS structural equation modeling program. Results - The results indicated that: non-financial support activities (e.g., information exchange and communication) had a positive impact on the franchisee attitude toward the franchising headquarter. The franchisee attitude in turn had a positive effect on the headquarters' business performance. Furthermore, competitive intensity could enhance the relationship between franchisee attitude toward franchising headquarter and business performance in a local franchise market. However, financial support activities (e.g., rewards and promotional support) and training had no relationship with either franchisee attitude or business performance. Conclusions - This study provides some practical implications to franchisors in terms of franchise operation and store opening strategies. With respect to the franchise operation strategy, franchisors need to focus on non-financial rather than financial support. Most franchisees consider the necessity of financial support activities and not their sufficiency because these activities are specified in their franchise contract. In addition, it is important for franchisees to maintain a positive attitude for the franchise headquarters. The franchisees with a positive attitude for the franchisor can show a high degree of solidarity for various support activities, and it consequently determines franchisees' sales performance. In terms of franchise store opening strategy, this study suggests an additional criterion that can be considered in determining the location of direct and non-direct management stores (e.g., franchisees' stores). In this research, franchise stores located within high level of competitive intensity are shown to have a high relationship between franchisee attitudes of franchisor support activities and business performance compared to the franchisees located within low competitive intensity level. This result shows that opening non-direct franchise stores is more effective than direct stores in higher competitive market situations. Research contribution, implications, and further research directions are discussed at the end of the paper.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.382-390
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• 2016

This study has investigated the status and overview of design characteristics of customized shoes, which receives much recognition at domestic and overseas markets. Based on the market research on current consumer lifestyle and needs of the custom-shoes(which is an abbreviation of customized shoes), this study has provided its development directions, views and demands. The design types of custom-shoes have been broadly divide into two: firstly 'style centered custom-shoes'; secondly 'function centered custom-shoes'. Style centered custom-shoes are specifically divided into 3 types; first, formal custom-shoes; second, sports and casual custom-shoes; and lastly, bespoke shoes. Function centered custom-shoes design refers to enhancing the function of personal soleprint which has to be designed by delicately detailed insole and outsole, rather than alignment of exterior parts of the shoes. These are used in professional sports shoes and also include orthopedics footwear and grafted footwear for people who have disabled on foot. Custom footwear market has been highly expanded and has entered value-added market according to increasing interest in foot health and shopping trends on shoes buying like taking shoes as personal expression in accordance with a variety of places and situations. In the near future, custom-shoes can be produced in a couple of days due to the technological advance of 3D scanners and 3D printers. This phenomenon will wants more demands of specific shoes experts such as custom-design consultants or shoes fitting experts, who can overcome limitations of online custom-shoes stores.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.89-103
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• 2020

When people feel powerless (with losing control), they show compensatory behaviors to get out of this state. The actions to compensate for powerlessness have been studied in the contexts of products or brands, but this study focuses on compensatory behaviors when using social media. Social media, which can express consumers' selves freely, has become a platform for self-expansion. It has been confirmed that the possibility of relieving psychological powerlessness through self-expression on social media exists. Therefore, we examined how people who felt powerless showed compensatory behaviors on social media. According to the analysis, consumer's powerlessness does not directly affect narcissistic self-expression on social media. However, it is derived as being fully mediated by the feeling of anxiety. The more anxious consumers feel, the more narcissistic they express themselves by posting photos of themselves with luxury brand objects that can show social power or authority. In other words, when consumers experience social powerlessness coupled with anxiety, they are likely to show compensatory consumption behaviors such as narcissistic self-expression in order to make their images cool and luxurious and draw others' attention on social media. We confirm that the compensatory consumption due to consumers' powerlessness, which leads to having anxiety, can appear in ways of presenting narcissistic selves on social media.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.141-160
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• 2020

