- P-ISSN1738-3110
- E-ISSN2093-7717
- SCOPUS, ESCI
ISSN : 1738-3110
Vol.13 No.12
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of social status perception and interest in social issues on the authenticity perceived by consumers of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of premium brands. Research design, data, and methodology - Behavioral experiments were performed to observe the impact of consumers' social status perception and interest in social issues on their perceived authenticity of CSR motivation related to premium brands and consumer behavior. Results - We found that the possibility of social mobility and the degree of individuals' interest in the environment and CSR enable them to reconsider the authenticity of CSR motivation, thereby having positive effects on purchase intention, willingness to recommend the product, and brand value. This research also showed that proactive customers who seek to move up the social ladder have a stronger interest in social issues such as the environment or CSR. Conclusions - Our research suggests that when conducting a consumer segmentation analysis for the launch of CSR products (products released for CSR), a positive mind-set toward social mobility serves as an effective criterion.
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this research paper is twofold. First, this paper attempts to grasp the damage caused to small and medium-size retail traders from online wholesalers in the field. Second, this paper engages in a psychological characterization of the enterprise spirit and the management of small and medium-size entrepreneurs in the retail trade business that are harmed by online wholesalers. Research design, data, and methodology - Data on three large Korean wholesalers engaged in ongoing litigation during the first half of 2014, including E-Mart Traders E-Club, and regarding applications for business adjustments from three large wholesalers were used. Results - The results show that small and medium-size distribution merchants seek political support for facility modernization, policy-specific funds, development of the distribution of PB products, advanced distribution techniques, joint logistics systems, establishment of distribution and logistics centers, sharing of parking facilities, and joint ordering systems. Conclusions - This study examined the damage to, and the government's support of policy demands from, small retail traders.
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this study is to determine consumers' awareness of hygiene and the perceived risks in the service areas of coffee shops and diners, or simply coffee shops. Research design, data, and methodology - A literature review was conducted on related publications, essays, and periodicals to find correlations among the variables. We developed a research model and hypothesis, and conducted empirical research for statistical data analysis. Results - The results satisfied adequacy standards, with GFI=0.926, AGFI=0.901, RMR=0.020, NFI=0.941, X<sup>2</sup>=403.197, and p-value=0.120. The results also displayed satisfied adequacy standards for the moderating effects of shop types, with GFI=0.998 (≥0.9 desirable), AGFI=0.998 (≥0.9 desirable), RMR=0.004 (≤0.05 desirable), NFI=0.999 (≥0.9 desirable), X<sup>2</sup>=1.572, and p-value=0.814 (≥0.05 desirable). Conclusions - A higher consumer hygienic awareness results in a better brand image. Moreover, greater perceived risk results in a worse brand image. Perceived risk is a vital determinant of brand image and it deeply influences customers' decisions to visit. Therefore, perceived risk is a vital determinant of forming a brand image and must be incorporated when devising strategies.
