• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.123-138
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• 2024

Experiential social entrepreneurship education offers participants opportunities for active engagement in social entrepreneurial activities. Highlighting the significance of psychosocial experiences within the program, this study examines work meaningfulness discovered in this process as the antecedent to forming social entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, drawing on social cognitive career theory that emphasizes the role of agency in career decisions, we propose social entrepreneurial self-efficacy as the underlying mechanism and social class as the moderating factor in the relationship between work meaningfulness and social entrepreneurial intention formation. The propositions were tested with a two-wave survey dataset collected among 145 university students taking part in an experiential social entrepreneurship program in South Korea. Our results indicate that work meaningfulness positively affects social entrepreneurial self-efficacy, which subsequently promotes social entrepreneurial intention. Moreover, when participants' social class, measured by either household income or perceived rank, is lower, the positive effect of work meaningfulness on social entrepreneurial self-efficacy as well as intention is amplified. Theoretically, these findings shed light on the crucial role of work meaningfulness in strengthening potential entrepreneurs' agency in the domain of social entrepreneurship, particularly for those from lower classes. Practically, we provide guidelines for designing an inclusive experiential social entrepreneurship program that allows participants to find meaningfulness by realizing their strengths and justifying their prosocial contribution.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.155-172
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• 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic not only posed an enormous human crisis, but also had a profound impact on firms' survival. Social distancing and global lockdown measures designed to protect human lives have paradoxically impaired the business environment. As a result, firms that sought to gain competitive advantage by leveraging external resources were cut off from the external world and faced unexpected challenges. Under these circumstances, researches were conducted in the early stage of the pandemic to explore how certain firms survived while others fell, but they were limited to re-examining business performance using traditional financial factors. However, this study aims to investigate the role of entrepreneurs' competency in crisis situations from the Resource-Based View (RBV), as such competency plays an important role in improving business performance and subsequently the probability of startups' survival. Specifically, we evaluated the performance as of end of 2019 of 1,127 startups evaluated by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), which provides policy financing based on technology assessment, in 2016. We then conducted an empirical study to determine the mediating role of business performance in the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and firm survival by verifying how many of the sample firms were still in operation at the end of June 2023, when the Korean government declared COVID-19 as an endemic. For this purpose, we defined technological, financial, and marketing competencies as the sub-factors of entrepreneurial competency, and sales growth rate and employment growth rate as the sub-factors of business performance. The results of the empirical analysis showed that technological and financial competencies of the entrepreneur had a positive impact on both business performance and firm survival, and that sales growth rate and employment growth rate mediated the relationship between technological competence and firm survival. However, the positive influence of entrepreneurs' financial competence of the survival of startups was only evident through the growth of employment. This study is the first study in South Korea to define the survival factors of startups in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is expected to contribute to the theoretical and practical discussions on the importance of entrepreneurs' competency as a firms' survival factor based on RVB.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.139-153
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• 2024

The importance of sustainable growth and cost reduction has increased globally, leading to the expansion of outsourcing by companies. Additionally, the spread of the platform economy has brought changes in the way we work, and the online outsourcing market, where tasks are mediated through platforms, is growing. Academically, while research on general outsourcing is actively conducted, studies on online outsourcing are relatively insufficient compared to its actual utilization. This study aims to analyze the factors and performance factors of online outsourcing utilization by startups, to identify the effects and concerns of using online outsourcing from multiple perspectives, and to suggest the roles of various stakeholders for effective utilization and industry development. For the research, a survey was conducted with 281 employees of startups who have experience in using online outsourcing, and the main findings are as follows. First, the enhancement of efficiency, profitability, and innovation through the use of online outsourcing positively affects organizational commitment and job satisfaction of startup members. Especially, the improvement of efficiency due to the use of online outsourcing has a significant effect on enhancing job satisfaction. Second, concerns about the burden of online outsourcing fees or uncertain outcomes negatively affect organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Third, there are perceptual differences in the motivations and performance regarding the utilization of online outsourcing depending on the job position. Practitioners perceive that the use of online outsourcing increases organizational commitment, whereas managers have relatively higher concerns about the uncertainty of outsourced task outcomes and information security. Through this study, the possibility that human resource shortages and employee management issues in startups can be improved through online outsourcing was confirmed. By verifying the influence of various factors of online outsourcing utilization, this study also provides meaningful implications for establishing business strategies for online outsourcing intermediary platform companies and for formulating startup support policies by government and other startup support organizations.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.288-298
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the amino acid content, fatty acid composition, total flavonoid and phenol contents, and antioxidant activities of Prunus yedoensis Matsum. bark extracts using various extraction solvents. Through amino acid analysis, 13 amino acids were detected in extracts obtained using hot water, 30% ethanol, and 70% ethanol. The major amino acids were identified as aspartic acid, arginine, and proline, and the total amino acid content was 0.17%, 0.16%, and 0.09%, respectively. Fatty acid analysis showed a saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio of 62.7-66.7% in extracts obtained using hot water, 30% ethanol, and 70% ethanol, with the primary fatty acid identified as palmitic acid. The total flavonoid and polyphenol contents were 727.70-769.87 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/ g and 309.24-348.09 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, respectively, in extracts obtained using hot water, 30% ethanol, and 70% ethanol extracts. Measurements of antioxidant activity confirmed that extracts obtained using hot water, 30% ethanol, and 70% ethanol extracts increased the antioxidant effect in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in a concentration-dependent manner. A high correlation was observed between the total flavonoid content, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activities of the extracts. This study provides data and novel insights for the development of functional food materials using P. yedoensis Matsum. bark extracts.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.230-245
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• 2024

