The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence consumers’ acceptance intentions towards Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing service. DTC genetic testing service can be considered in two aspects: the application of new technology in genetic testing customers can directly purchase and the services for receiving the test results customer can’t directly analyze. Existing technology-based acceptance models have difficulty fully explaining consumers’ acceptance intentions towards DTC genetic testing services. Therefore, this study aims to propose a new acceptance model considering these two characteristics. A survey was conducted with 377 potential consumers for this research. The analysis revealed that health interest, prior knowledge, subjective norms, innovativeness, perceived usefulness, and perceived value affect consumers’ acceptance intentions. The results obtained through this study can help establish strategies and marketing plans necessary for the diffusion of services, such as DTC genetic testing services, that combine a new technology and a service. In the long term, the accumulated DTC genetic testing results data can contribute to the development of national genetic information infrastructure and preventive medical applications, as well as improve individuals’ quality of life.

전기자동차의 빠른 확산은 지구온난화와 자연재해 대응을 위해 국제적으로 중요한 과제이다. 대중화를 위해 “캐즘(Chasm) 극복”은 필수적이나, 선행연구들은 전기차 초기시장 분석이 대부분이며 캐즘 단계의 연구는 다소 제한적이다. 본 연구는 전기차 초기 단계를 벗어나는 국내시장에서 소비자의 전기차 구매 주요 저해 요인과, 이에 영향을 주는 소비자의 인구통계학적 특성 및 자동차 관련 경험을 설문과 통계 기법을 통해 심층 분석하였다. 연구 결과, 한국 전기차 시장은 캐즘 전 단계로 판단되며, 전기차의 “기술에 대한 낮은 신뢰성”, “경제성에 대한 의문”, “충전-운전 불편성”이 전기차의 주요 수용 저해 요인으로 확인되었다. 지역에 따른 고속/완속 충전 인프라의 적절한 구축, 교육과 홍보를 통한 전기차의 인식개선, 전기차 수용에 우호적인 얼리어답터(Early adopter)의 전기차 수용 촉진은 캐즘을 극복하는 과정에서 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 판단된다.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of trust when a media broadcaster (such as a disc jockey [DJ]) acting as an information source and the content they provide during live commerce streaming affect acceptance intention. Live commerce is increasing rapidly, offering a new fashion distribution channel by supplementing possible shortcomings of existing online shopping. Data was collected for the empirical study from female consumers in their 20s who actively accepted fashion technology. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using IBM SPSS Macro Process 3.5. First, the reliability and validity of the variables for information source characteristics, content informativeness, trust, and acceptance intention were verified, and each variable was confirmed as a single factor. Bootstrap analysis was performed using Macro Process Model 4 to reveal the effects of information source characteristics and content informativeness on acceptance intention. As a result of analyzing the mediating effect for each path model with trust as a parameter, it was found that both the direct and indirect effects of the mediating path were significant. This result means that the characteristics of information sources and content informativeness are partially mediated by trust. Therefore, to promote consumer behavior in a live commerce shopping environment, it is necessary to enhance trust. This can be achieved by a media broadcaster with fashion expertise to increase the perception of the attractiveness of the information source and to improve the usefulness of the fashion information being delivered.

Building on Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model(TRAM), the study aimed to examine how technology readiness affects consumers’ perceptions of ease of use, usefulness, and risk, which in turn predict their intention to use retail service robots. Specifically, the study proposed that technology readiness motivators (optimism and innovativeness) would influence perceived ease of use and usefulness, while technology readiness inhibitors (discomfort and insecurity) would affect perceived risk. The study further examined if the perception factors (ease of use, usefulness, and risk) contribute to intention to use retail service robots. A survey method was used with data collected from Korean consumers. The final sample size was 418. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings of the study revealed that technology readiness motivators positively affected perceived ease of use and usefulness while innovativeness had no impact on usefulness. All the inhibitors increased perceived risk. Lastly, as hypothesized, perceptions of ease of use, usefulness, and risk predicted intention to use retail service robots. This study extended the retail technology literature by applying and validating TRAM to the context of consumer acceptance of retail service robots. The study further helped marketers and retailers by highlighting the importance of technology readiness in improving consumer perceptions and responses towards retail service robots.

