Eunju Ko

A study of the authenticity of traditional cultural products: focus on Korean, Chinese, and Japanese consumers

ABSTRACT Countries’ specific traditional cultures are becoming popular subjects for commercialization. The research discussed here focuses on “traditional cultural products” (TCPs) and investigates consumer attitudes and behaviors with respect to cultural aspects. Consumer attitudes and the purposes of consumption within the commercialization of traditional cultures encircling cultural authenticity are scrutinized. Results show that while the personal factor of consumers’ open-mindedness toward other cultures positively influences their attitudes toward TCPs, the ethnocentrism and familiarity of the culture have negative effects. This analysis of the purchasing purpose model of culture products among three countries – Korea, China, and Japan – shows that positive attitudes toward the aesthetic elements are crucial in raising the will to consume traditional cultural goods. Moreover, Korean and Chinese consumers have significantly considered the cultural/historical authenticity of goods whereas Japanese consumers have found craftsmanship to be more vital.

Influence of SPA Brands’ Sustainable Activities on the Consumer's Ethical Consciousness, Brand Loyalty and Purchase Intention: Focused on H&M Brand (Korea vs. Russia)

Today, the fashion industries, which are appearing in the world, can satisfy their economic needs, as well as provide and distribute their products in order to introduce sustainable methods and avoid becoming a bad influence on future generations. Recently, SPA brands have contributed to the sustainable development of society with different kinds of products, such as organic, recycled and environmental products. For this research, among different SPA brands, we chose H&M as the most representative one. Using Russian and Korean consumers as examples, we analyzed how sustainable activities affect a consumers ethical consciousness, brand loyalty and purchase intention. The results of this study show that firstly, all sustainable activities have positive effects on the ethical consciousness of Russian and, in particular, Korean consumers. Secondly, ethical consciousness has a positive effect on brand loyalty, which, in turn, has a positive effect on purchase intention. Consequently, by adding to the existing sustainable and cultural activities, we can propose new perspectives for future research on sustainability. Due to the effect on a consumers ethical consciousness, future research might consider ethical consciousness as the main factor. By focusing on H&M as a representative of SPA brands with Russian and Korean consumers as target audiences, we can advise global SPA brands on the direction of their sustainable activities and exporting of their products to foreign markets.

A Study on the Types of Product Review on Mobile Beauty App, Perceived Information Authenticity, Brand Attitude, Purchase Intention and e-WOM Intention

The increase use of smartphones has paved the way for quick dissemination of online information. This has a huge influence on consumers’ purchase decision making and the formation of a company’s image. As such, this study focuses on product review from mobile beauty applications(apps); in particular, the perceived information authenticity. The purpose is as follows. First, to examine if there is any difference in perceived information authenticity based on the types of product review. Second, to analyze how perceived information authenticity influences brand attitude, purchase intention, and electronic word of mouth(e-WOM) intention. The study targets consumers in their 20s and 30s who have experience buying a product via a mobile beauty app. Three hundred responses are analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 18.0. The results reveal that, first of all, consumers derive higher perceived information authenticity from a multi-facet review rather than a double-facet review. Second, among the traits of perceived information authenticity, only a brand’s perceived reliability has a significant influence on brand attitude. Third, this brand attitude has a positive influence on purchase intention and e-WOM intention. In conclusion, these findings can serve as an important discussion point for companies developing a mobile beauty app, drawing attention to perceived information authenticity, based on the types of product review.