Amphibians, sensitive to external environmental changes, serve as bioindicator species for assessing alterations or disturbances in local ecosystems. It is known that one-third of amphibian species within the order Anura are at risk of extinction due to anthropogenic threats such as habitat destruction and fragmentation caused by urbanization. To develop effective protection and conservation strategies for anuran amphibians, species surveys that account for population characteristics are essential. This study aimed to investigate the potential for citizen participation in ecological monitoring using the mating calls of anura species. We also proposed suitable quality control measures to mitigate errors and biases, ensuring the extraction of reliable species occurrence data. The Citizen Science project was carried out nationwide from April 1 to August 31, 2022, targeting 12 species of anura amphibians in Korea. Citizens voluntarily participated in voice signal monitoring, where they listened to anura species' mating calls and recorded them using a mobile application. Additionally, we established a quality control process to extract reliable species occurrence data, categorizing errors and biases from citizen-collected data into three levels: omission, commission, and incorrect identification. A total of 6,808 observations were collected during the citizen participation in anura species vocalization monitoring. Through the quality control process, errors and biases were identified in 1,944 (28.55%) of the 6,808 data. The most common type of error was omission, accounting for 922 cases (47.43%), followed by incorrect identification with 540 cases (27.78%), and commission with 482 cases (24.79%). During the Citizen Science project, we successfully recorded the mating calls of 10 out of the 12 anuran amphibian species in Korea, excluding the Asian toads (Bufo gargarizans Cantor), Korean brown frog (Rana coreana). Difficulties in collecting mating calls were primarily attributed to challenges in observing due to population decline or discrepancies between the breeding season of non-emergent individuals and the timing of the citizen science project. This study represents the first investigation of distribution status and species emergence data collection through mating calls of anura species in Korea based on citizen participation. It can serve as a foundation for designing future bioacoustic monitoring that incorporates citizen science and quality control measures for citizen science data.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.452-461
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• 2024

This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activities of ethanolic Polygonum multiflorum (P. multiflorum) extracts and their cytoprotective effects on H₂O₂-induced HT22 and SK-N-MC cells. Among ethanolic extracts of P. multiflorum, the 40% ethanolic extract of P. multiflorum exhibited high total phenolics and flavonoid contents, with 105.68 mg of GAE/g and 28.92 mg of RE/g, respectively. The 40% ethanolic extract of P. multiflorum showed a high 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) inhibitory effect. The 40% ethanolic extract of P. multiflorum also showed efficient inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase. Moreover, the 40% ethanolic extract of P. multiflorum reduced oxidative stress and increased cell viability in H₂O₂-induced HT22 and SK-N-MC cells as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetra-zoliumbromide (MTT) and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (TSG) as the bioactive compound in the 40% ethanolic extract of P. multiflorum.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.486-498
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• 2024

This study examined the effects of a soybean sprouts mixture containing 1.5% Hovenia dulcis Thunb. fruit concentrate (SHM) on relieving hangovers and improving liver function in chronically alcohol-treated rats. The ampelopsin and L-asparagine contents in the SHM were 10.52, 35.19 ppm. When chronic alcohol-induced rats were treated with SHM, the body weight increased and the liver weight decreased. The serum alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were lowest in the SHM group, and the hepatic ADH and ALDH activities were highest in the SHM group. Chronic alcohol induction increased the activity of liver function indicator enzymes such as ALT, AST, and GGT, but the activity was decreased significantly with the SHM treatment. The triglyceride content in hepatic and serum blood samples was lowest in the SHM group. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol contents decreased in the SHM group, and the HDL cholesterol content increased. The color of the hepatic observed morphologically in the SHM group was reddish brown, and the size and number of lipid droplets in the hepatic observed pathologically decreased. The hepatic and serum lipid peroxidation content of the SHM group decreased. The hepatic and serum GSH content increased in the SHM group. Therefore, SHM can be a functional food that can help hangovers and improve liver function.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.505-518
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• 2023

