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- P-ISSN1738-3110
- E-ISSN2093-7717
- SCOPUS, ESCI
ISSN : 1738-3110
Vol.13 No.9
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this research is to provide insights that can be used for deliberate decision making around challenging big data investments by measuring the economic value of such big data implementations. Research design, data, and methodology - We perform empirical research through an event study. To this end, we measure actual abnormal returns of companies that are triggered by their investment announcements in big data, or firm size information, during the three-year research period. The research period targets a timeframe after the introduction of big data at Korean firms listed on the Korea stock markets. Results - Our empirical findings discover that on the event day and the day after, the abnormal returns are significantly positive. In addition, our further examination of firm size impacts on the abnormal returns does not show any evidence of an effect. Conclusions - Our research suggests that an event study can be useful as an alternative means to measure the return on investment (ROI) for big data in order to lessen the difficulties or decision making around big data investments.
Abstract
Purpose - This study investigates the effects of thought suppression on depression and uneasiness among college students likely to be influenced by smart phone addiction. Research design, data, and methodology - A total of 151 valid questionnaires were collected. The following analyses were conducted using SPSS 19.0 and AMOS 19.0: frequency, descriptive statistics, correlation, simple regression, and multiple regression. Results - Smart phone addiction increased uneasiness, depression, impulsiveness, and aggression. Moreover, uneasiness, depression, impulsiveness and aggression from smart phone addiction, had a negative influence on psychological wellbeing resulting in potential delinquent behavior. In addition, the addiction treatment relied heavily on drugs; therefore, such psychological treatment should be strengthened to control intermittent addiction. Conclusions - The results indicate that various kinds of research are needed to investigate personality and environmental factors that influence smart phone addiction. Additionally, studies on lessening smart phone addiction and living healthy lifestyles are needed. Moreover, psychological rehabilitation and treatment should be developed to lessen the rebound effect after thought suppression, to verify the effects of clinical application, and to prevent intermittent addiction.
Abstract
Purpose - In a global economy, marketers are required to understand service quality from an international consumer viewpoint. Despite the increased need for cross-cultural research, few studies have developed service quality research international in scope. The present research aims to shed light on variations in airline service quality among international consumers. Research design, data, and methodology - Conducting crosscultural research, this study compares airline service quality variations, investigating an international consumer group and a Korean consumer group. T-test and factor analyses are applied to examine mean scores and factor structure of the airline service dimensions. Results - The results indicate there are significant differences in mean comparisons between the groups. The international consumers indicate significantly higher service perception scores than the Koreans. Further, we find that the factor structure of airline service quality diverges between the groups. The international group considers airline service quality in four dimensions, while Koreans consider it in two. Conclusions - The study sheds new light on international service variations and suggests that the field of airline service quality may differ by nations and/or cultures.
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of effective role-play and training on employee education satisfaction and customer orientation. Evidence of the suggested objective is obtained by monitoring the effectiveness of hotel service training. Research design, data, and methodology - Data were collected from 280 role-play sessions performed in a Korean Hotel and examined using a frequency analysis, reliability/validity assessments, correlation analysis, and regression analysis using SPSS 19.0. Results - 1) Entrepreneurs and training instructors should enthusiastically apply service education in order to enhance each employee d evaluation in terms of customer satisfaction and customer orientation. 2) The most effective factor on customer satisfaction and orientation is the instructor's qualifications. 3) Since a higher level of education-training satisfaction leads to better customer orientation, effective education-training is essential to achieve this result. Conclusions - The study was able to obtain practical evidence that can confirm that service education-training through role-play positively affects employee customer service orientation. In future advanced research on training effects on customer orientation, various internal factors of a business should also be considered.
