Some consumer goods containing radioactive substances are in circulation and used in everyday life. In accordance with the Nuclear Safety Act, consumer goods with radioactivity are regulated. However, since most consumer goods distributed in Korea have no information that can confirm the amount of radiation, it is necessary to analyze the radiation for safety regulation. Among these consumer goods, GTLS (Gaseous Tritium Light Source) contains gaseous tritium (tritium, written as 3H or T), which is a radioactive material. The gaseous composition ratio in GTLS was analyzed using a precision gas mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher, model MAT 271). As a result of GTLS analysis, the H2, HD or H3 +(T) or 3He, HT or D2 or He, DT, and T2, which correspond to the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 2 to 6 and the air components were detected. In addition, substances corresponding to m/z=24 and m/z=21 were also detected. These were compared with pure CH4 and those fragmentation patterns. The ratios of CT4 (m/z = 24) to CT3 (m/z = 21) and CH4 (m/z = 16) to CH3 (m/z = 15) were compared and they agree within the measurement uncertainty. We also performed additional experiments to separate the water component in the GTLS samples, considering the possibility that the m/z = 21 to m/z = 24 region is tritium compounds based on H2O. Despite the removal of the water components, peaks were detected at m/z=21 and m/z=24. Therefore, we confirmed that the component of m/z = 24 in the GTLS sample was CT4.
본 연구는 생산 가능인구의 세대별 스포츠 용품 온라인 소비성향을 탐색하고, 스포츠 4.0 시장 의 온라인 소비자를 세분화하여 미래의 소비 시장을 예측하기 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 했다. 따라서 생산 가능인구의 세대별 집단(Y세대 이상, Z세대) 중 스포츠 용품을 소비한 경험자를 대상으로 본 조사를 실시했으며, 총 478명의 자료를 최종 분석에 적용했다. 자료처리는 SPSS statistics(ver. 21.0)으로 빈도분 석, 탐색적 요인분석, 재검사 신뢰도의 상관관계 분석, 신뢰도 분석, 의사결정 나무 분석을 실시했다. 생산 가능인구의 세대별에 따른 스포츠 용품 온라인 소비성향 탐색결과, 여유, 즐거움, 자아 상징, 가격 요인이 높을 경우와 자아 상징, 기능, 환경 친화 요인이 낮을 경우 Z세대 집단으로 분류될 확률이 크게 나타났으 며, 여유 요인이 낮고, 자아 상징 요인이 높을 경우와 즐거운 요인이 낮고, 연대적 소비 요인이 높을 경우 Y세대 이상 집단으로 분류될 확률이 크게 나타났다. 또한 이와 같은 모형의 분류 정확도는 69.7%로 나타 났다.
Introduction
With environmental concern becoming a growing area for both the marketing academy and society, there is an increasing trend for consumers, governments, and society to deem environmental behaviours as both necessary, and desirable (Olsen, Slotegraaf, & Chandukala, 2014). There is a growing awareness around the negative impacts of human consumption developing amongst consumers and gaining greater focus in the media (Prothero, McDonagh, & Dobscha, 2010). However, despite the positive intentions surrounding the consumption of “green goods”, hitherto referred to as sustainable goods, a well-established gap exists between intention and behaviour (e.g., Carrington, Neville, & Whitwell, 2010; Hassan, Shiu, & Shaw, 2016). For example the United Nations Environment Program (2005) established that despite 40% of survey respondents indicating a willingness to purchase sustainable goods, only 4% did so. One lens through which the intention-behaviour gap can be viewed is the idea of the self. Individual identity has long been suggested as a driver of purchasing decisions (Grubb & Grathwohl, 1967). A consumer‟s aim to act both in accordance with their own identity, as well as how they see themselves in the context of society has been suggested to enhance purchasing (e.g., Graeff, 1996; Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Onkvisit & Shaw, 1987). This research seeks to use this idea of self, in the form of Self-Construal (SC), and Image- Congruence (IC), to enhance Purchase Intention (PI) towards sustainable goods. A contribution is sought by using consumers‟ sense of self to better understand the intention-behaviour gap. The proposed contribution benefits the marketing academy (furthering the understanding of consumer purchase intentions and behaviour), marketing practitioners (seeking to encourage behaviour change), and government policy makers (by furthering an understanding of possible nudges to influence behaviour). This research defines „sustainable goods‟, as characterising products with lower environmental impacts, including biodegradable, recycled, low energy, or reduced packaging (Costa Pinto, Herter, Rossi, & Borges, 2014). Sustainable goods have been suggested to present a perceived trade off to consumers, both in literature and the popular press (e.g., Consumer, n.d.-a, n.d.-b; Kaufman, 2014). Kaufman (2014) suggests that sustainable alternatives often carry a price premium, as well as a stigma of lower quality. An example of the trade off as presented in the popular press is through product testing by Consumer New Zealand, suggesting that household items such as eco-friendly (sustainable) laundry detergent come with a price premium, a reduction in efficacy, or both (Consumer, n.d.-a, n.d.-b). Therefore, this research hypothesises that sustainable goods may be perceived as an inferior (either by price or efficacy) product and thus consumers will perceive a trade off in their purchasing decision. This trade off can be summarised as; higher priced or less effective goods, in order to make an environmental contribution (e.g., reduced landfill, cleaner water). As such, it is argued consumers will be more willing to make this trade off where they are able to portray aspects of the self through the decision making process.