본 연구는 동물병원을 방문하거나 펫 앱을 사용하는 반려동물 소유주를 대상으로 수행되었고, 이들의 사육상황, 식용곤충을 사용하는 사료와 기능성 펫 사료에 대한 인지도와 구매의사를 조사 분석하였다. 조사결과, 조사대상의 89.5%가 개나 고양이와 같은 반려동물을 키우고 있었고, 55.6%가 식용곤충을 이용한 반려동물사료에 대해 알고 있었다. 식용곤충을 사용한 반려동물사료에 대해 구매의사를 물었을 때 48.5%가 구매의사를 보였고, 51.5%가 불구매 의사를 보였다. 구매의 주요 이유로는 낮은 알러지 가능성과 높은 영양성을 언급하였고, 불구매 의사의 주요 이유로는 식용곤충에 대한 거부감으로 조사되었다.

Digital signage in a smart store would engage and invoke responses from consumers because good in-store experiences are more important than ever. Thus, the present study investigates consumer perceptions of interactive digital signage integrating technology acceptance model. Specifically, the current study examined 1) the effects of personal and fashion innovativeness on interactivity; 2) the effect of interactivity on perceived usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment; and 3) the effects of perceived usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment on intentions to use the products and the store, visit the store, and engage in word-of-mouth. As a pre-study, two researchers visited the smart stores of six brands in Seoul, all of which integrate various technologies in the fashion field. A video clip was developed as a stimulus to the study. A total of 214 responses were gathered and analyzed. The results were as follows. Personal innovativeness has a significantly positive effect on interactivity, whereas fashion innovativeness has no significant effect. Interactivity had positive effects on the perceived usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment. Consumer responses (i.e., intentions to use, visit, and engage in word-of-mouth) were predicted by usefulness and enjoyment, but not by ease of use. The findings of this study could provide the fashion industry and retailers practical and valuable insights into enhancing consumers’ in-store experiences through the use of interactive digital signage.

본 연구는 국제광고 맥락에서 한국과 중국의 현지화 혹은 표준화 논의의 중심으로 사용되는 문화적 불확실성 회피성향의 광고 수용에 대한 영향력을 정교화하여 검증하고자 한다. 구체적으로, 주효과로써 불확실성 회피성향에 감정소구라는 다른 주효과를 설정하여 두 변인 사이의 중재(moderating)효과 살펴보았다. 측정한 결과, 기존의 연구들과 유사하게 불확실성 요소는 광고효과에 유의미한 영항을 미치는 것으로 조사되었다. 하지만 문화차원과 감정소구 변인을 동시에 측정하였을 때, 중국 소비자의 경우 감정적 소구와 불확실성 요소를 최대한으로 사용하는 경우 가장 높은 광고효과를 보인 반면, 한국의 소비자들은 감정적 소구 요소와 불확실성 수준을 최소한으로 사용하는 경우 최대의 광고효과를 보였다. 즉, 두 주효과 변인은 유의미한 상호작용을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 보다 상세한 이론적 논의와 현업에 대한 시사 점은 본문에서 다루고 있다.