Abstract
Purpose - This paper's aim is to investigate whether or not gross profitability explains the cross-sectional variation of the stock returns in the Korean stock market. Gross profitability is an alternative profitability measure proposed by Novy-Marx in 2013 to predict cross-sectional variation of stock returns in the US. He shows that the gross profitability adds explanatory power to the Fama-French 3 factor model. Interestingly, gross profitability is negatively correlated with the book-to-market ratio. By confirming the gross profitability premium in the Korean stock market, we may provide some implications regarding the well-known value premium. In addition, our empirical results may provide opportunities for the fund distribution industry to promote brand new styles of funds. Research design, data, and methodology - For our empirical analysis, we collect monthly market prices of all the companies listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) of the Korea Exchanges (KRX). Our sample period covers July1994 to December2014. The data from the company financial statementsare provided by the financial information company WISEfn. First, using Fama-Macbeth cross-sectional regression, we investigate the relation between gross profitability and stock return performance. For robustness in analyzing the performance of the gross profitability strategy, we consider value weighted portfolio returns as well as equally weighted portfolio returns. Next, using Fama-French 3 factor models, we examine whether or not the gross profitability strategy generates excess returns when firmsize and the book-to-market ratio are controlled. Finally, we analyze the effect of firm size and the book-to-market ratio on the gross profitability strategy. Results - First, through the Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regression, we show that gross profitability has almost the same explanatory power as the book-to-market ratio in explaining the cross-sectional variation of the Korean stock market. Second, we find evidence that gross profitability is a statistically significant variable for explaining cross-sectional stock returns when the size and the value effect are controlled. Third, we show that gross profitability, which is positively correlated with stock returns and firm size, is negatively correlated with the book-to-market ratio. From the perspective of portfolio management, our results imply that since the gross profitability strategy is a distinctive growth strategy, value strategies can be improved by hedging with the gross profitability strategy. Conclusions - Our empirical results confirm the existence of a gross profitability premium in the Korean stock market. From the perspective of the fund distribution industry, the gross profitability portfolio is worthy of attention. Since the value strategy portfolio returns are negatively correlated with the gross profitability strategy portfolio returns, by mixing both portfolios, investors could be better off without additional risk. However, the profitable firms are dissimilar from the value firms (high book-to-market ratio firms); therefore, an alternative factor model including gross profitability may help us understand the economic implications of the well-known anomalies such as value premium, momentum, and low volatility. We reserve these topics for future research.
Abstract
Purpose - The aim of this paper is to investigate the explanatory power of the Pecking-order theory (the cost of financing increases with asymmetric information) among Korean retail firms from the perspective of debt capacity. According to the Pecking-order theory, a firm's first preference is to use internal funds for its capital needs, its next preference is the issuance of debt, and its last preference is the issuance of equity; this is due to the information asymmetry problem between existing shareholders and investors. However, prior empirical studies, such as Lemmon and Zender (2010), argue that the entire sample test for the Pecking-order theory could be misleading due to the different levels of debt issuance capability of each of the individual firms; in fact, they confirm that the explanatory power of the Pecking-order theory improves after taking into account the differences in debt capacity of the U.S. firms they examined. This paper implements a case study approach among Korean retail firms to examine the relationship between debt capacity and the explanatory power of the Pecking-order theory in Korea. Research design, data, and methodology - This study uses the sample of public retail firms on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) from the time period of 1990 to 2013. We gather related financial and accounting statements from the financial information firm WISEfn. Credit rating information is provided by the Korea Investor Service. We employ the models of Lemmon and Zender (2010) and Son and Kim (2013) to measure a firm's debt capacity. Their logit models use the rating dummy variable as a dependent variable and incorporate other firm characteristics as independent variables to estimate debt capacity. To test the Pecking-order theory, we adopt variants of the financing deficit model of Shyam-Sunder and Myers (1999). In the test of the Pecking-order theory, we consider all of the changes in total debt obligations, current debt obligations, and long-term debt obligations. Results - Our main contribution to the literature is our confirmation of the predicted relationship between debt capacity and the explanatory power of the Pecking-order theory among Korean retail firms. The coefficients on financing deficits become greater as a firm's debt capacity improves. This is consistent with the results of Lemmon and Zender (2010). The coefficients on the square of the financing deficits are also negative for the firms in the largest debt capacity group, which is also consistent with the predictions in prior literature. Conclusions - This study takes a case study approach by examining Korean retail firms. We confirm that the Pecking-order theory explains the capital structure of retail firms more appropriately, after taking into account the debt capacity of each firm. This result suggests the importance of debt capacity consideration in the testing of the Pecking-order theory. Our result also implies that there has been a potential underestimation of the explanatory power of the Pecking-order theory in existing studies.
