• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.171-182
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to determine dimension of service quality, there by to analyze difference of service quality according to the types of fashion retail stores. and to investigate consumer variables (demographic characteristics, purchase behavior) and service quality which affect consumer satisfaction. The subject were 451 women in the age of twenty to forty years old who live in Seoul and the suburban of Seoul. The results of the study were as follows : First, it was found that fashion retail store's service quality was classified 5 factors: (1)salesperson. (2)convenience of shopping, (3)variety of product and facility. (4)store policy, (5)efficiency of movement. Second, departmentstore was evaluated the highest in terms of all factors. Discountstore was evaluated highly in terms of store policy and lowly in terms of variety of production and facility. East & South gate fashion shopping mall was evaluated the lowest in terms of all factors except variety of product and facility. Third, service quality and satisfaction showed significant differences in demographic characteristics. Purchase behavior of each fashion retail stores showed significant differences. The difference of service quality and satisfaction depending on purchase behavior showed a significant positive relation. Forth, service quality of discountstore and East & South gate fashion shopping mall were affected by purchase behavior partially. Departmentstore users were affected by salesperson and store policy. Discountstore users were affected by all factors except convenience of shopping. East & South fate fashion shopping mall users were affected by all factors.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.13-22
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• 2016

Purpose - We examine the marginal value of cash in Korean retail firms, largely unexamined in literature. The marginal value of cash plays pivotal role in cash management policy; especially, a significantly low marginal cash value indicates substantial manager-shareholder conflicts. Research design, data, and methodology - We estimate marginal cash values by adopting the approach of Faulkender & Wang (2006). The sample of retail firms traded in Korean Stock Exchange from 1991 to 2013 is analyzed. Results - We estimate the marginal value of cash for the retail firms as 0.75, implying significant manager-shareholder conflicts. We find a lower marginal value of cash for financially constrained retail firms, contradicting existing theories. The marginal value of cash increases substantially after 2000s, suggesting severe agency conflicts in 1990s as a key reason behind our findings. Conclusions - Our findings support the substantial resource diversion problem in Korean firms and the agency theory of cash management policy. Our results argue against the widely accepted view focusing on implications of financial constraints, which highlights a need of new cash management theory.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.13-21
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• 2015

Purpose - The purpose of this research paper is twofold. First, this paper attempts to grasp the damage caused to small and medium-size retail traders from online wholesalers in the field. Second, this paper engages in a psychological characterization of the enterprise spirit and the management of small and medium-size entrepreneurs in the retail trade business that are harmed by online wholesalers. Research design, data, and methodology - Data on three large Korean wholesalers engaged in ongoing litigation during the first half of 2014, including E-Mart Traders E-Club, and regarding applications for business adjustments from three large wholesalers were used. Results - The results show that small and medium-size distribution merchants seek political support for facility modernization, policy-specific funds, development of the distribution of PB products, advanced distribution techniques, joint logistics systems, establishment of distribution and logistics centers, sharing of parking facilities, and joint ordering systems. Conclusions - This study examined the damage to, and the government's support of policy demands from, small retail traders.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.69-77
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• 2015

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine whether the cash policies of retail firms listed on Korean stock markets are consistent with the evidence provided in the study of Almeida et al. (2004). Liquidity management is an important issue for financially constrained firms relative to financially unconstrained firms. Because there are few sources of external funding, the optimal liquidity policies of financially constrained firms should reflect their own earnings or cash inflows to create opportunities for current and future real investments. According to this simple idea, we estimate the sensitivity of cash to cash flows and simply check whether the estimated sensitivity to cash flows of the cash retained by constrained retail firms is greater than that of the cash retained by unconstrained retail firms. Through this work, we aim to explain why the cash policies of the retail firms listed on the Korean stock markets differ from those of listed manufacturing enterprises. Research design, data, and methodology - To explain a firm's cash holdings, we use only three explanatory variables: earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), Tobin's q, and size. All the variables are defined as the value of the numerator divided by aggregate assets. Thanks to this definition, it is possible to treat all the sample firms as a single large firm. The sample financial data for this study are collected from the retail enterprises listed on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets from 1991 to 2013. We can obtain these data from WISEfn, the financial information company. This study's methodology has its origin in Keynes's simple idea of precautionary liquidity demand: When a firm faces financial constraints, cash savings from earnings or cash inflows become important from the corporate finance perspective. Following this simple idea, Almeida et al. (2004) developed their theoretical model and found empirical evidence that the sensitivity of cash to cash flows varies systematically according to different types of financing frictions. To find more empirical evidence for this idea, we examined the cash flow sensitivity of the cash held by Korean retail firms. Results - Through several robustness tests, we empirically showed that financially constrained Korean retail firms display significant positive propensity to save cash from earnings before interest and taxes, while the estimated cash flow sensitivity of the cash held by unconstrained retail firms is not significant. Despite the relatively low earnings of retail firms, their sensitivity is three times greater than that of manufacturing enterprises. This implies that Korean retail firms have greater intentions of facilitating future investments rather than current investments. Conclusions - The characteristics of the cash policies of Korean retail firms differ from those of manufacturing firms. This contrast may be attributable to industry-oriented policy planning, regulations, and institutional differences. However, the industrial policymakers should observe signals of the long-term growth options of retail firms based on their high propensity to save from their cash inflows.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.41-48
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• 2017