Conceptual Model
The aim of this study is: To investigate the impact of self-construal, and imagecongruence on consumers‟ purchase intention towards sustainable goods. In order to achieve the aim of this research, the following hypotheses are presented:
H1a: The more interdependent an individual‟s self-construal, the higher their purchase intention towards sustainable goods.
H1b: The more independent an individual‟s self-construal, the lower their purchase intention towards sustainable goods.
H2: The greater the image-congruence towards sustainable goods, the higher the purchase intention towards sustainable goods.
To illustrate the hypotheses the following conceptual model has been proposed:
Studies of self-construal (SC) have demonstrated that individuals fall into two categories, independent and interdependent SC (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). Individuals with independent SC emphasise being unique and expressing their self and promoting their individual goals (Arnocky, Stroink, & DeCicco, 2007); conversely those with interdependent SC define their sense of self largely on relationships and a sense of harmony with others (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). Therefore, interdependent selfconstrual may drive purchasing activity of socially desirable goods. The alignment of products to a consumer‟s self-concept has long been considered a predictor of purchasing behaviour (Grubb & Grathwohl, 1967). The alignment between a product and the self-concept of a consumer is known as image-congruence and leads to an increased likelihood of purchase (Graeff, 1996; Onkvisit & Shaw, 1987). Conversely, where a product is not congruent with an individual‟s image the likelihood of purchase is reduced (Graeff, 1996; Onkvisit & Shaw, 1987). Purchase intention (PI) as used in this research is defined as a consumers‟ plan to purchase sustainable goods, meeting the criteria outlined previously, in the near future. The Brand Loyalty Intentions scale has been adapted for use in measuring PI (Algesheimer, Dholakia, & Herrmann, 2005), with the addition of a time definite item, „I will purchase sustainable products within the next six months”. SC is expected to impact PI as interdependent and independent people behave differently. Those with an interdependent SC behave in line with the expectations of society (Ybarra & Trafimow, 1998). Protection of the environment is seen as desirable behaviour by society (Olsen et al., 2014), thus leading to those with an interdependent SC consuming in line with this expectation. Conversely, individuals with independent SC are more likely to prioritise their individual benefits and are thus more likely to prioritise the lower price, or increased efficacy of non-sustainable products. IC is expected to impact PI as those whose self-concept is connected to the environment and sustainable goods, are expected to have an intent to purchase in line with their selfimage (Graeff, 1996; Onkvisit & Shaw, 1987). As such, individuals with image congruence to sustainable goods will be more willing to accept a trade off in order to consume in line with their own self-concept.
Method
Two phases of data collection were conducted to test the proposed model. An initial pretest, followed by a larger sample. A pre-test consisting of 258 participants was recruited through a Qualtrics research panel. Of the 258 participants, 15 were denied entry to the survey for being under 18 and 39 participants were deleted for non-completion of the survey. A final sample size of 204 participants (103 Male, 101 Female, mean age range 30-34) was collected. Reliability analysis was used to determine the internal reliability of the scales used to measure the model. Reliability analysis was performed to ensure the adequacy and reliability of scales; a regression analysis was further performed to determine model fit as well as the strength and direction of variable relationships (Field, 2013). The second phase of data collection consisted of 554 participants, recruited through a Qualtrics research panel. Of the 554 participants, 24 were denied entry to the survey for being under 18 and 98 participants were deleted for non-completion of the survey. A final sample size of 432 participants (226 Male, 206 Female, mean age range 35-39) was collected. Reliability analysis was again performed to ensure the adequacy and reliability of scales; further regression analysis was performed to determine model fit as well as the strength and direction of variable relationships (Field, 2013), discussion and conclusions were drawn from this second phase of data collection.
