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Comparison of Treatment Planning System(TPS) and actual Measurement on the surface under the electron beam therapy with bolus (전자선 치료 시 Bolus를 적용한 경우 표면선량의 Treatment Planning System(TPS) 계산 값과 실제 측정값의 비교)

  • Kim, Byeong Soo;Park, Ju Young;Park, Byoung Suk;Song, Yong Min;Park, Byung Soo;Song, Ki Weon
    • The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.163-170
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    • 2014
  • Purpose : If electron, chosen for superficial oncotherapy, was applied with bolus, it could work as an important factor to a therapy result by showing a drastic change in surface dose. Hence the calculation value and the actual measurement value of surface dose of Treatment Planning System (TPS) according to four variables influencing surface dose when using bolus on an electron therapy were compared and analyzed in this paper. Materials and Methods : Four variables which frequently occur during the actual therapies (A: bolus thickness - 3, 5, 10 mm, B: field size - $6{\time}6$, $10{\time}10$, $15{\time}15cm2$, C: energy - 6, 9, 12 MeV, D: gantry angle - $0^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$) were set to compare the actual measurement value with TPS(Pinnacle 9.2, philips, USA). A computed tomography (lightspeed ultra 16, General Electric, USA) was performed using 16 cm-thick solid water phantom without bolus and total 54 beams where A, B, C, and D were combined after creating 3, 5 and 10 mm bolus on TPS were planned for a therapy. At this moment SSD 100 cm, 300 MU was investigated and measured twice repeatedly by placing it on iso-center by using EBT3 film(International Specialty Products, NJ, USA) to compare and analyze the actual measurement value and TPS. Measured film was analyzed with each average value and standard deviation value using digital flat bed scanner (Expression 10000XL, EPSON, USA) and dose density analyzing system (Complete Version 6.1, RIT, USA). Results : For the values according to the thickness of bolus, the actual measured values for 3, 5 and 10 mm were 101.41%, 99.58% and 101.28% higher respectively than the calculation values of TPS and the standard deviations were 0.0219, 0.0115 and 0.0190 respectively. The actual values according to the field size were $6{\time}6$, $10{\time}10$ and $15{\time}15cm2$ which were 99.63%, 101.40% and 101.24% higher respectively than the calculation values and the standard deviations were 0.0138, 0.0176 and 0.0220. The values according to energy were 6, 9, and 12 MeV which were 99.72%, 100.60% and 101.96% higher respectively and the standard deviations were 0.0200, 0.0160 and 0.0164. The actual measurement value according to beam angle were measured 100.45% and 101.07% higher at $0^{\circ}$ and $15^{\circ}$ respectively and standard deviations were 0.0199 and 0.0190 so they were measured 0.62% higher at $15^{\circ}$ than $0^{\circ}$. Conclusion : As a result of analyzing the calculation value of TPS and measurement value according to the used variables in this paper, the values calculated with TPS on 5 mm bolus, $6{\time}6cm2$ field size and low-energy electron at $0^{\circ}$ gantry angle were closer to the measured values, however, it showed a modest difference within the error bound of maximum 2%. If it was beyond the bounds of variables selected in this paper using electron and bolus simultaneously, the actual measurement value could differ from TPS according to each variable, therefore QA for the accurate surface dose would have to be performed.

The Fabrication and Characteristic for Narrow-band Pass Color-filter Deposited by Ti3O5/SiO2 Multilayer (Ti3O5/SiO2 다층박막를 이용한 협대역 칼라투과필터 제작 및 특성연구)