This study provides a new perspective on the effect of social media marketing activities (SMMA) on purchase intention in Korean cosmetic firms. The increasing use of social media has changed how firms engage their brand with consumers. This phenomenon triggered a need for this research to examine further the influence of SMMA on social brand engagement (SBE), brand equity (BE), and purchase intention (PI). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of SMMA on purchase intention in Korean cosmetic firms with brand equity and social brand engagement. The factors of SMMA were identified based on previous literature reviews that have an impact on social media marketing activity. To empirically test the effects of SMMA, this study conducted a questionnaire survey on 219 social media users for data analysis out of the initial 332 survey data. The results reveal that all five SMMA elements are positively related to BE, SBE, and PI. The study enables cosmetic brands to forecast the future purchasing behavior of their customers more accurately and brings clarity to manage their assets and marketing activities as well.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 1985

The purpose of this study was to examine the thermal diffusion through bases and restorations. The three principle types of base and two restorative materials were included in this study. They were representive brands of a zinc phosphate cement, a zinc oxide-eugenol cement, a calcium hydroxide paste, an amalgam and a composite resin (table 1). The specimens were prepared by placing the bases or restorative materials in laminated plastic molds. 5-mm diameter holes were prepared in the center of square of plastics which were 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0mm thick respectively (fig. 1). All materials were manipulated in accordance with manufacturer's recommended proportions. All experimental procedures were carried out dividing them into eight different groups (table 2). Thermal diffusion was measured by means of digital thermometer (DP-100, RKC. instrument Inc. JAPAN) with the surface thermocouple placed on bottom surface of the specimen applying a constant source of heat and cold to the top surface of the each specimen. The thermal stimulus temperature applied on the each specimen surface was in the range of $60^{\circ}C$, $0^{\circ}C$ and $-50^{\circ}C$ respectively. The thermal change were recorded automatically on the multi-Pen recorder (R-16, Rikadenki, Co. JAPAN) connected with thermocouple tips which were centered on the bottom of the specimen. The following results were as follows, 1. Temperature diffusion was highest through amalgam and slowest through the composite resin. 2. As the thickness of restorations increased, the temperature change was decreased. 3. Thermal diffusion was slowest in the presence of zinc oxide-eugenol bases, followed by calcium hydroxide and zinc phosphate cement. 4. The efficiency of the cement bases in providing thermal insulation was dependent on their thickness beneath the restorations. 5. Thermal change was great in the range of $60^{\circ}C$ and $-50^{\circ}C$, but little in the range of $0^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.79-86
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• 2015

Purpose - The cosmetics industry is a traditional high value-added industry in terms of the domestic demand, small batch production systems, exclusive competition, and raw materials highly dependent on overseas countries as well as an oligopolistic market structure. However, new foreign brands and growing consumer awareness of inexpensive products, has triggered a shift. In line with changing lifestyles and the polarization of consumption, the industry faces a new market structure. Among its key characteristics is the cosmetics industry's numerous distribution channels (i.e., department stores, door-to-door sales, online shopping malls, brand shops, and discount stores). Therefore, the study of its distribution channels is essential. Research design, data, and methodology - The study analyzed channel distribution power divided into coercive and non-coercive power. The factors of coercive power included: unilateral request of an increase in commissions, interference in sales by taking advantage of a superior status, unilateral buck-passing at the time of a problem, unilateral request to stop sales activities, and a unilateral business contract; the factors of non-coercive power included favorable payment conditions, offers of various kinds of information, policy on commission reduction, pride in market entrance, and promotion support. In addition, the mediating variable "interdependence" was applied to the execution of department store (or mart) power and their shop conflicts and satisfaction to examine direct and indirect influential power. The methodology was a survey of managers of cosmetics shops in department stores (or marts). The questionnaire, based on a five-point Likert scale, included questions about basic personal information, execution of power, interdependence, conflict, and satisfaction. The study distributed 198 questionnaires and collected 131. Ten questionnaires with missing or hard to analyze data were excluded. Thus, 121 copies were analyzed. Results - According to the analysis, the execution of coercive power by department stores (or marts) did not affect interdependence, but the execution of non-coercive power did. Interdependence did not influence conflict, but did affect satisfaction. Additionally, the analysis revealed direct influential power: the execution of coercive power positively affected conflict and negatively influenced satisfaction; the execution of non-coercive power positively affected satisfaction. Conclusions - To offer suggestions for distribution business relations in the cosmetics industry, this study investigated how the execution of power by department stores (or marts) affected their shops. More specifically, it examined how much the execution of both coercive power and non-coercive power influenced conflict and satisfaction, and analyzed the mediating role of interdependence. In line with previous study results in various areas, coercive power was shown to be the source of conflict, leading to a decrease in satisfaction, whereas non-coercive power significantly positively influenced satisfaction. Moreover, non-coercive power increased interdependence, which led to greater satisfaction. As a result, interdependence had a mediating effect on non-coercive power and satisfaction. Based on the results, department stores (or marts) should look for improvements plans that increase interdependence. Such plans could alleviate conflict with the shops, increasing their satisfaction.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.71-77
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• 2012

