• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2015

Purpose - The objective of this study is to verify whether there are differences between Korean and Chinese consumers in the importance of the attributes such as shopping value and loyalty in social commerce. With the purpose of finding out these differences, the following questions are set up as research questions. First, will there be a difference between Korea and China in the importance of attributes of social commerce? Second, will there be a difference between Korean and Chinese consumers in shopping value? Third, will there be a difference between Korean and Chinese consumers in their loyalty? Research design, data, and methodology - The researchers collected data through self-administered questionnaires from Korean and Chinese consumers who had used social commerce within the past six months before answering the questionnaire. First, for social commerce users in Korea, comprising male and female university students in Chungcheong, a questionnaire was circulated. For social commerce users in China, university students within Beijing were surveyed. Responses to 336 questionnaires were used, excluding those with no answers or unreliable answers. Data coding and data cleaning were used. SPSS 18.0 was used. First, exploratory factor analysis is done to verify the validity of testing tools, and Cronbach's α coefficient is used to verify credibility. For factor analysis, the Varimax method is used. To verify the internal consistency reliability of each factor, the Cronbach's α coefficient is used to verify the credibility. Second, a T-test is done to verify differences between Korean and Chinese consumers for the importance of attributes. Third, ANOVA (Analysis of variance) is done to verify differences between Korean and Chinese consumers in shopping value and loyalty. Results - When Korean and Chinese consumers use social commerce, first, the importance of the attributes of social commerce is affected by four factors; playfulness and economic factors are more important to Korean consumers than Chinese consumers. As for informativeness factors, including product information and quality, and buyer comments, there was no confirmed difference between Korean and Chinese consumers. The convenience factor is more important to Chinese consumers than Korean consumers. Second, the factors affecting shopping value for Korean and Chinese consumers were hedonic shopping value and rational shopping value. To see the difference between Korean and Chinese consumers in shopping value factors, a t-test is conducted. As a result, in the rational shopping value factors of social commerce, Korean consumers scored higher than did Chinese consumers. These results were verified to be meaningful through statistics. In the hedonic shopping value factor of social commerce, Korean consumers scored higher than Chinese consumers. These results showed a significant difference. Third, loyalty in social commerce is higher for Chinese consumers than for Korean consumers. However, there is no difference in loyalty depending on sex. Conclusion - These results will hopefully be valuable and used in the future by Korean companies that wish to enter the Chinese social commerce market.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.105-118
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• 2015

Purpose - The objective of this study is to verify whether there are differences between Korean and Chinese consumers in the importance of the attributes such as shopping value and loyalty in social commerce. With the purpose of finding out these differences, the following questions are set up as research questions. First, will there be a difference between Korea and China in the importance of attributes of social commerce? Second, will there be a difference between Korean and Chinese consumers in shopping value? Third, will there be a difference between Korean and Chinese consumers in their loyalty? Research design, data, and methodology - The researchers collected data through self-administered questionnaires from Korean and Chinese consumers who had used social commerce within the past six months before answering the questionnaire. First, for social commerce users in Korea, comprising male and female university students in Chungcheong, a questionnaire was circulated. For social commerce users in China, university students within Beijing were surveyed. Responses to 336 questionnaires were used, excluding those with no answers or unreliable answers. Data coding and data cleaning were used. SPSS 18.0 was used. First, exploratory factor analysis is done to verify the validity of testing tools, and Cronbach's α coefficient is used to verify credibility. For factor analysis, the Varimax method is used. To verify the internal consistency reliability of each factor, the Cronbach's α coefficient is used to verify the credibility. Second, a T-test is done to verify differences between Korean and Chinese consumers for the importance of attributes. Third, ANOVA (Analysis of variance) is done to verify differences between Korean and Chinese consumers in shopping value and loyalty. Results - When Korean and Chinese consumers use social commerce, first, the importance of the attributes of social commerce is affected by four factors; playfulness and economic factors are more important to Korean consumers than Chinese consumers. As for informativeness factors, including product information and quality, and buyer comments, there was no confirmed difference between Korean and Chinese consumers. The convenience factor is more important to Chinese consumers than Korean consumers. Second, the factors affecting shopping value for Korean and Chinese consumers were hedonic shopping value and rational shopping value. To see the difference between Korean and Chinese consumers in shopping value factors, a t-test is conducted. As a result, in the rational shopping value factors of social commerce, Korean consumers scored higher than did Chinese consumers. These results were verified to be meaningful through statistics. In the hedonic shopping value factor of social commerce, Korean consumers scored higher than Chinese consumers. These results showed a significant difference. Third, loyalty in social commerce is higher for Chinese consumers than for Korean consumers. However, there is no difference in loyalty depending on sex. Conclusions - These results will hopefully be valuable and used in the future by Korean companies that wish to enter the Chinese social commerce market.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.75-92
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to prove how sociocultural perspective of obesity, differences in consumers' perception of body and attitudes of accepting obesity affected individuals' clothing behaviors through cross-cultural studies. The data collected were composed of 612 Korean and US consumers in the 20's and 30's that had experiences in purchasing plus-size products. The results were as follows. First, BMI index was lower in Korean consumers than the US consumers, but Korean consumers received more stress from being overweight compared to the US consumers, and had a more negative attitude about their body. Second, although Korean consumers had lower BMI index and degrees of obesity than US consumers, they were severely stressed by obesity and were found to have a higher level of dissatisfaction with their bodies. Third, Korean consumers responded more sensitively to obesity and had a tendency to display a more negative attitude regarding obesity, and a more passive dependence on clothing. Forth, differences in the body shape were reflected even in wearing evaluation, and US consumers showed a more positive attitude toward evaluations of size suitability and fitness. Fifth, the plus-size market for Korean consumers was still not active, and most products purchased were generic brands obtained from online shopping malls through the Internet. However, in the case of the US, in which the ratio of obese people is high and the plus-size market is growing, consumers were purchasing plus-size brands through various distribution online and offline channels. Sixth, Korean consumers were less satisfied than US consumers with shops, sizes and fitness; however, they were more satisfied with design factors. Finally, it is expected that this study can offer practical implications for marketers and product developers running plus-size market for young obese consumers in their 20 and 30s.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1303-1318
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• 2010

