본 연구에서는 소비가치를 적용하여 1인 가구를 세분화하고, 소비가치의 영향을 받는 구매행동인 브랜드 의식, 충동구매, 점포유형 선택에 차이가 있는지 알아보고자 하였다. Sheth와 Holbrook의 소비가치유형 비교를 통해 소비가치는 기능적, 감정적, 사회적, 진귀적, 윤리적 가치의 다섯 가지 유형으로 분류되었다. 2014년 3월 23일부터 3월 31일까지 394명의 1인 가구를 대상으로 설문조사를 실시한 결과 1인 가구 소비자는 공통적으로 기능적 가치와 감정적 가치가 높았으나 사회적 가치, 진귀적 가치, 윤리적 가치에서 유의한 차이를 보였다. 이에 따라 1인 가구는 ‘양면적․사회적 소비 추구형’, ‘적극적 소비 추구형’, ‘양면적․자기중심적 소비 추구형’, ‘양면적․윤리적 소비 추구형’, ‘소극적․실속소비 추구형’의 다섯 유형으로 분류되었다. 브랜드 의식과 충동구매의 경우 1인 가구 유형별로 다소 높거나 낮았으며, 인터넷 쇼핑몰과 대형 할인점을 제외한 나머지 점포유형을 이용하는 정도에서 차이가 나타났다. 이를 통해 현대 1인 가구 소비자는 소비가치와 구매행동 측면에서 일부 공통점을 지녔지만 서로 다른 특징을 지닌 다섯 집단으로 분류할 수 있으며, 이들을 하나의 동일한 집단으로 인식하기보다는 심리적 및 행동의 차이에 따라 접근할 필요가 있다. 본 연구는 패널자료를 이용하여 특정 연령층이나 특정 성별의 소비지출과 재무상태 분석에 집중한 대부분의 1인 가구 연구와 달리 20~50대 1인 가구를 대상으로 중요한 심리 변수 중 하나인 소비가치에 따라 1인 가구 유형화를 시도하였다는 점에서 의의를 가진다.
This study aims to segment single-person households by consumption values and understand differences in their purchasing behavior. It investigates single- person households‘ consumption values, brand consciousness, impulsive buying, and choice of store types.
A survey was conducted across 394 male and female single-person households between the age of 20 and 59. Samples were collected from March 23, 2014 to March 31, 2014. SPSS Win 18.0 was used for reliability, validity, and statistical analyses. AMOS 18.0 was used for confirmatory factor analysis.
The research findings are as follows:The cluster analysis results based on the five consumption values reveals that single-person households are grouped into five clusters with different characteristics. The “Ambivalent and Others’-Conscious Consumer Group” is high in functional, emotional and social value as well as brand consciousness and impulsive buying. They purchase commodities more frequently at department stores. The “Active Consumer Group” is high in all consumption values, brand consciousness and impulsive buying, and purchases products more frequently at most store types. The “Ambivalent and Self-Centered Consumer Group” is low in social and ethical value, but high in functional, emotional and epistemic value. Their impulsive buying level is a little above average and they make a purchase more frequently using their smart-phones and tablet devices, also at internet shopping malls and outlet malls. The “Ambivalent and Ethical Consumer Group” is high in functional, emotional and ethical value, while they are low in social and epistemic value, brand consciousness and impulsive buying. They buy products frequently only at online malls and discount stores. The “Passive Consumer Group” is low in all consumption values except functional value. They are also low in brand consciousness and impulsive buying, and purchases commodities less frequently at most store types than other groups.
Based on these findings, the study has reached the following conclusions:First, single-person households can be classified into five groups seeking different types of consumption values and show significant differences in purchasing behavior. Thus, an approach to single-person households should be taken based on their psychological and behavioral differences rather than considering them as one homogeneous consumer group.
Second, enterprises need to develop and provide a variety of products and services that fully reflect consumption values of single-person households. In doing so, companies can preoccupy their target markets and single-person households are able to have a wider product and service selection. Relevant government authorities and consumer organizations are required to provide education programs customized to each segmented group of single-person households so as to lead them to rational consumption.