• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.121-132
• /
• 2017

Purpose - There are many variables related to consumer-brand relationship such as brand attitude, attachment, commitment and brand loyalty and we should manage these all variables successfully to achieve a strong brand loyalty. The objective of this research is to investigate the path from brand attitude and brand attachment to brand commitment and brand loyalty. Specially, this article focuses on the moderating effects of brand type and consumer innovativeness in the causal relationships between variables. Research design, data, and methodology - The seven hypotheses were proposed and tested empirically in this research. Three of seven hypotheses were the effects of brand attitude and brand attachment on the brand commitment and brand loyalty. Another two hypotheses presented the moderating effect of brand type and other two hypotheses expressed the moderating effect of consumer innovativeness in the causal relationships between variables. Research data were collected from the surveying of university students and the 282 samples were used to test the proposed hypotheses empirically. We utilized SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0 for statistical analyses such as reliability test, validity test and path analysis. Results - The results show that brand attitude influences the brand loyalty and brand attachment influences the brand commitment positively. The brand attachment also influences the brand commitment positively. We found that there is a moderating effect of brand type in the causal relationship between brand attitude and loyalty though there is no significant moderating effect in the causality between brand attachment and commitment. We also fount that there is no significant moderating effect of consumer innovativeness in the causal relationships among brand attitude, brand attachment, brand commitment and brand loyalty. In Summary, 5 of 7 hypotheses in this study were supported and 2 hypotheses were not supported. Conclusions - There is a path model of consumer-brand relationship from brand attitude and brand attachment to brand commitment and brand loyalty. Companies should provide their consumers with effective marketing program in every phase of consumer-brand relationship to build brand loyalty. In addition, there are possibilities that the relationships among brand attitude, brand attachment, brand commitment and brand loyalty are moderated by brand type and consumer innovativeness. Companies should consider perceived brand type and innovativenss of their consumers in planning and executing their various marketing programs for their brand management.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 2015

Purpose - A traditional retail market is a place that offers economic opportunity to employees and employers alike it also is a place where the community can meet. The Korean government has invested three trillion won to improve physical and non-physical aspects in traditional retail markets since 2004. However, little research on this has been conducted. We explore this research gap that could lead to theory extension. We analyze consumption behavior with respect to traditional retail markets through an empirical analysis, thus overcoming limits in previous research. We empirically analyze policy effects of traditional retail market projects supported by the Korean government. Research design, data, and methodology - We propose a traditional retail market improvement plan via the relation between cause and effect resulting from the analysis. More specifically, logit analysis was carried out with 1,754 consumers in 16 cities nationwide. In order to analyze consumer consumption behaviors nationwide, the probability was analyzed using a logit model. This research analyzes the link between support and non-support by the Korean government using binary values. The dependent variable is whether Korean government support is implemented; the binomial logistic regression is used as the statistical estimation technique. The object variables are:1 (support) or 0 (nonsupport), and the prediction value is between 1 and 0. As a result of the factor analysis of questions related to attributes of service quality, four factors were extracted: convenience, product, facilities, and service. Results - The results indicate that convenience, product, and facilities have a significant influence on consumer satisfaction in accordance with the government's traditional retail market support. Additionally, the results reveal that convenience, product, facilities, and service all have a significant influence on consumer satisfaction in a traditional retail market's service quality and consumer satisfaction. Finally, the analysis indicates that the highly satisfied traditional retail market customer has a significant influence on revisit intention. Moreover, the results reveal that the highly satisfied traditional retail market customer has a significant influence on recommendation intention. Conclusions - This research focused on consumers nationwide to measure policy effects of traditional retail markets compared to previous research that focused on one traditional retail market or a specific area. We verified the relationship of service quality and customer satisfaction and consumer behavior based on service quality theory. The results indicate that consumer satisfaction of traditional retail markets supported by service quality factors has a significant impact. In a concrete form, the results indicate that these effects are from facility modernization projects and marketing support projects of the Korean government. The results also imply that these facility and management support effects from the Korean government have been consistent. We realize that the Korean government has to selectively support traditional retail markets in major cities and small and medium-sized cities. To that end, the Korean government needs to select a concentration strategy for the revitalization of traditional retail markets.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.39-50
• /
• 2019

