• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.943-952
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on corporate governance attributes and firm performance association. This research used a sample of 188 non-financial firms from the Malaysian market for the years 2019-2020. We found that the COVID-19 has affected all firm characteristics including firm performance, governance structure, dividend, liquidity, and leverage level, yet, the difference between prior and post COVID-19 pandemic is not significant. Also, the investigation revealed that board size exerts a significant positive impact on firm performance. After splitting the sample based on year, however, we found that board size does not matter in the uncertain time of the current crisis, while board diversity appeared to be significantly enhancing firm performance in the crisis time compared to the prior year where it has an inverse association with firm performance in both indicators. Board meetings and audit committee meetings seemed to have a significant negative influence on firm performance pre and post-COVID-19. This study contributes to the limited literature by providing the first empirical evidence on the impact of Coronavirus on the firm performance and corporate governance association.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to explore the distribution of work-life integration against COVID-19 and its Implications by analyzing remote work in Switzerland. Research design, data and methodology: The study performed literature review and descriptive analyses using various data such as perception surveys, statistics, and related documents. Results: The infectious disease was a turning point for many people in Switzerland by changing where and how people want to live. Since the COVID-19 crisis demonstrated that disease could be spread by proximity, negative perception about urban areas expanded, and rural areas are increasingly preferred due to fresh and clean air and a more ecological lifestyle. In addition, increased remote work, a change brought about by COVID-19, has subsequently led to changes in household habits and needs. Distance from work is no longer an important factor when someone chooses where to live. A trend is now emerging where households wanting to improve the quality of life leave the city center and move to the suburbs. Conclusions: Paradoxically, such trend accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis has an unintendedly positive impact on the distribution of work-life integration across society while providing more flexibility in terms of place and time management and lowering the burden on roads and infrastructure.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.167-198
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• 2023

Purpose - This paper aims to compare and analyze the co-movements and information spillover effects between the international commodity futures markets and the South Korean stock markets during the COVID-19 and the 2008 financial crises. Design/methodology - The DCC-GARCH model is used in the co-movements analysis. In contrast, the BEKK-GARCH model is used to evaluate information spillover effects. The statistical data used is from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2022. It comprises the Korea Composite Stock Price Index data and daily international commodity futures prices of natural gas, West Texas Intermediate crude oil, gold, silver, copper, nickel, soybean, and wheat. Findings - The results of the co-movement analysis were as follows: First, it was shown that the co-movements between the international commodity futures markets and the South Korean stock markets were temporarily strengthened when the COVID-19 and 2008 financial crises occurred. Second, the South Korean stock markets were shown to have high correlations with the copper, nickel, and crude oil futures markets. The results of the information spillover effects analysis are as follows: First, before the 2008 financial crisis, four commodity futures markets (natural gas, gold, copper, and wheat) were shown to be in two-way leading relationships with the South Korean stock markets. In contrast, seven commodity futures markets, except for the natural gas futures market, were shown to be in two-way leading relationships with the South Korean stock markets after the financial crisis. Second, before the COVID-19 crisis, most international commodity futures markets, excluding natural gas and crude oil future markets, were shown to have led the South Korean stock markets in one direction. Third, it was revealed that after the COVID-19 crisis, the connections between the South Korean stock markets and the international commodity futures markets, except for natural gas, crude oil, and gold, were completely severed. Originality/value - Useful information for portfolio strategy establishment can be provided to investors through the results of this study. In addition, it is judged that financial policy authorities can utilize the results as data for efficient regulation of the financial market and policy establishment.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.18-38
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• 2023

This paper examines the Chinese government's response to four epidemic crises, including COVID-19, and analyzes the similarities and differences in these responses. It argues that while the Chinese government learned from previous epidemics and improved its handling of subsequent outbreaks, a significant variation occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a detrimental impact globally. Existing scholarly research on China's epidemic responses has often been limited in scope, focusing on individual crises and neglecting the central-local government relationship in crisis decision-making. By adopting a comprehensive approach, this paper delves into the nuanced dynamics of China's responses to these epidemics. It highlights the variations in responses, attributing them to the Chinese government's fear of undermined legitimacy and its consideration of its international image. The government's recognition of the importance of public perception and trust, both domestically and globally, has shaped its crisis management strategies. Through a detailed analysis of these factors, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the variations observed in China's epidemic responses. It emphasizes the significance of the central-local government relationship and the government's international image in determining its actions during epidemics. Recognizing these factors can provide policymakers and researchers with insights to shape future epidemic response strategies and foster effective global health governance.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.68
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• pp.217-243
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• 2021

