• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 2021

Purpose: According to the growth of technology in the service industry, the interaction service between customer and employee has recently been transformed into between customer and technology by Self Service Technology (SST) requiring direct interaction with customers. In this context, self service technology such as unmanned ordering system installed at the store is actively introduced at the work place to reduce labor costs by food and retail company and the research for self-service technology which is rapidly replacing existing face-to-face service is needed. As the growth speed of SST is rapid, many researchers have studied the characteristics of SST, in every sector of business worldwide. Among the characteristics, attributes, Self Service Technology Quality (SSTQUAL) to evaluate SST is important because it may cause the customer's behavior. Thus, this research focuses on the effects of SSTQUAL on SST Satisfaction and SST continuance usage intention. This research suggests the guidelines for how Restaurant Company should prepare SST and build their customer satisfaction and continuance usage that increase the sales. Research design, data and methodology: This study tests the structural relationship between SSTQUAL of unmanned ordering system, SST satisfaction and SST continuance usage. SSTQUAL divided into four sub-dimensions and two categories, cognitive service attributes (Convenience, Functionality) and affective service attributes (Enjoyment, Assurance). In order to achieve the purposes of this research, research model and hypotheses were developed based on previous researches. All constructs were measured with multiple items developed and tested in the previous studies. The data were collected from 524 customers experiencing SST and were analyzed through SPSS 25.0 and SmartPLS 3.0 statistical package program. Results: The findings of this research are as follows. First, all SSTQUAL have significant positive impacts on SST satisfaction. Second, SST satisfaction has significant positive impact on SST continuance intention. Third, cognitive service attributes and affective service attributes had wealth of explanation of service attribute more than a single dimension. Conclusions: The implications of this study are as follows. Overall, Restaurant Company should manage SSTQUAL consisting of not only cognitive service attributes (Convenience, Functionality) but also affective service attributes (Enjoyment, Assurance) to satisfy customers basically regardless of the type of restaurant.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.129-149
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• 2022

In March 2020, the National Assembly revised the Framework Act on Cooperatives, allowing a federation of heterogeneous cooperatives, and in October 2020, the Daegu Gyeongbuk Federation of Local Food Cooperatives was launched as the first federation of heterogeneous cooperatives in the country. The local food movement, which has been promoted upward in the local community as an alternative to the existing global food system, seems to be being activated by the government's food plan policy, but critics say that the government's policy goals are not fully achieved due to the top-down policy promotion and lack of communication. In response, this study first examines the role and significance of the local food federation of heterogeneous cooperatives in solving the problems raised in the process of establishing a food plan. In addition, the current status of the federation was investigated for the successful settlement and development of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Federation of Local Food Cooperatives. A survey of affiliated cooperatives, focus group interviews with managers and experts and related literature surveys were conducted. Based on this, the direction of activities was presented, such as the role of an intermediary in Daegu and Gyeongbuk and the role of an intermediary in the public and private sectors etc. In addition, six joint project tasks were specifically presented, including an integrated information sharing system & a logistics network, a planned production system & a joint processing center, an online sales system & a co-marketing promotion, a joint education system, a management of direct stores & restaurants, a sustainable public-private cooperation system etc.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.431-442
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• 2022

Despite the rapid reorganization of the center of consumption online, the fashion industry is still strengthening brand marketing using offline stores. This study investigates the psychological mechanisms of shopping flow by three mediators that influence the e-word of mouth(e-WOM) as a marketing performance variable in recent marketing. Data collection was conducted online for 241 women in their 20s and 30s. The significance of multi-mediated pathways was verified using Process 3.5 Model 6. The results for multiple mediation paths are as follows. First, the direct effect of shopping flow on brand advocacy was not significant. Second, analysis of the significance of the indirect effect via simple mediation found that the path mediated by shopping value in the path from the shopping flow to brand advocacy was significant. Third, analysis of the indirect effect by double mediation revealed all three double mediating effects of shopping flow on brand advocacy were significant(emotional response and shopping value, emotional response and store attachment, shopping value and store attachment). Fourth, analysis of the significance of the indirect effect by sequential multiple mediation established the indirect effect leading to emotional response, shopping value, and store attachment was significant. These results indicate that the operation of an experiential fashion store is not just a means for sales, but a communication tool that improves and promotes the brand advocacy by providing brand experience in a store.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.45-62
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• 2022