Purpose - Capital structure adjustment costs influence the test of the standard trade-off theory of capital structure. We investigate whether there exist economically significant capital adjustment costs in the Korean retail industry. Research design, data, and methodology - This paper adopts the model of Leary and Roberts(2005) to obtain the hazard rate of capital structure variations. The retail firms traded in the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets are analyzed from 2000 to 2016. Results - The empirical analysis shows infrequent capital structure adjustments in the Korean retail firms. The duration analysis emphasizes that the fixed adjustment cost plays an important role in the determination of capital structure adjustments for the Korean retail firms. Yet, even after taking account of infrequent capital structure adjustments, the trade off theory only weakly explains the capital structure variations of the Korean retail firms. Conclusions - This paper confirms the existence of capital structure adjustment costs for the Korean retail firms. Our results argue for the significance of fixed adjustment costs in capital structure adjustments. Such emphasis on the fixed cost is inconsistent with the existing studies. The trade off theory does not successfully explain capital structure policy in the Korean retail firms even after considering adjustment costs.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.55-65
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• 2014

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the process of political changes in Japan, which has introduced regulatory policies for large-scale retail stores since the 1930s, as well as the examples, and suggests improvement schemes for our policies in Korea, which imposes restrictions on business hours and forced holidays in accordance with the current Distribution Industry Development Act. Research design, data, and methodology - After examining the political change processes related to large-scale retail stores in japan, this study analyzes individually regulated cases based on the ordinances enacted by each local government. Through case analysis in Japan, this study makes political suggestions that may be helpful for our country substantially. Results - Since there is an obvious possibility that our economic restrictions on business hours and mandatory holidays do not coincide with WTO GATS, it is necessary for large-scale distributors to introduce new social and environmental regulations similar to Japan, rather than imposing controls to restrict free competition and also introduce a policy to induce cooperation with small businesses for the advancement of the distribution industry. Thus, it is desirable to take measures on noise, waste, traffic, and parking for the preservation of the living environment in the surroundings when building new large-scale retail stores. It is also important to establish measures to improve the welfare of neighborhood residents and consumers, create a pleasant urban environment, and make it mandatory to make presentations at public hearings among residents. Furthermore, it should be mandatory to establish regional contribution plans when a retail store is established, and take measures to solve various civil complaints or problems that may occur after entering the market. Moreover, it is desirable for large-scale retail stores that entered the market to induce cooperation in performing various activities in the area with a strong sense that they are all members of the local economy. Conclusions - If introducing social regulations like in Japan, there is probably an advantage that the conflicts seen when large-scale retail stores enter the market are absorbed by adjusting the persons concerned within the established institution in order to establish a field to solve such conflicts systematically. In contrast, there are still concerns regarding chaotic operation without any active attempts to have a conversation with large-scale retail stores and local small merchants due to a sharp conflict among the persons concerned, and if it is a briefing session without any decision of the restrictions on their opening itself, there may be doubts with regard to their effectiveness. Moreover, if the de facto opening is restricted by the introduction of such a briefing session procedure, the choice of whether to protect the existing rights of large-scale retail stores might become problematic. However, such problems could be minimized in a way by forming a separate consultative group for all persons concerned including residents, local governments, professionals, civic organizations, small merchants, and massive retail store-related persons.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.129-139
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• 2016

