• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.211-228
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• 2020

The purpose of this study aims to analyze the comparative effects of luxury consumption behavior for Chinese consumers. Many research have been conducted in luxury consumption behavior based on perspective of culture, brand, and purchase motives. However, previous studies seem somewhat limited in fully explaining luxury consumption behavior due to less understanding of consumers' psychological trait. In order to fill this gap, this study adopts narcissism (overt narcissism and covert narcissism) to explain consumers' psychological trait. Based on specific psychological trait, consumers would lead to different luxury purchasing behavior depending on purchase motives. Especially, overt narcissism would show high tendency of self-esteem, arrogance, which means that it is closely related to need for uniqueness. Conversely, covert narcissism would show high sensitivity to others, which indicate that it is involved with need for approval. Also, each narcissism would result in different behavior for luxury purchasing based on generation difference (20-30s, vs. 40-50s). The result of this study shows that overt narcissism, covert narcissism, need for uniqueness, need for approval have significant influence on luxury consumption behavior. Especially, overt narcissism has interaction effect with need for uniqueness and young generation (in the 20s, 30s) for luxury purchasing behavior. On the other hand, it was found that covert narcissism has no interaction effect with other variables.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2008

Consumers' need for uniqueness reflects individual differences in counterconformity and related to the attitude toward brands as well as purchase behavior. To understand the relationship between consumer's personal characteristics and purchase behavior, the study investigated the effect of consumers' need for uniqueness and clothing interest on the brand consciousness, loyalty and purchase intention. Survey was utilized to collect the data and subjects were 271 college students. Measures consisted of five main constructs: Consumer's need for uniqueness, clothing interest, brand consciousness, brand loyalty, and purchase intention. The measurement and structural models were evaluated using PRELIS 2 and LISREL 8.53. Consumer's need for uniqueness was confirmed to have three constructs: creative, unpopular, and avoidance. The researcher tested Model 1 and developed five other models-Models 2 through 6-based on the results from Model 1 evaluation. The additional Models 2 through 6 were nested in Model 1. To select a best model, the researcher compared the value of chi-square, RMSEA, GFI, AIC, and ECVI. Since Model 6 also illustrated conceptually or theoretically reasonable relationships among constructs as well, it was finally selected as a best model. In the Model 6, the creative dimension of consumer's need for uniqueness had a negative relationship with brand loyalty, while the avoidance dimension of consumer's need for uniqueness had positive relationship. The unpopular dimension of consumer's need for uniqueness and clothing interest had significant positive effects on the brand consciousness. The brand consciousness was significantly related to brand loyalty and brand loyalty to purchase intention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.922-934
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• 2013

This study investigates the motivations to purchase luxury brands by examining how individual characteristics (need for uniqueness, self-monitoring, and vanity) influence affective luxury brand attitudes and purchase intentions through two social function attitudes (self-expression attitude and self-presentation attitude) based on the functional theory of attitudes. On-line surveys were implemented and 314 consumers between the ages of 20 and 50 were recruited. Using SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0, confirmatory factor analysis for measurements and structural equation modeling analysis for hypotheses testing were implemented. The results show that the need for uniqueness and self-monitoring by consumers have positive influences on self-expression and self-presentation attitudes toward luxury brands, respectively. The results indicate that the need by consumers for uniqueness motivates a self-expression attitude toward luxury brands and that the trait of self-monitoring motivates a self-presentation attitude toward luxury brands. Consumer vanity also positively influences both social function attitudes toward luxury brands. Self-expression and self-presentation attitudes toward luxury brands have positive influences on luxury brand purchase intentions through an affective attitude that facilitates a mediating role between two social function attitudes and the purchase intentions of consumers. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the formation process of Korean consumers' purchase intentions for luxury brands and the literature on the role of related variables (need for uniqueness, self-monitoring, vanity, self-expression, self-presentation, affective attitude, and purchase intention). The findings provide a theoretical background to launch a cross-cultural study. The conclusion discusses the practical implications and limitations.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.54-67
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the The effect of fashion consumer's need for uniqueness in their clothing purchase behavior and switching intention. A total of 332 cases were included as the subjects of this study and a survey method was used. The data were analyzed by factor analysis, reliability analysis, t-test and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS 22.0 statistical program. The results were as follows. 1. The 3 dimensions (creative choice, unpopular choice, and avoidance of similarity) were extracted from the consumer's need for uniqueness and consumer divided high uniqueness group, middle uniqueness group, low uniqueness group. 2. The 3 factor (esthetic, functional, practical) were extracted from the clothing selection criteria. The three group had a significant difference in clothing selection and switching intention. Aesthetic factor and practical factor were the highest in high uniqueness group. 3. The need for uniqueness has influence on the aesthetic factor and practical factor. The creative choice factor had positive effect on the aesthetic and practical factor, yet unpopular choice factor had negative effect on the practical factor. The need for uniqueness and aesthetic factor has positive influence on brand switching intentions. 4. There was difference in unpopular choices factor by gender. A monthly average expenditure on fashion products had a significant difference in three kind of need for uniqueness. Results of this study provide a basis understand need for uniqueness and their effect on consumer behavior.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1-17
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• 2020