  • Park, Moon-Chan;Ko, Kyun-Chae;Lee, Wha-Ja
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.357-362
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    • 2011
  • Purpose: The narrow-band pass color-filters with a 500 nm central wavelength and 12 nm FWHM using $Ti_3O_5/SiO_2$ mutilayer were fabricated, and their characteristics and structures were studied. Methods: the optical constants, n and k, of the $Ti_3O_5$ and $SiO_2$ thin films were obtained from the transmittances of their thin film. The narrow-band pass color-filters were designed with these optical constants and the AR coating of the filter was also designed. $Ti_3O_5/SiO_2$ multilayer filters were made by electron beam evaporation apparatus and the transmittaces of the filters were measured by spectrophotometer. the number of layers and the thicknesses of filters were calculated from the cross section of filters by SEM image and the composition of filters was analysed by XPS analysis. Results: The optimization of AR coating for the narrow-band pass color-filter was [air$|SiO_2(90)|Ti_3O_5(36)|SiO_2(5)|Ti_3O_5(73)|SiO_2(30)|Ti_3O_5(15)|$ glass], and the optimization of filter layer for the color filter was [air$|SiO_2(192)|Ti_3O_5(64)|SiO_2(102)|Ti_3O_5(66)|SiO_2(112)|Ti_3O_5(74)|SiO_2(120)|Ti_3O_5(68)|SiO_2(123)|Ti_3O_5(80)|SiO_2(109)|Ti_3O_5(70)|SiO_2(105)|Ti_3O_5(62)|SiO_2(99)|Ti_3O_5(63)|SiO_2(98)|Ti_3O_5(51)|SiO_2(60)|Ti_3O_5(42)|SiO_2(113)|Ti_3O_5(88)|SiO_2(116)|Ti_3O_5(68)|SiO_2(89)|Ti_3O_5(49)|SiO_2(77)|Ti_3O_5(48)|SiO_2(84)|Ti_3O_5(51)|SiO_2(85)|Ti_3O_5(48)|SiO_2(59)|Ti_3O_5(34)|SiO_2(71)|Ti_3O_5(44)|SiO_2(65)|Ti_3O_5(45)|SiO_2(81)|Ti_3O_5(52)|SiO_2(88)|$ glass]. It was known that the color-filters fabricated by the simulation data were composed of 41 layers by SEM image and the top layer of filters was $SiO_2$ layer and the filters were composed of $SiO_2$/$Ti_3O_5$ multilayer by XPS analysis. It was also known that the mixed thin film of TiO2 and $Ti_3O_5$ was made during the deposition of the $Ti_3O_5$ material. Conclusions: The narrow-band pass color-filters with a 500 nm central wavelength and 12 nm FWHM using $Ti_3O_5/SiO_2$ mutilayer of 41 layer were fabricated, and it was known that the mixed form of TiO2 and $Ti_3O_5$ thin film was made during the deposition of the $Ti_3O_5$ material.

Comparative Study on the Actual Conditions about Hypertension and Diabetes Case Management of the Elderly at the Hall for the Aged and the D Senior's College (D 노인대학과 경로당 노인들의 건강행태 및 고혈압당뇨병 관리실태 비교조사)

  • Yoon, Young-Suk;Kwon, Yang-Ok;Jung, Young-Hee
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.17-24
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    • 2010
  • The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data for effective intervention of oral health behaviors strategy and to compare the actual conditions about hypertension and diabetes case management of the elderly at the hall for the aged and the D senior's college. The research method was a questionnaire including hypertension and diabetes case management of the elderly and the subjects were 174 of the elderly(65 age over) at the hall for the aged(100) and the senior's college(74). The results of this study were as follows; 1. Hypertension 1)The incidence of hypertension of elderly at the hall for the aged and the senior's college were 32.2%. 2)83.9% of the hypertension cases were initially diagnosed during hospital examination(p < 0.05). 3)Regular blood pressure checks were performed more than one time monthly on 76.8% of the cases(p < 0.05). 4)Blood pressure control was well controlled on 75%(p < 0.05). 5)85.7% of the elderly at the hall for the aged took hypertension drugs daily and 42.9% of the elderly at the senior's college took no drug alternatively(p < 0.05). 2. Diabetes 1)The incidence of the diabetes of elderly at the hall for the aged and the senior's college were 14.4%. 2)80.0% of the diabetes cases were initially diagnosed during hospital examination(p < 0.05). 3)64.0% of the cases did not have blood sugar measuring instrument(p < 0.05). 4. In the quality of life, the thinking of no difficulty in walking and no anxiety/depression was more presented on the elderly at the senior's college than those at the hall for the aged(p < 0.05). 5. The subjective health condition scores were higher on the elderly at the senior's college than those at the hall for the aged(p < 0.05).

