• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.107-122
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• 2005

The purpose of this research is to find out what factors have an effect on the retailer's performance. Most of the former researches in the similar fields performed their study based on the customers reasons for revisiting or store loyalty. But this research has been done not based on the customer but based on the retailers. It means that the data was collected from individual retailer. Considering the former research and characteristics of the franchisee retailers, size of temporal population around the retailers, visibility of the retailer, competition situation, out-door promotion, street shelf, size of the retailer were selected as factors affecting on the retailers performance. As a performance variable, number of visitors happened to observation period. Data collection was performed through the observation of the retail circumstance and interview with the retailers owner. As meaningful variables affecting on the retailers performance, size of temporal population around the retailers, visibility of the retailer were found in the 5% significance level, and out-door promotion, street shelf, size of the retailer in the 10% significance level, whereas competition situation did not have effect on retailers performance. Finally, we discuss several theoretical and practical implications, and suggest limitations for the research and future research issue.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.26-34
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• 2010

KOGAS, established in 1983 by law to ensure stable gas supply to the public, is responsible for the wholesale distribution to 30 city gas companies that deal with the retail distribution of natural gas in their geographic areas. The gas imported by KOGAS is measured by checking the level difference of LNG shipped in tankers before and after unloading. The analysis of gas composition is essential because the imported gas price is determined by its calorific value. The turbine meter is widely used for measuring the gas sold to city gas companies. Unlike the metering system for power plants, there is no gas chromatograph since the custody transfer of gas to the city gas companies is not billed by calorific value, but by volume basis. The gas quantity that a city gas company has bought from KOGAS is not equal to the quantity that the company sold to its customers. There have been some discrepancies between the wholesale gas meter readouts and retail ones due to some inherent errors of meters and some operational issues of the meters. This paper investigates the controversies regarding the real quantity of gas between distributors and consumers. It will discus and suggest desirable policies, both technically and economically, in order to solve the discrepancies of gas measurement.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.19-40
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• 2002

According to the secondary data, private brand(PB)'s share of retail sales is 25-30% in the USA, but about 45 in Korea. In Korea PB's average price is 23.3% less than manufacturer brand. It is very interest that PB's price advantage doesn't have a good effect on it's share of retail sales. This research's objective is to study why Korean consumers don't purchase private brand cheaper than manufacturer brand. A theoretical reasoning depends on information cue theory and means-ends model of perceived value. A unit of analysis is consumers who purchase private brand at E-mart in Pusan city, one of largest discount store in Korea. Hypothesis tested by Lisrel's structural equation model and interesting results as follows: First, favorable brand image among extrinsic cues is most positively correlated with perceived quality/sacrifice and intrinsic cues is also statistically significant. This fact imply that intrinsic cues; package, logo, country of origin are very important in the adoption of private brand in Korea. Second, compared with manufacturer's brand, PB's perceived price is positively correlated with perceived quality/sacrifice. This fact imply a assimilation effect between manufacturer's brand and private brand. Finally, a correlation between perceived sacrifice and PB proneness is satistically insignificant, but perceived quality has a significant effect on its proneness. this fact imply that innovators(about 4% of potential consumer) are risk-taker.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2012

After the rapidly changing business management environment and financial crisis, high prices and domestic recession in Korea posed threats to the business survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This paper looks at the potential of micro business owners for sustainable development: those who have a spirit of entrepreneurship and the potential to be a hidden champion. Our study of micro business values uses structure equation modeling by LISREL. We have done so in order to understand the foundation of management innovation and success model of micro enterprise by increasing the entrepreneurship and management performance relationship analysis. A micro-enterprise is a type of small business, found only in Korea, often registered as having ten or fewer employees. We examine the successful type of hidden champions and the influence of entrepreneurship on start-ups in business. As compared to past research on the SME entrepreneurship, this study segments small businesses even further. Small business entrepreneurship was classified into three forms that are most appropriate for the Korean situation today: innovation, risk-taking, and pro-activeness. This research is meaningful as it is Korea's first empirical analysis on four business types: wholesale and retail sales, food and lodging business, service business, and manufacturing business. Thus far, research on small business entrepreneurship was carried out using small-scale investigative analysis. However, this research attempted to develop a model that can explain a cause-effect relation of the motivational level when it comes to the difference of entrepreneurship by each business type and small business start-up success factors. Various conceptual and operational definitions could be developed in a diverse and precise manner. Independent variables that are related to the success of small businesses can be developed additionally to examine the success factors related to the systematization in detailed manner. The research showed that the innovation, risk-taking and pro-activeness of the manifested difference in the degree of perception depending on the type of small businesses. Among the four business types, the ones that manifested the highest successful start-up rates were food, service, wholesale and retail sales and manufacturing. Results after conducting the regression analysis are shown on, which proves that the small business entrepreneurship exerts direct effect on the financial management performance of small businesses. In other words, small business entrepreneurship exerts a positive effect on the small business financial success and management performance. The R² value is 0.61. It is possible to know that the perception of systematization and variables on attitude explains the 61% of the success for small self-employed businesses management performance. We define start-up key factors that are helpful to achieve internal growth of firms by finding business survival strategies. The results also focus on Korean government policy for micro enterprise and small business support.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.79-102
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• 2007

