• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.103-119
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• 2020

As the easy payment service is popularized and the competition in the service market is fierce, research on factors affecting users' continuous use of the easy payment service is becoming increasingly important. However, in the existing studies, the discussion of the continuous intention to use the consumer's simple payment service has not been sufficiently conducted. Existing research remains on the way of listing technology and consumer characteristics. To bridge this research gap, this study aims to integrate and modify ECM and UTAUT to consider factors influencing the continuous use of easy payment services. The user's expectations and the confirmation were considered as important factors to decide. For empirical analysis, a survey was conducted for 236 users who had experience with domestic easy payment service. As a result, it was verified that confirmation, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and habit in regard to easy payment services are important for continuous use intention. Through this study, it is expected that the consumer's technology acceptance mechanism on the continuous use of simple payment will be grasped in more detail to develop academic discussions in the field. Implications from the results as well as limitations of the study are presented.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.337-349
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• 2003

This study was dealt with consumers' attitudes and requests for refunds on the basis of data gathered in 1997 and 2000 and examined factors shaping the differences of the consumers' requesting for refunds and investigated variables influencing the presence or absence of requests for refunds. Research outcomes could be summarized as follows. First there were no differences in consumers' searches for information of refunds, degrees of satisfactions for practices of refunds, knowledges for refunds, consumers' expectation for the permission of refunds between two periods Consumers generally showed more active behaviors for the request for refunds in 2000 than in 1997. In cases of defects, the chance of getting refunds was higher while consumers feel greater needs for refund. Second, consumers perception for the necessity of refund and their expectations for successful outcomes were higher in cases of defects than in the opposite case; consumers were also more active to request for refunds and get more positive responses in the former case. Third, in cases of defects in 1997, as consumers faced the unsatisfactory response for their previous requests for refunds, they did not actively request for refunds. In 2000, requesting for refunds were more active as they were more knowledgeable, actively search for information of refunds before their purchases, and expect more positive outcomes for their requests for refund. On the other hand, in cases of no defects in 1997, consumers showed more active behaviors requesting for refunds as their own professional jobs, owned greater consumer expectation for positive outcomes and showed greater satisfactions for the previous requests of refunds. In the survey of 2000, consumers showed active behaviors requesting for refunds as they were highly educated, gather much information for refund, and showed positive expectations for the possibility of refund.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.5 s.164
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• pp.765-776
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• 2007

Customer expectations and requirements for products play an important role in product planning for companies and decision making process for the consumer. These expectations are expressed by product qualities that consumers consider important when they purchase. Therefore, to identify quality elements that reflect consumer requirements would be a useful guide for companies. The purposes of this study are to find out quality factors of apparel product, to identify apparel product quality elements using Kano's theory, to find attributes of product which improvement are required. Women over 20 years-old from metropolitan areas in South Korea participated in the study and a quota sampling method was used. A questionnaire was arranged with four separate subject sections, importance of quality, Kano's questionnaires, and demographics. Data from 525 questionnaires were used for the statistical analysis. The results were as follows: Six dimensions of product quality(i.e., usefulness, performance, aesthetic, symbol, individuality and appearance) were identified. According to Kano's quality elements, performance was categorized into must-be quality which could lead to product dissatisfaction. Usefulness and appearance were categorized into one-dimensional quality which lead to both satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Aesthetic, symbol, and individuality was categorized into attractive quality which could lead to satisfaction. Findings of this study provide both industry and academic researchers with a guide to increase customer satisfaction in the product development process.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.143-157
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• 2013

