The purpose of this study was to suggest overseas marketing strategy using Taekwondo and the reference of industrial promotion policy associated with Taekwondo and Korea's national image by analyzing factors which formed Korea's national image and int...
The purpose of this study was to suggest overseas marketing strategy using Taekwondo and the reference of industrial promotion policy associated with Taekwondo and Korea's national image by analyzing factors which formed Korea's national image and intention of visiting Korea according to Taekwondo perception.
In order to achieve this purpose, the questionnaire survey was conducted with 1,089 participants in domestic or international Taekwondo events and overseas Taekwondo trainees from June 21 to August 30, 2009. The question items included demographic characteristics, perception on Teakowndo, Korea's national image, Korea's emotional image, and the intention of visiting Korea. A self-administered questionnaire was used for the research instrument. For the validity and reliability, the basic validity of questionnaire was established through pre-survey after content validity was ensured in previous researches. Construct validity and reliability was tested through exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency analysis. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation was used to analyze data characteristics, and one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis was used to test research hypotheses. Finally the following conclusion was drawn.
First, as for the difference in Teakwondo perception according to demographic characteristics, males perceived Taekwondo with a more favorable eye than females; as people trained Taekwondo long, their perception on the moral culture and self-defense of Taekwondo became positive and they thought that they could participated in various cultural activity of Korea through Taekwondo; and people who wanted to train Taekwondo had more interest in and knowledge of Taekwondo and more positive perception on its training effect. As for the difference in Korea's national image according to demographic characteristics, the male group, the older age group, the visit experience at least once group, the longer period of Taekwondo training group, and the having a goal to become a Taekwondo player group showed more favorable perception on Korea compared to counterpart groups. As for the difference in the intention of visiting Korea according to demographic characteristics, the younger age group, the participation in Taekwondo games group, the 'more than three-year period' of Taekwondo training group, and the having a goal of 'self-protection' and to 'become a Taekwondo player' showed a higher intention of visiting Korea.
Second, as people had a more interest in Taekwondo and believed more positive effect on Taekwondo, they thought that Korea was democratic and stable in politics and a powerful country with many exports. It suggested that Taekwondo contributed to broadening one's outlook on Korea's cultural activity and had a positive effect on the formation of a friendly national image.
Third, as people had a more interest in Teakwondo and more knowledge of pumsae, sparring, and breaking, and a more intention to watch Taekwondo games, they perceived that Korea was an exciting, attractive, easy, tranquil, clean, comfortable, dynamic, and lively country.
Fourth, as people was favorable in the history, tradition, advanced level, and culture․nationality of Korea, they perceived that Korea was an attractive, agreeable, and dynamic country.
Fifth, as for factors influencing the intention of visiting Korea, as people thought that Korea observed etiquette and order well, had a beautiful scenery and good welfare system, was stable in politics, and had many exports, their intention of visit became more positive.
Finally, as people felt that Korea was a safe, tranquil, comfortable, clean, agreeable, and kind country, their desire to visit Korea became greater.
In conclusion, all hypotheses which analyzed the effects of national image on the intention of visit in overseas Taekwondo trainees according to Taekwondo perception were adopted and their results empirically supported relationship among all research factors derived from previous research. Accordingly, a stepwise marketing strategy is greatly necessary to reinforce the intention of visiting Korea. In other words, favorable perception on Taekwondo will have a positive effect on the perceptive and emotional image of Korea and ultimately it will enhance the intention of visiting Korea.