Purpose - Using unexpected changes in geopolitical tensions on the Korean peninsula as a quasi-natural experimental setting, we examine whether and how geopolitical risks travel across borders through firm-level imports and exports linkages. We also test whether the effects are driven by either imports or exports and assess whether firms can effectively hedge themselves against geopolitical risks. Design/methodology - We focus on a series of unanticipated geopolitical events taken place in Korea in 2018. Making use of the shocks to geopolitical climate, we identify five milestone events toward peace talks. We employ the event studies methodology. We examine heterogenous firm-level stock price reactions around key event dates depending on firms' exposure to geopolitical risks. As a measure of firms' exposure to geopolitical risks in Korea, we utilize a text-based measure of firm-level trade links. When a firm announces and discusses its purchase of inputs from Korea or sales of outputs to Korea in their annual disclosure filings, we define a firm to have a trade relationship with Korea and have exposure to Korean geopolitical risks. Similarly, we use a measure of a firm's hedging policies based on a firm's textual mention of the use of foreign exchange derivatives in their annual disclosure. Findings - We find that U.S. firms that have direct trade links to Korea gained significantly more value when the intensity of geopolitical risks drops compared to firms without such trade links to Korea. The effects are pronounced for firms purchasing inputs from or selling outputs to Korea. We find that the effectiveness of foreign exchange hedging against geopolitical risks is limited. Originality/value - We document the international transmission of geopolitical uncertainty through trade linkages. Export links as well as import links serve as important nexus of transmission of geopolitical risks across borders. Hedging strategies involving foreign-exchanges derivatives do not seem to insulate firms again geopolitical risks. With the recent movements of localization and reshuffling of the global value chain, our results suggest a significant impact of geopolitical risks in Korea on the construction of the global value chain.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.35-43
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to seek various plans to maintain the advancement of the overseas and domestic employment scenario through a case analysis of the Japanese industry, which maintains domestic employment while promoting the overseas advancement of companies despite having a similar industrial structure as Korea. The study further intends to derive insightful implications for Japanese manufacturing companies and government policies. Research design, data, and methodology - We selected four companies from the Japanese manufacturing industry. Being companies that were successful in increasing the domestic employment scenario while advancing in overseas markets. We utilized several secondary data sources including Japanese newspapers and report literature. Results - Previous studies have shown a negative relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) or offshoring and domestic employment. However, our results showed this relationship with respect to the Japanese manufacturing industry as follows: 1. FDI for developing overseas markets does not decrease domestic production. If Japanese companies change their strategy from exports to overseas production, there will be a consequent decrease in domestic employment of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). However, the local production that plans the sales expansion of a foreign market does not substitute domestic production. 2. Several case studies illustrate that, as the production of final goods is expanded in foreign countries, there is a corresponding increase in the export of intermediary goods from Japan. In this case, if the production process of Japanese companies is promoted in foreign markets, the amount of exported material and parts from Japan will consequently increase. 3. It is difficult to consider that the establishment of subsidiary companies in foreign countries by manufacturing companies for wholesale, retail, and services decreases domestic employment. This is because the international development of these industries needs expatriates, expatriate training organizations, and research and development (R&D) activities. 4. When there is overseas demand, the growth of local management activities is expected to increase the work of the overseas business department in the head office in Japan, if competitiveness can be secured for better localization and management speed. 5. The conversion of the domestic manufacturing industry into high value-added production is necessary. The relocation of domestic production to foreign markets decreases domestic employment. To prevent this, the upgradation of domestic production bases, including high value-added production, and R&D capability need to be strengthened. Technology-based companies must develop new technology, patents, processes, and so forth, which require extensive human resources for R&D. Conclusions - Domestic medium-sized companies that are capable of consistently supplying high value-added products should be actively encouraged to deploy into and develop overseas markets. Further, this paper considers the necessity of a guidance policy that provides suggestions for overseas deployment, by the initiation of the government, to companies that cannot do so due to the lack of foreign experience or decisions by the CEO, despite having the relevant capability and technologies to supply high value-added products.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.344-351
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• 2007