Abstract
Purpose - This study aims to suggest strategies for Korean enterprises advancing into the Vietnam bakery market by analyzing the effects of perceived values on brand preference and purchase intention among Korean and Vietnamese consumers. Research design, data, and methodology - The perceived value model designed includes functional (price, quality), emotional, and social values. The survey collected data from 500 consumers in Seoul (Korea) and HoChiMinh (Vietnam). The SPSS 18.0 package was used for analysis. Results - First, among Vietnamese consumers, perceived value had a positive (+) effect on global brand preference in the order of functional value of quality, social value, and the functional value of price. However, from an ethnocentric trend and brand image origin, emotional value had a negative effect on global brand preference. In contrast, among Korean consumers, perceived value had a positive (+) effect on global brand preference in the order of functional value of quality, the functional value of price, and the social value. However, emotional value had no effect on global brand preference. Second, for both Korean and Vietnamese consumers, perceived value had a significant positive effect on purchase intention. Third, unlike the Korean consumer, for the Vietnamese consumer, global brand preference had a significant effect on purchase intention. Conclusions - The study implies the following. First, the Vietnamese bakery market has a high proportion of middle-aged customers in their 40s (64%). In terms of monthly income, there was a large proportion (40%) of high-income earners (over $325). Therefore, bakery consumption can be seen as concentrated among middle-aged and high-income consumers. Based on this, bakery strategies should include efforts to increase purchase prices as well as ways to attract local consumers (large cities). Second, unlike Korean consumers, among Vietnamese consumers, the resistance to a global brand based on emotional value (the ethnocentric tendency and brand image origin) can be seen as relatively low. Thus, in the case of the Vietnam bakery market, to increase a global brand's preference, the company should develop a differentiated strategy so that Vietnamese consumers can recognize it better, focusing on product quality, good service quality, and price in the local environment and on social value for social development. Third, in the case of the Vietnamese customer, we found that social value exerts the greatest influence on purchase intention. Therefore, a brand that engenders an image of building the local Vietnamese community can achieve a higher social value and influence purchase intention. In addition, although Vietnamese consumers have ethnocentric tendencies in terms of products, we found that if it is a preferred global brand then there are intentions to purchase. Fourth, in the case of Vietnam, if the preference for global brands is formed, consumer awareness may be connected to purchase intention. Therefore, global brands operating in Vietnam should pay attention to how to improve consumer preferences for global brands in order to increase purchase intention.
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to find out the effect of changes in the differentiated "servicescape" on the business performance in the hair salon industry using a case study. For this, we selected hair salon M located in Suwon. The shop is innovatively different from existing shops in terms of spatial layout and functionality. We conducted in-depth research, beginning with the launch of the shop concept through investment and ongoing stable sales. Research design, data, and methodology - The M hair salon is a start up shop providing a differentiated servicescape (physical environment where the service takes place) located in Suwon, Yeongtong-gu. We conducted research to investigate how spatial layout and functionality of the servicescape impact customers' perceived quality. The interview period and case analysis was May 2014 through March 2015, covering 11 months. To conduct the case analysis, we analyzed the spatial layout and functionality of existing shops and interviewed customers and experts about the difference between hair salon M and existing shops. Results - Our results found clues to the positive effect of spatial layout and functionality among servicescape factors on perceived service quality at the salon. The shop showed a fast payback of the principal investment, growth potential in contrast to competitors near the salon, and 45 percent returning customers. The problem with the spatial layout at existing shops was that customers were aware of the way other people were looking at them, since viewing angles overlapped, therefore there was a limitation to the relationship intensity with an exclusive hair designer. In contrast, the layout of the stands at the M salon kept the number of dressing stands limited to maximize the customer's emotional response. Additionally, because of the new layout of dressing stands hiding other customer voices and appearance in the salon, customers perceived their service space as independent. Therefore, they did not have to focus on their personal emotional response, which was one of the advantages of the new layout. Conclusions - This study conducted case study analysis by offering a new perspective focusing on spatial layout, previously not considered as an independent variable of quality evaluations and customer satisfaction in existing literature on hair salon management. Therefore, this study contributes to the field by offering an opportunity to discover the causal relationships between the overlooked physical environment and a customer's perceived quality. However, a process objectifying the results of the study through empirical analysis and hypotheses is needed to overcome the limitations of the case study approach and generalize the results. Moreover, it would be beneficial to conduct further empirical study of the relationship between the spatial layout provided in the case and a customer's emotional response and change in mood. In addition, an analysis is needed regarding how customers feel about the factors using the Kano Model. These suggestions would be considered in further study.