As can be seen from the statement by the UN Secretary-General that "COVID-19 is a crisis with a woman's face," women have experienced great crisis, pain, and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the situations of women through statistical data and research studies. Through this study, economic, socio-cultural, and psycho-emotional aspects were dealt with in detail, and how these issues appeared in relation to "caring" were examined. In addition, as a response of the church to these problems and crises, pastoral theological reflection was promoted through "Ethics of Care" and "caring ministry". The "caring ministry" of the church extends not only to personal care within the church, but also to social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological issues, and the church has a missionary mission to respond to these issues related to disasters with a public nature. Furthermore, through educational ministry, the change of values and mindsets on "care" and inequality and Diakonia, the loving care of the church community, should be encouraged.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.81-91
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine COVID-19 situation in temrs of war-theory and to find out ways to overcome it. Just as the war changes the paradigm in the international situation and the national crisis management system, the current COVID-19 pandemic is bringing about the entry of the so-called "New Normal" era having the characteristics including untact culture. Although academic research on COVID-19 is mainly dealt with in terms of medical, tourism, and economics, the military research has not yet begun from the perspective of military science or war theory. In the concept of a comprehensive crisis that COVID-19 can cause enormous damage to the life and property of a country, it can be regarded as a target or enemy to be overcome. Among various war theories, the similarities with COVID-19 incident are analyzed in terms of the nature and aspect of the war and the factors of victory. Qualitative and questionnaire analysis results show that the COVID-19 outbreak is very similar to war when considering a variety of war-characteristics. In addition this research proposes ways to overcome COVID-19 based on the victorious factors of the past war, and predicts the impact of the international community after the end of COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of analyzing the priority of overcoming factors through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) shows that clear goals and establishment of alliances should be prioritized for successfully overcoming COVID-19.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.63
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• pp.13-37
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• 2020

The World Health Organisation(WHO), paying attention to the spread and fatality of the coronavirus(COVID-19), which first occurred in Wuhan, China, declared a global emergency. Although many countries implement strict measures to slow down the spread, WHO officially declared a pandemic. COVID-19 has sparked fears of an impending economic crisis and recession. Due to the economic crisis caused by social distancing, self-isolation and travel restrictions, the collapse of the world economic system centered on free trade and the decline of globalization are mentioned. Political leadership that has not responded properly to the pandemic is challenged, and nearly all of society is rapidly changing to a non-contact and immobile culture. COVID-19 has seriously affected all levels of the education system, from preschool to tertiary education. The so-called old concept of deschooling is realizing in the field of education through digital media paradoxically. Church education is facing a serious crisis as well. Churches are seeking now a new normal that includes theological reflection on the pandemic, online worship, education, and non-face-to-face ministry to overcome the worst unexpected crisis. In the post-corona era, church education must actively seek alternatives in response to rapidly changing surrounding conditions and reconstruct educational philosophy(theology) that focuses on Christian values. In addition, it is necessary to start operating a mobile(or online) church school that combines offline and online. It is necessary to introduce 'Blended Learning' method that combines non-face-to-face and face-to-face learning, and by combining church school and homeschooling, churches and families need to share the responsibility of education in faith.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.36-42
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• 2021

This study aims to examine whether there are some differences in the cost stickiness of R&D expenses of IT companies before and after the COVID-19 crisis. Before COVID-19, IT companies did not reduce R&D expenses even if sales decreased, resulting in cost stickiness. As a result, it appears that during the COVID-19, IT companies adjust R&D expenses in proportion to changes in sales. This is interpreted as a reduction in R&D investment, which takes a long time to create results, in case of a decrease in sales due to uncertainty in future management performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In other words, during the COVID-19 risk period, IT companies, like other companies, reduced R&D expenses as sales decreased, resulting in reduced cost stickiness. This study differs from existing literature in that it examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the R&D expenditure behavior of companies in the IT industry.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.27-36
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• 2022

Purpose: The coronavirus pandemic has affected the tourism industry in a big way. The travel industry suffered intense damage from the pandemic and procedures acquainted to containing its spread because the pandemic outbreak has led to a decline in the number of tourists and a change in their behavior. At this point, this research is to investigate adequate solutions for tourism industry to overcome the crisis in a post-Covid 19 era. Research design, data and methodology: The current author gathered data from each included study to analyze and summarize the evidence when conducting a literature analysis. This stage involves gathering and reviewing intricate texts databases for the meta-analysis. Results: The current author found total five solutions from numerous literature contents, suggesting how to overcome the crisis in a post-Covid era for tourism industry. Solutions as follows, (1) Drawing beginning illustrations, (2) Introducing Government Backing Programs, (3) Increasing Promotion of Tourism Destinations, (4) Enhancing Safety and Security Measures, and (5) Improving Infrastructure and Facilities. Conclusions: This research suggests that although the global economic recession leads to reduced demand and intense competition from other sectors, the tourism industry will be well positioned to weather these challenges if practitioners of tourism organizations follow five solutions of this research.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.673-685
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• 2021

This study aims to determine theoretically the best workers layoff/training strategy that entrepreneurs should apply to manage the COVID-19 crisis successfully. It also examines the impacts of the Saudi government's emergency measures on firm performance. The paper develops a theoretical framework in which the optimal control technics is applied to model the entrepreneur's hiring, layoff, and training behaviors. The results show that, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the entrepreneur should first lay off the less productive workers to reduce labor costs. As more and more inefficient workers quit and profit increases, the entrepreneur starts expanding his activity and training workers. In the long run, only the training activity allows the firm efficiency to grow at a constant rate. This finding suggests that the key to long-run economic recovery in Saudi Arabia will rely on training, innovation, and adaptability to the new digital environment. The paper also shows that the Saudi government initiative of covering 60% of salaries for the small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic will enhance training activities in small- and medium-sized enterprises and improve their efficiency in both the short and long run. This policy will also prevent Saudi entrepreneurs from laying off half of their staff.