• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.51-89
• /
• 2007

INTRODUCTION Due to the high broadband internet penetration rate and its group-oriented culture, various types of online communities operate in Korea. This study use 'Uses and Gratification Approach, and argue that members' usage-needs satisfaction with brand community is an important factor for promoting community commitment. Based on previous studies identifying the effect of brand image on consumers' responses to various marketing stimuli, this study hypothesizes that brand image can be a moderate variable affecting the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction with brand community and members' commitment to brand community. This study analyzes the influence of usage-needs satisfaction on brand community commitment and how apparel brand image affects the relationships between usage-needs satisfactions and community commitments. The hypotheses of this study are proposed as follows. H1-3: The usage-needs satisfaction of apparel brand community (interest, transaction, relationship needs) influences emotional (H1), continuous (H2), and normative (H3) commitments to apparel brand communities. H4-6: Apparel brand image has a moderating effect on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and emotional (H4), continuous (H5), and normative (H6) commitments to apparel brand communities. METHODS Brand communities founded by non-company affiliates were excluded and emphasis was placed instead on communities created by apparel brand companies. Among casual apparel brands registered in 6 Korean portal sites in August 2003, a total of 9 casual apparel brand online communities were chosen, depending on the level of community activity and apparel brand image. Data from 317 community members were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, moderated regression analysis, ANOVA, and scheffe test. Among 317 respondents answered an online html-type questionnaire, 80.5% were between 16 to 25 years old. There were a total of 150 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=3) recording higher-than-average brand image scores (Mean > 3.75) and a total of 162 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=6) recording lower-than-average brand image scores(Mean < 3.75). In this study, brand community commitment was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: emotional, continuous and normative commitment. The degree of usage-needs satisfaction (interest, transaction, relationship needs) was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The level of brand image was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: strength, favorability, and uniqueness of brand associations. RESULTS In the results of exploratory factor analysis, the three usage-needs satisfactions with brand community were classified as interest, transaction, and relationship needs. Brand community commitment was also divided into the multi-dimensional factors: emotional, continuous, and normative commitments. The regression analysis (using a stepwise method) was used to test the influence of 3 independent variables (interest-needs satisfaction, transaction-needs, and relationship-needs satisfactions) on the 3 dependent variables (emotional, continuous and normative commitments). The three types of usage-needs satisfactions are positively associated with the three types of commitments to apparel brand communities. Therefore, hypothesis 1, 2, and 3 were significantly supported. Moderating effects of apparel brand image on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and brand community commitments were tested by moderated regression analysis. The statistics result showed that the influence of transaction-needs on emotional commitment was significantly moderated by apparel brand image. In addition, apparel brand image had moderating effects on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and emotional, continuous and normative commitments to apparel brand communities. However, there were not significant moderate effects of apparel brand image on the relationships between interest-needs satisfaction and 3 types of commitments (emotional, continuous and normative commitments) to apparel brand communities. In addition, the influences of transaction-needs satisfaction on 2 types of commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were not significantly moderated by apparel brand image. Therefore, hypothesis 4, 5 and 6 were partially supported. To explain the moderating effects of apparel brand image, four cross-tabulated groups were made by averages of usage-needs satisfaction (interest-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.09, transaction-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.46, relationship-needs satisfaction M=1.62) and the average apparel brand image (M=3.75). The average scores of commitments in each classified group are presented in Tables and Figures. There were significant differences among four groups. As can be seen from the results of scheffe test on the tables, emotional commitment in community group with high brand image was higher than one in community group with low brand image when transaction-needs satisfaction was high. However, when transaction-needs satisfaction was low, there was not any difference between the community group with high brand image and community group with low brand image regarding emotional commitment to apparel brand communities. It means that emotional commitment didn't increase significantly without high satisfaction of transaction-needs, despite the high apparel brand image. In addition, when apparel brand image was low, increase in transaction-needs did not lead to the increase in emotional commitment. Therefore, the significant relationship between transaction-needs satisfaction and emotional commitment was found in only brand communities with high apparel brand image, and the moderating effect of apparel brand image on this relationship between two variables was found in the communities with high satisfaction