Marine (sea) Familiarity Index and Its Influence to National Image

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Purposes - This study discusses various aspects of familiarity with the sea and how familiarity with the sea is perceived. This study also summarizes the literature on the factors of previous researches that affect the formation or decision of national image. Research design and methodology - Sea familiarity index was derived from the results of recognition of free association with the sea, friendliness with the sea, association of the sea with life, interest to the sea, Korea's representative marine regions, and sea related emotionalism. The familiarity with the sea (ocean) perceived by foreign visitors or foreigners in the future will be helpful in deriving a comparative research. Results - This study has identified the marine tourism resources, marine ecology, and the cognitive and emotional situations consumers feel that should be developed practically. If a continuous time series research is conducted in the future through these, it will be a chance to provide a basis for consumers' dynamic awareness. Conclusions - Through this study, it is pointed out that the research utilizing the sea and ocean to form national image highly suggested an opportunity to add and utilize new variables academically. This study on the perspective of the formation of national image suggests a new approach to add and utilize new variables to future research using the sea and ocean.