• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7467-7472
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is known to be one of the most prevalent cancers among women in both developing and developed countries. The incidence of breast cancer in Pakistan has increased dramatically within the last few years and is the second country after Israel in Asia to have highest proportional cases of breast cancer. However, there are limited data for breast cancer available in the literature from Pakistan. Objectives: The study was conducted to bring to light the common clinical presentation of breast cancer and to evaluate the frequency of established risk factors in breast carcinoma patients and furthermore to compare the findings between premenopausal and postmenopausal women in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A 6 months (from July 2012 to Dec 2012) cross sectional survey was conducted in Surgical and Oncology Units of Civil Hospital, Karachi. Data were collected though a well developed questionnaire from 105 female patients diagnosed with carcinoma of breast and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Institutional ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. Results: Out of 105 patients, 43 were premenopausal and 62 were postmenopausal, 99 being married. Mean age at diagnosis was $47.8{\pm}12.4years$. A painless lump was the most frequent symptom, notived by 77.1%(n=81). Some 55.2% (n=58) patients had a lump in the right breast and 44.8%(n=47) in the left breast. In the majority of cases, the lump was present in upper outer quadrant 41.9% (n=44). Mean period of delay from appearance of symptoms to consulting a doctor was $5.13{\pm}4.8months$, from the shortest 1 month to the longest 36 months. Long delay (> 3 months) was the most frequent figure 41.9%. Considering overall risk factors most frequent were first pregnancy after 20 years of age (41%), physical breast trauma (28.6%), lack of breast feeding(21.9%), and early menarche <11 years (19%), followed by null parity (16.2%), consumption of high fat diet (15.2%), family history of breast cancer or any other cancer in first degree relatives (9.5% and 13.3%, respectively). Some of the less common factors were late menopause >54 years (8.6%), use of oral contraceptive pills (10.5%), use of hormone replacement therapy (4.7%),smoking (4.7%) and radiation (0.96%). Significant differences (p<0.005) were observed between pre and post menopausal women regarding history of physical breast trauma, practice of breast feeding and parity. Conclusions: A painless lump was the most frequent clinical presentation noted. Overall age at first child > 20 years, physical breast trauma, lack of breast feeding, early menarche <11 were the most frequent risk factors. Physical breast trauma, lower parity, a trend for less breast feeding had more significant associations with pre-menopausal than post-menopausal onset. Increase opportunity of disease prevention can be obtained through better understanding of clinical presentation and risk factors important in the etiology of breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6905-6911
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the top cancer among women worldwide and the most frequent malignancy among Iranian women over the past few decades. The increasing trend and high mortality rate of BC in the developing world necessitates studies concentrating on its characteristics in countries in Asia. The current study focused on clinical and histopathological features of BC among Iranian females. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved 714 Iranian patients with histopathologically proven BC undergoing resection of primary tumours and axillary clearance. Demographic, clinical and histopathological data were obtained and studied between ten year age groups (${\leq}40$ years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, and ${\leq}71$ years) in four chronologic phases from 1994-2009. Results: Mean age of patients was $49.4{\pm}13.1$ years. Most of cases (33.2%) were in 41-50 group. Mean size of primary tumors was $3.94{\pm}2.47$ cm and 87.1% of cases had infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Modified radical mastectomy was the most common method of surgery carried out (48.8%). Some 57.1% of tumors were in pT2 and tumor size decreased significantly during the period (p<0.05). The most common BC stage was llla (27%). Lower BC stages (0 and 1) constituted 13.9% of the diagnosed tumors. Our series of patients aged ${\leq}40$ had larger tumors (mean $4.73{\pm}3.02$ cm) compared to older age groups (p=0.003). Lower stages (0 and I) were more frequent among the oldest patients while nearly 50% of patients aged ${\leq}40$ had tumor stage III. We also observed a significant decreasing trend in the mean LN count (p<0.05) and blood vessel invasion (p=0.023) from younger to older age groups. Conclusions: More aggressive disease for younger age groups, earlier peak incidence age and high rate of advanced BC at the time of diagnosis among Iranian women, were the main findings of this study.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.115-148
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• 2007

Under the influence of ever-globalized world economy, Yangsan Port of Shanghai, a central hub of Chinese economy, was opened up on Dec. 1, 2005 in the expectation of heart of northeast Asian harbor logistics. It has triggered severer competitions among northeast Asian ports. In an effort to keep robust standing as a central port of northeast Asia, Korea has still built additional new ports and opened up 3 docks in Nov. 2005. Amid these changing port environments, it is foremost to take the competitive edges of new ports in advance of major rival ports in the interest of preoccupying the standing of those new ports as the central hub of northeast logistics. According to the developmental strategies of new ports can be summed up as follows: First, it is required to separate port development from marketing as a part of separating developmental entity from management/maintenance entity. Second, it is required to develop dedicated port for feeder vessels along with new ports to save more time and cost spent by shipping companies. Third, the attraction of jumbo shipping companies to port development needs differentiated countermeasures for each shipping company, and those measures should be taken in advance before jumbo shippers decide their own shipping strategies in future. Fourth, in terms of incentives for attracting jumbo shipping companies, it is required to offer the incentives to them in using new ports in connection with Busan ports. Fifth, it is critical to set up a benchmark of competitors(ports) for establishing one-stop automatic administration process system upon developing ports. Finally, it is required to prepare a plan for using rearward lands in connection with ports for more efficient use of development complex behind port.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.7-15
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• 2003

