Comparative Study of the Influence of Customer Buying Factors on Eco-friendly Consumption: Focused on Korea-China consumers

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we revealed the influence of customer buying factors in the purchase process of eco-friendly product. Especially, we focused on the information acquisition, alternative evaluation, and after-purchase activity process based on Korea-China customer's survey. Methods: In the information acquisition process, we investigate the channels of information acquisition about eco-friendly product, a reliability of information, and an impediment of acquiring product information. At the stage of alternative evaluation, we extract various causes that affects pre-purchasing process and perform the AHP analysis to identify critical causes. At last, we compare several factors which affects before and after purchasing process. Results: Especially, an average utilization and cognition score of eco-friendly products of Chinese consumers is higher than Korean consumers' score. In addition, critical buying factors of Korean consumers are a product quality, an evaluation of existing users. However, that of Chinese consumers are safety of products and environmental benefits of products. Conclusion: In recent years, as the rapid economic development of China, environment pollutions like heavy smog and yellow dust have been occurred frequently. In that manner, Chinese consumer's environmental consciousness is rapidly increasing; not only try to be active participant in eco-friendly activities, but also eco-friendly purchasing activities. In addition, Chinese consumers recognize eco-friendly products as good products made with advanced technology.