The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors driving parasocial relationships and their effect on brand equity. A conceptual model including the following variables is proposed: opinion leader attributes, parasocial relationship, brand equity and the moderating effect of endorser-brand congruency. The proposed research model is analyzed using a survey of 301 Chinese consumers. Structural equation modelling is employed to examine the hypothesized relationships among all variables. The findings show that the opinion leader attributes of expertise and exploration positively affect the parasocial relationship between consumers and the endorser, and the parasocial relationship and brand equity are positively associated. Furthermore, endorser-brand congruency acts as a moderator on the relationship between opinion leader attributes and the parasocial relationship. The implications, limitations, and discussions are provided.

본 연구는 프로야구 소비자를 대상으로 프로야구 PPL광고속성이 브랜드인지, 브랜드태도 및 행동의도에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 프로야구 구단과 모기업의 다양한 마케팅 활용 전략으로 활용될 수 있는 방안을 제시하는데 본 연구의 목적이 있다. 본 연구는 프로야구 소비자 411명을 대상으로 실시되었다. 자료처리는 SPSS 25.0 Window Version을 활용하여 빈도분석(frequency analysis), 신뢰도 분석 (correlation analysis), 상관관계 분석(reliability analysis), 다중회귀분석(multiple regression analysis)을 실시하였다. 그리고 평균분산추출지수(AVE: Confirmatory Factor Analysis)와 개념신뢰도(CR: Construct Validity)를 산출하여 집중타당도(Convergent Validity) 및 판별타당도(Discriminant Validity)를 검증하였다. 또한, AMOS 25.0을 활용하여 확인적 요인분석(Confirmatory Factor Analysis: CFA)을 실시하였다. 그 결과 첫째, PPL광고속성의 하위요인인 오락성, 정보성, 불편성은 브랜드인지에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, PPL광고속성의의 하위요인인 오락성, 정보성, 불편성은 브랜드태도에 유의한 영향 을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, PPL광고속성의의 하위요인인 오락성, 정보성, 불편성은 행동의도에 유의 한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 넷째, 브랜드인지, 브랜드태도는 행동의도에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

Product replacement (PPL) is used widely in marketing and plays crucial roles but the effects of the PPL attributes on a restaurant brand are not well known. Therefore, this study examined the effects of PPL attributes on brand awareness and brand credibility. In addition, the relationship among brand awareness, brand credibility, and brand loyalty was investigated. The study found that the characteristics of PPL, such as information and entertainment, affected brand awareness. On the other hand, inconvenience did not have any impact on brand awareness. In addition, information, entertainment, and inconvenience affected brand credibility. Furthermore, brand awareness and credibility influenced brand loyalty significantly. These results suggest that PPL can be a very effective way to advertise. Hence, PPL should be done with a sense of information and entertainment than simply with more frequent exposure to consumers, which that might cause inconvenience.

As many companies are performing brand management as a marketing strategy to establish long-term relationships with their customers, consumers decide the actual purchasing behavior by understanding the brand attributes of the relevant company based on an evaluation standard of the products. This paper provides the basic data for improving the competitiveness of the coffee shop market continuously, and analyzes the influential relationships between each variable by limiting the brand attributes of the coffee shop and the price fairness factor that would be expected to affect the consumers' purchasing behavior as the cause variables. The results showed that the-out of brand attribute factors of the coffee shop, the brand awareness and perceived quality had significant effects on the price fairness while the influence of the shop image on the price fairness was not verified. In addition, all the brand awareness, shop image, and perceived quality had significant effects on the purchasing behavior while the statistical significance between price fairness and purchasing behavior was verified. The rationality of the price presented by the coffee shop could be judged depending on the quality perceived by the consumers. Similarly, once consumers classified the propriety of price and then perceived that a suitable price had been set up regarding the quality and service provided by the coffee shop, it was highly possible for them to include it in their actual purchasing behavior, despite the higher price than other brands'. Further research on the psychological variables affecting the purchasing behavior by securing more diverse consumers to understand their purchasing behavior for a wide range of research subjects and the generalization of research results, will provide useful data for establishing marketing measures necessary to form strong relationships between consumers and brand in the currently-saturated coffee shop market.

In 2010, there were approximately 38.9 million Black Americans residing in the U.S. (Waters, Kasinitz, & Asad, 2014). Caribbean and African-Americans do engage in luxury shopping (Forbes, 2013). A three part theoretical framework has been developed to present this research, including spatial diffusion theory, conspicuous consumption theory, and the Value Chain model. Although there is a vast amount of information on luxury attributes, there is a gap in research surrounding this topic in relation to ethnic groups such as Caribbean and African-American consumers. Hence, the purpose of the study is to examine the impact of luxury brand attributes on Caribbean and African-American consumers. The specific objectives of this study were to identify the main attributes of luxury goods and services; to examine these main attributes and compare Caribbean and African-American consumers; and to study the impact of those attributes on purchase intentions and word-of-mouth on purchase decisions. The study surveyed 440 consumers and interviewed 8 individuals. Participants were West Indians residing in the U.S. and in the Caribbean, and African-Americans residing in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 64. The data was then analyzed using SPSS. A total of eight (8) interviews were conducted (7 females and 1 male). The consumers ranged from ages 20 to 33. Questions covered the following topics: demographics, lifestyle, sources of appearance, shopping patterns and preferences, and dress and appearance preferences. Texts within the interviews were coded and Cohen’s kappa was also conducted to establish reliability. The main criterion when shopping was style. There were significant differences between Ethnicity and the following: having favorite brands while shopping (Χ2 = 37.741, p = .000); whether or not the respondents’ favorite brands were high fashion (Χ2 = 19.123, p = .000); whether or not respondents liked wearing expensive clothing and/or accessories (Χ2 = 21.200, p = .000); feeling the need to invest in luxury apparel (Χ2 = 20.836, p = .000); respondents thinking that wearing luxury products convey success or accomplishment (Χ2 = 40.936, p = .000); and imitating the way celebrities dress (Χ2 = 37.006, p = .000). The survey revealed that respondents consulted family members, friends, and co-workers for fashion advice. The findings of this study support previous literature in relation to the main attributes of luxury goods. Conspicuous consumption theory explains the behavior of these consumers who may be trying to display their wealth by purchasing expensive items. Word-of-mouth played a significant role in the purchase decisions of both consumer groups. For Caribbean consumers, the main criteria were style and quality, whereas for African-Americans, the main criteria were style and price. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.