This study investigated the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of potential consumers toward using 3D printers to create their personal clothes. An online survey and a series of Welch's t-tests and ANOVA were conducted to investigate the differences in demographic characteristics, prior experiences in 3D printing, and levels of need for uniqueness among the sub-groups. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the relationships among variables of the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). There were significant differences in gender and prior experiences regarding the UTAUT of personal 3D printing. The need for uniqueness has a positive effect on consumers' intention to use 3D printing technology for designing personal clothes and perception of the price of the 3D printer used to create individual clothes is important. Positive relationships were found between UTAUT variables as well as the use and purchase intentions. This study analyzed the potential for popularization of 3D printing technology to create fashion items and explore consumer willingness to embrace and use personal fashion designs. The results of this study are expected to assist consumers, designers, retailers and marketers, and experts in 3D printing technology by providing insight into consumer awareness and acceptance of personalized 3D-printed fashion and products.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.114-129
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of consumer's need for uniqueness, whether or not using ALPHA-NUMERIC Brand Name and types of fashion goods upon the consumer's attitude. The experimental design of this study is three-ways complex factors design of 2 (Consumer's Need for Uniqueness : High vs Law) ${\times}$ 2 (Whether or not to use ALPHA-NUMERIC Brand Name : Used brand vs Non-used brand) ${\times}$ 2 (Types of fashion goods: Rational fashion goods vs Emotional fashion goods) The conclusions are as follows. 1. The interaction effect upon a favorite level according to consumer's need for uniqueness, whether or not using ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name and types of fashion goods upon the consumer's attitude is proven significant. For the group where customer's need for uniqueness is low, when ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name is not used, the favorableness of rational fashion good, a parka is lower than that of emotional fashion good, one-piece dress. However, there is no significant difference in favorableness by types of fashion goods when ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name is used. At the group with high need for uniqueness, while there is no significant difference in favorableness when ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name is not used, the favorableness of parka is higher than that of one-piece dress when ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name is used. 2. The interaction effects upon purchase intention according to consumer's need for uniqueness, whether or not using ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name and types of fashion goods are proven significant. For the group where customer's need for uniqueness is low, there is no significant different in the favorableness whether or not ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name is used. On the other hand, the group with high need for uniqueness, if ALPHA-NUMERIC brand name is used, the intention to purchase parka is higher than the intention to purchase one-piece dress.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.23-41
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• 2019