Purpose - This study examined marketing communication in traditional markets by assessing consumers demonstrating brand loyalty through repeat purchases despite active marketing by competing brands hence, showing that the brand did not lose customers owing to communication. Specifically, this study examined the effects of marketing communication factors in traditional markets upon consumers' store loyalty and to determine consumers' practical and hedonic values, as moderating variables. Moreover, this study determined that both experienced and inexperienced consumers in traditional markets could similarly assess the market and examined the outcome of traditional market development as well as future strategies. Research design, data, methodology - To verify the relationship between marketing communication and store loyalty, and the moderating effects of shopping value, data were collected from 230 consumers in the Gyeonggi Province to test the theoretical model and its hypotheses. Although the field of distribution management typically uses two research methodologies, this study was conducted using empirical methodology. Specifically, analysis of variance and hierarchical regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses. Results - Consumers who had experienced the traditional market placed a greater emphasis on the physical environment or word-of-mouth marketing. Moreover, other factors apart from advertising had a significantly positive influence upon marketing communication sub-factors and store loyalty. Word-of-mouth marketing was found to be more important than other factors, therefore affirmative word-of-mouth marketing was considered important from various viewpoints. The study investigated the moderating effects of hedonic value and practical use value in the relationship between marketing communication sub-factors and store loyalty: The negative influence of publicity, physical environment, and word-of-mouth marketing was considered to be statistically significant. Conclusions - Consumers who made use of the traditional market did not think of the physical environment in an affirmative way, and consumers who did not make use of the traditional market perceived it as having a poor physical environment. However, consumers who engaged in word-of-mouth marketing experienced the traditional market in an affirmative way. Consumers who made use of the traditional market had significantly high hedonic value and/or practical use value, therefore future strategies should encourage consumers to make more use of the traditional market. Consumers who had experienced the traditional market demonstrated strong market loyalty. For consumers who did not make use of the traditional market, marketing communication was likely to influence store loyalty in a different manner from a practical perspective. In other words, marketing communication was needed to develop the traditional market, and consumers who did not make use of the traditional market should be given the opportunity to do so. Consumers having low hedonic values experienced high publicity to have high store loyalty, and consumers who experienced good facilities of the traditional market had high store loyalty (Nam & Jun, 2011). Consumers with low hedonic values as well as those with high hedonic values on the traditional market could have high store loyalty through affirmative word-of-mouth marketing.Therefore, various types of events and strategies were needed to enable consumers to experience the traditional market in an affirmative way.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1479-1490
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• 2010

