ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

Ultimately, changes to a consumer-centered society seeks to increase consumer welfare through various ways. It is very meaningful to examine the concept and evaluation factors of consumer welfare in the light of the changes of the times. Within this context, the purpose of this study is to examine the conceptual change of consumer welfare and to specify the multifaceted areas and elements that should be included in the evaluation of consumer welfare. For this purpose, specifically, theoretical exploratory review and interviews with experts were conducted. The contents and results of exploratory research are as follows. First, it is appeared that the concept of consumer welfare has already changed and expanded in relation to consumer policy and in the relationship between consumer welfare approach and dimension. Second, it was found that the evaluation factors of consumer welfare are not only economic benefits but also psychological benefits, social benefits, market consumption environment and consumer rights. Third, the results of expert survey on the concept and evaluation factors of consumer welfare emphasized that not only economic benefits but also psychological and social benefits should be included in the evaluation of consumer welfare and ultimately expanded to consumer interests through consumer satisfaction and welfare. Expert survey results were found to be consistent with exploratory research results. Fourth, as a result of the expert survey on the evaluation area of consumer welfare, it was emphasized that the consumer welfare not only the individual dimension or element but also the social dimension or element should be considered. In addition, the importance of a sustainable future should be considered. These results suggest that consumer welfare should be expanded not only to individual utility but also to social utility and welfare, and should be expanded to psychological, social and relational welfare as well as economic benefit. And this means that these benefits should be extended to the long term welfare for the future rather than the short term welfare.

키워드