Abstract
Purpose - "Showrooming" refers to the phenomenon where a shopper visits a store to see and compare products but makes the purchase online at a lower price. Surveys on showrooming activities at home and abroad indicate that a significant number of consumers pursue showrooming activities. The advent of "showroomers," who engage in buying activities, hovering both on and offline, while selectively choosing sales channels to suit their needs, is powerful enough to erode the borders between channels and bring about seismic changes in the distribution industry. However, surprisingly, there has been no in-depth discussion on showrooming. This study seeks to theoretically investigate what impact personal characteristics have on showrooming preferences and attitudes in a multi-channel environment. Specifically, assumptions have been made that price perception, perceived performance risk, and trust in online shopping not only have a direct impact on showrooming attitudes but also indirectly affect it through the means of contact motivation. Research design, data, and methodology - To test the hypotheses, this study conducted a survey of male and female shoppers, ages 20 through 40s, who live in metropolitan areas, and have actively showroomed fashion items in the last six months. A clothing item usually purchased after a careful decision-making process was chosen as the target product of the study. The survey was conducted between October and November 2014, using a professional survey service provider. A total of 200 surveys were collected, of which 198 were used for analysis. Conceptual model Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Amos 18.0 were employed for data analysis and model verification. In addition, following the confirmatory factor analysis and measurement model analysis, the theoretical model that corresponds to the research model was analyzed. Results - Analysis results show that price perception, perceived performance risk, and trust in online shopping have a statistically significant and positive (+) impact on showrooming attitudes. In addition, in terms of the indirect influence of price perception and perceived performance risk on showrooming attitudes through means of contact motivation, price perception had a statistically significant and positive impact on means of contact motivation, whereas perceived performance risk did not have a statistically significant impact on it, with the relevant hypothesis rejected. Conclusions - These analysis results imply that the ultimate goal of consumers is to maximize their shopping benefits by selectively and strategically taking advantage of different channels in a complementary manner. This study presents many implications for distributors to encourage a deep understanding of showrooming consumers who have complicated consumption behaviors and to build channel integration strategies. This study has limitations in theoretical and practical implications. Therefore, subsequent studies need to focus on verifying that showrooming activities are based on reasonable and planned decisions by applying the theory of reasoned or planned behavior. In addition, the scope of the study should expand to include web showrooming, where consumers conduct product research online and purchase offline.
