Research Article
A Study on Market Participant Subjectivity Typification for Smart Mobile Market Policy and Strategy Formulation
Mokwon University
Yonsei University
Dankook University
Published: January 2012 · Vol. 41, No. 2 · pp. 367-393
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Abstract
The purpose of the research is to provide the foundation in planning the strategic policy for the smart mobile market through the typological approaches to the subjectivity of various participants who construct the value chain for the domestic mobile industry. With the increment in the prevalence of smart devices per a household, smart mobile market is rapidly growing. So far, most researchers have focused quantitative examinations through the analyses of acceptance factors for smart phones, with being heavily relied on the researcher's operational definitions. Thus most existing researches tended to be simply looked over the unified samples rather than classified survey targets. The study applied Q-methodology to explore and classify the human's subjectivity regarding to the corresponding policy preference. Like other methodologies, Q study involves both advantages and disadvantages. Since the Q study generally requires fewer respondents than the quantitative research(R study), the various different perspectives over the generalization of demographical information, environmental features, and interrelationship among factors of respondents may exist. Nevertheless, the Q study possess the unique methodological strength that enables researchers to scientifically and statistically measure a human being's internal and psychologic subjectivity. Recently, Q-R methodology generally linking between Q study and R study is getting noticed by researchers. To propose appropriate strategic policy guidance in smart mobile industries, the study selected not only core players on the value chain of C-P-N-T(contents, platform, network, terminal),but also working group and policy makers in charge of professional research institutes. Then 33 Q statements were asked to 21 P samples, and four Q factors were identified by analyses of Q sorting outcome using the QUANL software in order to systemize typologic the structures on various respondents' subjective policy preferences and ideal visions in the smart mobile market. The classification from a policy perspective in smart mobile market includes ‘price rationalization policy,’ ‘fair competence policy,’ ‘device predominance policy,’ and ‘consumer diffusion policy’. The research targeted not only to C_P_N_T business participants (content and application providers, open market platform providers, mobile communication service providers, and device manufacturers), but also to researchers in research centers and policy makers in governmental agencies. Thus the findings are anticipated to be accepted as core references in planning business policy and strategy. The peoples in the first type ‘price rationalization policy,’ prefer the sound policy to lead to short-term rapid growth and demand increases of period. The exceptional feature of this type is that they look upon various politic plans to promote demands as a key driver to grow the market. Thus they are concerned about suppliers' price strategies and insist that the roles of policy-making is more important to improve economic social welfare and market benefits. The second group highly approves of the ‘fair competence policy.’ They agree that the policies should set a fair business foundation in smart mobile market. In other words, with respect to mobile technologies, consumers' behavior, market competition, it is required to flexibly correspond to smart ecosystems' conversing changes in the perspective of policy-making. The third type refers to ‘device predominance policy’. They heavily emphasis on consumers'experienced benefit and usefulness through the use of a smart device, the contents and applications provided, and its service quality. And they have a strong interest in development of innovative technologies for increasing the value of smart devices. Lesson from Apple's ‘i Phone’, they explain that the policy-making to lineup attractive device products has to be preceded, because device innovation can carve out and dominate a new market. Finally, the fourth type of respondents supporting ‘consumer diffusion policy’ is stakeholder who expect consumer policies to maximize end-users' satisfaction level or experienced value. Based on results of Q study in the interpretive approach methods, this study will propose not only enterprise business model but strategic policy guidance for governments in appropriate to emerging market. In conclusion, the findings of this research illustrate how policy-makers utilize a effective strategic framework for the smart mobile market. Moreover, this study not only developed four policy types and respondents' subjectivities discovered from Q study, but also redefined and interpreted theoretical basis by adopting to ‘Technology Adopting Life Cycle’ model. This model applying a marketing framework to the smart mobile industry illustrates how the new innovative IT product's life cycle ties up with four periods over time (introduction, growth, maturity, and decline) and with five consumer segments(innovator, early adopter, early majority, late majority,laggard). In the near future, researchers will conduct subsequent empirical studies(Q-R study) through the Q study or cross-sectional studies extending the samples' scope. This study is anticipated to be used as fundamental references in planning business policy and strategy for the smart mobile industry.