Consumers evaluate stores by comparing stores that we, in their minds, similar and are competitive with one another; and in this way, the term "consideration set of stores" is defined as those store alternatives the consumer is aware of and evaluates positively. The purpose of this study is to aid in understanding the consideration set of stores in store choice processes in apparel product purchases. More specifically, this study aims to clarify the relation between consideration set of stores and importance of store image. As a result, the respondents of quantitative study were classified into seven groups by the number of stores and store types they considered: 1) "small-road shop sets group" ; 2) "small-market sets group" ; 3) "small- department store sets group" ; 4) "small-department store/outlet sets group" ; 5) "large-department store/market sets group" ; 6) "large-department store/road shop sets group" ; and 7) "large-department store sets group". Further, significant differences among the groups in the importance of store image were observed. For example, low prices were an important factor in both the small-market considering group and large-department store/market considering group when choosing a retail store, there were also differences in the considering groups in that for the small-department store considering group, store mileage-discount cards were important whereas ample space for relaxation around the stores were important retail store selection factors for the large-department store/road shop considering group. This study may provide a useful direction to retailers in finding out who the target customers and competitive stores are and allow retailers to make proper marketing strategies.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.65-73
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• 2016

Purpose - Recently, the management conditions of small independent retailers are getting worse everyday as large-scale marts and franchised convenience stores are increasing. The objective of this research is to find out the antecedents and consequences of cooperation in voluntary chain in order to enhance small independent retailer's competitiveness. Voluntary chains, also called affiliation or symbol groups, or allied group represent a high market shared in some European countries like Italy, France, and Germany. Nevertheless, there are still limitations in this research from academic fields. Drawing from network theory, the author investigates the relationship between antecedent factors in voluntary chain cooperation, such as participation benefits, justice of compensation, and autonomy in voluntary chain, and relationship specific asset. The author also attempts to examine the relationship between the relationship specific asset and cooperation of voluntary chain member shop and cooperation and consequence factors of voluntary chain cooperation, such as efficiency, group cohesiveness, and long-term relationship. Research design, data, and methodology - The author presented conceptual framework integrating the major antecedents and consequences of voluntary chain cooperation. The data were collected from 174 independent small retailers who joined K-voluntary chain. K-voluntary chain consists of small independent retailers. In accordance with their status, each entrepreneur associated with the voluntary group can own one or more outlets and can be a part of the life and the decision-making process of the group. This participation is not based on company turnover or on the number of outlets, but based on a one member, one vote system. To verify the research model and test hypotheses, the author carefully investigated the reliability, content validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the proposed model. The data were analyzed by using SPSS 18.0 and AMOS structural equation modeling program. Results - The results of this study are as follows. First, as antecedent variables, participation benefits and justice of compensation have positive effect on the relationship specific assets of voluntary chain members. Second, voluntary chain members' relationship specific asset also directly related to the level of its cooperation to chain headquarter. Third, cooperation of voluntary chain member shop facilitates efficiency, group cohesiveness, and long-term relationship. Unexpectedly, there are no effect autonomy in voluntary chain to relationship specific asset. Conclusions - This research shows several theoretical and practical implications to both marketing scholars and marketers. In terms of theoretical implications, this study applies to network theory and network theory variables to explain the antecedent and consequence factors of cooperation in voluntary chain. From the point of view from business management, most of all, this study shows the way how to reinforce competitiveness of voluntary chain. Specifically, it is necessary for voluntary chain headquarter to give higher level of participation benefit and justice of compensation to its members. Second, the results also indicate what the consequence factors of cooperation in voluntary chain. In other words, to increase the level of marketing efficiency, group cohesiveness, long-term orientation in retail voluntary chain, and chain headquarter need to facilitate participants' cooperation.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.93-101
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• 2016