Purpose - Since the local liquor industry uses the agricultural products produced in the region as the main raw material, cultivation of the industry can be a way to expand the demand for domestic agricultural products and can contribute to the income increase of the farmers. In addition, the local liquor industry can be developed into a region-specific industry differentiated from other regions by linking with the region's tourism resources. Therefore, in order to achieve various derivative effects through promotion of the local liquor industry, it is necessary to precisely understand the factors related to the purchase and consumption of local liquor which then will lead to an increase in consumption. This study analyzes the current status and problems of local liquor industries and examines the determinants of consumers' purchasing decisions of regional specialties through questionnaires. We will then propose a strategy to promote consumption of locally produced alcoholic beverages. Research design, data, and methodology - An online Domestic Consumer Survey was conducted to identify the actual purchases and uses of local liquors for 500 consumers nationwide. Based on the questionnaire results, the analysis uses an ordered probit model. Results - As a result of analyzing the effect of consumer characteristics on the purchase of local liquors, it was found that the average cost of drinking, income, local specialty, brewery experience, and health concerns have a significant effect on gender, drinking frequency. All the variables except the participation in the training of the special provincial manufacturing method were found to be statistically significant. The statistical significance was at a 1% significance level for the remaining factors excluding the bottle design. This shows that the higher taste, quality, price, and harmony with food, the higher the probability of purchasing local liquors. Conclusions - In the analysis of factors influencing the purchase intention of local liquors, it was found that factors such as taste, quality, price, and harmony with food had a significant effect. Given the diversity of purchasing factors, the importance of diversification strategies is emphasized again. In particular, it will be important to secure wide publicity for local liquors through various PR strategies.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.35-44
• /
• 2013

Purpose - Until recently, studies on customer values for restaurants recognized two path structures; the SERVQUAL model, that is, service quality? perceived value? customer satisfaction? behavioral intention, and the customer value? customer satisfaction? behavioral intention path that categorizes customer values into functional value and hedonic value. This study, instead, classifies the consumption values of fast-food restaurants based on the consumption value system provided by Sheth, Newman and Gross (1991) and illustrates the new path structure, consumption value? customer satisfaction? behavioral intention, targeting college students for a generalization of the consumption value system of fast-food restaurants. Research design, data, and methodology - This study establishes five hypotheses based on the relationship between each type of consumption value (functional, emotional, social, and epistemic) and customer satisfaction, and the relationship between customer satisfaction and behavioral intention. For this analysis, data was collected by conducting a pre-test and administering a survey to 213 college students who are regular customers at fast-food restaurants in Seoul, Korea. The data collected was then analyzed using SPSS 15.0 and AMOS 6.0 statistical packages. Results - The study showed that: First, the consumption values of fast-food restaurants are classified into the following four categories: functional value, emotional value, social value, and epistemic value while consumption value can be applied to customer value of fast-food restaurants. Second, the functional and epistemic values had a positive impact on customer satisfaction. The resulting satisfaction is attributed to the intrinsic characteristics of fast-food restaurants like the consistent quality of food, reasonable prices, fast service, and unique or new experiences on every visit. On the other hand, emotional and social values did not affect customer satisfaction. The results on emotional value differed from the general studies on restaurants while the results obtained for social value were not consistent with the studies on high-end restaurants. Third, customer satisfaction had a positive impact on behavioral intention. The survey showed that college students reflected behavioral intention - repurchase intention and word-of-mouth - if they were satisfied with the food quality and employee services provided. Simultaneously, it was seen that the impact of functional value on customer satisfaction of fast food restaurant goers was more than that of epistemic value. Conclusions - The consumption values of fast-food restaurant users could be classified into four categories, functional, emotional, social and epistemic values, based on the consumption value system provided by Sheth, Newman and Gross (1991). It proved that the customer values of restaurant goers can be extended to the path structure of consumption value? customer satisfaction? behavioral intention to confirm its generalization. The study also showed that marketing managers need to focus more on the factors that influence functional value as the fast-food restaurant users consider timely services with the consistent quality of food at a reasonable price and at a convenient place more important than the new experiences or uniqueness.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.15-27
• /
• 2011