Purpose - This paper examines the explanatory power of the agency theory in the determination of cash holdings for Korean retail firms. If the agency theory holds, a firm with strong corporate governance structure tends to have low cash holdings. A strong governance structure makes the CEO of this firm to behave in the interests of shareholders and thus the CEO has low incentive to stockpile cash holdings, which can be easily diverted for the CEO's own managerial purposes. We investigate this relationship between corporate governance structure and cash holdings, by using corporate governance scores as a proxy variable that captures the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanism. Research design, data, and methodology - We adopt the sample of publicly listed retail firms in KOSPI market from 2005 to 2013. Financial and accounting statements are gathered from the WISEfn database. We also use the corporate governance scores published by Korean Corporate Governance Service. The relationship between the corporate governance scores and cash holdings is cross-sectionally estimated based on the ordinary least square method. This estimation method is widely accepted in the existing literature. The sample of large conglomerates, Chebol, and the remainder firms are separately examined as well, to account for the distinctive internal financing environment in these large conglomerates. Results - We mainly contribute to the extant literature by providing empirical evidence against the agency theory of cash policy. Unlike the prediction of agency theory, we confirm statistically insignificant or even positive correlations between the set of corporate governance scores and cash-asset ratios. Almost all the major corporate governance attributes including total score, shareholder rights, board structure, and the quality of information disclosure do not show negative correlations with cash holdings, which poses a strong challenge to the validity of the agency theory in the determination of retail firms' cash holdings. Conclusions - This study presents interesting empirical results with respect to the cash policy in Korean retail firms. Consistent to prior studies, I verify that the agency theory only limitedly explains the level of cash holdings. Future studies may obtain more robust results by examining a longer sample period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2007

This study was implemented to examine the effect of tobacco on operation of a retail store and propose a relevant direction to development of a retail store. In terms of an examination method, the questionnaire was conducted in respect of supermarkets and convenience stores(CVS) around the nation. As a result of analysis based on such questionnaire, although there was a little difference in between a supermarket and a convenience store, a similar result could be found in general. In other words, retailers selling tobacco regarded the tobacco as a medium to solicit customers. Since the significance of tobacco in terms of total sales volume was so high, without the tobacco, they might have suspend the business. Consequently, the effect of tobacco was enormous. In addition, under the premise that many regular customers should be acquired to develop such retail stores, it was found that it would be necessary to increase $15{\sim}20%$ in terms of a margin in tobacco, preserve the profit ratio by the government, make efforts to enhance a quality and design by a tobacco company, actively recommend a particular brand, and actively display a tobacco publicity booklet, etc. Moreover, the proper number of tobacco stores in comparison with habitual smokers was one per 200 persons. In respect of the most unreasonable tobacco policy, a minor-related system and a policy of increasing a tobacco price were named. Thus, under the premise that a medium such as tobacco is highly important with respect to an operation of retail store, it is necessary to pay a more careful attention to an improvement of a reasonable and equitable system to further develop a retail store.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.87-100
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• 2021

Purpose: This paper examined the role of conditional value in the green automotive industry. The relationships of conditional value's four factors, consumers' attitudes and consumers' intention to purchase green cars were investigated. The conditional value was extended by examining the effect of fuel prices. Research design, data, and methodology: This study is quantitatively designed. All variables were measured using a 7-point Likert-scale; 425 questionnaires were collected from the respondents in Malaysia. SmartPLS was utilized to examine the proposed nine hypotheses. Result: The results demonstrate a positive relationship between attitude and intention toward green cars. Additionally, the results of the relationships were as follows: fuel prices was the most significant predictor of Malaysian consumers' attitudes and consumers' intention to purchase green cars, followed by environmental consequences and government policy. However, retail sales promotions did not show a significant effect on both consumers' attitudes and intentions. Conclusion: The study's findings suggest that the Malaysian government should implement an integrated package that includes a fuel pricing policy that restricts the purchase of non-green cars, as well as a set of financial incentives for purchasing green cars. Moreover, it is valuable to conduct public awareness campaigns about the negative consequences of current consumption patterns.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2003

General drug prices involve three stages: shipment stage, wholesaler stage and retail stage. Policies on drug price differ from country to country. Shipment stage prices are tightly regulated in countries like France and Netherlands. They are free in only a minority of advanced countries, even if these include some major players such as the US, Germany and, in a very limited sense, Japan. The situation in the UK is very complex with a semi-free system, where drug companies are free to set their own prices but cannot exceed a predetermined profit ceiling. Mark-up at both wholesaler and retail stages is formally admitted in most countries observed. Apart from the general drug prices, reimbursement price of insured drugs has been major policy concerns. Most countries reviewed in this study has exerted some control over reimbursement prices, but differ both in the way how and in the extent to which prices are admitted or fixed. Price fixing has been used in France and Japan. Some countries have transformed their system over time, particularly to move to reference pricing in the last decade. This mechanism has empowered the customer, and improved price competition on the market. Referring to the drug price policies in the advanced countries, this study makes some suggestions for the redirection of Korean price policy for reimbursement drug in health insurance as follows: to match appropriate policy tools to each policy goal; to maximize market mechanism through effective reimbursement price fixing which admits mark-ups in wholesaler and retail prices; to introduce reference pricing system in order to redirect patient's demand with a financial incentive to choose the best-priced drugs and to save the finance of health insurance; and to strengthen surveillance and monitoring mechanism in the drug market.