This study is to understand the characteristics of Korean and Japanese consumers by analyzing the relation among consumer attitudes, concepts, and knowledge about luxury brands. In addition, the present study is to help to establish more effective marketing strategies for luxury companies by providing new data based on consumer knowledge. The author conducted a survey on a total of 816 male/female Korean and Japanese subjects ranging in age from 20 to 50s. The results of this study are as follows: First, Korean consumers have more positive attitudes toward luxury brands than Japanese consumers. Second, regarding the concepts about luxury brands, Korean consumers have concepts of luxury such as "involvement" "symbol of status" "scarcity" and "hedonism"and Japanese consumers have concepts such as "involvement" "ostentation" "high value"and "ornamentation" Third, Korean consumers are more confident in their knowledge and experiences about luxury brand consumption than Japanese consumers. The subjective knowledge has positive impacts on consumer attitudes toward luxury brands and becomes one of the reasons for the friendlier attitudes of Korean consumers toward luxury brands, compared to Japanese consumers. Fourth, the level of objective knowledge of Korean and Japanese consumers is high; but there is no statistically significant difference in the two countries.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.56-70
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• 2018

This study investigated if there are differences between the effects of lifestyle and personality on consumer complaining behavior between Korea and China. Sample subjects of this study were female college students of Korea(Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do) and China(Yunnan). The questionnaire data from 780 college students were analyzed through the following statistical analyses: a reliability analysis, factor analysis, frequency, mean, and multiple regression analysis. The results of the study was as follows. First, the complaining behavior types of college students were divided into 4 factors: third party, breakaway behavior, compensation claim, and negative word of mouth. Second, significant differences were revealed between the dissatisfaction and the conditions of complaining behavior between Korean and Chinese consumers. Third, significant differences were found which were related to the effects of lifestyle and personality on types of consumer complaining behavior between Korea and China. Fourth, the complaining behavior factors of 'third party' and 'compensation claims' of Chinese consumers were higher than those of Korean consumers; however, the 'negative WOM' of Korean consumers were higher than those of Chinese consumers. Fifth, the lifestyle factors of 'fashion orientation, 'rational orientation' and 'activity orientation' of Chinese consumers were higher than those of Korean consumers. The 'achievement orientation' of Korean consumers was higher than that of Chinese consumers. And the personality factors of 'sense of responsibility' of Chinese consumers were higher than Korean consumers. Finally, 'openness' of Korean consumers were higher than Chinese consumers.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.61-74
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• 2008

This research aims to examine and analyze behavior of consumers in pursuit of safety the basis of data Korea Consumer Agency in 2007 2,000 male and females older than 20 years old in Korea. In particular, this study investigates the impact of and life styles of consumers in pursuit of safety. Results of this research could be summarized as follows. First of all, Korean consumers tend to place emphasis on factors such as price and freshness rather than safety in the purchase of vegetables, meats, rice, and fruit.Second, the safety consciousness of consumers is high among female young consumers among consumers showing intermediate positions for the issue of opening domestic markets for foreign agricultural products. Third, this study also examines the impact of life styles on consumers' behavior in pursuit of safety. Such behavior is high among consumers emphasizing values on family and current consumption and showing negative attitudes opening domestic markets for imported foreign agricultural products. Finally, behavior in pursuit of safety is high among female, high school graduated, family-oriented consumers and valuing leisure and showing negative attitudes opening domestic markets for foreign agricultural products. However, safety consciousness of consumers do not generate direct impact on patterns of pursuing safety.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.7
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• pp.47-56
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• 2013