Results
Phase 1: Pre-Test
The three variables in the model were measured using three established scales, one of these scales consists of two sub-scales, for a total of four analysed scales. All reported acceptable reliability (Cronbach's α > .70). Self-construal – interdependent (α = .854), self-construal – independent (α = .837), image-congruence (α = .913), and purchase intention (α = .899) A regression analysis was used to determine the strength and direction of the variable relationships. The overall model fit was R2 = .434. H1a was supported (β = .284, p = .004), as was H2 (β = .449, p < .001). H1b demonstrated a significant relationship (β = .231, p = .025), however, contrary to H1b, the relationship was positive, albeit to a lesser extent than in H1a.
Phase 2: Final Data Collection
As in phase 1, all scales used reported acceptable reliability (Cronbach's α > .70); selfconstrual – interdependent (α = .871), self-construal – independent (α = .867), imagecongruence (α = .920), and purchase intention (α = .900). As in the pre-test a regression analysis was used to test the stated hypotheses. The overall model fit was R2 = .478. H1a was supported (β = .284, p < .001), as was H2 (β = .546, p < .001). H1b demonstrated a significant relationship (β = .206, p = .05), again however, contrary to H1b, the relationship was positive, albeit to a lesser extent than in H1a.
Discussion and Conclusion
Two phases of data collection both yielded similar results in support of H1a, H1b and H2. H1a and H2 were supported, H1b in both phases of data collection and analysis yielded significant results, but not in line with the predicted direction of the relationship. H2 was fully supported with image-congruence found to be the strongest predictor of purchase intention (p < .001, β = .546). H1a was similarly fully supported with self-construal – interdependent found to be the second strongest predictor of purchase intention (β = .284, p < .001). The strength and direction of the H1a relationship suggests that individuals who see themselves as part of a broader society may be more inclined to purchase in a manner beneficial to this society. H1b yielded a significant relationship (β = .206, p = .05), however, as a positive predictor of purchase intention, the relationship was the opposite of that hypothesised. As the third strongest predictor, the relationship between self-construal – independent and purchase intention, suggests that strong focus on the self, independently of others, does not necessarily lead to a less „pro-social‟ purchasing pattern. By positing the strength of image-congruence as a driving factor in consumer‟s purchasing decisions towards green products, this research enhances the academy‟s understanding of „pro-social‟ purchasing. The understanding of the impact of selfconstrual on „pro-social behaviour is also enhanced. Hypotheses derived in line with extant literature suggest that those with an independent self-construal would be less likely to purchase „pro-social‟ goods where there is a perceived detriment to the individual (e.g. in the case of a trade-off). However, this research suggests that those with an independent self-construal may still desire „pro-social‟ products, just to a lesser degree than those with an interdependent self-construal. Thus, findings from this research suggest that independence and interdependence may act as moderators or mediators to other variables. For practitioners it is important to understand the types of psychological appeals that can be made in marketing materials.
Future Research
Future research around image-congruence, self-construal and purchase intention should examine the relationship between these and the possibility of mediation or moderation in the model. Despite strong support in the literature an independent SC also acted as a strong predictor of sustainable goods purchase intention therefore, further analysis to explore the possibility of independent self-construal acting as a mediator or moderator should be conducted.
The full-fledged Japanese census of commerce was conducted in 2014 and its data were publisized recently. We have chased the census data since 1991 in order to explore the determinants of Japanese household expenditure on consumer goods specialty retailers. The purpose of this study is to add some new findings to our previous research.
In this research we theoretically address, and empirically estimate, key factors that affect sales per household at three major lines of retail trade that include frequently purchased consumables (food and drink), less frequently bought non-durables (apparel, shoes and dry goods), and infrequently acquired durable goods (furniture). We examine Industrial Classifications 57-60: Dry Goods, Apparel and Apparel Accessory stores (largely clothing, shoe, linen and accessories); Food and Beverage stores (primarily grocery, liquor, and specialty food stores); and Furniture, Household Utensils, and Appliances. These three trade lines deal with the necessities and supplies of life; they consist of relatively small specialty retailers. In addition, they have been an important target of urban planning and retail distribution policy of cities in Japan.
Our data, which is drawn from six successive Japanese retail trade censuses (1991, 1994, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2014) encompasses 790 cities in all 47 prefectures. It is notable that the Japanese babble economy ceased in 1991; since then it has experienced an extended period of low growth. Note also that data from the most recent census (2014) is not yet available.