Evaluation of Usability Both Oblique Verification for Inserted Fiducial Marker of Prostate Cancer Patients (Fiducial Marker가 삽입된 전립선암 환자를 대상으로 한 양사방향 촬영의 유용성 평가)

  • Kim, Koon Joo;Lee, Jung Jin;Kim, Sung Gi;Lim, Hyun Sil;Kim, Wan Sun;Kang, Su Man
    • The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.123-129
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: The way check the movement of the fiducial marker insertion in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. However the existing methods of fiducial marker verification process difficult to identify the specific location of the marker behind the femur and pelvic bone. So to study the evaluation of maker match with using kilo voltage (KV) X-ray by On-board imager to both oblique verification method. Materials and Methods: Five patients were selected for rectal ballooning and inserted fiducial marker. Compare the position of the fiducial marker of reference plan 2D/2D Anterior/Posterior verification method and 2D/2D both oblique verification method. So to measurement the shift score of X, Y, Z (axis) and measure exposure dose given to patients and compare matching time. Results: 2 dimensional OBI KV X-ray imaging using two-dimensional matching image are orthogonal, so locating fiducial marker matching clear and useful DRR (digital reconstruction radiography) OBI souce angle ($45^{\circ}/315^{\circ}$) matching most useful. 2D/2D both oblique verification method was able to see clearly marker behind the pelvic bone. Also matching time can be reduced accordingly. According to the method of each matching results for each patient in each treatment fraction, X, Y, and Z axis the Mean $value{\pm}SD$ (standard deviation) is X axis (AP/LAT: $0.4{\pm}1.67$, OBLIQUE: $0.4{\pm}1.82$) mm, Y axis (AP/LAT: $0.7{\pm}1.73$, OBLIQUE: $0.2{\pm}1.77$) mm, Z axis (AP/LAT: $0.8{\pm}1.94$, OBLIQUE:$1.5{\pm}2.8$) mm. In addition, the KV X-ray source dose radiation exposure given to the patient taking average when AP/LAT matching is (0.1/2.1) cGY, when $315^{\circ}/45^{\circ}$ matching is (0.27/0.26) cGY. Conclusion: In conclusion for inserted fiducial marker of prostate cancer patients 2D/2D both oblique matching method is more accurate verification than 2D/2D AP/LAT matching method. Also the matching time less than the 2D/2D AP/LAT matching method. Taken as the amount of radiation exposure to patients less than was possible. Suggest would improve the treatment quality of care patients more useful to establish a protocol such as case.

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The Study of Dose Change by Field Effect on Atomic Number of Shielding Materals in 6 MeV Electron Beam (6 MeV 전자선의 차폐물질 원자번호와 조사야 크기에 따른 선량변화 연구)

