• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.33-75
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• 2011

The ownership structure of a franchise system is determined by the franchisor's strategic choice. A close look at the extant theories and perspectives in economics and management such as resource scarcity theory, agency theory, transaction cost analysis, and mixed ownership theory reveals that firms choose their ownership structure for the sake of economic efficiency, profit potentials, the chance of survival, and other strategic concerns. The present study, on the basis of strategic choice perspective, reviews the divergent theories of a franchise system's ownership structure and its determinants, thus providing a theoretical framework for comparing the contradictory arguments along the several critical dimensions. We also developed and tested the conflicting hypotheses regarding key determinants of ownership structure including firm's age, size, transaction-specific investments, uncertainty, and risk-sharing propensity. Using a FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) data set of 543 Korean franchisors, we found that the years in business, the total number of employees, days of training, the inverse of the years of franchising, and the requirement of royalty payment have positive relationships with the proportion of company-owned outlets to total number of outlets. On the other hand, the proportion of company-owned outlets was found to have negative relationships with the total number of outlets and the extent of geographic dispersion of outlets, but to have no significant relationships with the initial investment required and the inverse of contract length. Based on the findings, we provide several theoretical and managerial implications for studying ownership structure of franchise systems.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.251-268
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• 2024

In the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, global powers are enhancing R&D support to leverage innovations like AI, IoT, and big data for productivity gains and structural economic and social reforms. Yet, the declining R&D budget growth rate and the forecasted sharp cut in South Korea's R&D budget in 2024 highlight the critical need for national R&D performance management system discussions. Diverging from previous studies focused on quantitative analysis of performance determinants, this research utilizes fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis(fsQCA) to explore the interplay of factors affecting research institutions' outcomes comprehensively. Analyzing data from 2018 to 2022, it examines three outcome types of research institutions, identifying factor combinations crucial for success. By pinpointing these factors' configurations, the study offers institution-specific performance enhancement guidelines and insights for national R&D policy management and performance evaluation efficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.61-69
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• 2020

This paper examined the operational efficiency of the new rice variety "Sindongjin" farmed by the Rural Development Administration. Thirty farmers were surveyed in the survey area--Jeonbuk-do Province. The operational efficiency was analyzed by studying the data of these 30 farmers. The operational efficiency of the farmers was analyzed through a survey using the DEA model for analysis. DEA analysis was performed to obtain the technical efficiency of the farmers. The results showed that the DEA technical efficiencies of 12 farmers were efficient, and 18 farmers were inefficient. Farmers No. 13 and No. 25 were representative of inefficiency, and the results show that the cost of input elements was high. An analysis of the determinants of efficiency through the Tobit model found that the operating efficiency increased with decreasing variable costs (Seed costs, By-product fertilizer costs, General fertilizer cost, Pesticides cost, Cost of water, electricity, gas, and Cost of small farm implements) and fixed costs (Repair cost and Other costs). There is a problem of excess input from farmers, and these input costs need to be reduced.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.504-511
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• 2020

This paper studies the operational efficiency of the new sesame variety "da u" farmed by the Rural Development Administration. In the survey area--Gyeonggi-do Province, where sesame cultivation was the most intensive. Thirty farmers were surveyed by rural enterprises in the Yangpyeng area where 'da u' was planted. The efficiency of the operation was analyzed by studying the data of 30 farmers. In order to analyze the operational efficiency of the farmers, this survey used the DEA model for analysis in order to determine the technical efficiency of farmers. The result shows that the DEA technical efficiencies of most farmers are efficient, and only 6 farmers are inefficient. The reason for the inefficiency is the high cost of input factors. To analyze the determinants of efficiency through the Tobit model, reducing the pesticides and general fertilizers led to increased technical efficiency. This is inefficient use of pesticides and general fertilizers relative to the output factor, and efficient methods should reduce the cost issues.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.101-122
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• 2012

This present paper examines stochastic cost functions of Malaysian commercial bank from 1991 to 1997 periods catches the changes un their management structure and technical efficiency. Then we also discuss policy implications for bank integration and competition policy which is the part of current financial reform that reinforces the banking sector. The present paper contributes to the expansion of their study in two respects. Firstly, we have estimated the cost function, availing ourselves of SEA based on a parametric approach. Secondly, our model also includes as a factor the existence of bad debts. According to our results, we observed economies of scale clearly, but economies of scope and technological progress were not observed. Regarding the policy implications, the result of our analysis suggests strongly that the current policy is appropriate.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-81
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• 2013