Abstract
Purpose - Given an increase in the consumption of plums, prices have fluctuated in an unstable manner, making it difficult for farmhouses to sell the product. This study intends to provide information on the cultivation and sale of plums to consumers, thus enabling producers to utilize relevant information to analyze the types of plums that are preferred and consumed by users. Research design, data, and methodology - In this study, a survey was conducted on plum consumption by a consumer panel established and operated by the Rural Development Administration in December 2009. The objective was to identify the purchasing awareness of plums and to analyze panel data from 2010 to 2013 using a linear regression model, a Tobit model, and a panel regression model to derive the purchase characteristics. Results - The outcome of the survey on plums is as follows. Plums are purchased because they are good for the health (90.6%), which means that most customers purchase plums for their health benefits. When plums are in season, the purchase rate is 94.8%, indicating that most plums are purchased when they are in season and that selling plums when they are out of season is difficult. Therefore, we sell most plums in the correct season, and the rest of the plums need to be processed and then sent to markets. The strongest reason for not purchasing plums is that they are difficult to process for consumption (63.1%), followed by the reason that the fruit is unfamiliar (15.5%). Regarding solutions for increasing the consumption of plums, the answers were as follows: distribute a recipe for plums (36.9%), advertise its effect through TV or the press (31.1%), and develop various processed products (15.6%). When customers decide to pick out plums, the major considerations were freshness (4.43), safe to eat (4.16), price (3.96), size (3.87), brand (3.28), and discount event (2.62). Freshness is important for decision making and safe to eat was more important than price because plums are washed and processed into plum jam. According to the results of the linear regression model, a higher family income results in a higher purchasing amount. However, the amount of plums purchased by a person was reduced if his or her income increased. Compared with individuals who used other purchasing agents on weekdays, those who used the traditional market turned out to purchase a higher amount of plums on the weekdays. Conclusions - Considering that numerous people purchase plums for their health benefits, promoting the consumption of plums is anticipated as being successful if they can be produced safely for consumption and for inclusion in recipes and various processed foods, and to promote eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Abstract
Purpose - Given globalization, the new niche market of medical tourism is likely to experience sustainable growth for various reasons, such as aging populations and a shift in the medical consumerism paradigm toward prevention. Importantly, understanding medical customers' behavior is necessary to benefit from a competitive advantage in this industry. The existing research primarily accessed the key factors of medical quality and costs to explain health customers' behavior but is limited in terms of enabling an understanding of the decision process. This limitation exists because, given the intangibility and greater associated risks in the highly professional industry of international medical tourism, most customers lack the knowledge and experience needed to evaluate the central factors-such as the medical competence of health care countries-before purchases. Therefore, they actively search for useful information through various distributions to reduce uncertainty and to make better choices. Interestingly, most of these information channels are associated with word-of-mouth (WOM). However, no evidence is found in the literature to estimate the effect of WOM in the medical tourism field. Thus, this study focuses on WOM to explore its interaction with key medical characteristic factors and the attractiveness of destinations referred to by sources. This study also affects customers' evaluations and, in turn, influences their intention to seek health care services abroad. Research design, data, and methodology - The literature review addressed an interesting research model for estimating the relations among WOM, medical characteristics, attractiveness, and customers' choice intention regarding international health care. In the key economic regions in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Guangdong, 2,500 survey questionnaires were distributed to potential customers of different ages, education, and income levels. A resulting 1,717 (68.68 percent of the original 2,500) usable surveys were obtained for analysis. Moderated regression analysis was used to determine the effects of WOM in the decision process regarding international health care destinations. Results - The results indicate that WOM is a good moderator of the relationships between the factors evaluated by sources and customers. More importantly, the WOM effects reflect the factors of tie strength, credibility, and vividness. The results also reveal that, given the moderating role of WOM, the intention of potential Chinese customers to seek the referred health care country varies according to the medical characteristics of medical competency and reputation as evaluated by customers. In contrast, the travel attractiveness of the attractions, facilities, accessibility, and social environment are critical determinants of destination choice intention. Conclusions - The moderating role of WOM has been confirmed through the international healthcare destination selection process. Medical tourism managers should user WOM as an effective marketing tool for industry development. Specially, marketers should consider the effects of WOM determinants, such as tie strength, credibility, and vividness, to develop an effective strategy. Furthermore, this study estimates the factors that affect customers' selection of medical tourism destinations. Health care managers or policy makers should consider a broad variety of variables that may attract more Chinese customers to international health care.
