The Effects of Thai Consumers Attitudes of Korean-Wave on the Visit Intentions of Korean Restaurants-Focusing on the Mediation Effects of Perceived Consumption Value of Restaurant*

Purpose - This study is an empirical study on the relationship of Thai consumers’ attitude toward Korean Wave with the visit intention of Korean restaurants and a mediation effect of consumption value of Korean restaurants. Design/Methodology/Approach - Data were collected using a structured questionnaire of 245 Thai consumers and the hypotheses presented were verified by regression analysis and structural equation models. Findings - As a result of the empirical analysis, it was found that the higher the attractiveness and favorableness of Thai consumers for K-Wave, the higher the intention to visit Korean restaurants, and the Korean Wave attitude have a positive effect on the functional and symbolic values of Korean restaurants. In particular, the important result that can be presented in this study is that the better the attitude toward K-Wave, the higher the consumption value (functional/symbolic value) of Korean restaurants and the symbolic value plays a significant mediating effect on the relationship of the attitude of K-Wave and visiting intention, while the effect of functional value is not verified. Research Implication or Originality - These results means that in order to lead Thai consumers to a Korean restaurant using K-Wave, a strategy to make Thai ones perceive symbolic value of a Korean restaurant higher would be more effective. The main strategic implication of this study is that a high-end positioning strategy with a high symbolism, which make Korean restaurant as a suitable place as a means to show off one’s value (or self) or as a means to show off one’s social status (or role) to Thai consumers, will be relatively effective.