The purpose of this paper is to seek ways to improve the competitiveness of Korea's fashion industry by utilizing the source of competitiveness of Japan's fashion industry, which represents the world's leading countries in terms of fashion, so that Korea can better enter the global fashion market. The study shall first compare the competitiveness of the Japanese and Korean fashion industries by utilizing the generalized double diamond model; second, provide an understanding of what the Japanese fashion industry can offer to Korean fashion industry and companies - that is, understand what the Japanese fashion industry's competitive edge is; and third, study the kind of global competitiveness that Korea's fashion industry must achieve. To adopt a generalized double diamond model to compare the competitiveness of the Korean and Japanese fashion industries, we selected 31 sub-variables to act as determinants of the model. That is, we extracted 31sub-variables by doing research of literature to analyze national competitiveness of the fashion industries. To measure these 31 sub-variables, secondary data was gathered. We collected data related to each sub-variable from various sources of Korea and Japan. And to calculate the competitiveness index, we took three steps with reference to previous studies. We found that status of the fashion industry of the two countries as it stands. That is, Japan is an advanced country of which fashion industry is domestic market-oriented while Korea is a small open economy that mainly focuses on the foreign market. Out of 31 proxy variables, Korea's fashion industry shows higher measurements relating to production and export than Japan, but Japan's fashion industry reports higher measurements than Korea in the fields of R&D, design and brand power, the rate of value added, the efficiency of companies and globalization. In order for Korea's fashion industry to achieve competitiveness in the global market, it should pursue the following development direction. First, it is very difficult for Korea to follow the footsteps of the U.S. and Japanese fashion industries that are able to take advantage of economies of scale, because Korea is smaller than those countries. Therefore, in the case of small economies such as Singapore, strengthening of international activities will practically improve domestic determinants that Korea should improve its domestic diamond by enhancing the current competitiveness of its international diamond. In other words, Korea needs to further endeavor to develop and expand global resources and markets as well as improve its competitiveness in terms of R&D, design and brand power, the rate of value-added, and the efficiency of companies. As the Korean fashion industry shows relatively advanced level of information technology and the fashion education system, it has considerable potential to grow. Korea is expected to have a huge growth potential since it has relatively higher level of information technology, fashion education system and activities than those of Japan in both the domestic diamond and international diamond. In particular, a better environment is laid out before Korea to gain competitiveness in the fashion industry due to the recently growing influence of the Korean Wave that Korea is expected to grow as a leader in the Asian market as well as in the global market.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.21-47
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• 2021

Purpose - Offshoring has emerged as one of the major trends in international trade and has become one of the strategies for achieving competitiveness in the global market. In spite of this, the expected gains of offshoring can be offset by hidden costs and risks, such as those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade war between the USA and China, and the ongoing trade dispute between Korea and Japan. To obviate such business failure and prevent critical business blunders, offshoring strategies that efficiently consider both risk elements and potential wealth creation are urgently need. The first purpose of this study is to contribute to the development of more advanced offshoring strategies to help host countries select the best locations to manage supply chain risks and create unique value. The second purpose is to specifically analyze the current status of Korea and provide Korean companies with implications to be considered when deciding whether to offshore or re-shore. Design/methodology - A Network DEA model was applied to measure the comparative location efficiency of national competencies for offshoring strategy from perspectives of wealth creation opportunities (profitability and marketability) and supply chain risk management. The location efficiencies are compared among a total 70 countries selected from the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and globally attractive locations outlined by Kearney (2017). For the secondary analysis of efficiency, a t-test examining the nature of competitive advantage and the level of sophistication in production processes was implemented in three divisions. We then analyzed differences in offshoring performance in terms of the identified national traits. Moreover, Tobit regression analysis is conducted to investigate the correlation between value-added business activities and each divisional efficiency, seeking to determine how each degree of value-added business activity influences the increase in offshoring productivity. Findings - Regarding overall location efficiency for offshoring performance, only the USA and Italy were identified as being efficient as host countries for offshoring, under circumstances of advanced development, such as productivity and risk management. Korea ranks 13th among 70 countries. The determinants of national competitiveness depend on national traits (the nature of competitive advantage and business sophistication). Countries with labor/resource advantages and labor-intensive industries are more competitive in terms of marketability than others. In contrast, countries with strong technology-intensive industries benefit offshoring companies, particularly in the technology sector, with the added advantage of supply chain risk management. As the perception of a value chain is broader in a country, it can achieve both production sophistication and competitive advantages such as marketability and SCRM. Originality/value - Existing studies focus on offshoring effectiveness from a company perspective. This paper contributes to comparing country efficiency in producing core competencies related to an offshoring strategy and also segments countries into three performance-based considerations associated with the global offshoring market. It also details Korea's position as an offshoring location according to national efficiency and competency.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.247-267
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• 2006