This study provides basic data for the development of jacket patterns which reflect designs corresponding to the body shape features and preferences of obese women in their 20s and 30s by understanding problems they may encounter in wearing a ready-made jacket by researching the reality of ready-made tailored jacket wearing and their design preferences. A survey was conducted by sampling 82 obese women (over $25kg/m^2$ BMI) between the ages of 20 to 39. The details of the survey consists of general information, interest rate and importance rate on clothes, reality of wearing and purchasing jackets, measurement fits per each part, and preferred designs. SPSS 14.0 was used to analyze the data. The results showed that 76.8% of obese women wore their jackets less than 5 times a month. Those in the 20s wore the jackets more frequently than those in the 30s. The reasons for not wearing jackets frequently included uncomfortableness in activities and unavailability of the correct size. A total of 55% of the total preferred the fitting to be relatively smaller than the body size or tightly fitting. Although in the past, there was a tendency to wear a loose fit to cover the body shape, currently even obese body shapes avoided the loose fit as the tight fit is the trend. In terms of the satisfaction rate for the measurements per each part of jackets, there was a low satisfaction rate for most of the items. For the circumference items such as waist length and chest size, people responded that they were too small and for the length of items such as the length of jacket and sleeve length, people responded that they were too long. This was because the readymade clothes brands increase the length of items and circumference items in uniform in the same intervals when producing large sizes. Both those in the 20s and the 30s preferred a tight fit. In terms of preferred fabric, a wool/spandex mix was most popular and then cotton/spandex. This shows that they prefer those fabrics which allow an excellent activity while maintaining the exterior well. In addition, they preferred black color with no patterns because they wanted their body size to look reduced and did not want to receive any attention.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2006

PPL(Product Placement) of visual media can change the purchasing behavior of College students. This study aimed to investigate the differences in consumer's conception about PPL among college students and to analyze the relationship between the PPL conception ant fashion innovation/fashion sensitivity of students, resulting into their real purchasing behavior. We surveyed to about 189 college students living near Seoul, with questionnaire about PPL conception, purchase of PPL clothing, satisfaction on PPL clothing, fashion innovation, opinion about PPL, PPL apparel brand to recall, etc. According to dichotomy of college students by fashion innovation, as higher fashion innovative they were, they paid more attention on PPL clothing while watching TV or movie, and they also could recall more PPL apparel brands, and they purchased more PPL clothing. While the students with low fashion innovation had references from the opinion of friends or around people when purchasing their clothing, the students with high fashion innovation did from fashion magazine or PPL clothing. The students who thought that PPL was important and effective on clothing purchasing behavior, answered that their preference to PPL bran4, to the company, and to the product had increased positively, but not to the actor/actress.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.27-37
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to provide for the basic data useful to the effective production and marketing of the brassiere befitting adult women's body shapes and preferences, and thereby, help them improve their apparel life. For this purpose, 563 Korean adult women aged between 20-59 were sampled to survey their practices of purchasing the brassieres and positively identify the factors affecting the practices and thereupon, determine the correlations among them by age group. Data is processed by a computer(SAS) and analyzed by using frequency, percentage, $\chi^2$-test, ANOVA, Duncan-test. The main results of this study are as follows; 1. The adult women tend to use such mass media as TV, magazines, catalogues and DM to decide for themselves which brassiere befits them most, and to check the brand-name(78.8%) or the sizes(93.4%), but more than 90% of them purchase their brassieres without trying on them. 2. The places of purchasing on which adult women rely most for their brassiere are department stores(32.6%), agencies(26.1%) and discount or pension shops(25.4%), while more than 90% of the sample women often visit bargain sale shops. The average number of brassieres possessed by our adult women is 5.7, and an adult women buys 2.6 brassiere costing 10-30 thousand wons a year on average and consumes a brassiere for the period from 6 months to 2 years. 3. It had been disclosed that the brand favored most by adult women is Venus(56.2%), followed by Vivien (17.6%), Wacoal(6.8%), Amie(2.5%) and Body Guard(2.3%). The most influential factors for the popularity of brands are fitting condition(40.3%) and design(23.8%), which suggests that consumers appreciate functionality and aesthetics. The most important reference affecting our women's choice of brassiere is size(64.4%), followed by design and functionality. The brassiere style favored most by adult women is a wire-type 3/4 cup brassiere made of thin material with sewing lines, while the most favorite color is white. In all, it has been found through this study that adult women's practices of buying their brassieres differ by age group, which may well suggest that brassiere production need to take such age-wise practices into consideration in setting up their brassiere production and marketing strategies.