Although a huge number of academic researchers have paid considerable attention to exploring both the degree to which store image influences retailer brand customers and how to develop store personality, they have overlooked the contemporary retail context in which retailers have developed many different types of retailer brands, that is, price-oriented or quality-oriented retailer brands. Rather than focusing on the latter, much literature has looked at the former. Accordingly, even though there are many articles related to store image, a few authors have shown their interest in identifying the extent to which store personality affects customers purchasing retailer brands at lower prices. As a result, their efforts have been to illustrate the relationship between store image and consumer behaviours buying retailer brands. In that multiple retailers over the world such as E-Mart, Lotte-Mart, Tesco Korea and Tesco UK have actively introduced not only the quality-focused retailer brands that quality is better than, or equal to national brands, and prices are slightly higher than, or equal to them, but also price-focused retailer brands, academicians should make an effort to investigate how store image affects customers purchasing a quality-oriented retailer brand, comparing with previous research results. That is why the authors illustrate the extent to which store personality components influence retailer brand customers, including particularly quality-oriented retailer brand customers through an empirical research. By adopting a questionnaire method as a research technique to illuminate the relationship between store image components and retailer brand customers, research validity increases and further, data gathered through a field survey are analysed through a few statistic analysis methods, in order to minimise statistical deviations. Compared with the prior research concentrated on price-focused retailer brands, the authors have significantly shed light on customer behaviours purchasing retailer brand products with higher quality. When it comes to store personality components, the research suggests the following five items: merchandise attributes, services, physical facilities, promotions, and institutional image, considering the subcomponents mentioned by the previous research. Proposing the conceptual research model which those elements are differently hypothesised, according to retailer brand types: PR (Price-oriented Retailer brand) and QR (Quality-oriented Retailer brand), the research is proceeded. Through empirical research, the authors found that amongst the five items, only promotion influenced retailer brand customers in the Korean retailing marketplace, unlike other countries explored by many researchers, such as UK. Although much literature emphasises that those elements are closely related to retailer brand buying proneness, it is completely not fit to the Korean market. Also, research findings provide new insights into the degree of store image effects on retailer brand customers for academiciansand practitioners. Whether the retailer brand development program that a retailer has carried simultaneously both price-focused and quality-focused retailer brand types is practically profitable should be explored in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.sup3
• /
• pp.113-117
• /
• 2016

Quantile regression is an efficient method for predicting and estimating the relationship between explanatory variables and percentile points of the response distribution, particularly for extreme percentiles of the distribution. To study the relationship between urbanization and cancer morbidity, we here applied quantile regression. This cross-sectional study was conducted for 9 cancers in 345 cities in 2007 in Iran. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the relationship between urbanization and cancer morbidity was investigated using quantile regression and least square regression. Fitting models were compared using AIC criteria. R (3.0.1) software and the Quantreg package were used for statistical analysis. With the quantile regression model all percentiles for breast, colorectal, prostate, lung and pancreas cancers demonstrated increasing incidence rate with urbanization. The maximum increase for breast cancer was in the 90th percentile (${\beta}$=0.13, p-value<0.001), for colorectal cancer was in the 75th percentile (${\beta}$=0.048, p-value<0.001), for prostate cancer the 95th percentile (${\beta}$=0.55, p-value<0.001), for lung cancer was in 95th percentile (${\beta}$=0.52, p-value=0.006), for pancreas cancer was in 10th percentile (${\beta}$=0.011, p-value<0.001). For gastric, esophageal and skin cancers, with increasing urbanization, the incidence rate was decreased. The maximum decrease for gastric cancer was in the 90th percentile(${\beta}$=0.003, p-value<0.001), for esophageal cancer the 95th (${\beta}$=0.04, p-value=0.4) and for skin cancer also the 95th (${\beta}$=0.145, p-value=0.071). The AIC showed that for upper percentiles, the fitting of quantile regression was better than least square regression. According to the results of this study, the significant impact of urbanization on cancer morbidity requirs more effort and planning by policymakers and administrators in order to reduce risk factors such as pollution in urban areas and ensure proper nutrition recommendations are made.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.40 no.sup
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to establish an association between the percent of energy from total sugar and disease prevalence of obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome with the context of the current population dietary practice in Korea. The Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2001 and 2002 dataset were used as the source of data for this research. Usual nutritional intakes for over 20 years old people were calculated from the two non-consecutive dietary intake data from KNHANES 2001 and 2002 dataset. SAS and SUDAAN were used for statistical analyses. Sample weighted means, standard errors, and population percentages were calculated, and multiple logistic regression model with adjustment for covariates were used to determine the odds ratios(ORs) and 95% confidence intervals. Subjects were categorized as 3 ways and compared the LS means and ORs for heath factors. First, subjects excluding pregnant women, were categorized according to percent of energy from the usual total sugar intakes as ${\leq}10%$, 11-15%, 16-20%, 21-25%, >25%. Risk of LDL cholesterol showed a tendency to increase in the '>25%' group compared to the '<10%' group. The risks of the other health effects did not show any significant differences. Second, the subjects were categorized considering both Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range(AMDR) from carbohydrate and %Energy from total sugar as 'CHO<55% & Total sugar ${\leq}10%$', 'CHO 55-70% & Total sugar 11-25%', and '$CHO{\geq}70%$ & Total sugar ${\geq}25%$'. The risk of obesity tended to increase in the '$CHO{\geq}70%$ & Total sugar ${\geq}25%$' group compared to the 'CHO<55% & Total sugar ${\leq}10%$'. Third, the subjects were categorized as 'CHO<55% & Total sugar ${\leq}10%$', 'CHO 55-70% & Total sugar 11-20%', and '$CHO{\geq}70%$ & Total sugar ${\geq}20%$'. The risk of obesity also tended to increase in the '$CHO{\geq}70%$ & Total sugar ${\geq}20%$' group compared to the 'CHO<55% & Total sugar ${\geq}20%$' group. In conclusion, risk of LDL cholesterol showed a tendency to increase in the over 25% total sugar intake group, and the risk of obesity tended to increase in the 20-25% total sugar intake and high carbohydrate intake group. The risks of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome were not associated with total sugar intakes. More research to elucidate the association for Korean between the intakes of total sugar, added sugar, glucose, fructose, and sweeteners and diseases prevalences shoud be excuted in the future.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2015