The key to invasive pest management lies in preemptive action. However, most current research using species distribution models is conducted after an invasion has occurred. This study modeled the potential distribution of the globally notorious sweet potato pest, the sweet potato weevil(Cylas formicarius), that has not yet invaded Korea using MaxEnt. Using global occurrence data, bioclimatic variables, and topsoil characteristics, MaxEnt showed high explanatory power as both the training and test areas under the curve exceeded 0.9. Among the environmental variables used in this study, minimum temperature in the coldest month (BIO06), precipitation in the driest month (BIO14), mean diurnal range (BIO02), and bulk density (BDOD) were identified as key variables. The predicted global distribution showed high values in most countries where the species is currently present, with a significant potential invasion risk in most South American countries where C. formicarius is not yet present. In Korea, Jeju Island and the southwestern coasts of Jeollanam-do showed very high probabilities. The impact of climate change under shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios indicated an expansion along coasts as climate change progresses. By applying the 10th percentile minimum training presence rule, the potential area of occurrence was estimated at 1,439 km² under current climate conditions and could expand up to 9,485 km² under the SSP585 scenario. However, the model predicted that an inland invasion would not be serious. The results of this study suggest a need to focus on the risk of invasion in islands and coastal areas.

• The Korean Journal of Archival Studies
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• no.81
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• pp.5-44
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• 2024

This paper is an experience and observation report on the activities of Jeonju citizens, who are 'kleine leutes'. Text or Born-digital materials such as diaries, group chat rooms, memos, and interviews showing citizens' contemporary and daily history (Alltagsgeschichite) were used for this purpose. These civic groups are reading groups we can find easily and they also enjoy walking, hiking, and movies, and so to speak ordinary local people are their members. One team read Choi Myung-hee's "Honbul" for about a year and a half, while another team read several books under the theme of "commons," and enjoyed exploring, exhibiting, or watching movies together. The main text is composed of three parts. First, I looked at the methods and perspectives to examine the daily life of local people. To this end, the views of Detlev Peukert and Alf Lüdtke, who captured the prospects and the possibilities of theories of daily history, and James C. Scott, who provided insight into infra-politics, were reviewed. This work was to find the perspective and method of daily history research that could observe the activities of Jeonju citizens. Second, we looked at the experience of the "Honbool" meeting. The reading of "Honbool" which took place during the period of confrontation with Covid19 began in connection with its intense locality. As the criticism of "a great writer born in our local land" relieved the uncomfortable feelings, the members' critical mind was revealed after Volume3 of "Honbool" and stood out after Volume6. It seemed to show the characteristics of the self-consciousness (Eigensinn) of citizens who choose dynamics rather than being stuck to a specific form of empathy (Betroffenheit). I think it showed the difficulty and hope to face in the description and research of local history at the same time. Third, I observed citizens who gathered on the subject of public land. This meeting showed the actuality and accumulation process of the infra-political capabilities of citizens in Jeonju. Reading-commons did not suffer from 'heart trouble' as a local citizen compared to "Honbool". Rather, the difficulty of related books was an obstacle, and the difficulty was easily resolved. As the meeting progressed, awareness of the commons became more sophisticated and issues and discussions were independently shared with each other, and a wealth of hidden transcripts were accumulated through its practice and problem consciousness. It is difficult to think about modern daily life apart from the capitalist era. More fundamentally, it is here and now in everyday life that humans enjoy or suffer from. All history passes through my body here and now. This is the universality of daily history. It depends on the ability of citizens to create daily history to experience and at the same time maintain the distance of criticism.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.32-40
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• 2024

In the construction industry, lack of reliability in the quality of recycled aggregates, harmful substance problems, and negative consumer perceptions limit the expansion of the use of recycled aggregates. In this respect, existing studies mainly focus on the use of recycled coarse aggregates in concrete in consideration of durability. On the other hand, in the case of recycled fine aggregates, not only are there insufficient cases applied to major structures, but the scope of application is very limited due to lack of awareness. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to present the possibility of their application in bearing and non-bearing wall structures through physical characteristics experiments of concrete bricks for masonry according to various mixing ratios of recycled fine aggregates and cement amounts. To this end, the compressive strength and absorption rate of concrete bricks were measured focusing on the mixing ratio of the recycled fine aggregate and the crushed fine aggregate and the amount of cement. As a result, it is found that it is possible to use 100% of recycled fine aggregate for 200kg/m³ of cement or 25% of crushed fine aggregate mixed with 75% of recycled fine aggregate for the same amount of cement to achieve the compressive strength of 13MPa, witch is one of the quality requirements for concrete bricks for bearing walls. In addition, it is found that to meet the strength of 8MPa, one of the quality requirements for non-bearing walls, it is sufficient to use 100% of the recycled fine aggregate for 100kg/m³ of cement. Through the absorption rate tests, it is also confirmed that the absorption rate of the concrete brick is 13% or less by meeting the required performance criteria. This means that even if recycled fine aggregate is used in the manufacture of concrete bricks, the quality standards required by KS F 4004 (concrete bricks) can be sufficiently met.