How Different Korean Retailers are from Japanese ones, in terms of Taking a Social Responsibility for Product Scandal?

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The research is to investigate how different Korean retailers are from Japanese ones, in terms of taking a social responsibility for product safety scandals. By comparing different cases, the authors will provide some implications for retailers in Korea. Based on the existing literature, the authors analysed both countries’ cases. Concerned about product scandal, the research examined how retailers, manufacturers and governments made an effort to take a responsibility. As soon as product scandals occurred, Japan has shown different reactions from Korea. As an example, a Japanese local government quickly required Snow Brand to recall and stop producing problematic milk products. What is important is that retailers have stopped displaying them on their store shelves to minimise the number of victims. By contrast, it is difficult to find such a case in Korea. Through a comparative research, researchers suggest that retailers play a very important role in protecting customer rights. With the increasing customer awareness of retailers’ roles, there is a need for retailers to considerably pay their attention to taking a social responsibility for social issues. The research proposes that boycott campaigns should be legally protected and promoted by a government.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Food Scandals in Japan 3. Product Safety Scandals in Korea 4. Comparative Analysis 5. Conclusions References