Purpose - This study attempts to analyze whether or not there are characteristics among the top management of companies that promote corporate performance at venture companies. It investigates the characteristics of the human and social capital that are inherent in top management at a venture company and conducts an empirical analysis of hypotheses examining if these characteristics will affect utilization of the governmental R&D support system as well as affect the firm's initial success. Research design, data, and methodology - This study conducted theoretical and empirical research together to accomplish the goal of the study. The pilot study researched human capital and social capital as the independent variables; the governmental R&D support system as the parameter; and, the initial success as the dependent variable. The empirical study carried out research on the model, establishment of hypotheses, and the statistical treatment. A survey was conducted targeting top management of high-tech venture companies in Daedeok Innopolis; 500 questionnaires were distributed; and, 222 were collected. Results - The human and social capital inherent in top management at venture companies in the early stages of their existence become good evaluation data for those who are invested in similar resources. If top management includes strong human and social capital, access to external resources will be easier; these will have a positive influence on the selection of overnmental support systems; and, this proper support will also have a positive influence on the initial success of the venture company. The results revealed the following. First, it was found that when the educational level and functional background, (the top management human capital), are the output function, top management human capital had a significant influence on selection of governmental R&D support funds. Second, it was found that the internal social capital and external social capital, (the top management social capital), had a significant influence on selection of governmental R&D support tasks. Third, it was found that selection of the governmental R&D support tasks at the start of the venture company had a positive influence on the corporate financial performance such as sales, business profits, and the increase in workers; and, had a significant influence on nonfinancial performance such as market share, competitive position, product competitiveness, and the future product development. Conclusions - Selection of the governmental R&D support system is not recognized as part of the direct sales of a venture company in its early stages, but as it can reduce costs for technical development and helps significantly in creating test products and mass production, it has a positive influence on the company's financial performance and nonfinancial performance as a result. Therefore, companies should take great efforts to frequently be selected as a candidate in the governmental R&D support system, as it can help facilitate R&D that requires extensive funds. As a result, companies can expect effects such as job creation and patent applications and they can advance future product sales.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.12 no.9
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2014