of transaction-needs only. Statistics results showed that the level of emotional commitment is related to the satisfaction level of transaction-needs, while overall response is related to the level of apparel brand image. We also found that the role of apparel brand image as a moderating factor was limited by the level of transaction-needs satisfaction. In addition, relationship-needs satisfaction brought significant increase in emotional commitment in both community groups (high and low levels of brand image), and the effect of apparel brand image on emotional commitment was significant in both community groups (high and low levels of relationship-needs satisfaction). Especially, the effect of brand image was greater when the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was high. in contrast, increase in emotional commitment responding to increase in relationship-needs satisfaction was greater when apparel brand image is high. The significant influences of relationship-needs satisfaction on community commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were found regardless of apparel brand image(in both community groups with low and high brand image). However, the effects of apparel brand image on continuous and normative commitments were found in only community group with high satisfaction level of relationship-needs. In the case of communities with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, apparel brand image marginally increases continuous and normative commitments. Therefore, we could not find the moderating effect of apparel brand image on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and continuous and normative commitments in community groups with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS From the results of this study, we draw several conclusions; First, the increases in usage-needs satisfactions through apparel brand communities result in the increases in commitments to apparel brand communities, wheres the degrees of such relationship depends on the level of apparel brand image. That is, apparel brand image is a moderating factor strengthening the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and commitment to apparel brand communities. In addition, the effect of apparel brand image differs, depending on the level and types of community usage-needs satisfactions. Therefore, marketers of apparel brand companies must determine the appropriate usage-needs, depending on the type of commitment they wish to increase and the level of their apparel brand image, to promote member's commitments to apparel brand communities. Especially, relationship-needs satisfaction was very important factor for increasing emotional, continuous and normative commitments to communities. However the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was lower than interest-needs and transaction-needs. satisfaction. According to previous study on apparel brand communities, relationship-need satisfaction was strongly related to member's intention of participation in their communities. Therefore, marketers need to develope various strategies in order to increase the relationship- needs as well as interest and transaction needs. In addition, despite continuous commitment was higher than emotional and normative commitments, all types of commitments to apparel brand communities had scores lower than 3.0 that was mid point in 5-point scale. A Korean study reported that the level of members' commitment to apparel brand community influenced customers' identification with a brand and brand purchasing behavior. Therefore, marketers should try to increase members' usage-needs satisfaction and apparel brand image as the necessary conditions for bringing about community commitments. Second, marketers should understand that they should keep in mind that increasing the level of community usage needs (transaction and relationship) is most effective in raising commitment when the level of apparel brand image is high, and that increasing usage needs (transaction needs) satisfaction in communities with low brand image might not be as effective as anticipated. Therefore, apparel companies with desirable brand image such as luxury designer goods firms need to create formal online brand communities (as opposed to informal communities with rudimentary online contents) to satisfy transaction and relationship needs systematically. It will create brand equity through consumers' increased emotional, continuous and normative commitments. Even though apparel brand is very famous, emotional commitment to apparel brand communities cannot be easily increased without transaction-needs satisfaction. Therefore famous fashion brand companies should focus on developing various marketing strategies to increase transaction-needs satisfaction.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.286-294
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of marketing activities to apparel brand community on interaction of the community. Subjects of 317 members for 9 selected apparel communities responded the questionnaire in the home-page or in the attached file. Data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, one-way ANOVA, scheffe-test. The results were as follows: Significant differences among three community groups classified based on the levels of interactions(interaction of company to members and interaction among members) were found in several types of marketing activities(award to activities, added services, conveyance of community's purpose and acceptance of negative responses) to apparel brand community. These types of marketing activities were operated in communities with high level interactions higher than in communities with low level interactions. Therefore, marketers need to operate these types of community marketing activities to increase interactions which can contribute members' satisfaction of interest, transaction and relationship needs through apparel brand online community.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.30 no.6 s.154
• /
• pp.916-927
