• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1682-1694
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• 2007

There are a lot of factors working to facilitate the decline of Korea's traditional markets including large-scale discount stores, convenience stores, businesses of new types such as non-store retailing, and fiercer competitions among retail shops. The changes to the business environment are never favorable to them, either; the consumers have developed more diverse tastes and altered their purchasing styles; and the trading areas around traditional markets have withdrawn in size and power as new towns attract more businesses. In a word, every factor and situation seems to push traditional markets down the slope. Reacting to the problems, the Korean government enacted and enforced the "Special Law for the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Streets" to provide proper financial and management support. The shop owners of traditional markets formed merchants and prosperity associations and took various initiatives to increase the competitive edge of their traditional markets. All those efforts on the part of the government and the merchants, however, do not seem to be enough to revive traditional markets. This study set out to compare and analyze the management of shop owners of traditional markets based on the support projects by the government, to conduct an empirical research and analysis of their management conditions, and to suggest a better policy model by making improvements for the government's support system and making revisions to the current directions.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.374-383
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• 2019

Objectives: This study analyzed Japanese consumers on their sauce consumption, and assessed the relationship between consumer innovativeness and consumption behavior for new sauce products. Methods: The survey was completed by local consumers visiting Korean restaurants in Osaka, Japan, in September 2018. The demographic characteristics, consumption of sauce, consumer innovativeness, and factors of theory of planned behavior were evaluated. Totally, 150 collected data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 Program (IBM SPSS INC, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Results of the survey indicate that Japanese consumers purchase a sauce by considering the taste and food utilization. Sauce purchases were maximum at mega markets and supermarkets. The consumer innovativeness for Japanese consumers was based on 3 factors: 'Purchasing adventurous products (3.51 ± 0.96)', 'Active information seeking (4.36 ± 1.11)', and 'Interactive information seeking (4.33 ± 1.02)', where the tendency of 'Active information seeking' was the highest innovativeness factor. Furthermore, higher values of perceived behavior control (4.68 ± 1.21), attitude (4.66 ± 1.41) and subjective norm (4.39 ± 1.28) were revealed, when assessing for theory of planned behavior factors. Correlating the variables of consumer innovation and factors of planning behavior theory, 'Active information seeking' is a positive attribute for attitude (p<0.016), subjective norm (p<0.001), and perceived behavior control (p<0.002). These 3 factors also had significantly positive effects on purchase intention for new sauce product (p<0.000, p<0.000, and p<0.002, respectively). Attitude was determined to be another very influential variable for purchase intention of a new sauce product (B=0.484, t=6.881). Conclusions: The results of this study determine the consumption patterns of sauce for the Japanese consumer, and the relationship between consumer innovativeness and consumption behavior for Korean traditional sauces. We believe the data generated from this study will help determine a marketing strategy to enter the Japanese market.

• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.2 s.64
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• pp.63-72
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• 2006

The design in modern industrial society is the core of corporate administrational strategy and a factor that determines the competitiveness of a country. And the process of purchasing products is the matter related to the awareness of design which expresses the desire to own the design product that consumers prefer, implying that the aesthetic feature of product has become a critical characteristics of product design rather than the technical function of product. In this regard, the development of product design with a new dimension is urgently called for, by analyzing and shedding light on the aesthetic features of factors related to the preference of consumers. This study considers the preceding studies on the aesthetic factors and the reaction of customers to the product design to figure out the importance of factors related to the preference of customers, in an effort to shed light on the aesthetic factors that affect the customers' preference of product and the evaluation of product. In addition to that, this study investigated the preference that Korean and Chinese customers display toward the product and assessed the aesthetic features of preferred product in order to come to the conclusion from the experiment and analysis on how much effect the aesthetic factors and the aesthetic factors by product have on the preference of customers. Therefore, this study tries to propose the data that can be useful for the design of product targeted for consumers in Korea and China, by shedding light on what aesthetic factors that products preferred by consumers in Korea and China have and how much effect such factors have on the preference of consumers in an attempt to provide the guideline on the aesthetic factors of the product design.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2017

The goal of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in pig farms in the Republic of Korea using logistic regression and a multilevel model. A cross-sectional study was applied to 305 pig farms with a questionnaire-based interview by veterinarians between March 2014 and February 2015. The questionnaire comprised eight categories: proximity to neighbors, disinfection, visitors, vehicles, insecticides, wild animals, gilts, and feeding. In total, 61 questions in eight categories related to pig farm biosecurity were investigated. Farms were classified as PRRS stable or unstable based on the results of an antibody test and PCR. For univariate analysis, keeping production records with computers (OR = 0.283, 95% CI = 0.056 - 1.425), accredited farm with no use of antibiotics (OR = 0.412, 95% CI = 0.134 - 1.269), reviewing health record of semen prior to purchasing (OR = 0.492, 95% CI = 0.152 - 1.589), complete isolation of runt pigs (OR = 0.264, 95% CI = 0.084 - 0.829), compulsory registering for visitors (OR = 0.424, 95% CI = 0.111 - 1.612), keeping records of insecticide history (OR = 0.406, 95% CI = 0.089 - 1.846), routine on-farm monitoring by veterinarians (OR = 0.314, 95% CI = 0.069 - 1.423), and use of on-farm checklist for biosecurity monitoring (OR = 0.313, 95% CI = 0.063 - 1.553) were found to decrease the probability of PRRS infection. Multivariate and multilevel analysis revealed only two factors, complete isolation of runt pigs (OR = 0.165, 95% CI = 0.045 - 0.602 and OR = 0.208, 95% CI = 0.055 - 0.782) and compulsory registering for visitors (OR = 0.106, 95% CI = 0.017 - 0.655 and OR = 0.119, 95% CI = 0.017 - 0.809) were found to decrease the probability of PRRS infection. The intracluster correlation coefficient of a province for multilevel model was 0.05. The results of this study might facilitate biosecurity measures for individual farms to reduce the probability of PRRS infection.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.182-192
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• 2013

