The global dairy market has recently been undergoing changes, such as shifting consumer behavior and rising production costs. The domestic milk market is facing a severe competitive crisis due to factors including a slowdown in drinking milk consumpti...
The global dairy market has recently been undergoing changes, such as shifting consumer behavior and rising production costs. The domestic milk market is facing a severe competitive crisis due to factors including a slowdown in drinking milk consumption caused by declining birth rates, a surge in imported UHT milk, and the growth of the plant-based alternative milk market. Amidst this market maturity, consumer selection criteria are evolving beyond simple price or freshness to a sophisticated trend toward value consumption, encompassing factors such as functionality, animal welfare, and brand trust. This underscores the need for a structural understanding that extends beyond consumer satisfaction to the quality of the brand relationship and behavioral intentions.
Accordingly, this study aims to analyze the relationship between the priority of milk selection attributes and importance-achievement (IPA) among milk purchasing consumers, and to systematically identify the impact of this on consumers' perceived relationship quality (satisfaction and trust) and future behavioral intentions (repurchase and recommendation intentions). The results of this study are expected to provide practical basic data for establishing differentiated marketing strategies focused on the quality and safety of domestic milk and for efficient product management.
To achieve the research objectives, data was collected through a specialized online research agency using questionnaires targeting consumers who consume milk relatively frequently. Data collection was conducted for 15 days from April 1 to April 15, 2026. Of the returned questionnaires, 500 were used for the final analysis after excluding insincere responses and outliers. The SPSS Ver. 26.0 statistical package was used to test the hypotheses of this study.
The results of the empirical analysis of this study can be summarized as follows.
First, the implementation of a modified IPA on milk selection attributes confirmed the positional differences between the importance and achievement levels of the attributes. Examining the attributes located in each quadrant of the modified IPA matrix, Quadrant I, where maintenance strategies must be implemented, includes hygienic management, quality based on production origin, taste and aroma, trust in the brand, and highly recognized brands. Quadrant II, where attention must be focused, includes reasonable price, fat content (whole milk, low-fat, non-fat), and packaging design/appearance. Quadrant III, a lower priority where no further effort is required, includes value for money, reasonable price, a reasonable price level compared to other products, added functional ingredients, calories (related to diet), digestive functions (lactose-free, etc.), and brand advertising and promotion. In addition, safe production (freshness, expiration date, etc.), K-MILK (certification for the use of domestic milk), volume, packaging type (pack, bottle, etc.), and brand image are located in Quadrant IV, where there is overinvestment.
Second, the relationship between milk selection attributes and overall satisfaction was analyzed, revealing that price, nutrition and function, product, and brand have a positive influence on overall satisfaction. This implies that price-related factors, nutrition and function factors, product-related factors, and brand-related factors are the elements that shape overall satisfaction.
Third, the relationship between milk selection attributes and overall trust was analyzed, revealing that quality and safety, price, product, and brand have a positive influence on overall trust. This implies that quality and safety-related factors, price-related factors, product-related factors, and brand-related factors are elements that contribute to the formation of overall trust.
Fourth, the relationship between overall satisfaction with relational quality and overall trust was analyzed, revealing that overall satisfaction has a positive causal relationship with overall trust. This implies that satisfaction, a component of relational quality, is a preceding factor in the formation of trust.
Fifth, the relationship between relational quality and behavioral intention was analyzed, revealing that overall satisfaction and overall trust, components of relational quality, have a positive influence on behavioral intention. This signifies that overall satisfaction and overall trust resulting from milk selection are important factors that increase behavioral intention.
Sixth, the inter-group differences in research concepts according to gender were analyzed. First, regarding the importance of milk selection factors by gender, it was found that women considered quality and safety and brand factors to be relatively more important than men. Regarding the achievement level of milk selection factors by gender, women showed relatively higher achievement levels than men regarding quality and safety, product-related factors, and brand factors. Among the components of relationship quality, women responded relatively higher than men regarding overall satisfaction. Additionally, behavioral intention regarding outcome behavior was found to be relatively higher in women than in men.
Seventh, the inter-group differences in research concepts according to age were analyzed. First, regarding the importance of milk selection factors by age, differences were found between age groups regarding quality and safety and price factors. Regarding the achievement level of milk selection factors by age, differences were found between age groups regarding price factors, nutrition and function, product factors, and brand factors. Furthermore, differences were found between age groups regarding overall trust, a component of relationship quality.
Finally, the results derived from the causal relationship analysis between the modified IPA and research concepts will serve as a foundation for suppliers to establish advanced marketing strategies aimed at enhancing the satisfaction of milk consumers' needs and maintaining long-term relationships with them.