This study used a qualitative research method to comprehensively deal with child care training in depth with the following content: the goals of child care teachers preparing for practical training; how they perform and feel about their roles throughout the training period as child care teachers; and their evaluation after the training period. A total of 10 people participated in the research and the training activities of child care teachers were qualitatively explored based on the results. The research findings are as follows. First, child care teachers have expectations for prospective teachers and take time for self-evaluation while preparing for teaching. Also, child care teachers set a goal of helping prospective teachers develop into outstanding teachers and have expectations for it. Second, child care teachers evaluate prospective teachers by treating them as colleagues while teaching them. Furthermore, child care teachers consider themselves as educators who train and produce child care professionals. Prospective teachers define their roles as assistants and learners in the actual educational scene. In addition, child care teachers feel a sense of pride by performing as hands-on training teachers. At the same time, they reflect on themselves by evaluating their duties as educators in their relationships with prospective teachers. Third, child care teachers suggested the need for changing the training system for themselves and prospective teachers after training. In addition, they argued that the gaps between school education and the actual educational scene should be reduced through solid training for acquiring new knowledge and information in both places in accordance with the rapidly-changing child care environment. Finally, the suggested the necessity of establishing a standard training curriculum and educational programs within their institution.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.26-40
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• 2016

The importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementation is increasing and CSR activity has become a core activity for firms. The increase on CSR activity expenditures also increases the need for strategic. When firms implement CSR strategically, firms need to consider consumers' perspectives toward CSR. This research investigated how Korean fashion companies integrate consumers' CSR expectations into CSR implementation. Through a qualitative study, we researched a firm's consideration of consumers which are reflected in detailed procedures of CSR implementation. We conducted in-depth interviews with executives and managers in charge of CSR and found the following results. First, motivations for CSR implementation were both strategic and moral along with consumers who play a crucial role in CSR motivation. Second, firms conducted various strategic CSR activities differentiating themselves using a specific resource. Third, self-CSR evaluation was not active and structured. Few companies were collecting consumer responses to CSR activities. Last, executives and managers have difficulties to perform CSR activities due to gaps between ethical consumption consciousness and the ethical consumption behavior, measurement of CSR effect, and lack of understanding of strategic CSR. The results of our study show that firm's consideration of consumers is insufficient despite executives and managers who strongly agree with the need for strategic CSR.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.39-46
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• 2015

Purpose - In Korea, there has been a recent trend that shows housing prices have risen rapidly following the International Monetary Fund crisis. The rapid rise in housing prices is spreading recognition of this as a factor in housing price volatility. In addition, this raises the expectations of housing prices in the future. These expectations are based on the assumption that a relationship exists between the current housing prices and expected housing prices in the real estate industry. By performing an empirical analysis on the validity of the claim that an increase in current housing prices can be correlated with expected housing prices, this study examines whether a long-term equilibrium relationship exists between expected housing prices and existing housing prices. If such a relationship exists, the recovery of equilibrium from disequilibrium is analyzed to derive related implications. Research design, data, and methodology - The relationship between current housing prices and expected housing prices was analyzed empirically using the Vector Error Correction Model. This model was applied to the co-integration test, the long-term equilibrium equation among variables, and the causality test. The housing prices used in the analysis were based on the National Housing Price Trend Survey released by Kookmin Bank. Additionally, the Index of Industrial Product and the Consumer Price Index were also used and were obtained from the Bank of Korea ECOS. The monthly data analyzed were from January 1987 to May 2015. Results - First, a long-term equilibrium relationship was established as one co-integration between current housing price distribution and expected housing prices. Second, the sign of the long-term equilibrium relationship variable was consistent with the theoretical sign, with the elasticity of housing price distribution to expected housing price, the industrial production, and the consumer price volatility revealed as 1.600, 0.104,and 0.092, respectively. This implies that the long-term effect of expected housing price volatility on housing price distribution is more significant than that of the industrial production and consumer price volatility. Third, the sign of the coefficient of the error correction term coincided with the theoretical sign. The absolute value of the coefficient of the correction term in the industrial production equation was 0.006, significantly larger than the coefficients for the expected housing price and the consumer price equation. In case of divergence from the long-term equilibrium relationship, the state of equilibrium will be restored through changes in the interest rate. Fourth, housing-price volatility was found to be causal to expected housing price, and was shown to be bi-directionally causal to industrial production. Conclusions - Based on the finding of this study, it is required to relieve the association between current housing price distribution and expected housing price by using property taxes and the loan-to-value policy to stabilize the housing market. Further, the relationship between housing price distribution and expected housing price can be examined and tested using a sophisticated methodology and policy variables.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.87-100
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• 2012