The purposes of this study were to analyze the consumer inclination to convenience towards HMR in order to verify the structural correlation of the actual state of consumption, and to analyze consequently, the direct or indirect effects among 'frequency of using,' 'preference', 'satisfaction', and 'intention to repurchase'. The subjects were adults in their twenties or older who had used HMRs and lived in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province in Korea. Random sampling of 550 subjects, who were distributed a questionnaire from March 12 to 30, 2005. A total of 451 questionnaires were returned (the return rates were 82%). The main results of this study were as follows : Regarding the types of HMR, 'Ready to eat' had higher preference (3.31), satisfaction (3.33) and 'intention to purchase it again' (3.38) than those of 'Ready to heat' and 'Ready to end-cook.' Consumer inclination to convenience towards HMR was analyzed in order to verify the structural correlation of the actual state of consumption, and consequently, the direct or indirect effects among 'frequency of using,' 'preference', 'satisfaction', and 'intention to repurchase' were analyzed. The gross effect of 'frequency of using' on 'intention to repurchase' was 0.435, the gross effect of preference on 'intention to purchase it again' was 0.659, and the gross effect of satisfaction on 'intention to purchase it again' was 0.772 for 'Ready to eat.' The gross effect of 'frequency of using' on 'intention to repurchase' was 0.448, the gross effect of preference on 'intention to repurchase' was 0.556, and the gross effect of satisfaction on 'intention to repurchase' was 0.654 for 'Ready to heat.' The gross effect of 'frequency of using' on 'intention to repurchase' was 0.432, the gross effect of preference on 'intention to repurchase' was 0.494, and the gross effect of satisfaction on 'intention to repurchase' was 0.608 for 'Ready to end-cook.' To summerize the above results, there was a difference of the structural correlation among component concepts of the actual state of consuming according to the criteria of HMR. Thus, it implied that differentiated sales strategies were needed according to the criteria of HMR.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.116-125
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• 2012

This study examined the degree to which integrated marketing communication(IMC) might be manifested in South Korean television advertising. Using a framework by Nowak and Phelps(1994), this study investigated the degree of IMC utilization by service organizations and physical goods manufacturers at the advertisement level. The Result showed that 44.6% of the television ads were classified as integrated marketing communication according to criteria discussed by Nowak and Phelps(1994). More specifically, approximately 90.7% of the integrated ads achieved this status by using two communication tools of different orientations. In addition, the most common form of IMC at this lowest level consisted of an image-oriented(brand advertising) and a behavior-oriented(direct response) communication tool. The second common form of IMC, that is, 9.3%, used three different communication tools; they consisted of an image-oriented tool(brand advertising) and the two behavior-oriented(i.e., direct response and sales promotion) communication tools. Nothing of the magazine ads used all four tools. Thus, South Korean television ads exhibited higher degrees of IMC which tended to include more behavior-oriented communication tools than image-oriented communication tools. These results indicate that much higher chances for advertisers to expand the level of IMC will be existed. Furthermore, the results suggest that significantly higher as well as a wider variety of communication tools are being used by advertisers, considering the limit of samples investigated in this research.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.11-26
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• 2023

This study aimed to empirically analyze the effect of Korean companies' FDI(Foreign Direct Investment) on their financial performances, particularly divided into profitability, stability, growth and activity, while comparing distinct financial performances between SMEs(small and medium-sized enterprises) and large enterprises whose corporate attributes are different from each other. As research subjects, this study selected FDI Korean companies from the directory of oversea-expanded companies of KOTRA(Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) and used financial data from a total of 409 companies(136 SMEs and 273 large enterprises) with complete financial data for the first five years after the initial investment out of all the financial data from 1990 to 2021. The analysis results can be summarized as follows; In the profitability sector, FDI had positive effects on ROA(Return on Assets) and ROS(Return on Sales) of SMEs, while having negative effects on those of large enterprises to the contrary. In the stability sector, FDI had no statistical significance for SMEs, while having significantly negative effect on LEV(Debt to Equity Ratio) of large enterprises. In the growth sector, FDI had significantly negative effect on AGR(Asset Growth) of SMEs, but showed no significant results for large enterprises. In the activity sector, FDI showed no statistical significance for SMEs, while having positive effects on ATR(Asset Turnover Ratio) and FATA(Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio) of large enterprises. In conclusion, it was found that when having made FDI, SMEs and large enterprises showed different financial performances from each other in terms of profitability, stability, growth and activity.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.79-102
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• 2011

