Existing studies of Japanese consumers have emphasized the importance of collectivism and risk aversion in Japanese culture. In this paper we examine the relationship between these constructs in new product adoption decisions that involve brand switching. We argue that, for Japanese consumers, the perceived emotional risk of adoption is related to (1) the degree to which a consumer identifies with the brand of his or her current product and (2) the perceived performance, financial, and social risks of switching to an alternative product. We further hypothesize that perceived social risk is positively related to brand identification, perceived performance risk, and perceived financial risk. Finally, we hypothesize that financial risk is positively related to performance risk. We test our hypotheses using data collected in Japan in June 2015. Questionnaire items were adapted from existing, well-validated scales. The Japanese version of the questionnaire was developed by using the standard double translation procedure. The Japanese version of the questionnaire was administered by a marketing research firm to a national panel of respondents stratified by age and gender. The resulting sample consisted of 518 iPad owners from across Japan, of whom approximately half were men. Within each gender category, approximately half of the respondents intended to purchase a new tablet within the next 12 months. Following established SEM procedures, we began by estimating a confirmatory factory analysis model, after which we estimated a structural equation model. In each case, the estimated model satisfied standard evaluation criteria. In general, our findings provide support for the hypothesized model. First, Perceived Performance Risk was positively related with Financial Risk, Social Risk, and Emotional Risk. Second, Financial Risk was positively related with Social Risk. Third, Social Risk was positively related with Emotional Risk. Fourth, Brand Identification was positively related with Social Risk and Emotional Risk. The one hypothesized linkage that was not supported was the relationship between Financial Risk and Emotional Risk. A comparison of coefficient magnitudes reveals several important findings. First, in the Social Risk equation, the coefficient of Performance Risk is significantly larger than the Brand Identification coefficient. Second, within the Emotional Risk equation, the coefficient of Performance Risk is significantly larger than the coefficients of Brand Identification and Financial Risk. Similarly, the coefficient of Social Risk is also significantly larger than the coefficients of Financial Risk and Social Risk.

The purposes of this study were to a) find out the operational characteristics of the contract-managed highschool foodservice in Seoul, b) investigate the expected level of meal-price and facilities investment cost perceived by contract-managed highschool foodservice managers c) compare the present level and expected level of meal-price and facilities investment cost. From October 12 to November 13 in 2001, the questionnaires were mailed to 249 high schools which was managed by contract foodservice company with respondent rate 40.2%. Data were analyzed using SPSS Win(10.0) for descriptive analysis and one group paired t-test. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. The student enrollment of highschools run by contract-managed foodservice was 1,243 with 72.6% participation rate of school lunch program. The average meal-price was 2,138 won. The average annual period of school foodservice operation was 156.78 days per year. The average contracting period was about 3 years. 2. The average cost concerned in the facilities investment amounts 169,578,180 won at the initial investment and 25,204,092 won at the repairs and maintenance cost in the course of operation. 3. The present level of meal-price and facilities investment cost were respectively 2,136won/meal and 171,157,336.72 won. And expected level of meal-price and amount of facilities investment cost were 2,418.75 won and 121,353,215.19 won. Comparing the present level with the expected level of the meal- price and facilities investment cost, expected level of meal-price was significantly higher than the present level of meal-price(p<.001) and expected level of facilities investment cost was significantly lower than present level of facilities investment cost(p<.001).