This paper formulates a monopolistic competition model by incorporating Leontief product function into Dixit and Stigliz model to analyze and compare the effects of two environmental policy instruments-fuel efficiency regulation and environmental tax-on a market which reflects characteristics of international vehicle market. As expected, both policy instruments raise equilibrium market prices. The effect of fuel efficiency regulation on firm output, the number of firms, and industry output, however, depends on three determinants-the increasing rate of the ratio of consumer expenditure to the income, the increasing rate of fixed cost, and the increasing rate of marginal cost. On the other hand, the imposition of the specific environmental tax reduces the firm output, but does not influence the number of firms. If these two instruments are assumed to lead to the same increasing rate of marginal costs, the environmental tax reduces the firm output as well as the industry output more than the fuel efficiency regulation. And it will induce more firms to exit the market than the fuel efficiency regulation if the increasing rate of the ratio of consumer expenditure to the income is larger than the increasing rate of fixed cost.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.37-49
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• 2011

By strengthening the market control and expanding the networks, providers of global logistics are expanding their service scope. E-logistics connects e-business to internal and external information system by using WMS, TMS, and OMS. The paper focuses on analyzing the efficiency of the tope fifty Global Logistics Providers. Therefore, the study classifies the factors which specify the efficiency of a total logistics industry and verified its firmness. Furthermore, the most recently published reports by Logistics Quarterly and Armstrong Association in 2011 was used in order to guarantee credibility of the study. This study utilizes three years of materials, from 2007, 2008, 2009 on publish 2010, for scope period for analysis. By applying SBM (Slack Based Measure) & the DEA Window model, the trend in efficiency and stableness was analyzed. Consequently, the main purpose of the paper is evaluating the efficiency. Also, analyzing its determinants and illustrating a long-term relationship between the annual turnover and major shippers was used as output measures. In addition, the number of information system operations, the grade of information systems, and employee of Logistics Providers was used as input measures.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-79
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• 1990

Research on technical efficiency, an important dimension of market performance, had received little attention until recently by most industrial organization empiricists, the reason being that traditional microeconomic theory simply assumed away any form of inefficiency in production. Recently, however, an increasing number of research efforts have been conducted to answer questions such as: To what extent do technical ineffciencies exist in the production activities of firms and plants? What are the factors accounting for the level of inefficiency found and those explaining the interindustry difference in technical inefficiency? Are there any significant international differences in the levels of technical efficiency and, if so, how can we reconcile these results with the observed pattern of international trade, etc? As the first in a series of studies on the technical efficiency of Korea's manufacturing industries, this paper attempts to answer some of these questions. Since the estimation of technical efficiency requires the use of plant-level data for each of the five-digit KSIC industries available from the Census of Manufactures, one may consture the findings of this paper as empirical evidence of technical efficiency in Korea's manufacturing industries at the most disaggregated level. We start by clarifying the relationship among the various concepts of efficiency-allocative effciency, factor-price efficiency, technical efficiency, Leibenstein's X-efficiency, and scale efficiency. It then becomes clear that unless certain ceteris paribus assumptions are satisfied, our estimates of technical inefficiency are in fact related to factor price inefficiency as well. The empirical model employed is, what is called, a stochastic frontier production function which divides the stochastic term into two different components-one with a symmetric distribution for pure white noise and the other for technical inefficiency with an asymmetric distribution. A translog production function is assumed for the functional relationship between inputs and output, and was estimated by the corrected ordinary least squares method. The second and third sample moments of the regression residuals are then used to yield estimates of four different types of measures for technical (in) efficiency. The entire range of manufacturing industries can be divided into two groups, depending on whether or not the distribution of estimated regression residuals allows a successful estimation of technical efficiency. The regression equation employing value added as the dependent variable gives a greater number of "successful" industries than the one using gross output. The correlation among estimates of the different measures of efficiency appears to be high, while the estimates of efficiency based on different regression equations seem almost uncorrelated. Thus, in the subsequent analysis of the determinants of interindustry variations in technical efficiency, the choice of the regression equation in the previous stage will affect the outcome significantly.