• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.23-33
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• 2020

Purpose: In the digital age, visual cues in computer-mediated environments are becoming a very popular means of communication. Therefore, it is a very critical market for marketers to utilize for marketing communication and platform providers and manufacturers of mobile devices which create and distribute the visual cues While the prevalent research on visual cue consumption focuses on the positive side, the dark side of consuming visual cues has not been investigated. Therefore, in this research, the dark side of using visual cues, such as difficulties and problems in their application, will be investigated. Research design, data, and methodology: Due to the nature of this study, a netnography approach was adopted. Twitter which the users regularly utilise visual cues in their communications was a prime source for data of this research. Results: This research suggests that visual cue users experience anxiety about the subordination of expression and suffer from the myth of an ideal practice of expression. Conclusions: As the previous research emphasised the complementary role of visual cues, has failed to recognise the problems associated with the extensive and growing dependence on visual cues. This awareness demonstrates that we need to take a careful approach to visual cue usage.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 2018

Purpose - This research aimed at exploring the mediation roles of the arousal and pleasure in the effects of the congruity between visual sensory cues of a retail store and consumers' self-image on the intent to reuse the store. Research design, data, and methodology - The data from 278 Chinese consumers who answered the questionnaire online were analyzed by using structural equation model of Amos 21.0 program to verify the hypotheses. Results - Store's visual sensory cues congruent with consumers' self-image directly affected the intention to reuse the store, and had positive impacts on both their arousal and pleasure states. The consumers' pleasure positively influenced on their intention, but their arousal did not influence on the intention. Consumers' pleasure played mediation roles in the effect of the congruity on the intention to reuse the store. Conclusions - Retail store marketers should pay attention to visual sensory cues to match the cues to consumers' self-image, when designing their store settings. When developing the cues, to help consumers feel pleasure which in turn, induces loyalty to their store, the marketers should develop the atmosphere setting in the respects of the congruity between the visual sensory cues and the self image.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.71-81
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• 2021

Purpose: This study to seek to answer two research questions in distribution science: what photo decoration cues in online grocery stores could be identified? Could photo decoration cues significantly effect on the affective perception and behavioral intention of consumers? Research design, data, and methodology: his study conducted a laboratory experiment with a 2×2×2 factorial design to validate the proposed research model and test our proposed hypotheses. Research design, data and methodology: Two stages experiments were adopted in this study, among 360 voluntaries who have had an experience of online grocery shopping, 331 valid data had been collected and analyzed using MANOVA and PLS-SEM algorism. Results: (1) both reflective surface and complementary goods layout lead to visual appeal and shopping enjoyment; (2) contrast color usage positively impacts on visual appeal while does not significantly affect shopping enjoyment; (3) consumers' affective responses positively impact attitudes toward product and store which in turn lead to purchase intention and store loyalty. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Conclusions: Using the media richness theory, visual rhetoric theory and visual design literature as the theoretical foundation, the study provides a solid foundation to comprehend the impact of photo design artifacts on consumers' affective responses when online consumers shopping online for fresh grocery.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to identify the effects of communication cues, anonymity, and social presence on group polarization in computer-mediated communication (CMC) settings. Extant literature has introduced some theoretical backgrounds of social presence and SIDE (Social Identity model of Deindividuation Effects) to explain the effects of communication cues and anonymity. The concept of social presence emphasized the mediating role on communication cues and anonymity. However, most literature did not measure social presence and compare group polarization of all condition groups. This does not sufficiently explain the result of group polarization. Research design, data, and methodology - We believe that the direct impact of anonymity on group polarization can provide a more admissible and clearer explanation for the results. In addition, this study categorizes anonymity into two levels, as anonymity of group and anonymity of self. To justify the anonymity view, a laboratory experiment was conducted. The experiment was conducted in communication cues settings (visual cue; without visual cue) and anonymity settings (identified; anonymous). Each of the four settings has 10 groups consisting of five subjects each (total 200 subjects). The subjects are undergraduates from a large university, majoring in business. All experimental procedures and calculations of choice shift and preference change follow the literature. Results - First, the removal of visual cues does not produce a significant impact on group polarization, which cannot be explained by the social presence view. Second, the anonymous condition does not significantly affect group polarization, which also cannot be explained by the social presence view. However, the anonymous condition directly affects group polarization. Specifically, anonymity of self has a stronger effect on group polarization than anonymity of group. The result explains about the leading factor affecting group polarization. This study examines another view of how computer-mediated communication may be associated with group polarization. The process and outcome data from the experiment reveal that group polarization is not affected by level of social presence, but by level of anonymity. Group discussions conducted with visual cue CMC setting and identified CMC setting result in weaker group polarization. Conversely, group discussions conducted without visual cue CMC setting and anonymous CMC setting lead to stronger group polarization. The results of the study have the following implications. First, they provide clues for business organizations to design the most appropriate media conditions and preemptive social conditions to implement when making group decisions through CMC, to maximize achievements, generate amicable agreements, or actively share information. Second, this study can be useful in analyzing different adverse effects generated through Internet use. Conclusions - This research can help explain discussions and decision-making actions on Internet forums, which have recently increased, as well as providing a foundational basis in newly establishing policies for the forums. Finally, it should be noted that many other factors such as group size, topics, and group history may affect group polarization. These should be examined in future studies.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.283-300
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• 2012

