• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
• /
• v.55 no.5 s.95
• /
• pp.28-42
• /
• 2005

Objectives of this study were to investigate about the avatar's fashion products efficiency on casual wear advertisements to study about the effect of avatar's clothing image provided by apparel industry and to investigate about the effort of avatar's fashion product on apparel advertisement for fundamental data on the avatar's fashion marketing. Following were the summaries of the results: First, in terms of the correlation between avatar's clothing and casual brand images of nate avatar's fashion marketing, avatar's clothing image of FUBU male, female and maru male, female that is reformative, characteristical, unique and sensitive to latest fashion has positive correlation with FUBU and maru brand images. Therefore, consumers' higher perception on avatar's clothing image that are 'reformative', 'characteristical' and 'unique', indicated higher casual brand image perception, proving avatar's clothing image is effective in suggesting the brand. Second, in terms of advertising the avatar by clothing them with garments of each brand and comparing avatar's clothing and casual brand images, active avatar's clothing image of FUBU male, female emphasized active brand image of FUBU. However, FUBU male avatar's clothing image did not emphasize 'reformative', 'characteristical', 'cool', or 'sensitive to latest fashion' images compared to FUBU female avatar's clothing image. Also, in case of maru, 'male', 'conseuative' and 'insensitive to latest fashion' image of male avatar clothing emphasized maru brand image. Maru female's 'unpractical' ,'female' and 'characteristical' images emphasized maru brand image.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.133-152
• /
• 2006

The objectives of this study are as follows. First, we try to find out if self-congruity between brand personality and self-image overall has significant influence on the attitude toward brand. Second, we figured out whether functional, experiential, and symbolic values have influence on the attitude toward brand. Third, we figured out if self-congruity between brand personality and self-image has significant influence on a functional, experiential, and symbolic values. Main results are as follows. Consumers tend to prefer certain brand of casual wears in accordance with their cognized brand-personality and self-image. Functional values of Bean-Pole, Hazzys, and Tommy's except Polo have positive influence on attitude toward brand. Experiential and symbolic values of all the four brands have positive influence on attitude toward brand. However, the influences of self-congruity between brand personality and self-image on individual brand varied.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.120-140
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study is to understand interrelationships among the congruence of brand personality of family restaurants with the self image of customers, brand identification, and loyalty. The results showed a positive relationship between congruence of brand personality of family restaurants with the self image of customers and brand identification. However, the congruence of brand personality of family restaurants with the self image of customers does not have a direct effect on brand loyalty, and congruence of self image with a pertinent brand is perceived through brand identification. In addition, it was found that the brand identification of family restaurants has a positive effect on brand loyalty. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

• Archives of design research
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.375-384
• /
• 2003

This study is on the strategy for establishing successful corporate brand image, by understanding the need for increasing brand value based on the level of brand recognition. In order to carry this out, the PICS (Product Image Concentration System) is suggested, which includes Brand Image Analysis on a high-level, Product Image Programming based on the result of the image analysis, and Product Image Coherency Assessment and Management, resulting in setting up a guideline for gaining competitive advantage and brand management. Brand Image Analysis is a method that utilizes image association to understand brand disposition by analyzing the association pattern among available visual materials to measure the corporate and brand image inclinations. As the next step, Product Image Programming establishes design philosophy and principles based on the analysis of brand image, and the Visual Programming is a process for visualizing the intended product image direction. Lastly, Product Image Coherency Assessment examines whether to incorporate design philosophy and principles or not to arrive at an agreed evaluation criteria for developing designs coherent with the brand image. The PICS (Product Image Concentration System) is a practical method for increasing a company' competitive advantage and managing brand. The expectation on this system is to provide a guideline for applying brand image in design process more objectively. For further study, diversification of image spectrum based on expressive keywords and comparative analysis on images as well as a product image interpretation program to understand the order of visual materials will be necessary.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.69-84
• /
• 2012

A web site focused on a specific product brand so called product-brand web site has become one major marketing tool as such product-brand web site provides chances for customers to experience the detailed information of the specific brand as well as emphatic the image of the brand. The purpose of this research is to examine the influence of the product-brand web site on the formation of attitude toward the product brand. Subjects of this study are users of two web sites of leading sanitary product brands. The result shows that not only emotion, playfulness and convenience perceived from the web site but also existing attitude toward the brand influence the attitude toward the web site. Further, the attitude toward the web site in turn affects attitude toward the image of the brand. The importance of this study is in its conceptualization and empirical verification of the relationship between the product-brand web site and the reputation of a brand.

