• Information Systems Review
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.213-231
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• 2023

With the rapid development of live streaming commerce, online host as an information source plays a critical role in affecting live streaming performance. However, the impact of different product types on the relationship between online hosts and live streaming has been less studied. Based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and information source theory, this study aims to empirically investigate what factors influence the sales of live streaming commerce and how product type moderates the relationship between them. The analysis of 11,422 live streaming commerce data collected for four months from October 10, 2021 to February 10, 2022 shows that, among the factors related to source credibility and attractiveness, multi-channel networks (MCN) and the number of followers positively affect the sales volume of live streaming commerce, whereas the reputation score harms the sales. Moreover, the moderating effect of the product type (i.e., ratio of involvement products) on the relationships is confirmed. The findings enrich the literature on live streaming commerce performance. The limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.40.1-40.24
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• 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive alternatives to conventional anti-asthmatic drugs for severe asthma. Mechanisms underlying the anti-asthmatic effects of MSCs have not yet been elucidated. This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of intravenously administered MSCs, focusing on macrophages and monocytes. Seven-week-old transgenic (Tg) mice with lung-specific overexpression of IL-13 were used to simulate chronic asthma. MSCs were intravenously administered four days before sampling. We examined changes in immune cell subpopulations, gene expression, and histological phenotypes. IL-13 Tg mice exhibited diverse features of chronic asthma, including severe type 2 inflammation, airway fibrosis, and mucus metaplasia. Intravenous administration of MSCs attenuated these asthmatic features just four days after a single treatment. MSC treatment significantly reduced SiglecF^-CD11c^-CD11b⁺ monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMs) and inhibited the polarization of MoMs into M2 macrophages, especially M2a and M2c. Furthermore, MSCs downregulated the excessive accumulation of Ly6c^- monocytes in the lungs. While an intravenous adoptive transfer of Ly6c^- monocytes promoted the infiltration of MoM and Th2 inflammation, that of MSC-exposed Ly6c^- monocytes did not. Ex vivo Ly6c^- MoMs upregulated M2-related genes, which were reduced by MSC treatment. Molecules secreted by Ly6c^- MoMs from IL-13 Tg mice lungs upregulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes in fibroblasts, which were also suppressed by MSC treatment. In conclusion, intravenously administered MSCs attenuate asthma phenotypes of chronic asthma by modulating macrophages. Identifying M2 macrophage subtypes revealed that exposure to MSCs transforms the phenotype and function of macrophages. We suggest that Ly6c^- monocytes could be a therapeutic target for asthma management.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.177-200
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• 2021

Recently, the use of prepaid electronic payments such as electronic wallets, digital currency and prepaid points is gradually increasing. Prepaid electronic payments has the characteristic of being used after charging first. This study empirically investigated the factors affecting the intention to use online charging in order to help improve the service that require prepaid recharge by applying transformed TAM. Since there are not many previous studies for the intention to use online charging, we extract factors through preceding researches for electronic cash and mobile easy payment. Also we analyze the intention to use online charging for transportation card users, focusing on the moderating effects. As a result of the study, it was found that 'convenience', 'ubiquity', and 'self-efficacy' among the independent variables had a positive (+) effect on mediation variable 'perceived usefulness'. 'Perceived usefulness' was analyzed to have a significant influence on the dependent variable 'usage intention'. According to users' gender, internet usage time, internet shopping frequency, online charging frequency and transportation card usage type, the moderating effect was significant on 'perceived usefulness' and 'usage intention'. As an implication, it was suggested that service improvement and differentiated marketing are needed in direction of increasing the usefulness of services. Additional research directions were proposed for services such as e-wallets, prepaid points and digital currencies by adding other factors and moderate variables.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.43-67
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• 2016

Although many studies have stressed the importance of technology in service innovation, the roles of technology in service innovation are at the center of debates in the service innovation literature. One major research stream regards technology as a trigger for other innovation based on resource advantage theory. Conversely, another major stream considers it as an enabler of other innovations based on complementary theory. The contradictory situation induces the necessity to better understand the role of technology in service innovation. Therefore, this study aims to identify the role of technology in service innovation. This study investigates the role of technology in service innovation based on a service innovation orientation framework. Four service innovation orientations (i.e., service creation, service delivery, customer interaction, and technology) are identified on the basis of Den Hertog's 4D model. This study proposes a research model that examines the indirect effect of technology orientation on innovation performance through the service creation and service delivery orientations, and the effect of technology orientation on firm performance as a moderator between customer interaction orientation and firm performance. Based on empirical data from 193 knowledge-intensive business service firms in Korea, we explain the role of technology in service innovation. The results indicate that technology orientation influences both service creation and service delivery orientations as an antecedent but customer interaction orientation as an enabler. The three service innovation orientations, which are directly and indirectly influenced by technology orientation, positively affect firm performance. The findings also show that the role of technology is different depending on the type of service innovation orientation in this study.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.131-149
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• 2019