China is expected to experience rapid increase in container traffic due to the joining to WTO and the fast economic growth. However, logistics-related infrastructure such as sea port is very poor and the capacity is lagging far behind the demand, resulting in transferring around 70% of import and export cargo volume at ports in adjoining countries such as Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. Recently, China announced a huge project of developing an offshore port consisting of 52 berths, 30km away from Shanghai with a connecting bridge. As such plan seems to have a significant impact on the port of Pusan which tries to be a Hub port in Far East Asia, we need to scrutinize the plan. This paper, therefore, tries to examine Shanghai New Port Plan, to evaluate the feasibility and potential competitiveness, and to analyze the impact on Pusan port. For this, we review the situation of major container ports in China and the flow pattern of container traffic to and from Pusan port. We then examine the feasibility of the proposed offshore port with respect to demand and supply for container terminal, weather condition, hinterland connection and resource of investment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6357-6362
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• 2014

Background: Globally, the overall incidence of cancer is increasing as a result of ageing populations and changing lifestyles. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, especially in the developed nations. Cancers affecting the young population are generally considered uncommon. This study assessed the demography and trends of cancers of the young in Brunei Darussalam, a small and developing Southeast Asia nation. Materials and Methods: All patients diagnosed with cancers between 2000 and 2012 were identified from the cancer registry maintained by the State Histopathology Laboratory. Cancers of the young was defined as any cancers diagnosed under the age of 40 years. Demographic data and the type of cancers were collected and analysed using SPSS Statistics 17.0. Results: Among the 6,460 patients diagnosed with cancer over the study period, 18.7% (n=1,205) were categorized as young with an overall decline in the proportion from 26.6% in 2000 to 18.8% in 2012 (p<0.001 for trend). Among all cancers of the young, the most common systems affected were gynecological (24.1%), hematological/lymphatic (15.8%), subcutaneous/dermatological/ musculoskeletal (10.5%), breast (10.5%) and gastrointestinal (9.9%). Overall, among the different systems, neurological (54.9%) had the highest proportion of cancers of the young followed by gynecological/reproductive (30.6%), hematological/lymphatic (39.9%), endocrine (38.7%), subcutaneous/dermatological/ musculoskeletal (22.3%) and the head and neck region (20.1%). There was a female predominance (66.9%) and the incidence was significantly higher among the Malays (20.1%) and expatriates (25.1%) groups compared to the Chinese (10.7%) and indigenous (16.8%) groups (p<0.001 for trend). Conclusions: Cancers of the young (<40 years) accounted for almost a fifth of all cancers in Brunei Darussalam with certain organ systems more strongly affected. There was a female preponderance in all racial groups. Over the years, there has been a decline in the overall proportion of cancers of the young. Selective screening programs should nevertheless be considered.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.113-131
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• 2015

Decision effectiveness depends on type of knowledge within team members generated by decision making process. Thus, organization in accordance with teams' experience and capability ultimately achieve their desired outcome. However, previous research has not addressed a mediating role between different knowledge type in decision making and product competitive advantages(pioneering advantage and product quality superiority). Based on the knowledge-based view, we model how different knowledge characteristics in decision making affect to acquire each of knowledge in decision making effectively and then to apply acquired knowledge in decision making. Anchored in a source-position-performance (SPP) framework (Day and Wensley's, 1988), we shed light on the effects of three knowledge characteristics dimensions in decision making process on knowledge management competences in decision making for a new product project. We also examine the relationship between two dimensions of NPD knowledge management competences, and product competitive advantages which consist of market pioneering advantage and product quality superiority. To test the relationships, the empirical analyses are conducted using a sample of team managers who participated in NPD projects. This study suggest that managers should increase their acquirability and applicability of knowledge by integrating complexity of diverse and new knowledge, developing codifiability of well-documented knowledge, and creating the sharing common knowledge among NPD team members. Thus, they are able to outrun major competitors in terms of pioneering advantage and product quality superiority perspective.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.99-109
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• 2017