The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of the susceptibility of global consumer culture. As determinants, materialism and self monitoring as psychological variables and fashion clothing product knowledge as clothing-related variable were included. It was hypothesized that both psychological variables and clothing-related variable influence susceptibility of global consumer culture. Data were gathered by surveying university students in Seoul metropolitan area, using convenience sampling, and 311 questionnaires were used in the statistical analysis. In analyzing data, exploratory factor analysis using SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis using AMOS were conducted. Factor analysis of susceptibility of global consumer culture revealed four dimensions, 'social prestige' factor, 'quality perception' factor, 'conformity to others' factor, and 'conformity to consumption trend' factor. In addition, factor analysis of self monitoring revealed three dimensions, 'center-oriented attention' factor, 'situation-appropriate self-presentation' factor, and 'strategic displays of self-presentation' factor. The results showed that all the fit indices for the variable measures were quite acceptable. In addition, the overall fit of the model suggests that the model fits the data well. Tests of the hypothesized path show that all variables except for the one factor of self monitoring, 'center-oriented attention', and materialism influence all the factors of susceptibility of global consumer culture. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future study are also discussed.

본 연구에서는 TAM을 적용하여 혁신적인 의류 제품인 스마트 의류에 대한 소비자의 태도와 수용의도를 설명하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 상용화된 스마트 의류 제품을 대상으로 소비자들의 수용도에 대한 연구모형을 수립하였고, 선행연구들을 근거로 각 구성 요인 간의 관계에 대해 연구가설을 설정하였으며, 그 경로가설을 검증하였다. 이를 위해 확인적 요인분석, 상관관계분석과 스마트 의류 수용과정의 경로를 검증하기 위한 공분산 구조모형을 구성하였고, AMOS 5.0 package를 사용하여, 온라인 설문을 통해 얻은 557부의 유효 표본을 분석하였다. Davis(1989)가 제안한 TAM에, 스마트 의류 제품들의 판매 가격을 고려한 지각된 가치 변수를 적용하여 스마트 의류의 수용과정을 설명한 결과 모형의 적합성을 입증하였으며, 8개의 경로가설 중 6개의 경로가 통계적으로 유의함이 밝혀져 채택되었다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 지각된 사용용이성은 유용성을 거쳐 태도에 간접적으로 영향을 주었고, 태도는 다시 수용의도에 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 지각된 유용성은 지각된 가치에 대한 태도에 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났으나, 스마트 의류의 수용의도에는 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 분석되었다. 셋째, 지각된 가치가 스마트 의류에 대한 태도와 수용의도에 둘 다 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 넷째, 스마트 의류에 대한 태도는 구매의도에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

This study examined the effects of Web ad components on customer attitude and purchasing decisions in 300 individuals who visited family restaurant Websites. The results are summarized as follows: First, Web ad components such as content, design, and interactivity had effects on the cognitive attitudes of the customers. And design, accessibility, and Web functionality had significant effects on the customers' emotional attitudes. In addition, content, navigation, and Web functionality had significant effects on the customers' behavioral attitudes. Lastly, the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral attitudes of the customers had significant effects on their purchases. From these results, design elements such as content, color, and menus, along with user interactivity for information are considered helpful components of a food service Web ad for customer cognition of the restaurant's information. In addition, aspects of Web functionality such as the food service's Web ad set-up, or the protection of personal information, the color design and menu, as well as accessibility for easy use, are all helpful in terms of gaining a customer attitude that is friendly and preferential towards a restaurant's menu items.