  • Lee, Seung Hoon;Kwak, Keun Tak;Park, Ju Kyeong;Gim, Yang Soo;Cha, Seok Yong
    • The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.145-151
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: In this study, we analyzed how the dose change by field size effects on atomic number of shielding materials while using 6 MeV election beam. Materials and Methods: The parallel plate chamber is mounted in $25{\times}25cm^2$ the phantom such that the entrance window of the detector is flush with the phantom surface. phantom was covered laterally with aluminum, copper and lead which thickness have 5% of allowable transmission and then the doses were measured in field size $6{\times}6$, $10{\times}10$ and $20{\times}20cm^2$ respectively. 100 cGy was irradiated using 6 MeV electron beam and SSD (Source Surface Distance) was 100 cm with $10{\times}10cm^2$ field size. To calculate the photon flux, electron flux and Energy deposition produced after pass materals respectively, MCNPX code was used. Results: The results according to the various shielding materials which have 5% of allowable transmission are as in the following. Thickness change rate with field size of $6{\times}6cm^2$ and $20{\times}20cm^2$ that compared to the field size of $10{\times}10cm^2$ found to be +0.06% and -0.06% with aluminum, +0.13% and -0.1% with copper, -1.53% and +1.92% with lead respectively. Compare to the field size $10{\times}10cm^2$, energy deposition for $6{\times}6cm^2$ and $20{\times}20cm^2$ had -4.3% and +4.85% respectively without shielding material. With aluminum it had -0.87% and +6.93% respectively and with lead it had -4.16% and +5.57% respectively. When it comes to photon flux with $6{\times}6cm^2$ and $20{\times}20cm^2$ of field sizes the chance -8.95% and +15.92% without shielding material respectively, with aluminum the number -15.56% and +16.06% respectively and with copper the chance -12.27% and +15.53% respectively, with lead the number +12.36% and -19.81% respectively. In case of electron flux in the same condition, the number -3.92% and +4.55% respectively without shielding material respectively, with aluminum the number +0.59% and +6.87% respectively, with copper the number -1.59% and +3.86% respectively, with lead the chance -5.15% and +4.00% respectively. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the required thickness of the shielding materials got thinner with low atomic number substance as the irradiation field is increasing. On the other hand, with high atomic number substance the required thickness had increased. In addition, bremsstrahlung radiation have an influence on low atomic number materials and high atomic number materials are effected by scattered electrons.

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Changes of Refractive Correction Value with Different Age Group: A Case for Myopia Control Lens, Single Vision Lens and Reverse Geometry Contact Lens (Myopia Control Lens, Single Vision Lens, Reverse Geometry Contact Lens의 연령에 따른 굴절교정상태 변화에 대한 추적 연구)

  • Yoon, Min-Hwa
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.75-84
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: Changes of refractive correction value in different age group were investigated. Regarding the inhibitive effects against myopia progression after wearing reverse geometry contact lenses and myopia control lenses (MC lenses), the effects after wearing single vision lenses were compared. Methods: We organized children between the ages of six and fifteen into three groups by age, and distributed fifty-seven reverse geometry contact lenses, fifty-six MC lenses and seventy-eight single vision lenses among them to be worn. Group 1 consisted of children aged ten and under, Group 2 consisted of children between the ages of eleven and fifteen, and Group 3 represents all of the study participants. The aim of this study was to learn the inhibitive effects against myopia progression attained by changes of refractive correction value and to verify their statistical significance at twelve months and under, thirteen to twenty-four months and twenty-five to thirty-six months. Results: Changes of refractive correction value by each length of use in Group 3 were as follows. For the age group of under twelve months, participants using the reverse geometric contact lens showed no change, while those using the MC or single vision lens had significant changes (P<0.05) of $-0.36{\pm}0.10$ D and $-0.67{\pm}0.52$ D, respectively. Users of all three lens types displayed significant change (P<0.05), in the age group of between thirteen and twenty-four months, of $0.18{\pm}0.49$ D, $0.60{\pm}0.42$ D and $1.37{\pm}0.72$ D for users of the reverse geometry contact lens, the MC lens and the single vision lens, respectively. There were significant changes (P<0.05) of $0.29{\pm}0.61$ D, $0.93{\pm}0.57$ D and $1.72{\pm}0.78$ in the same respective order as the above in the age group of twenty-five to thirty-six months. Refractive correction value showed changes with different age group. Group 1 displayed significant changes (P<0.05) of $0.29{\pm}0.73$ D, $1.07{\pm}0.59$ D and $1.75{\pm}0.74$ D for users of the reverse geometry contact lens, MC lens and single vision lens, respectively, up to thirty-six months of lens wearing; Group 2, also up to thirty-six months, displayed significant changes (P<0.05) of $0.28{\pm}0.42$ D, $0.75{\pm}0.49$ D and $1.70{\pm}0.84$ D in the same respective order, and changes in refractive correction for the age group under ten years was significantly greater (P<0.05) for the age group of eleven and older. Conclusions: The results found in this study demonstrate that there were no changes of refractive correction value for the case of wearing reversing geometry contact lens up to twelve month or less. MC lens showed less changes in variations of visual acuity for all users which might be resulted in inhibiting progression of myoptia. When both reverse geometry contact lens and the MC lens are wearing for the period from 13 to 36 month, both lens showed less changes in variation of visual acuity for all users. The results suggested that the less changes in variation of visual acuity of both lens had an effect on inhibiting progression of myopia.