Researchers in channel dyads have devoted much attention to relationship between interdependence (i.e. interdependence enymmetry and total interdependence) and conflict that promote channel performance. In social science, in spite of the inconsistent results in marketing practice, there are two contradictory theories explain the relationship between interdependence and conflict - bilateral deterrence theory and conflict spiral theory. The authors apply these theories to co-marketing alliance situation in terms that this relationship is also incorporated both company's dependence, either from one company's perspective or each partner about its respective dependence. Using survey data and archival data from 181 companies enlisted in a telecommunication membership program, the authors find out the relationship between interdependence and conflict as well as investigate the antecedents of interdependence - transaction age, transaction frequency, the numbers of alliance partner, and co-marketing alliance specific assets according to previous researches. Using PLS analysis, the authors demonstrate that, with increasing total interdependence in a telecommunication membership program, two co-marketing partners' conflict level is increased in accord with the author's conflict spiral theory predictions. As expected, higher interdependence asymmetry has negative value to level of conflict even though this result is not statistically significant. Other findings can be summarized as follows. In the perspective of telecommunication company, transaction age, transaction frequency, and co-marketing alliance specific assets have influence on its dependence on a partner as independent variables. To the contrary, in a partner's perspective, transaction frequency, co-marketing alliance specific assets and the numbers of alliance partner have significantly impact on its dependence on a telecommunication company. In direct effect analysis, it is shown that transaction age, frequency and co-marketing alliance specific assets have direct influence on conflict. This results suggest that it is more useful for a telecommunication company to select a co-marketing partner which is frequently used by customers and earned high rates of mileage. In addition, the results show that dependence of a telecommunication company on a co-marketing partner is more significantly effected to co-marketing alliance conflict than partner's one. It provide an effective conflict management strategy to a telecommunication company for controling customer's usage rate or having the co-marketing partner deposit high level of alliance specific investment (i.e. mileage). To a co-marketing partner of telecommunication company, it is required control the percentage of co-marketing sales in total sales revenue or seek various co-marketing partners in order for co-marketing conflict management. The research implications, limitation and future research of these results are discussed.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.167-178
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the direct investment decision factors in the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Vietnam, and to contribute to the creation of domestic jobs and the revitalization of the inter-Korean economy. According to the analysis, most of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Vietnamese investment companies are entering the complex for the purpose of utilizing cheap labor, cheap factory locations, sales/development of local markets, and bypass export production bases in third countries. This can be divided into production-efficient investors using differences in production price such as labor costs and market-oriented investors to sell and expand the local market, which seems to be consistent with global direct investment patterns such as Nike, Apple, and Amazon. However, even if the North Korea-U.S. denuclearization talks ease or lift sanctions, Vietnamese investors' willingness to invest in the North Korea has been most burdened by the possibility of closing special economic zones due to political risks. Last but not least, it is important to note that those willing to invest in North Korea are mostly smaller enterprises in textiles, sewing, footwear and leather industries-those that benefit from low-cost labor. Since their size is small, they need policy support in financing, especially in the early stages of their business. Even after they grow past the early stages, those without collateral would still need state guarantee letters to get financing. Thus, it is worth considering to use the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund to compensate commercial banks for bad loan loss or for low-interest loans for smaller SMEs. The interviews with SMEs found that red-tape is one of the biggest difficulties they face. Thus, it is recommended that a one-stop service agency should be established to cover all processes and issues related to inter-Korean economic cooperation to eliminate redundancy and expediate government support for SMEs.