Traditional cultural industries are gaining attention as a new growth engine for nations, with countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, and France actively fostering them. While South Korea has also established various policies to promote traditional...
Traditional cultural industries are gaining attention as a new growth engine for nations, with countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, and France actively fostering them. While South Korea has also established various policies to promote traditional cultural industries, the sector has not yet achieved sufficient growth and remains small-scale. The root cause of this issue can be examined through the results of a survey on the state of traditional cultural industries. The survey revealed a gap between the perspectives of industry professionals and consumer demands. To bridge this gap, it is necessary to adjust policy directions based on the survey results.
This study, as a foundational research on this topic, focused on the experiential aspects where differences were observed. In particular, it aimed to examine the relationship between traditional cultural experiences and their impact on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions. Through literature review, the concept of traditional culture was explored, and the theoretical content of experience, brand attitude, and purchase intention, which are the core elements of this study, was examined. Additionally, by comparing and analyzing the actual industry situation and the results of consumer perception surveys, challenges faced by the traditional culture industry were identified.
Based on theoretical considerations, we defined operational variables and established a research model. Research hypotheses were formulated through a review of previous studies, and a questionnaire was developed using a 5-point Likert scale. The survey targeted individuals who experienced traditional culture at the Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Center. Out of 112 responses, 107 were used after excluding 5 insincere responses.
The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS, including elementary statistic analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling analysis. The violation estimate test of the data showed no notable outliers. Analysis results showed that the absolute indices of fit RMSEA was 0.032, and the incremental fit indices CFI and TLI were 0.985 and 0.983 respectively, all meeting the required criteria. The correlation coefficient was 0.524, confirming discriminant validity when compared to AVE values. Standardized regression coefficients exceeded 0.7, the benchmark for exploratory research, confirming the reliability of individual measurement variables. Confirmatory factor analysis showed CR values above 0.7 and AVE values above 0.5, meeting the criteria for concept reliability and convergent validity of latent variables. The structural equation modeling analysis revealed correlation coefficients above 0.5, passing the exploratory research criteria. Hypothesis testing showed that the escapist, aesthetic, and entertainment elements of traditional cultural experiences significantly influenced consumers' brand attitudes toward traditional culture, and these attitudes, in turn, significantly impacted purchase intentions for traditional cultural products at the p<0.001 level.
This study is significant in that it empirically explored the value of experiential activities as an important element in industrial policy. The research results highlight the need for diverse policy formulations that leverage the strengths of traditional culture. As an exploratory study, it has limitations in terms of sample size, geographic area, location, and the range of disciplines covered. These factors may lead to differences in results and interpretations if there are changes in the population size or research environment. These aspects can be addressed in future research. It is expected that more academically and practically advanced research results can be obtained if a more comprehensive approach is attempted through modification and supplementation in subsequent studies.