This study was designed to investigate luxury brand co-value creation. A mixed method approach was used to 1) identify encounter attributes of value co-creation, consumer value and brand value and 2) examine the relationships among encounter attributes, consumer value, brand value, and purchase intention to explain the process of value co-creation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of store attributes on brand equity of and brand attitude toward Korean SPA brands. Data were collected from women living in Seoul in ages from 18 to 39 with purchasing experience at Korean SPA brands. A total of 554 questionnaires were used in the statistical analysis including factor analysis and structure equation analysis. The results were as follows: For store attributes, 8 factors were extracted: product assortment, fashionability, price, quality, store environment, service, convenience in location and advertisement. Two factors, brand awareness, brand image were extracted for brand equity, and brand attitude was derived as a single dimension. Product-related store attributes such as product assortment, price, quality have positive effects on brand awareness, brand image and brand attitude. Other attribute such as store environment has positive effect on brand awareness and brand image, Attribute such as advertisement has positive effect on brand awareness and service, convenience in location have positive effect on brand attitude. Moreover, brand image and brand awareness have positive effect on brand attitude. These results indicate the product-related attributes are important factors to consider for improving brand equity and brand attitude for Korean SPA brands.

The aims of this study were to identify the dimensions of both store and PB apparel product attributes at large discount stores, and to empirically examine the effects of each dimension of store and PB apparel product attributes on satisfaction with PB apparel products and on repurchase intension. Questionnaires were given to 264 large discount store customers, who have experienced buying PB apparel products at large discount stores. The results were as follows. First, purchased PB items and image, improvement of PB apparel products showed differences by gender. Second, the dimensions for store attributes were categorized as convenient of shopping environment, product quality, customer service, advertising reach, convenient location, and reasonable prices. The PB apparel product attributes were categorized as material handling management, quality, fashion ability, and brand power. Third, generally, both store and PB apparel product attributes at large discount stores are significantly related to PB apparel satisfaction and repurchase intention. PB satisfaction and repurchase intention of males were partly affected by store attributes and PB apparel product attributes. PB satisfaction and repurchasing intention of females, however, were partly affected by only PB apparel product attributes, not store attributes.

This study examines the effects of restaurant attributes on customers' perceptions of price and brand reputation. Four restaurant attributes were used to represent restaurant quality. Multiple regression was conducted to measure the relationships between the four restaurant attributes and price and brand reputation. Further, an independent T-test was used to compare differences between perceptions of locals and tourists with regard to restaurant quality under two categories (price and brand reputation) after they selected a restaurant. Results of this study revealed that residency did not have a significant impact on customers' perceptions of price or brand reputation, whereas restaurant attributes did have an impact. Taste was a predictor of perceived price, whereas service and atmosphere were predictors of brand reputation. In addition, comparison of restaurant attributes between locals and tourists showed that sanitation and service were significantly different in accordance with price and atmosphere, whereas taste and service were significantly different in accordance with brand reputation. Locals showed higher means for each restaurant attribute compared to tourists.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the brand awareness, attributes and purchase behaviors for luxury products in the age of mcluxury. In-depth interviews were conducted to 18 consumers(10 singles, 8 married) in the age range of 20～49 and having purchased luxury products twice in last 1 year. The interviews were directed by a trained mediator according to the interview guidelines and recorded. Interviewees were asked to talk freely and protocols were made for data analysis. Similarities were found regarding the salient attributes, brand awareness of luxury products as known in general; however, the perceived importance of each attribute of luxury products seemed to be changed as mcLuxury has continued. Moreover, the consumers' attitudes toward the luxury products consumption tended to become favorable than before, and the motives to buy luxury products were more valueoriented and self fulfillment rather than display one's wealth. The buying behaviors of luxury products vary among different age groups. However, most of them tended to purchase luxury products at duty-free shops and premium outlets while traveling abroad, or bought them on sale at domestic department stores.

본 연구는 제품의 미적/기능적 속성 수준과 브랜드 파워가 제품평가에 미치는 영향력을 연구하였다. 피험자에게 제품사진과 정보를 제공하고 호감도 및 품질평가를 지시하였다. 연구결과, 브랜드 파워가 낮은 제품보다 브랜드를 제시하지 않은 제품이 더 높게 평가되었으며 이러한 경향은 감성적 제품의 경우 더 뚜렷하게 나타났다.