Evaluation of Sodium Intake and Relationship between Sodium Intake and the Bone Mineral Density of Female University Students (중부 지역 여대생에서 음식섭취빈도조사지를 이용한 나트륨 섭취량 평가 및 나트륨 섭취와 골밀도와의 관련성 조사)

  • Bae, Yun-Jung;Yeon, Jee-Young
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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    • v.21 no.5
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    • pp.625-636
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    • 2011
  • The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between bone health and sodium intake in female university students using a dish frequency questionnaire (DFQ 125), anthropometric checkups, food records for 3 days, and ultrasound measurement of calcaneus bone mineral density. Subjects were divided into two groups: normal (n=196) and osteopenia (n=52). There were no significant differences in age or height between the two groups. The average weight, body mass index, and body fat in the normal group were significantly higher than in the osteopenia group. The sodium intake of DFQ was positively correlated with the sodium intake of 3 days of dietary records (p=0.0003). There were no significant differences in the sodium intake between the two groups from DFQ. The dishes were ranked by sodium intake: kimchies were 17.68%, noodles and mandu were 16.36%, stews were 13.69%, main dishes such as meat, egg, and beans were 11.47%, and fish and shellfish were 11.07%. The frequency of eating noodles and mandu (p=0.0116), stews (p=0.0008), kimchies (p=0.0482), fish and shellfish (p=0.0362), vegetables (p=0.0064) and seasoning (p=0.0347) were negatively associated with bone mineral density. Bone health was not significantly different with increasing quartiles of sodium intake. As excessive sodium intakes may indirectly affect bone mineral density, these results suggest that to prevent osteoporosis, university students needed to be more educated about diets containing less sodium through nutrition education programs.

Development and evaluation of Home Economics teaching·learning process plans applied Problem Based Learning focusing on 'food and nutrition' unit for students with intellectual disability (지적장애 학생을 위한 문제중심학습(PBL) 적용 가정과 식생활 교수·학습 과정안 개발과 평가)