Our theoretical model argues that retail sales per household are determined by three fundamental factors: the Market Environment (which is beyond the control of retail managers), Intertype Competition (which is influenced, but not controlled, by managers in each line of trade), and the Marketing Mix in each line of trade (which is set by managers). The essence of our argument is that the Market Environment determines a base level of sales per household; Intertype Competition may raise or lower sales in our focal lines of trade; and, the Marketing Mix in each line of trade can augment sales by (a) doing an above average job of appealing to customers and (b) countering the negative impact of Intertype Competition.
Based on our research framework, we conduct a three-stage, hierarchical multiple regression analysis in each line of trade. Within Market Environment we include nine variables in a first-stage regression model: average number of people per household, household growth rate, average home size in square meters, income per household, population ratio aged 65+, auto ownership per household, distance to the prefectural capital city, residential land prices, and daytime population ratio. We expect each of these independent variables (except for population ratio aged 65+) to increase retail sales per household – which is our dependent variable.
For Intertype Competition we use General Merchandise Stores (largely department stores and supercenters) that, in Japan, directly compete with Apparel, Food, and Furniture stores. In the second-stage regression model we include GMS sales per household along with the above nine Market Environment variables. GMS is anticipated to lower sales per household in Food stores, but is expected to raise sales per household in Apparel and Furniture stores as a spillover effect.
For the Marketing Mix we measure four variables: assortment (proxied as square meters of selling space per store), service (employees per square meter of selling space), access (number of stores per land surface area of the city), and advertising (newspaper subscribers per household). These variables are included in the third-stage regression model along with the aforementioned ten independent variables; each of them should increase retail sales per household in its line of trade (e.g., the marketing mix for Food stores should only affect food sales per household). Thus, in of our analysis we show the results of eighteen regressions (i.e. the six census years and three lines of trade)
.
Our empirical research makes five contributions. First, we incorporate five independent variables that rarely (if ever) appear in studies of sales per household: out-shopping (daytime population ratio), home size, population ratio aged 65+, distance from the prefectural capital city, and residential land price. Second, we show the impact of intertype competition on sales in specific lines of retail trade. Third, we investigate data from five censuses that span a sixteen year period; few previous studies have examined changes in retail structure over such a lengthy time span. Fourth, we examine consumer goods retailers – who are an important target of urban planning and retail distribution policies of Japanese cities. Fifth, Japan had three important characteristics during the time span we examine: it was the world’s second largest economy and it is a nation of gradually declining population. As such, it may be a harbinger of the future of retailing in other large, wealthy economies. Additionally, Japan has rarely been the focus of retail trade studies.
This study examines consumers’ online activities according to the categories of goods and services, applying foraging theory, and explore online information structure perceived by consumers, determining the degree of information overload. Consumers are confronted by nearly unlimited amounts of information when they gather information to make purchase decisions in an online environment. Few studies have focused on the behavioral pattern of information acquisition to reduce information overload. The available studies are limited by particular conditions under a normative perspective (e.g., cognitive limitation with item specific information only and overemphasis on the quantity dimension of information structure). An improvement may be a holistic approach that allows freedom of information acquisition, and includes an ecological perspective, which emphasizes an interaction between minds and immediate environments (Todd & Gigerenzer, 2007). In other words, to provide a better explanation of information overload phenomenon, the research includes quantity information as well as quality and environmental information in the information structure. This has been overlooked in an information overload paradigm (for example, the question of whether more or less information is better) (Scheibehenne, Greifeneder, & Todd, 2010). Moreover, Xia and Monroe (2005) argued that the majority of research about information acquisition has overemphasized information searching while overlooking information browsing, although both activities occur concurrently during processes of information acquisition. The foraging theory (Stephen and Kreb, 1986), which originated from behavioral ecology, can help explain a continuum of browsing and searching behavior through utilizing the patch framework (Kim & Hantula, 2016). The patch framework provides a different perspective for information structure in terms of the amount of data as a combination of within-patch (searching) and between-patch (browsing), thereby covering the issue of the browse-search continuum to explain issues of amount for information overload. (e.g., Detlor, Sproule, & Gupta, 2003).
