• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1127-1137
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• 2010

As directly imported apparel brands are actively entering the domestic market, studies of the marketing aspects of these imported apparel products and their overall consumption trend have been done. However, studies of whether are not the directly imported apparel products provide Korean consumers with an appropriate fit are not as common. Therefore, this study investigates the satisfaction with and problems associated with the fit along with the recognition of and preference for directly imported US apparel brands. 100 female college students who purchased directly imported US apparel brands participated in a survey. The results of this survey showed that their recognition of, preference for, possession rate of and satisfaction with the directly imported US apparel brands tend to be high. The major purchasing motivations were the excellent 'design' and 'color' of the products. The subjects reported that they were satisfied with the quality of 'materials' and 'sewing condition'. However, they were not satisfied with the 'comfort' or the 'size'. Their level of satisfaction with the fit of these products differed depending on the specific item. Their level of satisfaction with the fit of T-shirts and knits was high, whereas the level for pants was relatively low. They complained mostly about the sleeve length and garment length of upper-body garments and coats. They were not satisfied with how the pants fit. The areas of dissatisfaction regarding the pants were the waist girth, the crotch length and the pants length.

• 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.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.889-902
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• 2011

The purposes of this study were to identify point makeup purchasing and using behavior according to the personal color awareness. Most women considered their favorite color first when purchasing lipsticks and skin color when purchasing cheek powder or foundation. They considered makeup concept first when applying lipsticks, eye shadows, and cheek powder but skin color applying foundations and manicures. Factors of personal color awareness were preferences & utilization awareness, other's advice, and direct awareness, and were segmented into PC intermediate group, high PC group, and PC retard group. PC intermediate group were in the late 20's and the early 30's, average incomes with high education, and patronized discount stores for point makeups, used fashion color as a criterion when selecting lipsticks, foundations, and manicures, apparel color when applying eye shadows, skin color when applying cheek creams, and preferred imported lipsticks and manicures. High PC group were among unmarried women in the early 20's, university students, high income households with medium level of pocket money, spent more for point makeup, and patronized department stores and internet shopping mall, used skin color or fashion color as criteria when selecting point makeup, referenced makeup concept when applying point makeup, preferred imported point makeup. PC retard group were among married women in the late 30's with low education and low income, spent less for point makeup and pocket money, and selected domestic point makeup, used their favorite color as a criterion when selecting point makeups and apparel color when applying lipsticks and cheek creams.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2007

Marketing strategists believe that the best way to satisfy customers is through satisfied employees. In fashion retail businesses, salespersons play a pivotal role for the success of business, since fashion products have emotional properties and customers' emotion is largely affected by personal selling at the point of purchases. The present study aims to examine relationships among internal service quality, job satisfaction, and organizational performance in fashion retail businesses. Specifically, the study will test the validity of applying service quality concept to the internal service targeting the sales person of fashion retailers and identify dimensions of internal service quality. Data were collected from salespersons of women's wear and imported brand stores at four major department stores. 205 survey responses were used for the final analysis. The factor analysis extracted empathy/tangibility, assurance, responsiveness and reliability factors. The structural path analysis and effect analysis indicated that the importance of assurance and responsiveness of internal service quality had significant direct effects on job satisfaction and significant indirect effects on organizational performance. Reliability dimension of internal service quality had a significant direct effect on job satisfaction. The importance of empathy/tangibility dimension, however, was relatively weak in the model.