Abstract
Purpose - This study provides evidence of the impact of the mandatory adoption of Korean equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (K-IFRS) on accounting quality. K-IFRS uses fair value as a basis of measurement and is characterized by principle-based standards. These characteristics can lead to a decrease in conservatism. Therefore, this study aims to examine whether or not there is a change in the level of conservatism before and after the enforcement of K-IFRS (2007~2014). By comparing 2007 through 2008 and 2013 through 2014 (excluding 2009 to 2012), we test "the temporary adjustment phenomenon" and document an overall decline in the degree of conservatism after the adoption of K-IFRS. Research design, data, and methodology - Our sample is comprised of data of all listed Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) manufacturing distribution companies in Korea from 2007 to 2014, which yields the pooled sample of 4,412 (panel A) and 1,915 (panel B) firm-year observations for hypotheses 1 and 2. In line with recent literature, we adopt the Givoly and Hayn (2000) model, which recomputes the non-operating accruals, excluding two components that are most likely to capture the effect of restructuring activities: special items and gains or losses from discontinued operations. In addition, we also use these variables: SIZE, LEV, INV_CYCLE, ROA, OWN, and FOR. Results - Our sample period spans 2007 to 2014. This offers evidence on the effect of the mandatory adoption of IFRS on conservatism. Our findings can be summarized as follows. First, in panel A, for mandatory K-IFRS adoption (2011), we do not find any significant evidence of conservatism. We can guess that the "temporary adjustment phenomenon" is the reason that we do not find significant evidence of conservatism. Second, we investigate panel B from 2009 to 2012. We document an overall decline in the degree of conservatism after the adoption of K-IFRS. We can assume that these results are due to "the temporary adjustment phenomenon." Conclusions - This study finds that conservatism significantly decreased after IFRS adoption. In particular, this study makes the initial effort to elucidate "the temporary adjustment phenomenon" to analyze the effect of K-IFRS on conservative accounting. We argue that K-IFRS are conceptually conservative but that inappropriate application of the conservatism principles is likely to prevent financial reporting from reaching the level of conservatism targeted by the IASB. Overall, this paper contributes to the literature on IFRS and can be useful to capital market supervisors who are monitoring the trends of the firms implementing K-IFRS. Additionally, our results inform stakeholders of the potentially negative effect of the greater flexibility permitted by IFRS and/or lack of appropriate enforcement on key dimensions of accounting quality. This has important implications for Korean regulators and standard setters as they review the cost and benefits of IFRS. Our study also sheds light on the importance of the institutional environment in achieving the targeted objectives for improving financial reporting quality.
Abstract
Purpose - This paper aims to provide a step-by-step approach to factor analytic procedures, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and to offer a guideline for factor analysis. Authors have argued that the results of PCA and EFA are substantially similar. Additionally, they assert that PCA is a more appropriate technique for factor analysis because PCA produces easily interpreted results that are likely to be the basis of better decisions. For these reasons, many researchers have used PCA as a technique instead of EFA. However, these techniques are clearly different. PCA should be used for data reduction. On the other hand, EFA has been tailored to identify any underlying factor structure, a set of measured variables that cause the manifest variables to covary. Thus, it is needed for a guideline and for procedures to use in factor analysis. To date, however, these two techniques have been indiscriminately misused. Research design, data, and methodology - This research conducted a literature review. For this, we summarized the meaningful and consistent arguments and drew up guidelines and suggested procedures for rigorous EFA. Results - PCA can be used instead of common factor analysis when all measured variables have high communality. However, common factor analysis is recommended for EFA. First, researchers should evaluate the sample size and check for sampling adequacy before conducting factor analysis. If these conditions are not satisfied, then the next steps cannot be followed. Sample size must be at least 100 with communality above 0.5 and a minimum subject to item ratio of at least 5:1, with a minimum of five items in EFA. Next, Bartlett's sphericity test and the Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin (KMO) measure should be assessed for sampling adequacy. The chi-square value for Bartlett's test should be significant. In addition, a KMO of more than 0.8 is recommended. The next step is to conduct a factor analysis. The analysis is composed of three stages. The first stage determines a rotation technique. Generally, ML or PAF will suggest to researchers the best results. Selection of one of the two techniques heavily hinges on data normality. ML requires normally distributed data; on the other hand, PAF does not. The second step is associated with determining the number of factors to retain in the EFA. The best way to determine the number of factors to retain is to apply three methods including eigenvalues greater than 1.0, the scree plot test, and the variance extracted. The last step is to select one of two rotation methods: orthogonal or oblique. If the research suggests some variables that are correlated to each other, then the oblique method should be selected for factor rotation because the method assumes all factors are correlated in the research. If not, the orthogonal method is possible for factor rotation. Conclusions - Recommendations are offered for the best factor analytic practice for empirical research.