Abstract
Purpose - Recently, creating shared value (CSV) has attracted attention through plan sustainability and the growth of corporate management. Porter and Kramer (2011) defined the core concept of CSV as social value, economic profits, improvements in the economic social condition, and reinforcing competitiveness. The purpose of CSV, which is to pursue economic profits through a social solution to the problem, agrees with managing the objective of a social enterprise that prioritizes the pursuit of profits through the realization of a social purpose. Today, CSV studies focus on CSR and sustainability and reinforce competitiveness. However, few studies focused on the social economy. Precedent studies examined CSV using a company example, and few studies exist from the perspective of consumers and the point of view of a market society. Research design, data, and methodology - Therefore, this study examines CSV in comparison to a background of the social economy. This study also investigates and analyzes the concept of social value from the point of view of consumers, social problems, consumption value, corporate value, and the influence of consumers. This article develops three hypotheses. Hypothesis 1 investigates the correlation with social innovation that consumers thought as being necessary for social innovation by a company. Hypothesis 2 is used to confirm the influence of consumers in CSV. Therefore, this article investigates the influence of consumers on consumption action for companies that are indifferent to social problems. Hypothesis 3 is used to verify the correlation between the value that consumers demand through consumption and the corporate value that companies pursue other than profits. The three hypotheses were adopted and met the standard for suitability. Results - The importance of the CSV study from the consumer perspective was confirmed using the influence of consumers on CSV. Because the objective of company activities is either the consumer or the market, the influence that extends to interactions between the company and consumers to ensure the success of a business is significant. Regarding the CSV study, because it was an initial study, various approaches are subsequently developed. However, conceptual and practical case studies on CSV currently exist that may be used to verify the factors that comprise CSV. Therefore, the company example may enable verification of the factors that influence the composition of CSV through identification from the consumer perspective. In addition, studying CSV as an action result (of consumer satisfaction, of a company's profits and competitiveness, and of society's cancellation of a social problem) may enable the realization of a practice paradigm as opposed to simply thought and faith. Conclusions - First, this study confirms the social value of a business through the feasible and common pursuit of consumers by corporations. Second, customer influence accounts for an important part of CSV. Third, shared value commonly provides a necessary advantage to consumers, corporates, and society, and contributes to the economy and healthy social development. Fourth, corporates can conduct a business, generate profits, and realize value through improvements in social problems and by addressing their competitive strengths and weaknesses.
Abstract
Purpose - Domestic cooperatives tend to increase during the establishment of cooperatives and gradually through the basic law of social needs. However, only cooperatives' qualitative grow this secured without blessings, and their quantitative growth through government support is questionable. The purpose of this study is to analyze the agricultural cooperatives established through the Distribution System Cooperatives Basic Law, which was enacted in January 2012. Subsequently, establishing agricultural cooperatives was done briskly. However, cooperatives established rapidly after the founding of the Basic Law encountered problems. Research design, data, and methodology - To assess the performance of selected agricultural cooperatives, data were analyzed using the methodological Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. The AHP is a set of systematic procedures to hierarchically analyze the elements of any problem. Using a survey on expertise, a series of comparative determinations of each pair is performed to evaluate the relative strengths and the strengths of the impact between elements within the hierarchy. A survey was conducted on 10 small agricultural cooperatives using AHP analysis for the examination. The purpose of such research and analysis is to recommend a direction for future policies aimed at small agricultural cooperatives. Result - This study applied three types of policy evaluation criterion, including market expansions, organizations, and cooperative projects, and 12 types of small agricultural cooperative policy measures. Market expansion policies for agricultural cooperatives are classified into four categories: school meals, direct transactions, shopping malls, and wholesale markets. Organizational policies for agricultural cooperatives are classified into four types: existing sales channel management, education, preventing free riding, and enlarging members. Cooperative project policies in agricultural cooperatives are classified into four policy areas: cooperation between cooperatives, community contribution, joint businesses, and government links. In this paper, the growth priority in agricultural cooperative policies is analyzed by applying policy evaluation criteria on the basis of a survey on expertise. The priorities of the policy program are also analyzed using a decision analytic hierarchy process. The results indicate that market expansion is the most important policy evaluation criterion therefore, improving direct transactions, school meals, management of existing sales channels, and shopping malls are crucial policy measures. In contrast, the cooperation of cooperatives, expansion of union members, and cooperation with the government were found to have low priority. Conclusions - Agricultural cooperatives should develop plans as follows. Small agricultural cooperatives need to secure school meals and direct transactions for market expansion, restructure marketing strategies to manage existing sales channels, and, finally, increase education and training for sustainable organizational development. This study has the following limitations. Because the subject of the investigation is a new cooperative, determining its sustainable growth is difficult. Therefore, through analysis and a continuous study of cooperatives, future research is expected to show that modifying the direction of agriculture cooperatives is necessary.