University learning for innovation places great importance on maximizing the creation of new opportunities. In other words, universities are carrying out a new meaning that entrepreneurship education should enable students to discover potential opportunities and play an important role in the development of new society and industry. However, current entrepreneurship education programs are being developed and are being developed from diverse perspectives on rapidly changing environments. However, there is a growing awareness of the necessity of developing more professional and systematic entrepreneurship education programs, and it is argued that the emphasis on necessity is not enough have. This study empirically analyzed the cognitive abilities that influence innovative behavior to create and realize innovative ideas and the usefulness of team-based learning that influences these factors. The results of empirical research showed that self-directed learning ability and problem solving ability had a positive effect on innovation behavior and problem solving ability had a positive effect on innovation behavior as a part of self-directed learning ability. Team-based learning in entrepreneurship education has been shown to be beneficial as a moderating effect on the relationship between problem-solving ability and self-directed learning ability and innovation behavior. In the case of four factors of team-based learning, Respectively. This study suggests the effectiveness and application of team-based learning method in entrepreneurship education.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.387-407
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• 2005

This paper is to study globalization motives and strategies of Japanese and Korean industries by analyzing the causes and patterns of foreign direct investment (FDI) of the firms of the two countries during the 1980s and 1990s. First we develop a FDI function from the profit maximizing model of firms. Then we use regression analysis to determine internally driving-out factors and externally-inducing factors. Japanese FDI strategy has gone through three different stages; from natural resource-seeking investment in the 1950s and 1960s to market-expansion investment in the 1970s and 1980s and to a combination of cost-reducing (low-cost labor-seeking) investment and market-penetrating investment in the 1990s. On the other hand, Korean FDI behavior has gone through four different stages; from the learning stage with small investments in the 1970s, to natural resource-seeking investment in the early and mid 1980s, to the growth stage in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, to the maturity stage of the mid and late 1990s. The last two stages were characterized by a combination of cost-reducing investment and market-seeking investment. As a late comer, Korea began its FDI two decades later than Japan, but caught up the patterns of Japanese FDI by the mid 1990s and is in a competing position with Japan. Our findings show that both Japanese FDI and Korean FDI in Asia and other developing countries tendto be in labor-intensive sectors where their firms are losing their comparative advantages at home. The main motive for FDI into these regions is low-cost resource seeking. On the other hand, both Japanese FDI and Korean FDI in the U.S. and Europe tend to be knowledge-intensive sectors where Japanese and Korean firms attempt to internalize transaction and information costs by globalizing its production. The main motive for FDI into these regions is market-seeking. Firms in both countries have increased their investments in Mexico and Western and Eastern Europe in order to penetrate large economic blocs such as the EU and NAFTA area. Korean firms are more aggressive in expanding into new and untested markets than are their counterpart in Japan. Evidence of this can be seen in the scarcity of Japanese FDI and abundance of Korean FDI in Eastern Europe and China.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.63-72
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to analyze the survival rate and survival characteristics of young start-up entrepreneurs supported with public financing, by using non-parametric statistic of Kaplanr-Meier Analysis on non-financial data. Average survival periods of different survival characteristics have been estimated by dividing the age groups into 20s and 30s. After then, the main variables affecting the survival period have been analyzed. 3,825 firms guaranteed by Credit Guarantee Institutions in Korea were used as database for the analysis. 3,242 firms have survived while 583 firms have gone insolvent. The study period was from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017. Age-based breakdown of the business founders show that 3 variables in the 20s and 5 variables in the 30s are derived as the significant variables, resulting in the significant differences of each age group. In other words, the start-up support agencies and financial institutions need to develop a credit evaluation system that distinguishes the criteria of age range and find information that reflect the characteristics of entrepreneurs in their 20s as well as developing tailor-made financial products. Also, step-by-step support measures are required for the start-ups of high survival times and make them grow into promising SMEs. Meanwhile, non-financial support plans shall be invigorated along with the financial ones to help the start-ups of low survival times. This study is meaningful in that the survival analysis has been conducted by using the non-financial data of young start-up entrepreneurs. It is expected that the results of this analysis contribute to the enhancement of survival rate of start-ups by providing start-up support agencies and start-up business owners with the unique information of the survival characteristics.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.133-144
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• 2020

This study examines the indirect effects of new product development(NPD) on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation(EO) and business performance is contingent on organization size. Although previous studies have revealed that EO has a positive effect on business performance and NPD, there have been no research attempts to comprehensively grasp the causal path of EO, NPD, and business performance. Therefore, this study analyzed the causal path focusing not only on final financial business performance affected by EO but also on the mediating role of new product development, which is an intermediate performance. Based on the sample of 3,299 firms from the 2018 Entrepreneurship Survey(Corporate), we analyzed the EO-NPD-business performance relationship and explored whether such an indirect effect of EO on business performance differs depending on the size of the firm. The results showed that EO has a positive impact on business performance and NPD. In addition, NPD positively mediates the relationship between EO and business performance under the condition of large size firm, although NPD does not have a direct effect on business performance. With the findings, the current study has principal implications for practicing managers. The result of this study is not to suggest that NPD triggered by EO is a panacea for improving final business performance. The study suggests a need to equip organizational capabilities to successfully commercialize new products and appeal to the market and customers, beyond simply developing new products seeking newness based on EO.