• Archives of design research
• /
• v.19 no.3 s.65
• /
• pp.31-44
• /
• 2006

With 'the improvement of brand image through the consolidation of the online and offline brand images' as the goal, the focus of this study lies in brand color. In order to analyze the differences between the website and offline image of a brand, as felt by the consumers, a survey on color image was conducted. Using the results of the survey as the foundation, a comparative analysis of online and offline color images was conducted, and the discrepancies between the two specified. Furthermore, solutions in creating websites that cultivate brand consolidation through color consolidation are presented. Using the thesis 'Research on the Color Strategy of Brand-name Coffees,' as a guide, and supplementing it with necessary improvements, this study presents three areas to consider when designing or managing websites for offline brands. First of all, color image is not static but variable, meaning that it appeals to the consumers differently, depending on change in other brands, trends, consumer point of view, etc. Thus, color image must be flexible. Secondly, overall brand image can be improved by its offline color. However, it should be realized that identical colors could produce different results online and off. Lastly, in general, the online image falls behind the offline image, in regard to color strategy. Therefore, more meticulous and carefully planned color design is necessary, as is the consideration of the unique and distinctive qualities of the World Wide Web.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.151-160
• /
• 2011

Cosmetic industry is a typical industry for domestic demand and is closely connected with domestic demand growth. In 2006, domestic cosmetics market is showing high growth rate due to the recovery of domestic demand and the market reorganization of sales channels is proceeding rapidly due to the recent global economic slowdown, Due to the situation, many companies are launching low-priced brand shop. The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of marketing strategy of cosmetic brand-shop on consumers' purchasing intention. As the result of analyses, it was found that product, place, promotion factors of cosmetic brand-shop affect brand image. Also only product factor affects corporate image, perceived quality. And using regression analysis between brand image, corporate image, perceived quality and customer behaviors. Brand image and perceived quality factors influence consumers purchasing intention. Brand image has a positive impact on corporate image. And corporate image affects the perceived quality.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Interior Design Conference
• /
• 2005.10a
• /
• pp.100-105
• /
• 2005

Recently cosmetic enterprises make rapid progress try to make well-known brands to perceive an image marketing. As the result, the brand's reliability continues to grow, beyond a medium of expression in two-dimensional, but through tridimensional, on brand's image runs strategies. In a strategic point suchlike visual as a shop's image give a stimulus to customers for increase invalue in corporate image and value of commodities. In the strategy of increase in sales, it is on the rise immediate constituent to consumers. Through cosmetic brand shops, cosmetic industries are provide personalized services and cultural facilities, rather than just selling products and to help revitalization of the cosmetic markets, and the pursuit of customer-oriented segmentation strategy to make changes for the better image for the shops. Each cosmetic brand shops' image of segmentation strategy has an effect on individual organizations and designs. As of today in Korea, cosmetic brand shop's designs, start to appear in the late 2000,will try to fine segmentation strategy for strengthen shop's image and research about unique quality of cosmetic brand shops into consumer orientation space, and make the best of significant prepare on the basis of directions for cosmetic brand shop which have ability to function as cultural facilities.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.169-174
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of national and corporate brand image of Korea on chinese consumers' purchasing Intention, also the impact of China on korean consumers' purchasing Intention. And the second aim of the research is to provide Korean businessmen who are interested in chinese market with information about chinese consumers' purchasing behaviour. Data from 205 chinese and korean consumers were analysed. As the result of analyses, it was found that Korean country image positive affects corporate brand image(samsung) and Chinese country image negative affects corporate brand image(haier) and product image. Korean corporate brand image only affects product image on chinese consumers. The product image affects Korean and Chinese consumer's purchasing intention.