As smart phones, tablets, and other digital devices become more pervasive, theoretical arguments around digital divide, which has previously focused on "access," is now expanding to effectively "utilize," actively "produce" and "share" information. Such discussion is significant because the impact on inter-personal and social networks depends on how digital divides are used, which can then recreate or exacerbate social inequality structures. This study examines the effect of individual's social relations and two types of social capital (i.e., bonding and bridging) on economic and socio-participatory usage of digital devices. An empirical analysis of dataset from 740 surveys reveals that the more horizontal the social relations of the individual, the more both bonding and bridging social capital increase. However, rather than the social relationship of the individual directly influencing the two types of digital device usage, it has an indirect effect on both economic and socio-participatory usage of digital devices. In particular, mediating effects of both bonding and bridging social capital exist in the case of economic usage of digital devices, whereas bonding social capital only has mediating effects on economic usage of digital devices. We discuss the role of social capital on digital devices usage and present the theoretical and practical implications.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.63-85
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• 2017

Recent information technology achieves remarkable progress in almost all areas where it can be applied. However, this technology also causes technostress, such as fear and pressure to individuals, due to events, such as the threat of job loss. This technostress is becoming an important factor that can affect user performance and productivity in future society where information technology will be the focus. This kind of stress should be studied considerably in academic and practical applications. The effects of technostress on individual performance remain ambiguous. Therefore, academic research is needed to prove these effects. This study aimed to clarify the direct and indirect effects of technostress on information technology end-users. We developed a research model that integrates innovation resistance and technostress theory through previous studies and analyzed the questionnaire of 317 people. The PLS structural equation model and the study results of Baron and Kenny (1986) indicated that rapid change, connectivity, reliability, and complexity are crucial factors affecting the technostress of information technology. Technostress was analyzed indirectly only through innovation resistance, which affected the performance of end-users. This study will provide new implications for the relationship between technostress and performance or productivity in the IS field.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.615-622
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of melons in Korea. A total of 123 samples including melon fruits, leaves, seeds, soils, and irrigation water were collected from farms and markets to detect total aerobic bacteria, coliform, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. Samples were collected from Iksan and Nonsan farms to monitor bacterial levels on pre-market melons. The total aerobic and coliform bacteria on melon cultivation were between 0.43 and 6.65 log CFU $g^{-1}$, and 0.67 and 2.91 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. Bacillus cereus, a fecal coliform, was detected in soils and melon leaves from Iksan farm at 2.95, 0.73 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively, and in soils from Nonsan farm at 3.16 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Market melon samples were collected to assay bacterial load on melon being sold to consumers. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria in agricultural markets, big-box retailers, and traditional markets were 4.82, 3.94, 3.99 log CFU $g^{-1}$, respectively. The numbers of coliform in melon on the markets ranged from 0.09 to 0.49 log CFU $g^{-1}$. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in any samples. The count of total aerobic bacteria on melon seeds ranged from 0.33 to 3.34 log CFU $g^{-1}$. This study found that irrigation water, soil, manure and various farm work activities including post-harvest processes were latent sources of microbial contamination. These results suggest that hygienic management and monitoring of soil, water, and agricultural material should be performed to reduce microbial contamination in melon production.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1047-1056
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• 2016