Purpose - Recently, although corporate social responsibility activities have been increasing in size, they do not have to achieve qualitative improvements and can be passive and cost consuming. Therefore, companies should make quantitative as well as qualitative improvements in their efforts in corporate social responsibility activities. In this study, the classification of social responsibility activities in a variety of studies was analyzed through a more specific path than in previous studies. Corporate behavior image, social behavior image, and corporate contributions image were analyzed through a more detailed analysis of performance. This study suggests that more detailed and concentrated social responsibility activities be pursued by forming companies. Research design, data, and methodology - The purpose of study is to gauge the corporate need for a more intensive, specific area of CSR activities. For this purpose, the sample of consumers that were targeted for CSR activities, recognized as 261 persons, have been investigated. Through a theoretical discussion on previous research, nine hypotheses were established on corporate image, the influence of corporate performance on CSR, and the CSV regulation effect. In order to test the hypothesis, a survey was conducted on 261 male and female consumers who were targeted for CSR, being persons in their 20s to 40s. PASW Statistics 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 were used for statistical analysis. Results - Corporate behavior image was formed through legal responsibility activities and economic responsibility activities. In addition to economic responsibilities, ethical responsibilities and environmental responsibilities were confirmed to have influence on social behavior image. Corporate social responsibility and philanthropic responsibility were confirmed to have influence on economic contribution image. Corporate image has positive effects on brand attitude, corporate reputation, and corporate competition. In addition, when CSV awareness is high, consumers perceive corporate image only through economic responsibility. However, when CSV awareness is low, economic responsibility as well as legal responsibility through charitable activities form the corporate image that influences the brand attitude and corporate reputation, as well as corporate competitiveness. It would appear that the area of corporate social responsibility needs more intensive management for corporate image and corporate competitive advantage. Conclusion - First, the findings of this study show that each CSR activity has a different effect on corporate image and thus, the corporate image influences corporate performance in distinct ways, depending on the CSR activity. This implies that reactive strategies should be tailored to the required image. Second, there is a difference in CSV awareness between groups. When the CSV awareness is low, we can confirm that legal responsibility activities have an especially significant effect on corporate image, implying that corporations should pursue their economic objectives within legal regulations and need to invest significant time and effort for this. This study has limited generalization potential because the result of the model fit has insufficient reference value. In future research, we need to approach various dimensions of corporate performance.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.11 no.10
• /
• pp.5-15
• /
• 2013

Purpose - With the increase in fervor to purchase luxury brands, new social problems have arisen, such as excessive preoccupation with luxury brands and high preference for forged luxury goods. Therefore, the issues related to luxury brands, termed "Luxury Syndrome," have emerged as an area of great interest for researchers and practitioners. However, previous studies neglect to categorize this preference for luxury brands. Therefore, this study aims to identify the different purchasing behaviors of consumers using the types of luxury brands preferences as parameters. Research design, data, and methodology - This study arranges a causal relationship model assuming that purchase behaviors positively (+) affect typified preference for luxury brands and purchase intentions. We administered a questionnaire survey to the purchasers who bought luxury brands from department stores to secure additional data necessary to verify the hypotheses in this study. We then processed the data using SPSS 19.0. We further analyzed the basic data using frequency and descriptive statistical analysis, and verified the measurement tools through feasibility and reliability analyses. Moreover, this study uses multiple regression analysis to verify the hypotheses. Further, this study tests the path effect between luxury brand purchase attitude and purchase behavior, with non-intrinsic preference and intrinsic preference as the mediating variables. Results - Based on the results, the impact of tendencies of conspicuous consumption and self-monitoring on non-intrinsic preference was significantly positive (+), while the impact of tendencies of pursuit of a reference group, conspicuous consumption, and self-monitoring on intrinsic preference and purchase intentions was significantly positive (+). Further, non-intrinsic and intrinsic preferences positively (+) influence purchase intentions and the impact of non-intrinsic preference took an absolute portion. However, the tendency of dependence on brands negatively (-) impacts purchase intentions. The results showed that self-monitoring and conspicuous consumption tendencies have greater effect on purchase intention, which is mediated by non-intrinsic preference. In contrast, reference group following tendency has a greater effect on purchase intention, which is mediated by intrinsic preference. Conclusions - Based on the results, the study verifies that the consumption of luxury brands in Korea has not yet entered the settling period. The tendency for conspicuous consumption and the tendency for pursuit of the reference group were relatively important aspects for the consumers who prefer luxury brands non-intrinsically and intrinsically, respectively. Especially, it was found that the purchase intentions for forged brands originate from the tendency to depend on brands. Based on these findings, this study suggests the measures to develop and mature the luxury brands market, and reinforce marketing performance at the three levels, that is, government, distributors, and manufacturers. The luxury brands manufacturers should devote themselves to the production and design of products to catch the attention of mature consumers of luxury brands. The luxury brands distributors should then raise the level of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for opinion leaders. Finally, the Government should prepare effective policies for the development of luxury brands and provide a variety of economic support.