본 연구는 20∼40대 남녀소비자를 대상으로 스마트폰의 소비행태 및 소비가치와 소비만족도를 분석하였다. 스마트폰의 소비만족도에 영향을 미치는 요인으로 사회인구학적 요인, 스마트폰 소비행태, 소비가치 등을 선정하여 집단별 차이를 검증하고 관련요인들의 상대적 영향력을 분석하였다. 본 연구의 분석결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다.
첫째, 스마트폰 구매결정시 구매정보원으로 가장 많이 사용하는 것은 인터넷이었으며 매장판매원과 신문기사 및잡지에 대한 이용률을 현저히 낮게 나타났다. 스마트폰의 이용장소는 50%이상이 교통수단 및 길거리였으며 스마트폰 이용기능은 정보검색과 오락기능에 대한 것이 높게 나타났다. 스마트폰 월평균 이용금액은 71,500원이었다.
둘째, 스마트폰 소비가치는 요인분석을 통해 2개의 요인(쾌락적 가치, 차별화․상징가치)이 추출되었다. 스마트폰의 사용가치는 사회인구학적 요인과 스마트폰 소비행태에 따라 집단별 차이를 보였다. 차별화․상징가치는 40대, 기혼자, 전문직인경우 높게 나타났고 쾌락적 가치는 기혼자인 경우와 스마트폰의 이용기능이 의사소통에 해당하는 경우 높게 나타났다.
셋째, 스마트폰 구매결정시 가장 중요하게 고려하는 사항은 사후관리(AS), 제품, 기능의 순으로 나타났다. 중요도는 사회인구학적 요인에 따라 집단별 차이를 보였다. 사후관리에 대한 중요도는 여성소비자의 경우, 기능의 중요도는 대학생/대학원생인 경우 높게 나타났다.
넷째, 스마트폰의 소비만족도는 중요도의 가중치를 이용하여 산출하였다. 스마트폰의 디자인과 기능에 대한 만족도가 높았고 가격과 사후관리에 대한 만족도는 낮게 나타났다. 이는 스마트폰 구매결정시 나타난 중요도에 대한 결과와 상반된 결과로 중요도에 따라 소비만족도가 상이할 수 있음을 의미한다. 스마트폰의 소비만족도에 가장 큰 영향력을 갖는 요인은 스마트폰의 쾌락적 소비가치였으며 스마트폰의 이용기간과 가격, 기능의 중요도 또한 통계적으로 유의한 영향을 미쳤다.
이로써, 스마트폰의 소비행태 및 소비가치, 중요도가 사회인구학적 요인에 따라 차이가 있음이 입증되었으며 스마트폰의 소비가치, 소비행태, 그리고 중요도가 스마트폰의 소비만족도에 영향을 미치는 결정적인 요인임을 밝혔다.
향후 스마트폰에 대한 소비자 특성별 요구도를 세분화하여 소비자 니즈를 충족시킬 수 있는 정보를 생성하고 전달할 수 있는 채널을 확보할 수 있는 연구가 진행되어야 할 것이다.
This study analyses the usage pattern and the consumption satisfaction and usage value of the smart phone users of the age of 20~40s. The socio-demographic factor, the usage pattern and the usage value of smart phone were selected as the elements affecting consumer satisfaction factors on smart phones. The difference between groups and its relative influences were analyzed with those elements. The results of this study were as follows;First, internet was the most favorite information source of purchasing of smart phones, and the information usage from the sales clerks and the articles on magazine or newspapers were ranked low. The information from the internet is filled with diverse information from commercial usage such as PR or advertising to comments from smart phone users. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the internet sites that consumers use and to analyze the specific contents of the information. Compared to receiving detailed information from other sources, consumers relatively rely lower on the information given from sales clerks. It means consumers need to receive useful product information and not just information that has commercial related intentions from product sellers. An in-depth analysis of the product information given to consumers before purchasing smart phones could contribute to consumers being more effectively informed and receiving detailed product information they wish to learn more about from different information sources. The 50% or more of smart phone users used their phones in the transportation or along/on the streets. The surfing web-site or searching information and entertainments were measured as the main functions of the smart phone usage. Consumers who use smart phones on average of two hours or less per day is the highest ranked which is about 36%. And also, consumers who use smart phones three hours or more show to be about 17%. A monthly average of the phone charge was 71,500.
Second, A factor analysis results of smart phone usage extracted two factors of the enjoyment value and differentiate/symbolic value. The usage value of the smart phone showed difference between groups according to socio-demographic factors and usage patterns. The differentiate/symbolic value was measured high with the 40s, the married and the professional practices.
The enjoyment value was high with the married and the smart phone usage case of communication.
Considering the short time of release for smart phones and the 93% of smart phone users within one year, the different consumer values with owning a smart phone such as a differentiate/symbolic value to an enjoyment value or another value needed to be examined. According to the usage period of smart phones, the consumption values and evaluation that may change over time is recognized by consumers. In other words, consumers who have a differentiate/symbolic value are more likely to recognize the enjoyment value while they use their smart phone and as they increase their usage period over time. Conversely, consumers who recognized the enjoyment value by using various smart phone applications may change to the differential value over increasing usage periods. Because the usage of smart phones and functions from applications changes their daily life, it comes to be unconsciously a part of their life.
Third, the most important details when purchasing of smart phones were found to be A/S (After service), the products and the function. The importance was varied with groups. The women users ranked high with the A/S and the university/graduate students recognized high with the functions. A/S service (After Service being warranties or product replacement provided to consumers) is the most important purchasing factor for consumers when making a decision to buy a smart phone. It means that consumers know the poor A/S service as a risk factor which can reduce the benefits and satisfaction of using a smart phone. Consumer's dissatisfaction comes from the psychological or economical inconvenience of the current inadequate A/S service.
Therefore, it would be necessary to develop a more efficient A/S service and should notify consumers where they can receive this in the future.
Forth, when consumption satisfaction analyses of smart phones were done with weight factor of the importance, the design and the function were highly satisfied, and the satisfaction of the price and the A/S were low. There were two contrasting views between the results of purchasing decision and the results of the consumer satisfaction of smart phones. This showed the consumption satisfaction would vary with the importance. The most important influential factor on the consumer satisfaction was enjoyment value, and the usage time, price and functional importance were significantly influenced on the satisfaction.
Thus, it is verified that there are differences in usage patterns, values, and importance depending on socio-demographic factors. And also, these three decisive factors impact consumer satisfaction regarding smart phones.