식품의 방사선조사 기법은 지난 40여년간 세계적으로 체계적인 연구가 수행되면서 그에 대한 안전성과 기술적 타당성이 입증되고 있음에도 불구하고 아직까지도 제한적으로 이용되고 있는데 이의 주된 이유는 방사선조사 식품에 대한 소비자의 수용도를 확신할 수 없기 때문이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 방사선조사 식품에 대한 올바른 정보를 소비자들에게 제공하기 위한 기초자료를 얻기 위해 방사선조사 식품에 대한 소비자들의 구입의도 및 구입의도에 따른 집단을 구분하는데 영향을 미치는 변수들을 분석하였다. 본 연구를 통해 얻어진 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 우리 나라 소비자들의 식품의 안전성 및 식품의 신선도 보존에 관한 관심도는 매우 높았다. 방부제, 잔류농약, 식중독, 식품의 변패 및 식품의 신선도 보존 등의 5가지 항목 중 식품의 변패에 대한 관심도가 특히 높게 나타났으며, 그 다음으로는 잔류농약, 식중독의 순으로 관심이 많았다. 둘째, 우리 나라 소비자들의 방사선조사 식품에 대한 인지도는 대체로 낮았으며 특히 연령이 많거나 학력이 낮은 경우 방사선조사 식품에 대해 인지도가 낮은 것으로 나타나 이들을 대상으로 한 소비자교육이 보다 활성화되어야 할 필요가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 방사선조사 식품에 대한 수용 정도에 있어서는 응답자의 1/3-4/5가 방사선조사 식품의 구입에 대한 찬성이나 반대의 의사표시를 보이는 대신에 관망적인 자세를 취하고 있었다. 방사선조사 기법이 제공하는 혜택 중에서 농약 처리 후 식품에 농약이 잔류되는 것과는 다르게 방사선조사 식품에 방사선이 잔류하지 않는 경우, 방사선조사 식품을 구입할 의도가 많은 것으로 나타났다. 즉 식품의 안전성과 관련하여 많은 소비자들이 식품에서 농약의 잔류성분에 대해 우려를 하고 있는 것으로 나타났으므로 앞으로 이를 대체할 수 있는 하나의 방법으로 식품에 방사선조사 처리 기법이 활용될 것으로 예상되며, 이를 위해서는 방사선조사 식품의 안전성이 뒷받침되어야 할 것으로 보인다. 셋째, 방사선조사 식품의 구입의도 정도에 따른 집단을 구분하는데 영향을 미치는 변수를 살펴본 판별분석의 결과, 식품의 안전성에 대한 관심도, 혁신성에 대한 자아평가, 유기농작물에 대한 지불의도, 그리고 방사선조사 식품의 인지도는 방사선조사 식품의 구입의도를 구분하는 집단을 설명하는 데 있어 대체로 영향력이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 반면에 월가계소득은 5개의 판별분석에서 한 번도 유의하지 않은 것으로 나타나서 방사선조사 식품의 수용정도를 구분하는 데 있어 영향력이 없는 것으로 나타났다. 특히 소비자의 혁신성 정도가 방사선조사 식품의 수용도를 구분하는데 있어 중요한 변수라는 사실은 방사선조사 식품의 기법이나 그러한 식품이 갖는 혜택과 관련된 정보를 혁신적 소비자나 조기수용자에게 우선적으로 제공하는 것이 효과적임을 알려주고 있다. 최근 국제적으로 방사선조사 식품의 이용이 확대되고 있으며, 수출입 식품에 대한 방사선 처리가 증가되고 있는 국제환경 속에서 소비자들에게 방사선조사 식품에 대한 올바른 정보를 효과적으로 제공함으로써 그들의 식품구입 의사결정에 도움을 주는 것이 매우 필요하다. 더욱이 본 연구결과 우리 나라 소비자들은 방사선조사 식품에 대한 낮은 인지도를 가지고 있어 소비자로서의 알권리를 제대로 누리지 못하고 있는 것으로 나타나 앞으로 국내에서 방사선조사 식품이 상업적으로 널리 보급되기에 앞서 방사선조사 식품에 대한 소비자교육이 활발하게 이루어질 필요가 있다고 본다.