Since the Korean apple industry needs to expand its export market in Southeast Asia, this study investigates the attributes of Korean apples affecting consumer preference in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Based on an Importance-Preference analysis, the results are summarized as follows. First, price is the most important determinant for purchasing Korean apples by Southeast Asian consumers, except in Malaysia. Second, managing the intrinsic(sweetness and chewing texture) and extrinsic(surface and color) factors needs to be well maintained. Third, the priority of the marketing factor(wrapping) should be lowered. Fourth, while the importance of extrinsic factors(shape and size) is low, satisfaction is high, so these factors need to be managed to avoid overkill. Overall, Korean apples should have their own merits with an appropriate proper price, while maintaining a high quality. The results of this paper may provide suitable strategies for promoting apple exports to Southeast Asia.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 2015

Purpose - This study plans to adopt a more sophisticated approach toward service recognition by customers in general supermarkets in order to revise the service quality measurement methods that suit the context of Korean distribution channels. In particular, in general supermarkets, where much of the shopping process is in the form of self-service, there is high reliance on the service recognized by the consumers; therefore, it is highly likely that consumers would make their purchasing decisions based on their recognition of service quality or guarantees. It also utilized service quality elements of a basic level in the KD-SQS development model in order to indicate that the quality recognized by consumers impacts their loyalty to the stores with financial value and abstract value. Research design, data, and methodology - The study suggested a theoretical model comprising 13 hypotheses on relations between theoretic variables, and conducted surveys with consumers using discount stores in Seoul and Gyunggi Metropolitan area in order to verify the hypotheses, while using SPSS 20.0, AMOS 21.0 as the verification program. The survey sheets used amounted to 332, and a structural equation model was used to analyze the reliability and validity of constituent elements and to verify the suggested hypothesis. Therefore, this study analyzes the interrelations between service quality and guarantee factors in the distribution channel and their relations with the loyalty to stores as a dependent variable. Results - First, the results of the hypotheses tests helped identify the relations between service quality, service guarantees, service value, and customer loyalty, providing an opportunity to define the relations between constituent elements. In particular, service convenience in service quality has no impact on financial values. Further, stores' service policy had no impact on abstract values. Service recognition by service convenience has an impact on abstract values such as good image, comfort, and usability, while mileage systems promote financial values for consumers. In order to improve consumer values in service quality and values, general supermarkets should improve their service convenience, membership, and mileage programs using various strategies. Conclusion - In order to improve consumer values in service quality and values, general supermarkets should improve their service convenience, membership, and mileage programs using various strategies. Further, as service guarantee systems have a significant and direct impact on customer loyalty, rather than customer value recognition, service guarantees should be used to encourage customers to re-visit the stores. Finally, this study applied the findings of preceding studies in terms of service quality measurement; it had limitations in referencing preceding studies in a comprehensive manner. It also had limits in expanding upon various preceding studies because it was difficult to apply new measurement tools due to the lack of service quality measurement tools for general supermarkets. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct more studies on service quality to measure service quality and develop measurement tools by incorporating various industry characteristics.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.83-90
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• 2014