Smart Factory is different from existing factory automation in that it aims to produce personalized products with minimum time and cost through ICT. However, previous researches, not from consumers but from product suppliers, have focused on technology trends and technology application methods. In order for Smart Factory to be successful, it must go beyond supplier-focus to meet the needs of consumers. In this study, we surveyed the purchase intention of the personalized product manufactured by smart factory. Influencing factors of purchase intention were drawn as consumers' need for uniqueness, innovativeness, need for touch, and privacy concern, based on previous research. As results of data analysis, it was confirmed that respondents were willing to purchase personalized products, and that consumers' need for uniqueness, innovativeness, and need for touch had a significant impact on purchase intention of personalized products. Our findings can be summarized as follows. First, Consumers' need for uniqueness was found to have positive effects(${\beta}=0.168$) on purchase intention of personalized products. The desire to differentiate themselves from others will be reflected in their personalized products. Therefore, consumers with a higher desire for uniqueness tend to be more willing to purchase personalized products. Second, consumer innovativeness was found to have positive effects(${\beta}=0.233$) on purchase intention of personalized products. Personalized shoes suggested in this study is a new type of personalized product that is manufactured by the latest information and communication technologies such as multi-function robots and 3D printing. Therefore, consumers seeking innovative new experiences are more willing to purchase personalized products. Third, need for touch was found to have positive effects(${\beta}=0.299$) on purchase intention of personalized products. In a smart factory environment, prosuming participation is given to consumers. If consumers participate in the product development process and reflect their requirements on the product, they are expected to increase their purchase intention by virtually satisfying the need for touch. Fourth, privacy concern was found to have no significantly related to purchase intention of personalized products. This is interpreted as a willingness to tolerate the risk of exposing personal information such as home address, telephone number, body size, and preference for consumers who feel highly useful in personalized products.

• (The) Korean Journal of Advertising
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.111-132
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• 2017

This study investigates how consumers' need for uniqueness and for self-expression have influence on their attitude towards brand webtoon contents and word of mouth intention. The results of this study shows that among the sub-dimensions of brand webtoon users' need for uniqueness, unpopular choices has a significantly positive influence on their need for self-expression, and in turn it has a strong positive impact on both attitude towards the webtoon content and intention of word of mouth. In particular, the data show that respondents' perceived perception of the persuasive intent of the brand webtoon moderates the effect of need for self-expression on the attitude towards the content. More specifically, respondents who perceive the persuasive intent in brand webtoon show a lesser degree of favourable attitude towards the content than do respondents who do report a low level of perception of persuasive intent of the brand webtoon. In sum, this study not only provides a theoretical foundation to understand how consumers perceive brand webtoons in terms of their need for uniqueness and for self-expression, but the study has implications for practitioners who are interested in using a brand webtoon for marketing.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.192-205
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• 2017

Modern men are much more interested in their appearance than ever before, as well as showing an increased need for uniqueness in order to construct their own sphere and pursue differentiation from others. Besides, changes in life style and the aesthetic sense are causing men to pursue various kinds of clothing benefits so that they want a suit with characteristics beyond the stereotyped design and style. They have started to be actively engaged in clothing purchases, forming a driving force for the growth of the male suit market. Hence, this study has significance in that it offers data conducive to consumers' custom suit purchase by reviewing data on the present condition of the custom suit market and bespoke suits. In addition, it aims to give a summary on the theoretical bases of preceding studies, including the need for uniqueness, pursuit of clothing benefit and concern for the appearance of male consumers, as well as examining the factors that influence on their bespoke suit purchase intentions. Accordingly, this work intends to construct a basic environment for consumers to approach the custom suit market easily and pave the way for male suit markets through offering marketing data and information that is helpful for custom suit-related markets.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.76-95
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• 2020

Consumers want to express their original unique personality, and even are willing to endure high expenses in order to do this. One noticeable strategy in the market, used by companies to suit for this consumer sentiment, is that of employing limited edition marketing and limited free gifts. This study investigated the effects of limited free gifts on consumer response. Specifically, the present study examined how the need for uniqueness moderated the effects of limited free gifts on brand commitment and attitudes. The online survey method was used to gather the data and a total of 224 data were used to analyze data. The results of the research were as follows. The findings revealed four dimensions of limited free gifts: scarcity/specialty, not for sale, complementarity, and risk. Complementarity positively affected brand commitment, while all four dimensions of limited free gifts positively influenced brand attitude. In addition, the need for uniqueness was proven to be the strongest variable which positively influenced brand commitment and attitudes. Also, when the need for uniqueness was applied as a moderating variable, depending on the levels of the need for uniqueness, the effects of riskiness on the consumer's response were shown to be different. The findings of this study infer various academic and practical applications.