Food irradiation is an emerging technology which offers many advantages such as reduction of microorganisms, extension of shelf-life of foods, reduction in the use of post-harvest chemicals, and destruction of insects and parasites. The commercial utilization of food irradiation, however, has been restricted because of the uncertainty of consumers' responses to it. Because success of food irradiation in the marketplace will depend upon their acceptability by consumers, this study focused on the consumers' perception and acceptance toward food irradiation in order to get basic data for commercial utilization of food irradiation and give information to consumers to help rational consumption behavior. The survey with 411 respondents living in Youngnam area was conducted during the spring of 1997 by the questionnaires. The results and implications from this study are as follows. First, consumers' knowledge about food irradiation is scanty. Two-thirds of respondents in the survey had not heard of irradiated foods and many people confused irradiation with radioactivity. In the willingness to accept food irradiation, one-third of respondents showed a wait-and-see attitude. This result indicated consumers had insufficient information about the irradiation process and nationwide education of food irradiation technology should be undertaken. Second, although the purchase and use of food are very important consumption behaviors, consumer education by mass communication has been rarely done. For the successful commercialization of food irradiation, the information provision by mass communication for the consumers should be made. Third, consumers generally worried about residual pesticide and intended to purchase irradiated foods if radioactivity was not retained in the foods. Therefore, food irradiation could be an alternative method to the use of pesticide Fourth, consumers pointed out that they wanted to extend shelf-life of milk and dairy foods, fish and seafood and to irradiate these foods. Therefore, research for the safety of irradiated foods should be continually conducted. finally, labeling for irradiated foods is needed to provide the information and to further increase public understanding. Especially, the labeling should show the definite reason why irradiation is being used. In conclusion, recently, under the circumstances that the commercial utilization of food irradiation and irradiation for the import and export products have been increased in many countries, many efforts are needed to improve the quality of irradiated foods, and prove the safety of them in Korea. In addition, consumer education for food irradiation should be given to help consumers to make decision for food purchase and use.

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of chatbots’ innovation attributes on the innovation acceptance for consumers who have used chatbots to purchase fashion products that account for a large share of transactions in mobile shopping. Research design, data, and methodology – Data were collected from Korean consumers aged 20 to 49 who had experience using chatbots when purchasing fashion-related products via mobile circumstances. After a pilot survey of 31 customers, pre-questionnaire was revised for the final test, and the final questionnaire was distributed to 1,500 subjects. Out of these, 244 were retrieved. After excluding 48 inappropriate responses, 196 were used for statistical analysis. Frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, one-way ANOVA, regression analysis and independent t-test using SPSS 23.0 were employed for data analyses. Results - First, four factors of chatbots’ attributes were extracted: relative advantages and compatibility, complexity, sensibility, and diversity. Second, two factors were extracted for fashion leadership: fashion opinion leadership and fashion innovativeness. Two groups based on the fashion leadership were identified: active innovation adopters and passive innovation adopters. Third, relative advantages and compatibility, diversity, sensibility of innovation attributes were found to have effects on the innovation acceptance in order. Fourth, significant differences were found in sensibility of innovation attributes and innovation acceptance in groups by marital status and age. The married in their 30s and 40s perceived sensibility as a more important attribute of chatbots than the unmarried in their twenties. Among the groups of different income levels, meaningful differences were found in diversity of innovation attributes and innovation acceptance. Fifth, there were significant differences found in relative advantages and compatibility, sensibility of innovation attributes, and acceptance of Innovation among the groups by fashion leadership. Active innovation adopters were found to be more aware of the importance of relative advantages and compatibility, and sensibility of innovation attributes, and innovation acceptance. Conclusions – The present study provides chatbots’ marketing strategies for fashion items need to be modified by demographic characteristics and fashion leadership. Particularly, fashion leadership was found to be an important factor in determining the perception of innovation attribute as well as innovation acceptance.

