The purpose of this study is: first, to clarify the concrete relation between organization-public relationships, 'behavioral' relation and corporate image, 'symbolic' relation of corporate PR; second, to verify the degree that these 2 concepts contrib...
The purpose of this study is: first, to clarify the concrete relation between organization-public relationships, 'behavioral' relation and corporate image, 'symbolic' relation of corporate PR; second, to verify the degree that these 2 concepts contributes to formation of corporate asset value of customer loyalty, and the intermediary influence that customer satisfaction intervenes in this process. For this purpose, survey was carried out on 823 ordinary persons and structural equation modeling analysis was carried out based on such result.
First of all, Through exploratory factor analysis, ‘trust’, ‘relation’, ‘ability’, ‘familiarity’, ‘social contribution’ were found as organization-public relationships factors and ‘superiority image’, ‘social responsibility image’ were found as corporate image factors. Reliability and validity of measurement tool were obtained through fit index test(χ², RMR, GFI, AGFI, NFI, CFI), confirmatory factor analysis and reliability test of factors found.
As a result of overall structural equation modeling analysis assumed under this study, criteria of model fit index〔χ²=151.74(df=74, p=.000), RMR= .035, GFI=.901, AGFI=.899, NFI=.921, CFI=.903〕was satisfied.
Following is the results of analyzing the path model according to casual relationship between organization-public relationships and corporate image, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
First, <Hypothesis 1> : Among the organization-public relationships factors, the trust and familiarity were found to have mutually positive effects on superiority image and social responsibility image. However, the relation and ability had mutually positive effects with superiority image, but mutually negative effects with social responsibility image. On the other hands, the social contribution was found to have mutually positive effects on social responsibility image, but no significant effects with superiority image.
<Hypothesis 2> : Among the organization-public relationships factors, the trust and familiarity were found to have positive effects on customer satisfaction, but the relation and ability, social contribution no significant effects on customer satisfaction.
<Hypothesis 3> : Among the corporate image factors, the superiority image was found to have positive effects on customer satisfaction, but the social responsibility image no significant effect.
<Hypothesis 4> : The customer satisfaction was found to have very positive effects on customer loyalty.
<Hypothesis 5> : Among the organization-public relationships factors, the relation and familiarity were found to have positive effects on customer loyalty, but the trust and ability, social contribution no significant effects on customer loyalty.
<Hypothesis 6>: Among the corporate image factors, the superiority image was found to have positive effects on customer loyalty, but the social responsibility image no significant effect.
Additionally, as a result of verifying the indirect influence of organization-public relationships and corporate image on customer loyalty with customer satisfaction as mediation, the trust was found to have no significant direct effects on customer loyalty, but have relatively high indirect effects via customer satisfaction, showing the higher effects on customer loyalty. The relation had no indirect effect, the ability had negative indirect effect, showing the decrease in overall effect to the contrary. The familiarity and social contribution had indirect effects via customer satisfaction. The indirect effect of social contribution was found to be considerably lower than familiarity. In case of the corporate image, both superiority image and social responsibility image were found to have indirect effects with customer satisfaction as media. In particular, the superiority image was found to have high direct effects as well as indirect effect, confirming its high effects on customer loyalty.
Following is the suggestions that this study identified through corroborative analysis related to corporate PR.
First, since the organization-public relationships and corporate image are very closely related concept affecting positive or negative effects on each other, it is required to have integrated operation and management of 2 concepts in establishing effective PR strategy at corporate level.
Second, since the customers' positive evaluation on corporate can be obtained by communicating in-depth confidence and familar image of corporate as well as satisfaction through direct experience on product/service, it is required for corporate to develop and to continue effective corporate PR together with investment on qualitative aspects related to products/service.
Third, for the purpose of obtaining the corporate asset value of customer loyalty through organization-public relationships and corporate image, it is very important to emphasize the image of corporate with excellent quality of products/service, familiar corporate, corporate that put emphasis on customer management, and reliable company.
This study is meaningful in that it provides the foundation for improving the asset value of corporate using organization-public relationships and corporate image when corporate carries out more effective PR strategy and management strategy in the future.