Smart wear integrates computing technology into fabric or a garment for additional functionality. This research explored the attitudes and opinions of the use of smart wear from the viewpoint of caregivers. Thirty two individuals including care providers of children and adult family members with health problems participated in focus group interviews. Participants reported being interested in smart wear because of the potential to detect the location (GPS) of a dependent (e.g., child, elderly) and to monitor vital signs. Participants indicated perceived advantages of smart wear such as identifying geographical location and effectiveness. Perceived concerns mentioned were privacy/security issues and accuracy of data. Participants taking care of dependents without a specific disease were hesitant to adopt and pay for smart wear. However, caregivers of elderly individuals expressed positive adoption intentions and willingness to reasonably pay for smart wear. They indicated expectations that potential insurance would provide coverage for cost savings. Caregivers expressed the need of specific requirements for future adoption such as customizability, and comfort/safety. Specific to smart wear clothing, most respondents preferred it be an undershirt or a jacket with a sensor located in the shoulder area. The findings from this study can be used in product development, promotion and marketing of smart wear.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.47-49
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• 2006

As our society has been moving from the industrial society towards the information society, individual consumers' unique needs which were concealed behind mass products and services have been revealing themselves. As for Internet businesses, they are requested to implement the 'individual marketing' which regards each consumer as a segment of market, while being pressured to meet consumers' needs at the level never accomplishable before. The purpose of this study was to review the gap between the progress of individualization and consumers' expectations on the Internet shopping malls centering around the apparel shopping malls - which are most obliged to satisfy the consumers who are extremely individualized - and thereupon, explore the directions for development of on-line shopping mall designs.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2004

This paper outlines the findings of a consumer survey conducted in 1996 and 2001 by the University of Bonn, Germany, across 15 European countries. The survey involved a sample of 3,300 respondents in 1996 and around 11,000 respondents in 2001, throughout all 15 EU countries. Children and adolescents, between the ages of 10 and 17, were surveyed about their consumption habits and their attitudes towards the environment. The paper outlines the key findings on 'Children's fears and future prospects'. Children are exposed to a great mass of information, not only derived from the media but also from what they experience directly in their everyday-life. Some of this information translates into worries that adopt a clearer (more realistic) form when children become adolescents, as they might be easily involved in those events, and the understanding of the processes that may cause or continue them is deeper. Today's children and adolescents are under more pressure, since the social/political/economical spectrum is constantly changing. Change produces anxiety, fear of what will result from these transformations, as it implies that the social order will be reorganized. This paper reports on a long term comparative study among children and adolescents throughout the European Union, analyzed by country, age group and gender. It draws different preoccupations of young generations and consequent future expectations. It concludes by considering the influence of social and political organizations, as well as the family, on children and adolescents, as these might help to sustain a positive attitude towards various future events.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.433-450
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• 2024

Through the recent pandemic, this study examined the theory of awe, which explains that external crises affect people's value systems and consequential behaviors. During the pandemic, some consumers expressed a growing interest in equity, while others pursued the consumption of materialistic items, such as luxurious fashion goods. According to the theory of awe, both of these phenomena could be coping responses to the crisis. Based on this, we attempted to understand the psychological processes behind the pandemic's effect on these two different consumers value systems thereby influencing sustainable consumption intentions: one through the new ecological paradigm (NEP) that emphasizes consumers' increased consciousness, and the other through materialism that emphasizes consumers' self-centered side. The results obtained from a survey of 382 U.S. consumers revealed that the degree of pandemic experience increased consumers' NEP and materialism, which also increased their economic and ethical CSR expectations. These CSR expectations then enhanced consumers' sustainable consumption intentions. As sustainable consumption and CSR are important agendas for the fashion industry, this study will provide useful insights for researchers and practitioners in the fashion field.