Purpose – Blockchain technology, which has the characteristics of credibility, security, integrity and decentralization, has brought innovation to internet platforms that mediate peer to peer transactions, as well as changes to the contents distribution services. Blockchain-based copyright distribution platforms can solve problems which have been articulated on prior internet social networks: increased market dominance of platform business because of centralization with no reward to creators who upload on platforms, and lack of fairness, such as unfair profit distribution between the copyright holder and businesses. With this background, the current research confirmed the factors that affect the intention of usage and behaviors, targeting potential users of blockchain-based copyright distribution platforms. Research design, data, and methodology – Centered around the UTAUT2 Model, the research model was designed with 'Perceived Security' added as Construct, and 'Age' and 'Knowledge Level' added as moderating variables. For data, 607 responses were collected by an online survey, and 601 responses were included in the final analysis. We analyzed the research model and sample by using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 on the collected responses. Results – First, results of research on whether Constructs make positive effects on Intention of use is: social influence, facilitating conditions, habit, and perceived security had positive effects on intention of use, and performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, and economic value did not. Second, results of the research on whether facilitating condition, habit, and intention of use made an impact on using behaviors, it was shown that only habit and intention of use made positive effects. Third, in two groups divided by age above or under 40, group effort expectancy, intention of use, habit, and intention of use had controlling effects, and facilitating condition, intention of use, perceived security, and intention of use had effects in both groups. Conclusions – The research shows that no matter how great a blockchain-based platform is, if advantages of blockchain are not proved in various industries and utilized in real life like the internet, blockchain-based distribution systems will develop slowly. Rather than a short-term inducement emphasizing technology, there is a need for a strategic approach that can foster the environment.

Purpose – There are common factors both in Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model and Technology Paradox Theory which can be put together and made in one unified model. The unified model can provide the following merits. First, the unified model is simple but contains factors of the models. Second, the unified model can clarify the process of technology acceptance of common consumers. Third, the unified model can provide the opportunities to analyze the negative sides of new technology, thus find ways to improve the level of acceptance by general consumers. Research design, data, and methodology – The 450 questionnaires were handed out to people around Seoul and 421 were collected. Except insincere and wrong-marked ones, 402 were used to analyze. SPSS program was used to analyze. Factor analysis, regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. Results – By analyzing sub-factors of both models and binding the common factors in one category, we accomplish one model. And we tested the model by empirical method. The results show that the results from the unified model are almost same as the results from the two models. In other words, the unified model works. Conclusions – Explaining one state of affair by two different method is in some sense distracting attention. By devising a new model including factors of both models, we can explain the affair more straightforward and efficiently. At first the technology acceptance model was devised to explain the technology users in an organization and the following tests and revised models were for the similar purposes. However, as on-lone activities including contracts have been expanded and become important, consumers as the technology uses have emerged as first factor to consider. In accordance models to explain this situation has been suggested. The model suggested in this research is one of the models but it has the following merits. That is, it is simple but has strong explanation power, it can clarify the process of technology acceptance of common consumers by containing negative sides of consumer conception, and thus, it can provide the opportunities to analyze the negative sides of new technology, also find ways to improve the level of acceptance by general consumers.

온･오프라인 유통 채널이 서로의 단점을 보완, 유기적으로 통합된 새로운 유통 패러다임으로 옴니채널쇼핑(omni-channel shopping)이 전 세계적으로 주목 받고 있는 상황이다. 소비자들은 자신들이 모르는 새 온･오프라인을 넘나들며 서비스를 이용하고(EC연구회 외, 2015), 이러한 서비스의 이용은 가속화 될 것이라는 전망이다. 그러나 소비자는 혁신적인 제품･기술을 바로 수용하는 것은 아니며 일정정도 저항을 거친 후에 수용하는 성향을 보이고 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 식음료판매 옴니채널쇼핑의 대표적인 서비스인 스타벅스 사이렌오더를 혁신의 개념으로 이해하고 이에 대한 잠재 이용자의 저항에 영향을 미치는 요인을 도출, 혁신저항이 소비자 만족도에 영향을 미치는지 확인해 보았다. 연구결과, 지각된 유용성, 소비자 혁신성, 복잡성, 복귀성이 혁신저항에 영향을 미치고 혁신저항은 소비자 만족도에 영향을 미치는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구 결과를 통해 옴니채널쇼핑의 후속연구와 관련 종사자들을 위한 실무적 정보를 제공 하는데 도움을 줄 수 있을 것이라고 생각한다.