Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the influences of perceived enjoyment, perceived risks and attitude on the intention to rent fashion products for both Chinese and American consumers. Furthermore, this study is expected to empirically identify the differences between American and Chinese consumers in terms of motivations for and barriers to fashion renting. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through online surveys in both the USA and China. Data cleaning generated 412 usable samples in the USA and 301 usable responses in China. A series of t-test analyses and structural equation modeling were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings Statistical results confirmed the positive influences of perceived enjoyment and attitude on fashion renting intention. In addition, the negative influences of perceived performance risk and social risk on attitude were also affirmed. Moreover, the results indicated that significant differences exist between American and Chinese consumers in terms of perceived risks and enjoyment of fashion renting, as well as attitude toward renting. Further, group comparison testing results discovered that differences existed in the factors influencing the intention to rent fashion products between American and Chinese consumers. Originality/value This study initiates the attempt to investigate the motivations and obstacles for fashion renting intention for both American and Chinese consumers. The cultural comparison between Chinese and American consumers also delivers a comprehensive understanding of the motivations and obstacles behind the intention of fashion renting.

The impact of gender is critical in consumer behavior; however, gender differences have been overlooked in consumer studies. The purpose of this study is to examine how behavior-inducing psychogenic needs (i.e., need for uniqueness, self-promotion, and social identity) influence the way individuals perceive apparel customization, leading to buying intention of customized apparel products. Further, to identify whether gender plays a moderating role in the relationships between those psychogenic needs and the perception of apparel customization. The conceptual model was tested by conducting an online survey of 338 samples from college students in the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized for hypotheses testing. The structural multi-group model was conducted and path coefficient comparisons were made to test the moderating effects of gender. The results indicated that need for uniqueness and social identity are strong determinant factors in eliciting positive perceptions of customization, ultimately resulting in buying intention of customized apparel products; however, the effects of self-promotion was not significant. The results also illustrated that differences exist in antecedents toward customization perception between genders. Both genders are commonly motivated by need for uniqueness. However, males are more driven by social identity and need for uniqueness, whereas females are more inspired by self-promotion. The results offer managerial implications by providing retailers with consumers’ behavior toward fashion customization based on gender differences.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the influences of consumers’ internal-oriented psychological factors (i.e. self- promotion, need for uniqueness, self-expression and self-monitoring) and external-oriented psychological properties (i.e. social identity and other-directedness) on the perception of customization and the sense of extended-self; further to identify whether the perception of customization and the sense of extended-self lead to purchase intention toward customized apparel products. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through an online survey among college students in the USA, generating a valid sample size of 338 participants. Factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were utilized to test proposed hypotheses. Findings The results indicated that need for uniqueness and self-monitoring were significantly related to consumers’ perception of customization and the sense of extended-self, whereas impacts of self-expression and other-directedness were not significant. Furthermore, the results also confirmed that consumers’ perception of customization and the sense of extended-self were positively associated with purchase intention of customized apparel products. Originality/value This study investigates consumers’ psychological features that influence consumers’ buying intention of customized apparel products, which is the first attempt. The study results are insightful and beneficial for marketers to construct target consumer segmentation under different cultural and social settings.

Graduates of apparel programmes are entering a workforce that requires the use of emerging technologies that are relevant to performing job requirements. Among apparel companies, virtual technologies are increasingly being used in the product development process. Virtual technologies are also becoming important in higher education, as programmes seek to incorporate them into the teaching and learning environment. The two-fold purpose of this study was to develop an approach to teaching virtual technology that is apparel industry-specific, and to evaluate outcomes using a framework of learner-centered curriculum design combined with Kirkpatrick's [(1994). Evaluating training programs. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler] training evaluation model. A mixedmethods research design was employed, beginning with a presentation to students followed by two weeks of in-class training. Assessment of outcomes was conducted via pre-and post-test comparisons and in-depth interviews. Results indicated improvement in students' attitudes toward the technology and skills important to using it. Findings contribute to the growing literature on teaching virtual technology.

연구 배경보건의료의Hospital nurse staffing level was divided into high and low. While controlling for confounding factors such as inpatient days and severity mix of patients, effects of characteristics of nurse labor markets on nurse staffing levels were examined using multi-level logistic regressions. Results: For characteristics of nurse labor markets, metropolitan areas had high intensity of monopsony, while the capital area had competitive labor market and the unemployed nurse rate was higher than other areas. Among hospital characteristics, bed occupancy rate was significantly associated with nurse staffing levels. Among characteristics of nurse labor markets, the effect of HHI was indeterminable. Conclusion: The Korean nurse labor market has different structure between the capital and other metropolitan areas. But the effect of the structure of nurse labor market on nurse staffing levels is indeterminable. Characteristics such as occupancy rate and number of beds are significantly associated with nurse staffing levels. Further study in support of the effect of nurse labor market is needed.