Purpose - In the academic literature, the researches on a comparative study on purchase behaviors of the consumers from emerging and mature markets remain limited. Therefore, this empirical study is attempted to examine the effects of country of origin (COO), brand image and corporate image on the purchase behavior of Chinese consumers (as from emerging market) and Korean consumers (as from mature market). Research Design, data, methodology - In total, 615 valid questionnaires were collected from the main cities of China and Korea respectively, and a multiple group analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses with SPSS 16.0 and AMOS18.0. Results - Chinese consumers are not influenced by country-of-origin effect, whereas Korean consumers are sensitive to it. Both Chinese and Korean consumers are sensitive to brand image, whereas corporate image does appear to influence Chinese consumers but not Korean consumers. The effects of country-of-origin are not more influential in less developed market (China) than more developed market (Korea). Conclusions - According to the results of this empirical study, the country-of-origin effect does impact Korean consumers but not Chinese consumers' purchase behavior. Therefore, multinational companies are relatively free to make the decision, if Chinese consumers are the marketing targets, when choosing manufacturing sites.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.17-32
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• 1994

The main purpose of this study is to assess the housewives' perception to the salespersons' delivery of information at a department store and to assess how much they wan to get information through them. In this regard 410 consumers of housewives living in Seoul are randomly selected from April 7 to 28 in 1992. The major results are as follows: Firstly consumers generally seem to think much of salespersons' ability and to need salespersons' close explanation and advice. In this regard salespersons are respected as the consumer information sources whereas the degrees of reliability and satisfaction are relatively low. And, thus, salespersons does not influence much on consumers' decision to purchase. Secondly, consumers require information from salespersons. Therefore salespersons should provide informations to consumers so that salespersons will be available informants to consumers. Thirdly recognition on the presense salespersons is the major variable which influenced on consumers' requirement for information. The more positive recognition raises consumers' requirement for information and hence needs more available salespersons as informants to consumers. Consequently salespersons are expected to be professionals to meet the consumers' demand.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.95-111
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• 2005

This study utilized representative data and categorized consumer groups by the style of purchase behavior, and examined the differences in consumers' evaluation for their consumption life and socio-demographic variables. The results of this study are summarized below First, the level of satisfaction for consumption life and evaluation of consumption level were in medium. The evaluation for society's consumption behavior was negative and did not agree that consumers' own behaviors are rational, but others' are conspicuous. The trend of consumers' conspicuous behavior and fashion-focused behavior were severe, but consumers' rationality was low. Second, males were more likely to be in rationality, but females were in both rationality and fashion-focused behaviors. Single consumers were more likely to follow fashion-based behavior, but married consumers prefer name-brand products and more likely to show conspicuous consumption. Low education was more related with convenience-focused behavior and rationality, but high education was more related with fashion-focused behavior and irrationality. Young consumers were more likely to show fashion-focused behavior, but old consumers follow convenience-focused behavior. Third, the level of satisfaction for consumption life was the highest in rational consumers, but low in consumers focused on name-brand products and on conspicuous consumption. The evaluation of consumption level was low in rational consumers and consumers focused on convenience, but high in consumers focused on name-brand products and on fashion. Rational consumers were more likely to evaluate society's consumption behavior negatively, and consumers focused on convenience were more likely to disagree for the discrepance in the evaluation of consumption behavior between consumers themselves and others.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.663-674
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the preference for apparel brands and country of origin, (2) to evaluate the brand equity for domestic and imported apparels as perceived by Korean and American consumers, and (3) to analyze the effects of country of origin and brand equity on consumers' apparel purchase behavior. The sample included 151 Korean and 114 American consumers. The data were collected from respondents by using the mall-intercept method. In addition, the path analysis based on multiple regression analysis was applied to analyze the data. The major findings in this study were as followings; (1) Both of all Korean and US consumers preferred domestic apparel brands to imported brands but the latter preferred apparels made in home country to the former comparatively, (2) Korean consumers evaluated more favorably the brand equity for imported apparels than that for domestic apparels, but American consumers were quite the reverse, (3) To Korean consumers, the direct variable to influence the purchase intention of apparels was the perceived quality and indirect variables were the brand equity and country of origin. On the other hand, to American consumers, the perceived quality and the brand equity for domestics apparel had directly influence on the purchase intention and the brand equity for imported apparels did indirectly. Finally, implications for managerial and marketing strategies were discussed in regard to building an international apparel brand equity and improving exports with high quality apparels.