The current study applied foraging theory into the online behavior of information acquisition and explored the information structure that consumers establish and consider in their process of information foraging across categories of goods and services (i.e., durables, nondurables, and services). This theoretical integration would proffer some clues for information structure to reduce information overloads through browsing and searching information online. The investigations consist of ordinary activities and purchase-related activities online, frequently purchased items and consideration to make purchase decisions, strategic information foraging patterns, and perceived decisional difficulty.
This study investigates whether goods and service brands have different social media strategy to develop relationships with consumers. A content analysis of 10,752 brand posts on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts of 10 Indonesian leading brands finds that goods and service brands have different strategies in utilizing their social media.
The purpose of this study is to investigate which of the main social and personality factors affect the attitudes of consumers towards counterfeit products and their purchase intentions in one of largest counterfeit product market as much as the attractive one for the Global Luxury goods ,namely Turkey.
본 연구는 우리나라의 대형할인마트 이용자의 쇼핑 성향에 따른 가드닝용품의 이용실태와 만족도를 알아 보기 위하여 대구·경북 지역을 중심으로 최대 소매 업태인 이마트, 홈플러스, 롯데마트를 선정하여 2011년 2월 1일부터 3월 30일의 기간 동안 총 364부의 설문 자료를 수집·분석하였다. 대형할인마트 이용자들의 소 비특성을 파악 하고자 쇼핑성향의 요인분석을 실시한 결과 유행 추구형 쇼핑성향, 친환경적 쇼핑성향, 쾌락 형 쇼핑성형, 경제적 쇼핑성향 4가지 요인이 분석 되 었다. 전반적으로 가드닝 용품의 구매경험이 높았고, 구매횟수는 월 1∼2회, 평균 구매금액은 월 3∼5만원, 구매상품의 종류는 화분이 가장 높게 나타났다. 조사대 상자의 대형할인마트 쇼핑성향에 따라 구매경험은 유 행 추구형 쇼핑성향 72.6%로 높았고 구매횟수는 유행 추구형, 쾌락형, 경제추구형의 40%이상이 월1∼2회, 친환경적 쇼핑성향이 38.1%가 월 5∼6회 정도 구매하 였다. 월 평균 구매금액은 친환경적 쇼핑성향 42.9%, 유행추구형 32.8%가 월 3∼5만원 구매하는 것으로 나 타났고, 쾌락형은 37.2%가 월 1∼3만원, 경제적 쇼핑 성향은 37.1%가 1만원 미만 구매하였다. 가드닝 용품 은 유행 추구형, 쾌락형 쇼핑성향을 지닌 소비자들은 화분, 친환경적 쇼핑성향의 경우 채소씨앗, 경제적 쇼 핑성향은 식물세트를 가장 선호하는 경향을 보였다. 대 형할인마트 내 가드닝 용품에 대한 만족도 및 재 구 매 의도는 평균이상으로 나타났으며, 다양성의 한계가 가장 큰 불만요소인 것으로 나타났다.
The main purpose of this study is to find the factors affecting the consumer goods buyers’ choice on e-commerce sites in Vietnam. By using the quantitative method, the paper examines the theoretical research model and tests four hypotheses. The sample was drawn from the population of e-commerce sites in Vietnam comprising about 1,000 respondents. This study used the questionnaire method to collect primary data to test the hypotheses. Data analysis of the questionnaire was done using SPSS. The results show that there is a correlation between personal preferences of consumers on colors and brands and their actual final choice on e-commerce sites in Vietnam. The most important factor affecting the consumer goods buyers’ choice on e-commerce in Vietnam is the brand of E-commerce site, following by the color and position. Among all educational groups, respondents with a Master degree pay the biggest attention to the site’s color attribute, and those with a Bachelor degree pay more attention to the brand attribute. Women pay much more attention to the location of the products on the screen than men, as do consumers with a PhD degree, over respondents with a Bachelor or Master degree, and foreigners over Vietnamese consumers.
Pick-up/delivery of consumer goods to offices, shops, and restaurants in order to support urban lives is one of the most vital activities in a city. With economic growth and technological innovation, a greater variety of goods have come to be supplied, and pick-up/delivery of consumer goods has become more complex. Efficient urban goods movement in Central Business District(CBD} starts with an efficient system for loading/unloading, and pick-up/delivery activities. Loading/unloading activity may be carried out on-street, or on especially designated space inside or outside buildings. Therefore, purpose of this study is to clarity the efficient urban goods movement in CBD(also called the pick-up/delivery activity) from the three different types of loading/unloading facilities. For this purpose, the differences in loading/unloading and truck-trip activity time of each loading/unloading facility was compared by performing the simulation analysis.