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to identify psychological and behavioral outcomes of commitment to apparel brand community by test structural equation model. Subjects of 317 members for 9 selected apparel communities responded the questionnaire in the home-page or in the attached file. The results were as follows: 1) The suggested structural equation mode was accepted by data from apparel brand communities with hish brand strength(${\chi}^2=97.42$, d.f.=89, p=0.25, GFI=0.92, AGFI=0.88, RMR=0.05, NFI=0.94). However, this model wasn't accepted by data kom apparel brand communities with low brand strength. 2) Three types of commitment to brand community(emotional, continuous and normative commitments) influenced brand identification positively and brand identification positively influenced three types of behavioral outcomes(favorable word-of-mouth, co-production and repurchase of brand). Therefore, managements need to develop marketing programs to promote each type of commitment to their's own brand community.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.411-418
• /
• 2008

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of perceived Korea image on the evaluation and purchase intention of Korean apparel products and examine the effect of perceived Korea image on preference of Korean image and Korean apparel brand among Chinese female consumers. As variables of perceived Korea image, marketing stimulus and popular culture elements were included. Data were obtained from 350 Chinese women in the 20s and 30s who were living in Shanghi, China. Data were analyzed by frequency analysis, ANOVA, multivariate regression using SPSS WIN 12.0. The results of this study were as follows. First, the preference of Korea image was significantly affected by marketing stimulus and popular culture (e.g. TV drama of Korea). However, only marketing elements significantly affected on the preference of Korean apparel brands. Second, purchase intention of Korean apparel products was influenced by marketing stimulus, the preference of Korean apparel brands and the evaluation of Korean apparel products. Popular culture element which was main element of Hanliu was not affected significantly to purchase intention of Korean apparel products. As source of Korean brand image for apparel product, Chinese female consumers used more Korean TV drama and entertainers. This study provides an insight into Korean fashion marketers for developing market strategies in China.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1432-1443
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship among the sub-dimensions of interaction and the relationship between interactions and needs satisfactions in the apparel brand online communities. Subjects of 317 members for 9 selected apparel communities responded the questionnaire in the home-page or in the attached file. The results were as follows: The suggested structural equation model which showed the relationship between the interactions and needs satisfaction in communities were accepted($\chi^2=63.80/df.=48/p=0.06$, GFI=0.97, AGFI=0.95, RMR=0.045, NFI=0.93, AIC=123.80). The interaction of company-consumer hads a positive influence on the interaction of consumers-consumers(H1) and the interaction of consumers-consumers had a positive influence on the interaction of consumers-company(H2). The interaction among community members had a positive influence on the satisfaction of interest needs(H3), transaction needs(H4) and relationship needs(H5) in the community. The relationship needs satisfaction had a positive influence on the interaction of members to the company(H6). Therefore, marketers in apparel company should be fully aware of reciprocal influence among types of interaction when planning marketing programs to promote each type of interaction. Furthermore, they also have to plan marketing activities to manage effective interaction.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.82-100
• /
• 2015

Mobile fashion apps present much opportunity for marketers to engage consumers, however not all apps provide enough functions for their targeted audience. This study aims to determine how mobile fashion apps can be used to build brand community with consumer engagement. Qualitative data on fashion mobile apps were collected from the Apple app store and Android market during the spring and summer of 2015. A total of 110 fashion mobile apps were collected;, 50 apps were identified as apparel brands that either manufacture or sell apparel to consumers, which we categorized as "brand" fashion apps, and the remaining 60 were categorized as "non-brand" fashion apps. The result of the study can be summarized as below. The 60 non-brand fashion apps were grouped into 5 app types: shopping, searching, sharing, organizational, and informational. The main functions are for informational use and shopping needs, since at least half (31 apps) are used for either retrieving information or for shopping. However, in contrast, social networking and location were infrequent and not commonly utilized by these apps. The most common type of non-brand fashion apps available were shopping apps;, many shopping apps enable users to shop from several different websites and save their items into one universal shopping cart so that they only check out once. Most of these apps are informational and help consumers make more informed decisions on purchases;, in addition many offer location services to help consumers find these items in store. While these apps perform several functions, they do not link to social media. The 50 brand apps were grouped into 5 brand types: athletic, casual, fast fashion, luxury, and retailer. These apps were also checked for attributes to determine their functionality. The result shows that the main functions of brand fashion apps are for information (82% of the 50 apps) as well as location searching (72% of 50 apps). Conversely, these apps do not offer any photo sharing, and very few have organizational or community functions. Fashion mobile apps and