Purpose - As more consumers pursue high quality products at reasonable prices, Korean retail companies are increasing investment in expanding their outlet stores. Despite the growing importance of the outlet business, there has been very little empirical research on consumers' outlet shopping behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between consumers' perceived product value (performance quality, value for money, and social value) of outlet stores and overall shopping satisfaction and the effect of shopping satisfaction on outlet store loyalty. Research design, data and methodology - The authors developed a structural model in which performance quality, value for money, and social value of products are proposed to affect overall outlet shopping satisfaction, thus increasing customer loyalty. To analyze the research model, data were collected from 88 shoppers at suburban outlets. SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 were utilized to test the hypotheses. The unidimensionality of each construct was supported from the results of the reliability test with Cronbach's α and confirmatory factor analyses. Correlation analysis was performed and the results warranted the nomological validity of the measures. The fit statistics of the overall model analysis demonstrated an acceptable fit(X²(₁₆₁)=171.651, p=.000; X²/df=1.546; GFI=.821, NFI=.879, TLI=.942, CFI=.953, RMR=.035, RMSEA=.079). Results - The findings are as follows. First, consumers' perceived value of product performance quality had a significant positive effect on overall outlet shopping satisfaction. Consumers, who evaluate performance quality of the product more positively, tend to express stronger satisfaction and happiness about outlet shopping experience. Second, consumers' perceived social value of outlet products influenced their overall satisfaction significantly. Consumers who believe that products of outlet stores enhance self-concepts are more likely to satisfy with outlet shopping experience. However, consumers' perception of outlet products on value for money was not found to significantly influence overall shopping satisfaction. Finally, overall shopping satisfaction had a significant and positive influence on loyalty. Conclusions - While outlet retailers have traditionally focused on promoting competitively priced merchandise, the results of this study suggest that customers' overall satisfaction with outlet shopping is influenced more by the non-price-related product values. In the context of an outlet shopping environment, performance quality and social value of the products were found to be more critical predictors of customer overall satisfaction. Therefore, it would not be efficient for outlet retailers to highlight economic value of their merchandise. Instead, they need to investigate the performance quality of the products regularly and try to deliver quality guaranteed goods to enhance customer satisfaction. Also, outlet retailers should differentiate their businesses by carrying more unique and prestigious brands and emphasize higher social value and symbolic meanings of their products. As competition among outlet retailers are getting fierce, retail companies need to focus on strengthening customer loyalty with a long-term perspective. With a deeper understanding of the relationship between consumers' perceived product values and shopping satisfaction, outlet retailers will be able to develop customer loyalty strategies effectively and to achieve competitive advantage.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.21-60
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• 2010

In recent retail environments, multichannel customer management increasingly has been considered a key element of successful CRM. Although customer's multichannel usage is believed to be potential cause of customer loyalty, the theoretical explanation about this causal relationship still remains unexamined and unanswered. In this paper, the authors present a systematic framework to test the postulated "multichannel usage-shopping experience-customer satisfaction" chain. To this end, we examine that the two core components of shopping experience(convenience and enjoyment) is a mediator of the direct causality of multichannel usage(based on both information search and product purchase stage) on customer satisfaction. Moreover, the authors examine that two types of customer-firm relationship characteristics(relationship age and purchase frequency) is a moderator of the multichannel usage-shopping experience relationship. Using integrating data with survey and customer database of multichannel retail company, the authors empirically test and substantiate shopping experience's mediating role in the multichannel usage-customer satisfaction relationship and customer-firm relationship characteristics' moderating role in the multichannel usage-customer experience relationship. These results suggest that multichannel retailers should deliver favorable shopping experience for building customer satisfaction and differentiate shopping experience according to customer-firm relationship characteristics.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.282-289
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• 2022

Background: Airborne fungi are ubiquitous in the air and exposure to an airborne fungus can be a significant risk factor. The composition of fungi has been potentially important for human health, especially for respiratory diseases like asthma and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, we attempted to ascertain what kind of airborne fungi affect human health at a nationwide level. Objectives: This study was carried out to provide information on indoor fungi distribution at multi-use facilities throughout South Korea. Methods: We classified our data by region and public facility after collection, cultivation, and identification via the sequencing of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region. We investigated whether or not the proliferation of HaCaT cells was affected by the identified airborne fungi. Results: In our data, the most isolated airborne fungi by region were Penicillium spp (Seoul, Daegu), Periconia sp (Gyeonggi-do), Iprex sp (Gangwon-do), Phanerochaete sp (Busan), Bjerkandera sp (Gwangju), and Aspergillus sp (Jeju-do). In the public facilities, the most detected fungi were Cladosporium sp (public transport), Penicillium sp (apartment house, retail market, financial institution, karaoke room), Bjerokandera sp (underground parking lot, public toilet, medical institution), Periconia sp (retail store), and Fusarium sp (general restaurant). Next, we selected twenty airborne fungi to examine their cytotoxicity and proliferation of human skin cells. In this experiment, the proliferation of the cells was influenced by most of the identified fungi. In case of the cytotoxicity test, most genera except for Rhodotorula sp and Moesziomyces sp showed cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. Conclusions: The distribution of mold in the indoor air in multi-use facilities in South Korea differs from region to region, and this is an indicator that should be considered in future health impact studies. In addition, as a result of culturing about 20 types of bacteria dominant in indoor air, it was found that most (90%) inhibit the growth of skin cells, which can be harmful to health. An in-depth study of the health effects of floating fungi is needed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.57-71
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• 2013

The purpose of this study identify factors affecting the purchasing behavior of consumers flowering distribution only by spring flowers and distribution of sustainable growth strategy to provide the basic data for the purpose of the study. Thus, conclusions about the factors on the purchasing behavior of consumers flowering distribution only, and propose suggestions for the proper management of retail industry flowers.