  • Kim, yun-ju;Chae, Jung-Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.39-56
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study was to develop Home Economics(HE) teaching and learning process plans applied Problem Based Learning(PBL) focusing on 'food and nutrition' unit for students with intellectual disability and to evaluate the effects of the HE instruction on their food choice·management knowledge and problem-solving skills after implementing the instruction for students with intellectual disability. To develop HE teaching and learning process plans applied PBL focusing on 'food and nutrition' unit for students with intellectual disability, problems that arise in daily life to trigger interest of students were firstly developed. The selected problems and teaching and learning process plans were reviewed for validity by one home economics education professor and three teachers who are experts in special education. This study used the one group pretest and posttest design, sampling 6 students who are in special-education middle school with the intellectual disability. After HE instruction of 6 sessions applied PBL method, this study tested the effects of the instruction. The first three sessions taught how to choose and keep food. The fourth session taught purchasing food ingredients and keeping them for sandwiches. The fifth and sixth sessions let the students make sandwiches and give them to others. The instruments of the study comprised of tools for food choice and management knowledge, tools for problem-solving skills evaluation, self-evaluation sheets, evaluation form of course satisfaction for students, evaluation form of behavior in class for teachers, and daily observation journal and all tools. These instruments were proved to have reliability and validity. The results of this study are as follows. First, all six students who took HE instruction applied PBL method focusing on 'food and nutrition' unit scored 30 points higher out of 100 points after taking the instruction in food choice and management knowledge and scored 5 points higher out of 14 points in problem-solving skills on average. Therefore, it was interpreted that HE instruction applied PBL affected the food choice·management knowledge and the problem solving skills of students with intellectual disability. Secondly, the students with intellectual disability participated actively in HE instruction applied PBL focusing on 'food and nutrition' unit and expressed satisfaction. Three special education experts evaluated HE teaching·learning process plans applied PBL focusing on 'food and nutrition' unit to be well-developed. This study showed that HE instruction applied PBL focusing on 'food and nutrition' unit allowed the students with intellectual disability to acquire comprehensive skills in choosing, keeping, and making safe food and helped them solve problems of their life by themselves. Therefore I suggest that Home Economics should be adopted as a formal subject matter in special school curriculum for students with intellectual disability.

The Effect of the Gap between College Students' Perception of the Importance of Coffee Shops and Their Satisfaction after Patronizing Coffee Shops on Their Purchasing Behavior (대전원교학생대가배점중요성적감지화타문광고가배점지후적만의도지간적차거대타문구매행위적영향(大专院校学生对咖啡店重要性的感知和他们光顾咖啡店之后的满意度之间的差距对他们购买行为的影响))