Abstract
Purpose - Various social issues have arisen since the beginning of the 21st century therefore, enterprises that disregarded social issues have become unsustainable, and social enterprises have appeared to address these issues. A social enterprise is a social mission-focused organization that uses a market-based strategy and has a vulnerable business structure. To be self-sustainable, a social enterprise should make consumers aware of the value that it provides and secure its profitability through consumer consumption. From this perspective, this study investigates the relationship between perceived value (utilitarian and hedonic) and loyalty, and examines how memory and attitudes play mediating roles between perceived value and loyalty. For these purposes, the author developed a structural model consisting of several variables. In this model, perceived value, which was utilitarian and hedonic, was proposed to affect the memory and attitudes toward social enterprise products, thus increasing loyalty. Therefore, memory and attitudes were proposed as core mediating variables between perceived value and loyalty. Research design, data, and methodology - To analyze the proposed model, data were collected from 582 respondents and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. To test unidimensionality and the nomological validity of the measures of each construct, we employed a scale refinement procedure. The results of the reliability test with Cronbach's α and confirmatory factor analysis warranted the unidimensionality of the measures for each construct. In addition, the nomological validity of the measures was warranted from the results of the correlation analysis. The result of the overall model analysis demonstrated a good fit (χ<sup>2</sup>=529.881, df=144, χ<sup>2</sup>/df=3.680, p-value=0.000, GFI=0.905, NFI=0.948, CFI=0.961, RMR=0.036, RMSEA=0.068). Results - The findings are summarized as follows. First, the hedonic and utilitarian value of social enterprise products had positive effects on memory and attitudes. Second, the hedonic value of social enterprise products more strongly affects memory and attitudes than utilitarian value. Third, memory and attitudes had positive effects on loyalty. Lastly, memory had a stronger effect on loyalty than attitudes. Conclusions - The purchase rate of social enterprises' products increases only if the products are included in the "information search" and "alternative evaluation" processes in consumers' purchase decision-making processes. Therefore, a social enterprise must actively promote the fact that it pursues a social value, and shares both the hedonic and utilitarian values of its products. Accordingly, because hedonic value has a more significant impact on a company and attitudes, a social enterprise should develop hedonic values for product consumption, thereby leading consumers who care about value consumption to purchase its products. Moreover, a social enterprise must maintain good memories and attitudes for consumers because memory does not change over time, although attitude does. The limitations of this study and suggestions for future research are as follows. This study viewed "consumer loyalty" as the success factor of social enterprises, thereby considers an "increase in sales" as the success factor. Therefore, in future studies, diverse factors, including social contribution and word-of-mouth intention, should be regarded. In addition, future studies need to thoroughly review and make assurances about the relationship between memory and attitude.
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a political registration point for analyzing the economic impacts on the national economy from the REITs distribution industry in our country. The REITs distribution industry was introduced in 2001 to accelerate the corporate restructuring process and advance the real estate market. During its establishment, the REITs distribution industry faced difficulties; however, the industry grew rapidly through interest from institutional investors, thus mitigating the establishment problems by 2006. In Korea, more than 108 REITs were operating as of the end of June 2015. REITs contribute significantly to the national economy. The economic impacts on the national economy of the REITs distribution industry was analyzed using input-output (I-O) analysis with respect to production, imports, value-added, and employment. Research design, data, and methodology - The research used an I-O analysis of the activities of the REITs distribution industry in the national economy. The I-O analysis methodology analyzes the economic effects that influence other industries with respect to one unit of external investment. The data for this analysis were the I-O table of 2013 as published by the Bank of Korea in 2014. Results - The findings of this study are as follows. First, if an external input to the REITs distribution industry is 1 won, the overall impact of the product is 1.3869 won, the import induction is 0.0002 won, and the value-added induction is 0.7656 won. A new investment of 659.9 billion won into the REITs industry was estimated to produce a gross effect of 915.2 billion won. Second, if an external input to the REITs distribution industry is 1 billion won, the employment-inducing effects are estimated at 19.6394 individuals. The employment-inducing coefficient of 19.6394 for the REITs distribution industry indicates that the industry created significant employment-more than other industries-because the coefficient was 2.2 times the 2013 industry average employment-inducing coefficient of 8.8. Third, the investment effects of the REITs distribution industry on production induction, value-added induction, and employment induction are assumed to be large in business support services, financing, communications and broadcasting, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Conclusions - The REITs distribution industry was analyzed as having a strong employment inducing, high value added effect. The REITs distribution industry is an excellent alternative for the government authority to create multilateral jobs. Because the REITs distribution industry has a significant positive impact on the national economy, it should be developed. However, the I-O methodology has restrictions with respect to the fixation and timing of the input coefficient. Follow-up research is expected to supplement the analysis method at a specific point in time.
