Purpose - This paper tries to estimate the effects of China's and Japan's free trade agreement (FTA) by panel generalized least squares (GLS). Design/methodology - The GLS model includes the basic gravity theory and Difference in Difference (DD) method to divide FTA conclusion countries and non-FTA conclusion countries with China and Japan. In order to empirically research the difference between Chinese and Japanese FTAs, we use the Difference in Difference in Difference (DDD) method. Findings - This paper finds the distance variable has more influence on Japanese than Chinese trade. The exchange rate indicates that Chinese trade depends on export and Japanese trade has the structure of re-import; shows that the countries that concluded FTAs with China and Japan have more positive trade effects than those that did not; finds the Chinese FTA promotion effects greater than the Japanese FTA because China had pushed ahead with trade policy since joining the WTO in 2001. Originality/value - This study shows that a single country's FTA and trade policies are an important factor concerning not just the promotion of trade but also the issue of trade conflicts.

Purpose - In the international shipping industry, arbitration is mainly chosen for resolving maritime disputes. This study investigates the "acceptability" of an international maritime arbitrator based on an existing theoretical model of arbitrator acceptability. Design/methodology - Using structural equation modeling techniques, this study examines a sample of senior managers who engage in the judicial affairs of their international shipping companies to verify a hypothesized model of arbitrator acceptability that covers cultural intelligence, arbitral experience, reputation, practical/legal expertise, and procedural justice as independent variables. Furthermore, the relative "perceived required time" of arbitration is tested as a moderator. Findings - Arbitrator acceptability is significantly influenced by six constructs of arbitrator characteristics: cultural intelligence, arbitral experience, reputation, practical and legal expertise, and procedural justice. Furthermore, the moderating effect of the perceived required time of arbitration is demonstrated in the relationship between arbitrator acceptability and arbitrator characteristics even though these relationships are not equally influenced. Originality/value - The originality of this study can be found in its context, that is, international maritime arbitration. Despite the potential growth of international maritime arbitration, existing studies have mainly focused on domestic arbitration. The findings of this study are expected to provide useful guidelines for nurturing international maritime arbitration in Korea.

Purpose - It seems common sense that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a key driver of business sustainability. Nevertheless, there has been little research on the performance of socially responsible activities, including economic and environmentally responsibility activities, in internationally diversified firms. Design/methodology - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CSR activities on management performance. For this evaluation, an empirical analysis was conducted with total of 2,520 cases, selected from companies listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index market for six years from 2013 to 2018. As proxies for management performance, financial data such as a total asset net profit ratio and a total asset operating ratio were used. A multivariate regression analysis was conducted to test hypotheses. Findings - The results of this analysis indicated that firms in the CSR outstanding group were ranked significantly higher than other groups in management performance. In addition, CSR activities of internationally diversified firms positively influenced the total asset net profit ratio and total asset operating ratio. Originality/value - The results suggest that the CSR activities of these firms can play a significant role in enhancing management performance in the economic status of Korea, where the degree of export dependency is high.

Purpose - This paper aims to examines the various factors influencing the purchase decisions of Malaysian consumers for halal food and based on this analysis, to present some measures by which Korea's food industry could expand exports to the Malaysian market. Design/methodology - This research used SPSS 12.0 for descriptive analysis, ANOVA, t-tests, factor analysis, cluster analysis, and reliability analysis based on a total of 571 responses were included as the final data in the 600 surveys administered. Findings - Malaysian consumers had high trust and confidence in products that had obtained halal certifications. This reflects the cultural situation where 61% of the Malaysian population consist of Muslims. In terms of the consumption of Korean foods, items such as ramyeon, confectionery, and kimchi were found to enjoy high awareness and strong preference among local consumers, thus suggesting their competitiveness. Originality/value - This paper attempts to examine consumer characteristics - an aspect that had received insufficient treatment in previous studies on halal certifications in Muslim countries. This study found the purchase practices and influencing factors behind Malaysian consumers' purchases of imported foods and Korean foods. Therefore, it is expected that this result can give Korean food industry an insights and strategies for exporting Korean food to Malaysia.

Purpose - This study investigates research trends by searching for English keywords and abstracts in 1,511 Korean journal articles in the Korea Citation Index from the 2002-2019 period using the term "Port." The study aims to lay the foundation for a more balanced development of port research. Design/methodology - Using abstract and keyword data, we perform frequency analysis and word embedding (Word2vec). A t-SNE plot shows the main keywords extracted using the TextRank algorithm. To analyze which words were used in what context in our two nine-year subperiods (2002-2010 and 2010-2019), we use Scattertext and scaled F-scores. Findings - First, during the 18-year study period, port research has developed through the convergence of diverse academic fields, covering 102 subject areas and 219 journals. Second, our frequency analysis of 4,431 keywords in 1,511 papers shows that the words "Port" (60 times), "Port Competitiveness" (33 times), and "Port Authority" (29 times), among others, are attractive to most researchers. Third, a word embedding analysis identifies the words highly correlated with the top eight keywords and visually shows four different subject clusters in a t-SNE plot. Fourth, we use Scattertext to compare words used in the two research sub-periods. Originality/value - This study is the first to apply abstract and keyword analysis and various text mining techniques to Korean journal articles in port research and thus has important implications. Further in-depth studies should collect a greater variety of textual data and analyze and compare port studies from different countries.

Purpose - The purpose of the study is to propose a theoretical framework of cross-border e-commerce ecosystems based on blockchain technology. The ecosystem includes five systems, namely, crossborder supply chain intelligent system, cross-border logistics system, cross-border payment system, cross-border product quality traceability system and cross-border customs supervision system. Design/methodology - This study firstly derived the main improvement factors for the new ecosystem based on blockchain through prior research and expert interviews on cross-border e-commerce. Then explored the use of virtue of decentralization, anti-counterfeiting traceability, consensus mechanism, smart contract and other means of the core technology of blockchain to overcome the bottleneck of cross-border e-commerce development among Korea, China, and Japan. Finally, proposed valuable implications in both theoretical and practical perspectives. Findings - As a result, we combined with the problems existing in cross-border e-commerce among Korea, China and Japan, this paper proposes a solution based on blockchain. On this basis, it constructs a cross-border e-commerce ecosystem among these three countries, including five systems. In addition, we discuss the main problems existing in the current blockchain, such as low transaction concurrency, security loopholes, and inconsistent standards, the corresponding countermeasures are proposed from the technical level, security level and industry standards. Originality/value - This study is the first to apply the blockchain technology to solve the cross-border e-commerce problems in Korea, China and Japan, which is of pioneering significance in both literature and practice. Block chain technology is in the ascendency. This study provides technical solutions for promoting the development of cross-border e-commerce import and export trade between Korea, China and Japan.