This study aims to provide managerial implications for provincial parks through an analysis on visitors' characteristics and motivational factors. The information was collected by surveying 290 visitors. The survey questionnaire consisted of questions regarding visitors' socioeconomic characteristics, characteristics of their travel behavior, visitors' motivation to visit the park, and the degree of satisfaction derived from visiting the park. Results show that most respondents appeared not to collect any information on the park prior to their visit. It was also seen that most visitors do not visit other tourist sites nearby, and are not aware of the Gochang UNESCO biosphere, which indicates that Gochang-gun, which is responsible for park management, needs to make more efforts to promote the park. A factor analysis on the visitors' motivation to visit the park extracted three factors to visit the Seonunsan Provincial Park: 'to hike,' 'to experience and observe nature,' i.e., nature learning field trip and camping, and 'to build and nurture bonding with family and friends.' To examine the effect of these various motivational factors had on the visitors' satisfaction level upon visiting the park, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with the three extracted factors to visit the park and the respondents' socioeconomic characteristics as independent variables, and the degree of recommendation of visiting the park as a dependent variable. The result shows found that, of the three travel factors, only the 'hiking' factor statistically significantly affected the degree of recommendation of visiting the park. This result suggests that the Seonunsan Provincial Park only satisfied hikers and failed to meet the demands for nature experience and observation. It is therefore suggested that the park managers develop new experience-based tourism programs, such as guided tours conducted by professional eco-interpreters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.997-1011
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• 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of "food and nutrition standards for child care setting in the Seoul Metropolitan Government" using quantitative and qualitative surveys and lay the groundwork for future expansion. To evaluate the understanding and applicability of each item of the standards and utilize goodness of fit as an evaluation item to improve practicality of the child care center's health foodservice, we surveyed 82 child care centers, kindergartens, and community children centers in Seoul by e-mail through the Seoul Metropolitan Government in November 2015. Using focus group interviews with directors of child care centers and kindergartens as well as dieticians of child care support centers who had conducted public foodservice in Seoul, the appropriateness of each standard was finally reviewed, and amendments to extend this standard were derived. Results of the survey show an understanding of 86.9% and an applicability of 80.7%. Moreover, the applicability of the evaluation items for assessing improvement of health foodservice practices at the child care center was 82.6%. Qualitative evaluation of the applicability of standards through focus group interviews identified four factors for extended application: necessity of a guideline for separate food ingredient suppliers, conformity of the basis and purpose of the item, consideration of contextual situations, and necessity of establishing a Seoul-level foundation. Therefore, guidelines for the standards should be suggested for those providing public food services for children. Furthermore, separate guidelines categorized by items that food ingredient suppliers need to provide should be mandatory or recommended. Evaluation of the applicability of the standards suggests that revising and supplementing the guidelines in order to extend the standards can contribute to health promotion and a sustainable environment for children using public foodservice. Follow-up studies and supports are needed for sustainable food and nutrition management programs.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.83-108
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• 2007

Since the 1992 UN Conference for Environment and Development held in Rio de Jaineiro, Sustainable Development has become the global thesis. More than 170 countries signed the Agenda 21 for the sustainable action plan, and adopted the sustainability concept as the key concept of dealing with the environmental, social, ethical, and economic problem. Sustainability is one of the main marketing challenges in the 21st century. By integrating social and ecological criteria, marketing may can make valuable contributions to sustainable development. Regarding the sustainability marketing, it is difficult to find the domestic marketing research on the thesis of sustainable development, and this is the definite evidence that the Korean marketing researchers do not realize the importance of the thesis of sustainable development which is internationally suggested as the new paradigm of change. The purpose of this study is to build the conceptual background and explore the research direction in order to introduce and adopt the concept of sustainable development in the domestic marketing research field. The present paper proposes a comprehensive conception of sustainability marketing, defined by six step: analysis of social-ecological problems; analysis of consumer behavior; normative sustainability marketing; strategic sustainability marketing; instrumental sustainability marketing; and transformative sustainability marketing. The aim of the paper are to clarify the concept of sustainability marketing. To accomplish this research purpose we discuss the sustainable development which is the conceptual background of sustainability marketing, analyze the characteristics of the sustainability marketing, and finally summarize the research results and present the suggestions for further research. Sustainability marketing embraces the idea of sustainable development, a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. Sustainability Marketing goes beyond conventional marketing thinking. If marketing is about satisfying customer needs and building profitable relationships with customers, sustainability marketing may be defined as building and maintaining sustainable relationships with customers, the social environment and natural environment. By creating social and environmental value, sustainability marketing tries to deliver and increase customer value. Sustainability Marketing aims at creating customer value, social value and environmental value. Sustainability marketing integrates social and ecological criteria into the whole process of marketing, and can be differentiated in six steps: (1) Analysis of the social and ecological problems, generally and specifically with respect to products which satisfy customer needs and wants; (2) Analysis of customer behavior with special aspect to social and ecological concerns; (3) Corporate commitments to sustainable development in the mission statement, development of sustainability visions, formulation of sustainable principles and guideline, setting of socio-ecological marketing objectives and goals (normative aspects of sustainability marketing); (4) Sustainability segmentation, targeting and positioning, and timing of market entry(strategic aspects of sustainability marketing); (5)Integration of social and ecological criteria into the marketing-mix, i.e. products, services and brands, pricing, distribution and communication(instrumental aspects of sustainability marketing); (6) Participation in public and political change processes, which transform existing institutions towards sustainability(transformative aspects of sustainability marketing). The first two steps begin with an analysis of the company situation. In sustainability marketing it is crucial not just to know consumer needs and wants, but also to find out about the ecological and social problems of products along their whole life cycle. The intersection of socio-ecological problems and consumer wants sets the ground for sustainability marketing. Step three to five describe the implementation of sustainability marketing. Social and ecological criteria are fully integrated into the mission statement, strategies and marketing-mix. Step six is one of the specifics of sustainability marketing. It is about the commitment of company to sustainable development and their active participation in public and political processes in order to change the existing framework in favor of sustainability.