  • Lee, Won-Ok
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.1-10
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    • 2009
  • The purpose of this study was to categorize the gap between coffee shop 'importance' (as perceived by customers before patronizing the coffee shop) and 'satisfaction' (perception of customers after patronizing the coffee shop) as positive or negative and to analyze the effect of these gaps on purchasing behavior. To do this, I used the gap between importance and satisfaction regarding the choice of a coffee shop as the explanatory variable and performed an empirical analysis of the direction and size of the effect of the gap on purchasing behavior (overall satisfaction, willingness-to-revisit) by applying the Ordered Probit Model (OPM). A previous study that used IPA to evaluate the effects of gaps estimated the direction and size of a quadrant but failed to analyze the effect of gaps on customers. In this study, I evaluated the effects of positive and negative gaps on customer satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit. Using OPM, I quantified the effect of positive and negative gaps on overall customer satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit. Per-head expenditure, frequency of visits, and coffee-purchasing place had the most positive effects on overall customer satisfaction. Frequency of visits, followed by per-head expenditure and then coffee-purchasing place, had the most positive impact on willingness-to-visit. Thus per-head expenditure and frequency of visits had the greatest positive effects on overall satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit. This finding implies that the higher the actual satisfaction (gap) of customers who spend KRW5,000 or more once or more per week at coffee shops is, the higher their overall satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit are. Despite the fact that economical efficiency had a significant effect on overall satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit, college and university students still use coffee shops and are willing to spend KRW5,000 because they do not only purchase coffee as a product itself, but use the coffee shop for other activities, such as working, meeting friends, or relaxing. College and university students also access the Internet in coffee shops via personal laptops, watch movies, and study; thus, coffee shops should provide their customers with the appropriate facilities and services. The fact that a positive gap for coffee shop brand had a positive effect on willingness-to-revisit implies that the higher the level of customer satisfaction, the greater the willingness-to-revisit. A negative gap for this factor, on the other hand, implies that the lower the level of customer satisfaction, the lower the willingness-to-revisit. Thus, the brand factor has a comparatively greater effect on satisfaction than the other factors evaluated in this study. Given that the domestic coffee culture is becoming more upscale and college/university students are sensitive to this trend, students are attentive to brands. In most upscale coffee shops in Korea, the outer wall is built out of glass that can be opened, the interiors are exotic with an open kitchen. These upscale coffee shops function as landmarks and match the taste of college/university students. Coffee shops in Korea have become a cultural brand. To make customers feel that coffee shops are upscale, good quality establishments and measures to provide better services in terms of brand factor should be instituted. The intensified competition among coffee shop brands in Korea as a result of the booming industry indicates that provision of additional services is needed to differentiate competitors. These customers can also use a scanner free of charge. Another strategy that can be used to boost brands could be to provide and operate a seminar room for seminars and group study. If coffee shops adopt these types of strategies, college/university students would be more likely to consider the expenses they incur worthwhile and, subsequently, they would be more likely to be satisfied with the brands of these coffee shops, with an associated increase in their willingness-to-revisit. Gender and study year had the most negative effects on overall satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit. Female students were more likely to be satisfied and be willing to return than male students, and third and fourth-year students were more likely to be satisfied and willing-to-return than first or second-year students. Students who drink coffee, read books, and use laptops alone at coffee shops are easily noticeable. High-grade students tend to visit coffee shops alone in order to use their time efficiently for self-development and to find jobs. The economical efficiency factor had the greatest effect on overall satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit in terms of a positive gap. The higher the actual satisfaction (gap) of students with the price of the coffee, the greater their overall satisfaction and willingness-to-revisit. Economical efficiency with a negative gap had a negative effect on willingness-to-revisit, which implies that a less negative gap will result in a greater willingness-to-revisit. Amid worsening market conditions, coffee shops located around colleges/universities are using strategies, such as a point or membership card, strategic alliances with credit-card companies, development of a set menu or seasonal menu, and free coffee-shot services to increase their competitive edge. Product power also had a negative effect in terms of a negative gap, which indicates that a higher negative gap will result in a lower willingness-to-revisit. Because there are many more customers that enjoy coffee in this decade, as compared to previous decades, the new generation of customers, namely college/university students, want various menu items in addition to coffee, and coffee shops should, therefore, add side menu items, such as waffles, rice cakes, cakes, sandwiches, and salads. For example, Starbucks Korea is making efforts to enhance product power by selling rice cakes flavored in strawberry, wormwood, and pumpkin, and providing coffee or cream free of charge. In summary, coffee shops should focus on increasing their economical efficiency, brand, and product power to enhance the satisfaction of college/university students. Because shops adjacent to colleges or universities enjoy a locational advantage, providing differentiated services in terms of economical efficiency, brand, and product power, is likely to increase customer satisfaction and return visits. Coffee shop brands should, therefore, be innovative and embrace change to meet their customers' desires. Because this study only targeted college/university students in Seoul, comparative studies targeting diverse regions and age groups are required to generalize the findings and recommendations of this study.

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The Impacts of Need for Cognitive Closure, Psychological Wellbeing, and Social Factors on Impulse Purchasing (인지폐합수요(认知闭合需要), 심리건강화사회인소대충동구매적영향(心理健康和社会因素对冲动购买的影响))