Wind-induced vibrations of buildings can be perceived when movement of objects caused by the vibration is seen. However, movement of objects that would normally be expected to trigger visual perception of building vibrations is not necessarily seen in actual building environments. Therefore, to evaluate habitability to building vibrations, it is necessary to examine the influence of movement of objects on vibration perception taking into account probability of seeing the objects. As the first step in this study, those data necessary to estimate probability of vibration perception from seeing of swaying objects have been measured during normal activities in actual buildings. In addition, statistical analysis of the data has also been carried out. As the second step in this study, the probability distribution of vibration perception by visual sensation is estimated using the series of data measured in the first step. Probability of seeing object is considered in the estimated probability distribution.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.614-625
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• 2021

This study investigates how visual appearance of pork cuts affects consumer preference. Images of pork belly, Boston butt, and loin were chosen on the basis of visible fattiness and used to analyze consumers' perception of the appearance of each pork cut. Meat color and visible fat proportion of images of pork cuts were analyzed by the researchers before conducting the survey. A total of 211 pork eaters evaluated the pork cuts based on appearance (lightness of color, redness, visible fat proportion, and fat distribution), preferability, and overall acceptability. Also, muscle pieces from different pork cuts were taken and the relative area composition of muscle fibers was measured. Based on survey results, correlation between visual traits and preferences of each pork cut was analyzed. The survey results showed that preferred pork appearance varied as per each individual's favorite pork cut. Also, the respondents evaluated visual characteristics and preference for each pork cut differently possibly due to the different visual characteristics of each cut. Correlation analysis between visual traits and preference indicated that overall acceptability of pork cuts was mainly influenced by fat preference, followed by color preference. Fat and color preferences for each pork cut were affected by various visual attributes including redness, lightness of color, visible fat proportion, and fat distribution, but their effects were considerably varied among different pork cuts. Thus, Korean consumers perceived and assessed pork appearance using various quality cues but the evaluation depended on which cut was being observed.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.213-232
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• 2014

Sensitivity to online store stimuli (VMD attributes) and response (online store loyalty) may depend upon consumers' regulatory focus (emotional state). In other words, consumers' sensitivity to online store atmosphere and consequent store loyalty can be influenced by the match between their regulatory focus (promotion focused vs. prevention focused) and the type of the online store VMD benefits Study 1 results indicate consumers have a different evaluation about online store atmosphere depending on their regulatory focus. Promotion-focused consumers were significantly more sensitive to visual appeal and entertainment attributes of online store atmospherics than prevention-focused consumers. Conversely, prevention-focused consumers were significantly more sensitive to security and privacy attributes of online store, than promotion-focused consumers. Study 2 results indicate for promotion-focused shoppers, hedonic value toward online store atmosphere was associated with greater online store loyalty. In contrast, prevention-focused shoppers were influenced more by the utilitarian attributes on online store loyalty than promotion-focused shoppers. The current findings indicate that shoppers with promotion-focused are more easily persuaded by visual and entertainment-oriented online store cues. Conversely, shoppers with prevention-focus are more easily persuaded by safety and privacy-oriented online store cues.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.59-63
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• 2018

Purpose - It has already been proved that 'mood' as the physical environment of shopping affects consumers' main sensory channels such as sight, hearing, smell, touch. However, there is no consensus on how the olfactory cue influences the customers in the shopping environment. In this study, we examine the previous studies on how the olfactory cue affects the customers in the shopping environment and present a clear direction as a suggestion for progressive research. Research design, data, and methodology - It is not important to use a lot of unconditional fragrance, but it should be exposed to the environment that suits the proper fragrance. In recent years, meaningful research on store fragrance has been slowly increasing. As a result, studies on the fragrance effects of retail stores have been conducted to verify the relevance of fragrance suitability in stores and consumer spending scale. Results - The fragrance appropriate for each store can not be uniformly specified as any fragrance. This is because external variables such as time, season, temperature, lighting, density of shoppers, and music in the store also affect customer evaluation. For example, using an unsuitable fragrance may encourage customers to leave the store quickly by restraining impulsive purchases or by disturbing concentration. The store manager should also be interested in using fragrances that are proven and effective in the store environment, but they should also have the ability to easily manipulate and manage the fragrances very appropriately according to changes in the store environment. Store managers should observe consumer preferences and responses according to their goals and strategies, and then systematically manage and store information about the fragrance appropriate to the store. Conclusions - In the future, the fragrance marketing researcher needs to consider the spatial form and density of the customer. In practice, managers operating a retail store should check the most appropriate store density(congestion) according to the size and spatial characteristics of the store and maintain the ideal conditions. To do this, it is necessary to pay attention to how to select and control sensory elements such as fragrance(olfactory), music(auditory), and lighting(visual).