Abstract
Purpose - The Visegrád Group cooperation of the past 14 years and that of V4 for the past 20 years has very important significance in the 21st century that must be maintained. This cooperation is valuable because of the trade routes that connect northern Poland to the Balkans in southern Croatia, which forman important basis for the resuscitation of Central European development. Currently, because of the European manufacturing base and industrial development, an energy supply and stable energy distribution networks have been introduced to secure cooperation and not competition within the Visegrád Group. This paper's research emphasizes the supply chain hub in neighboring countries. Although Central and Eastern European countries are small, they can provide a competitive response to Western Europe if they collaborate with the V4 group and other countries. Research design, data, and methodology - The subjects of this study in the Visegrád Group area are related to the development of Marketing and Distribution Sciences in the integrated European Union. In relation to the existing energy infrastructure, construction companies and financial institutions benefit from large-scale construction projects. Existing or new infrastructure facilities among the V4 must comply with the preconditions of regional energy markets. The network of emerging markets is changing into a European-logistics hub of new markets. This hub is closely associated with the economic development of European self-sustainment given that energy for distribution and consumption is imported from Russia. Therefore, this paper indirectly provides data on the regional distribution of energy as alternative bases in Europe for market expansion to Asia. Results - As a result, it appeared unlikely that V4 failed to implement homogeneity following the standards of Western Europe, as proposed by the EU. Throughout European history, individuals have gathered in Central Europe as an innovation hub. Currently, the region is being established independently for energy industrial development and not for tourism development, and is expected to play a central role in innovation and distribution consumption. Therefore, similar to Western and Northern Europe, V4 only appears to engage in distribution consumption on the basis of the identity that it formed for itself. This area is expected to either create a regional platform or a voice over a single economic policy. Conclusions - To this end, regarding the distribution of consumer groups within and outside the region, the V4 group is expected to be established for various policy areas and as a Eurasian outpost of trade and distribution logistics. In addition, given its purpose of engaging in the distribution of energy cooperation and trade clusters, the Visegrád Group will be in charge of the center axis of the bridge for distribution logistics trading partners from the Western Balkans to Caucasus and Eastern Europe. Thus, the Visegrád Group is entering this region as a platform for market share by enabling all or any investor can gain greater industrial benefits.