  • Lee, Myong-Han;Schellhase, Ralf;Koo, Dong-Mo;Lee, Mi-Jeong
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.44-56
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    • 2009
  • Impulse purchasing is defined as an immediate purchase with no pre-shopping intentions. Previous studies of impulse buying have focused primarily on factors linked to marketing mix variables, situational factors, and consumer demographics and traits. In previous studies, marketing mix variables such as product category, product type, and atmospheric factors including advertising, coupons, sales events, promotional stimuli at the point of sale, and media format have been used to evaluate product information. Some authors have also focused on situational factors surrounding the consumer. Factors such as the availability of credit card usage, time available, transportability of the products, and the presence and number of shopping companions were found to have a positive impact on impulse buying and/or impulse tendency. Research has also been conducted to evaluate the effects of individual characteristics such as the age, gender, and educational level of the consumer, as well as perceived crowding, stimulation, and the need for touch, on impulse purchasing. In summary, previous studies have found that all products can be purchased impulsively (Vohs and Faber, 2007), that situational factors affect and/or at least facilitate impulse purchasing behavior, and that various individual traits are closely linked to impulse buying. The recent introduction of new distribution channels such as home shopping channels, discount stores, and Internet stores that are open 24 hours a day increases the probability of impulse purchasing. However, previous literature has focused predominantly on situational and marketing variables and thus studies that consider critical consumer characteristics are still lacking. To fill this gap in the literature, the present study builds on this third tradition of research and focuses on individual trait variables, which have rarely been studied. More specifically, the current study investigates whether impulse buying tendency has a positive impact on impulse buying behavior, and evaluates how consumer characteristics such as the need for cognitive closure (NFCC), psychological wellbeing, and susceptibility to interpersonal influences affect the tendency of consumers towards impulse buying. The survey results reveal that while consumer affective impulsivity has a strong positive impact on impulse buying behavior, cognitive impulsivity has no impact on impulse buying behavior. Furthermore, affective impulse buying tendency is driven by sub-components of NFCC such as decisiveness and discomfort with ambiguity, psychological wellbeing constructs such as environmental control and purpose in life, and by normative and informational influences. In addition, cognitive impulse tendency is driven by sub-components of NFCC such as decisiveness, discomfort with ambiguity, and close-mindedness, and the psychological wellbeing constructs of environmental control, as well as normative and informational influences. The present study has significant theoretical implications. First, affective impulsivity has a strong impact on impulse purchase behavior. Previous studies based on affectivity and flow theories proposed that low to moderate levels of impulsivity are driven by reduced self-control or a failure of self-regulatory mechanisms. The present study confirms the above proposition. Second, the present study also contributes to the literature by confirming that impulse buying tendency can be viewed as a two-dimensional concept with both affective and cognitive dimensions, and illustrates that impulse purchase behavior is explained mainly by affective impulsivity, not by cognitive impulsivity. Third, the current study accommodates new constructs such as psychological wellbeing and NFCC as potential influencing factors in the research model, thereby contributing to the existing literature. Fourth, by incorporating multi-dimensional concepts such as psychological wellbeing and NFCC, more diverse aspects of consumer information processing can be evaluated. Fifth, the current study also extends the existing literature by confirming the two competing routes of normative and informational influences. Normative influence occurs when individuals conform to the expectations of others or to enhance his/her self-image. Whereas informational influence occurs when individuals search for information from knowledgeable others or making inferences based upon observations of the behavior of others. The present study shows that these two competing routes of social influence can be attributed to different sources of influence power. The current study also has many practical implications. First, it suggests that people with affective impulsivity may be primary targets to whom companies should pay closer attention. Cultivating a more amenable and mood-elevating shopping environment will appeal to this segment. Second, the present results demonstrate that NFCC is closely related to the cognitive dimension of impulsivity. These people are driven by careless thoughts, not by feelings or excitement. Rational advertising at the point of purchase will attract these customers. Third, people susceptible to normative influences are another potential target market. Retailers and manufacturers could appeal to this segment by advertising their products and/or services as products that can be used to identify with or conform to the expectations of others in the aspiration group. However, retailers should avoid targeting people susceptible to informational influences as a segment market. These people are engaged in an extensive information search relevant to their purchase, and therefore more elaborate, long-term rational advertising messages, which can be internalized into these consumers' thought processes, will appeal to this segment. The current findings should be interpreted with caution for several reasons. The study used a small convenience sample, and only investigated behavior in two dimensions. Accordingly, future studies should incorporate a sample with more diverse characteristics and measure different aspects of behavior. Future studies should also investigate personality traits closely related to affectivity theories. Trait variables such as sensory curiosity, interpersonal curiosity, and atmospheric responsiveness are interesting areas for future investigation.

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