m-marketing elements: To build brand community, mobile apps can be designed to motivate consumer's engagement with brands. The motivations of fashion mobile apps are useful in developing fashion mobile apps. Entertainment motives can be fulfilled with multimedia attributes, functionality motives are satisfied with organizational and location-based features, information motives with informational service, socialization with community and social network, learning and intellectual stimulation from informational attributes, and trend following through photo sharing. The 8 key attributes of mobile apps can correspond to the 4 m-marketing elements (i.e., Informative content, multimedia, interactions, and product promotions) that are further intertwined with m-branding elements. App Attributes and M-Marketing aim to Build Brand Community;, the eight key attributes can impact on 4 m-branding elements, which further contribute to building brand community by affecting consumers' perceptions of brands preference and advocacy, and their likelihood to be loyal.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Costume Conference
• /
• 2004.08a
• /
• pp.302-303
• /
• 2004

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.123-134
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of evaluative criteria and brand preferences by clothing purchasing motivations of Chinese female consumers. Data were obtained from 350 Chinese women in the 20's and 30's who were living in Shanghi, China. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, ANOVA, Duncan test, cluster analysis, and descriptive statistics using SPSS WIN 12.0. The results of this study were as follows. The clothing purchasing motivations of consumers were classified into 'hedonic,' 'utilitarian,' and 'economic' motivation. The evaluative criteria of clothing were classified into 'aesthetic/quality,' 'service/care,' and 'social status symbol' evaluative criteria. Chinese female consumers were divided into four groups by cluster analysis of clothing purchasing motivation; economic, practical hedonic, utilitarian, and inactive groups. There were significant differences in evaluative criteria of clothing, brand preference of foreign brand and Korean brand, and purchase intention among four groups. Practical hedonic and economic groups showed the highest means of evaluative criteria of clothing, foreign brand, Korea brand, and purchase intention of Korean apparel brand. This study provides implications into Korean fashion marketers for developing marketing strategies in China.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
• /
• v.15
• /
• pp.253-265
• /
• 1990

This article was written with two purposes in mind. The first purpose was to introduce clothing and textile community who may not be familiar with Multidimensional Scaling(MDS) with usefulness of the new technique in the area of fashion merchandising. The second purpose was to present the results of an empirical study on brand image utilizing MDS and its related technique as the main analysis tools. The main objective of the empirical study was to gain a better understanding of consumer's brand image by relating differences in perception and attributes of clothing in women's ready-to wear market. For this empirical study, the ten brands and the fifteen attributes of clothing were chosen. The questionnaire consisting of questions asking about the similarity and attributes of clothing between selected brands was administrated to 185 career women during summer in 1989. Data were analyzed cluster analysis, and KYST and PROFIT in MDS program. The results were as follows: 1. The similarities data for the ten selected brand by using KYST program of MDS drawed the perceptual map. The results of this perceptual map showed that the selected brand were grouped into three clusters. 2. In order to get a somewhat objective view of which attributes consumers are attributing to each brand, PROFIT program was used. As a result, it was revealed that assortment depth / width, price, youth-oriented style, possibility of various social activity were significant attributes in consumer's brand choice rather than physical attributes of clothing such as quality or durability. This may imply that consumer orientation in rapidly changing environments of women's apparel market was its basic idea, and the focus of all fashion merchandising activities was put on need's and the response of consumer group who are the object of the target. Implicating for future research as well as for strategy of brand positioning were also suggested.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1088-1101
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the outdoor sportswear purchase behavior, outdoorwear sportswear brand preference, functional fabric awareness, and benefits sought. The research was performed through in-depth interview during February to March 2011. Data were collected from 10 consumers who had purchased outdoor sportswear and experienced camping in 6 months. First, the results from study showed that functionality/comfortability, design, color, and brand name were important factors in selecting outdoor sportswear. Offline stores were the main place to purchase, however, internet shopping mall and portal online community were another shopping channel as well. Second, respondents preferred imported outdoor sportswear brand to national brand. According to the study, the respondents trusted the imported outdoor sportswear quality based on the brand name, value, and brand history more than national brand. Third, consumers who had low functional fabric awareness were more likely to evaluate apparel products based on the brand name. Knowledge levels for textile functions were high in elastic, UV protection, air permeable, and antibacterial properties. The essential features for camping were water absorbing and quick dry, water resistance, wind proof, UV protection, and fire retardant properties. Finally the results showed that there were two sportswear benefit soughts: functionality and status ostentation.