Abstract
Purpose - Many global companies across industries are paying significant attention to co-creation activities, which enable consumers to participate in firms' value creation process, as a main model of new product development processes. In this study, we aim to examine different types of co-creation activities and their effects on consumer attitudes. We focus on upstream co-creation, downstream co-creation, autonomous co-creation, and sponsored co-creation. Upstream co-creation includes firms' control and management in the initial stage of new product development and prototype testing. Downstream co-creation indicates that consumers participate in firms-initiative activities at a later stage in new product development, such as public relations and marketing communications. Autonomous co-creation includes consumers' commitment activities in the absence of firms' rewards. However, under the sponsored co-creation, consumers can return monetary and social rewards from firms through their co-creation activities. The hypotheses regarding the effect of co-creation on consumer attitudes are as follows. (H1, H2, H3, H4) Upstream, downward, autonomous, and sponsored co-creation has positive effects on consumer attitude. (H5, H6) As intrinsic motivation increases, the positive effect of upstream and autonomous co-creation increases. (H7, H8) As extrinsic motivation increases, the positive effect of downward and sponsored co-creation increases. Research design, data, and methodology - To achieve our research goals, we analyzed responses from 246 samples from Korean consumers and verified the proposed hypotheses using a linear regression model. The samples include Korean consumers who experienced upstream, downstream, autonomous, and sponsored co-creation by firms. Results - First, both upstream co-creation and downstream co-creation with firms and consumers are found to have positive effects on consumer attitudes. Second, autonomous co-creation and sponsored co-creation are found to positively affect consumer attitudes. Third, consumers' intrinsic motivation has a fit-effect between upstream co-creation and autonomous co-creation, and their extrinsic motivation has a fit-effect between downstream co-creation and sponsored co-creation. Consumers who have strong intrinsic motivation are affected by upstream co-creation and autonomous co-creation. However, consumers who have strong extrinsic motivation are affected by downstream co-creation and sponsored co-creation. Conclusion - These results indicate that the fit between consumers' co-creation participation types and consumers'motivations is a significant factor in determining consumer attitudes. The results of this study imply that various types of consumer participation actually improve consumers' attitudes toward products and brands. In addition, our study also suggests that firms should consider the fit between co-creation types and consumers' motivations when they initiate co-creation activities. In this study, we survey consumers who participated in firms' co-creation activities. Future studies can compare different types of consumers. For instance, we can examine the different in different test by comparing experienced versus inexperienced consumers. Finally, we expand this research to user-generated content topics. This attending issue focuses on the mechanism that breaks down the boundaries and barriers between consumers and producers.
Abstract
Purpose - In today's era of globalization, the competitive power of enterprises is growing fiercer, calling for organizations to be able to respond flexibly to survive and maintain predominance in competition. In turn, keen competition exists among enterprises for the systematic management of members' knowledge to secure predominance in such competition. Under such circumstances, SMEs must find and utilize positive causes for change that affect organizational performance. The objective of this study is to analyze the structural relationship between four factors known from prior research-a CEO's positive leadership, members' positive life positions, learning organization activities, and job engagement-and organizational performance. Research design, data, and methodology - To achieve this objective, this study established the following four research problems. First, do CEOs' positive leadership, members' positive life positions, learning organization activities, and job engagement affect organizational performance? Second, do CEOs' positive leadership, members' positive life positions, and learning organization activities affect job engagement? Third, do CEOs' positive leadership and members' positive life positions affect learning organization activities? Fourth, does CEOs' positive leadership affect members' positive life positions. Additionally, to achieve the objective of this study, the research model was selected on the basis of a documentary survey of 787 full-time employees at 100 SMEs, which was used to collect related data. Results - The following conclusions were drawn. First, a CEO's positive leadership directly affects members' positive life positions, learning organization activities, and job engagement. Second, positive leadership only indirectly affects organizational performance. That is, positive leadership has an indirect effect on organizational performance given the parameters of members' positive life positions, learning organization activities, and job engagement. Third, members' positive life positions directly affect learning organization activities and job engagement, but indirectly affect organizational performance with learning organization activities and job engagement as parameters. Fourth, learning organization activities directly affect job engagement and organizational performance. Additionally, learning organization activities indirectly affect organizational performance with job engagement as a parameter. Fifth, job engagement directly affects organizational performance. Conclusions - A CEO's positive leadership and members' positive life positions do not directly affect organizational performance but have a positive effect through learning organization activities and job engagement. In particular, CEOs' positive leadership was proven to be the major factor to affect members' positive life positions, learning organization attitudes, and job engagement, and learning organization activities and job engagement were found to be major factors that directly affect organizational performance. Considering these conclusions, the direct effect of a CEO's positive leadership on organizational performance is not statistically significant but seems to affect members' positive life positions, learning organization activities, and job engagement, which ultimately affects organizational performance. In addition, CEOs' positive leadership is an important factor that enhances the factors with the strongest effect on organizational performance-activities of learning organizations and job engagement.