Purpose - Increasing sales of PB rice products can hinder the growth of domestic brands of rice, notwithstanding that the government is promoting domestic brands of rice. This analysis evaluated the influencing relationship among the variables of PB image, product credibility, and purchase intention of consumers who have never bought PB rice, to know the factors influencing consumers' decisions to purchase PB products. Research design, data, and methodology - PB products' brand image was analyzed as the factor that has a direct effect on purchase intention. The mediation effect of credibility on PB products is also analyzed, in terms of influencing the relationship between PB products' brand image and purchase intention. The analysis is performed on consumers that have not purchased a PB product and consumers who have purchased PB products from major distributors. Data is collected through questionnaires, from 389 of responders, and the AMOS 19.0 statistics package is used as a statistical tool. Results - It is proven that brand image has direct effects on the credibility of the product, and the credibility of product has a direct effect on purchase intention. However, it is revealed that brand image does not directly affect purchase intention, but that brand image indirectly affects it through the credibility of the product. Although the customers' recognition about PB image is low, the result shows that PB products' external attributes have effects on customers' purchase intention relating to the PB product. Therefore, it is important to establish the credibility of the PB product more than other products in terms of marketing. Conclusions - The following are the implications of the study. First, in a rice brand promotion, the credibility of the product should be ensured by a uniform brand image. To ensure the credibility of a product, the RPC brand and other brands should be unified, and the unified brand image should be applied to every product. Second, the package must possess a design as well as contents that could build consumers' perception of product credibility. Products' external attributes contribute to their credibility, which leads the consumers to purchase the products, including those consumers who have never bought PB rice products. Therefore, the products' credibility and sales can be reinforced by applying information about consumers' considerations when buying the PB rice product in different colors, font sizes, and packaging designs. This study is meaningful in two ways. First, it seeks to identify an NB revitalization strategy by exploring the purchasing behavior of customers who have no experience in buying PB rice products. Second, the results of previous studies about general brands are considered and applied in this study in order to investigate the influencing relationship among different factors of PB products. However, this study is a consumer awareness investigation; therefore, its results only have limited meaning to the relationship between brand image and purchase intention.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.539-546
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• 2016

It is over 12 years since the launch of Korea Train eXpress (KTX) services. Demand for the KTX has been on the increase continuously but few studies have been produced related to this phenomenon. KTX passenger demand has been constantly increasing due to influencing factors such as the expansion of network, rise of oil prices, etc. In this study, our main focus is to verify that there are other types of elements that are causing an increase in KTX demand; our approach looks at changes in social and psychological aspect that have occurred due to the reduction of travel time and cost, as well as the imposition of a five-day workweek. In other words, we considered diffusion theory in the marketing area, which affects product selection and purchasing attitudes, as a key factor that is causing passenger demand to increase. That is to say that it is hypothesized that the demand for travel on the KTX has increased due to the train's utility, which is spread by the diffusion effect Therefore, the Bass diffusion model was applied to explain the dramatic increase in KTX passenger demand. Based on this foundation, it was also discussed how certain marketing strategies that incorporate the diffusion effect should be considered variously for sustainable management of rail transportation, while considering a steady passenger demand.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.194-204
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• 2021

This study was conducted to find out the status and factors of private health insurance subscriptions by life cycle and to identify differences in medical usage behavior by life cycle. Using the SPSS 26 program as the 12th-15th (2016-2019) data of the Korea Welfare Panel, the difference subscriptions was identified as Chi-square by demo social and health characteristics of 58,223 people, and the factors affecting subscription were analyzed by polynomial logistic analysis and average analysis was performed for medical use behavior. As a result of the analysis, the biggest factor in purchasing private health insurance was household income, private health insurance coverage is the highest in growth period, and multiple subscriptions were made depending on household income. In youth, household income, spouse, and no disability, and middle age, household income, economic activities, spouses, and health levels were largely influential factors. The rate of private health insurance coverage in old age was the lowest, and low-income households, poor health levels, and people with disabilities were lower. The increase in medical use by private health insurance subscribers also occurred during growth and youth. It is necessary to strengthen the national health insurance coverage, and the role of private health insurance to supplement it should be established in time for the life cycle to complement each other, eliminating blind spots of medical security and maximizing people's health and well-being.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.300-308
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• 2019

Objectives: This research was conducted to identify the consumers' food choice factors that affect the consumers' replacement of soft drinks with carbonated water. Methods: The present study used secondary data from a consumer panel survey conducted by the Rural Development Administration of Korea, and the data included the panel members' purchase records based on their monthly spending receipts. The survey asked the participants about their food choice factors and their personal responsibility for their health. This survey included independent variables for the consumers' food purchase factors. As a dependent variable, two types of groups were defined. The replacement group included those people who increased their purchase of carbonated water and decreased their purchase of soft drinks. The non-replacement group included those people who did not change their purchase patterns or they increased their purchase of soft drinks and they decreased their purchase of carbonated water. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the consumers' food choice factors that were associated with replacing soft drinks with carbonated water. Results: The replacement group was significantly associated with (1) a younger age (OR=0.953), (2) being a housewife (OR=2.03), (3) higher income (OR=1.001) and (4) less concern about price (OR=0.819) when purchasing food. This group also showed (5) higher enjoyment (OR=1.328) when choosing food and (6) they took greater responsibly for their personal health (OR=1.233). Conclusions: This research is the first study to mainly focus on soft drinks and carbonated water. The result of this research showed that young, health-conscious consumers with a higher income and who are more interested in food have more possibilities to replace soft drinks with carbonated water. These research findings may be applied to consumers who have characteristics that are similar to the young health-conscious consumers and the results can help to suggest ways to reduce sugar intake and improve public health. However, this research has a limitation due to the application of secondary data. Therefore, a future study is needed to develop detailed survey questions about food choice factors and to extend these factors to all beverages, including soft drinks made with sugar substitutes, so as to reflect the growth of alternative industries that use artificial sweeteners or different types of sugar to make commercially available drinks.