Tourists and traditional divers in a common fishing ground

We study socio-ecological models for a fishing ground open to tourists. On Jeju Island, Korea, women traditional divers called “Haenyeo” harvest resources in a common fishing ground. To investigate the impact of introducing tourists on the benefit to the fishing association and the resource level, we examine two models that differ in the way the number of tourists is controlled. In the first model, the fishing association charges an entrance fee to tourists and the level of the fee is chosen to regulate tourist number. In the second, only a part of the fishing ground is made open to tourists, and the fraction of the ground open is chosen to control the tourist number. In both models, the fishing association seeks to maximize its total benefit. Analysis shows that the way the number of tourists increases with the availability of resources strongly influences the distribution of benefits among the fishing ground stakeholders. Finally, we discuss policy implications of our results and how local government can reduce the risk of introducing tourism.     

Effects of a product display and environmental fragrancing on approach responses and pleasurable experiences

The effects of atmospherics (i.e., a product display, pleasant and [in]appropriate ambient fragrances) on approach responses toward a product (global attitude, purchase intention, estimated price, and price the customer is willing to pay) and pleasurable experiences (sensory, affective, and cognitive pleasure) were investigated. In addition, the mediating effects of sensory, affective, and cognitive pleasure on approach responses toward a product were examined. Statistical analysis of responses of 109 female subjects each randomly assigned to one of four treatments showed that the appropriately fragranced display generated the most positive effect on approach responses and pleasurable experiences. A component of cognitive pleasure (seeing oneself in a fantasy) and multisensory pleasure mediated two approach responses: attitude toward the product and purchase intention. Findings suggest the importance of combining a display with environmental fragrancing as a marketing tool, but careful selection and application of environmental fragrances are required. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Nonroutine CEO Turnover in Korean Chaebols

This study seeks to assess the relationship between firm performance and nonroutine CEO turnover in Korean conglomerates known as chaebols. Utilizing data collected from a period following the 1997 Asian financial crisis, findings indicate a negative relationship between performance and nonroutine CEO turnover. However, the status of CEOs as chaebol founding family members is also negatively correlated with nonroutine turnover. This research suggests areas where managerial accountability has been improved in chaebol and areas where further improvements are needed. The unique contribution of this study is that it considers corporate governance in chaebols after postfinancial crisis reforms and looks at CEO family membership as a factor.     

Consumer adoption of the Internet: The case of apparel shopping

The theory of reasoned action and components of a theory of innovation adoption were integrated into a model of consumer adoption of the Internet for apparel shopping. The hypothesized model included psychological factors (beliefs and attitude), social factors (social support and social acceptance), and prior experience to explain intention to purchase apparel via the Internet. A questionnaire was mailed to a random national sample of households. All hypothesized variables were significant. Prior experience with the Internet had the strongest influence on intention to purchase apparel through the Internet. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Nonlinear behavior of the socio-economic dynamics for lake eutrophication control

To succeed in combating lake eutrophication, cooperation of local inhabitants, small factories, and farmers in reducing phosphorus discharge is very important. But the willingness of each player to cooperate would depend on the cooperation of other players and on the level of environmental concern of the society in general. Here we study the integrated dynamics of people's choice of behavior and the magnitude of eutrophication. Assumptions are: there are a number of players who choose between alternative options: a cooperative and environment-oriented option is more costly than the other. The decision of each player is affected by “social pressure” as well as by economical cost of the options. The lake pollution increases with the total phosphorus released, and a high pollution level in the lake would enhance the social pressure. The model includes a positive and a negative feedback loops which create diverse dynamical behavior. The model often shows bistability — having an equilibrium with a high level of cooperation among people and clean water, and the other equilibrium with low cooperation and polluted water, which are simultaneously stable. The model also shows fluctuation between a high and a low levels of cooperation in alternating years, cycle with a longer periodicity, or chaotic fluctuation. Conservatism of people stabilizes the system and sometimes helps maintaining cooperation. The system may show unexpected parameter dependence — the improved phosphorus removing efficiency might make water more polluted if it causes the decline in the environmental concern and cooperation among people.     

Conflict between groups of players in coupled socio-economic and ecological dynamics

Conflict among multiple groups is a major source of difficulty in environmental conservation. People are often divided into various groups that have different social factors, sometimes leading to differences in the degree to which they cooperate in environmental conservation. This obstructs the social consensus needed to solve the environmental problems. Here we study the coupled dynamics of human socio-economic choice and lake water pollution, and examine the magnitude of the difference in cooperation levels between two groups. In the model, many players choose between a costly but cooperative option and a selfish option. The former results in a reduced phosphorus discharge into the lake. Each player's choice is affected by an economic cost and social pressure. Social pressure is a psychological factor that promotes cooperation: it becomes stronger when more players in the society are cooperative (conformist tendency) and when the problem at hand is a greater concern to society. In the model, two groups sometimes show large differences in their cooperation levels even when both have exactly the same social factors. However, cooperation levels are more likely to differ between groups that have different social factors. Enhancement of the cross-group conformist tendency is the most effective way to minimize differences in cooperation levels and to mitigate conflict between groups.