• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.21-46
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• 1990

This paper, a sequel to Yoo and Lee (1990), attempts to investigate the interindustry determinants of technical efficiency in Korea's manufacturing industries, and also to conduct an exploratory analysis on the stability of technical efficiency over time. The hypotheses set forth in this paper are most found in the existing literature on technical efficiency. They are, however, revised and shed a new light upon, whenever possible, to accommodate any Korea-specific conditions. The set of regressors used in the cross-sectional analysis are chosen and the hypotheses are posed in such a way that our result can be made comparable to those of similar studies conducted for the U.S. and Japan by Caves and Barton (1990) and Uekusa and Torii (1987), respectively. It is interesting to observe a certain degree of similarity as well as differentiation between the cross-section evidence on Korea's manufacturing industries and that on the U.S. and Japanese industries. As for the similarities, we can find positive and significant effects on technical efficiency of relative size of production and the extent of specialization in production, and negative and significant effect of the variations in capital-labor ratio within industries. The curvature influence of concentration ratio on technical efficiency is also confirmed in the Korean case. There are differences, too. We cannot find any significant effects of capital vintage, R&D and foreign competition on technical efficiency, all of which were shown to be robust determinants of technical efficiency in the U.S. case. We note, however, that the variables measuring capital vintage effect, R&D and the degree of foreign competition in Korean markets are suspected to suffer from serious measurement errors incurred in data collection and/or conversion of industrial classification system into the KSIC (Korea Standard Industrial Classification) system. Thus, we are reluctant to accept the findings on the effects of these variables as definitive conclusions on Korea's industrial organization. Another finding that interests us is that the cross-industry evidence becomes consistently strong when we use the efficiency estimates based on gross output instead of value added, which provides us with an ex post empirical criterion to choose an output measure between the two in estimating the production frontier. We also conduct exploratory analyses on the stability of the estimates of technical efficiency in Korea's manufacturing industries. Though the method of testing stability employed in this paper is never a complete one, we cannot find strong evidence that our efficiency estimates are stable over time. The outcome is both surprising and disappointing. We can also show that the instability of technical efficiency over time is partly explained by the way we constructed our measures of technical efficiency. To the extent that our efficiency estimates depend on the shape of the empirical distribution of plants in the input-output space, any movements of the production frontier over time are not reflected in the estimates, and possibilities exist of associating a higher level of technical efficiency with a downward movement of the production frontier over time, and so on. Thus, we find that efficiency measures that take into account not only the distributional changes, but also the shifts of the production frontier over time, increase the extent of stability, and are more appropriate for use in a dynamic context. The remaining portion of the instability of technical efficiency over time is not explained satisfactorily in this paper, and future research should address this question.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2013

The objective of this research is to compare and analyze regional accessibility of Korean primary school students to oral health services from the perspective of public health geography by using geographic information system in which the choropleth map has been regarded as the most popular method. Statistical proximity on the basis of calculus of 205 regions-based school oral health data is optimized to set five class intervals for five maps. These choropleth maps of oral heal programs such as oral health education, tooth-brushing method education, preventive dental care and curative dental care, demonstrate that there exist wide regional discrepancies throughout the country in terms of primary school students' accessibility to oral health services within the programs. The paper not just contributes to overcoming the existing paradigm by actively considering an interdisciplinary research among public health dentistry, dental hygiene and geography of public health, but provides clear evidence for national oral health policy in South Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5287-5291
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• 2013

The human papilloma virus (HPV) causes skin and mucous membrane infections. It crosses from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, such as sexual contact. There are more than 100 types of HPV that can influence different parts of the body. Some types of HPV can cause cancer (such as cervical or anal cancer) and others can cause warts (such as genital or plantar warts). HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Iran and around the world. Considerable molecular evidence suggests a role for human papilloma virus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of carcinoma. Epidemiological studies on human papilloma viruses (HPVs) infections in general population are critical for the performing of health policy guidelines for developing the strategies to hinder the primary and secondary different cancer. In different parts of Iran, there is a lack of population-based studies to determine the prevalence of HPV in the general population. The aim of this population-based study was therefore to report the prevalence ratse of HPV types among Iranian patients. To study the risk of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, we managed a retrospective study in Kerman province, southeast of Iran. For this purpose, 410 patients tested for the presence of HPV DNA using PCR and INNo-Lipa assays. HPV DNA was detected in 108 out of 410 patients (26.34%), while it was not detected in any of the control group samples. Patients included 23 (21.1%) males and 86 (78.8%) females. HPV type 6 was the most common (49%) followed by HPV type 16 (10.1%), and also HPV type11 (9.2%). The prevalence of HPV in Iran is comparable to those reported in other regions of the world. In a similar manner, it seems that HPV types 6, 16 and11 are the most common types in Kerman. Additional studies on larger group of patients, particularly in those with pre-invasive forms of disease, are needed to explain the roles of different HPV types in this location of Iran.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.287-300
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• 2020

We investigate empirically the impact of IT exploration & exploitation capability and operational capability upon organizational agility, especially small and medium sized firms in the logistics industry in South Korea. Based on literature on the bilateral relationship between organizational agility and IT capability, we follow the established research model and propose hypotheses. This work takes an empirical methodology to test the hypotheses: design survey questionnaires, collect data, test reliability and validity of data, and finally test the hypotheses. Our results based on the data collected in 2018 present that IT exploration & exploitation capability significantly increases operational capability, and operational capability increases organizational agility. We find our contribution in updating previous research findings with recent data and in expanding the domain of research more specifically into small and medium sized firms in logistics industry in South Korea. Practically our work suggests that managers and policy makers should consider both fostering newly emerging IT exploration and existing IT resource exploitation capability in order to enhance organizational agility of those small and medium sized firms in logistics industry.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.87-106
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• 2022

This study compared working arrangements, interest in rural migration, and life satisfaction in Japan in two periods: immediately after the COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) pandemic and two years after the global outbreak. The comparison was based on data from the "Survey on Changes in Attitudes and Behaviors in Daily Life under the Influence of Novel Coronavirus Infection, 2020, 2021", which was conducted four times by the Japanese Cabinet Office directly after the COVID crisis (May 2020 and September 2021). The respondents who participated in both the first and fourth surveys were employed individuals aged 20 years or older. The results are as follows. First, the proportion of Tokyo residents engaging in telework immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic was 36.1%, which is higher than the levels observed nationwide. Second, individuals involved in telework and those working under flexible arrangements were more highly interested in moving to rural areas than those who commute to work. Third, among people engaged in telework, life satisfaction diminished immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the period before this crisis. After two years of the pandemic, however, life satisfaction among this group improved. Changes in working arrangements due to the pandemic can be expected to promote migration, as well as help revitalize regions and encourage the discovery of new lifestyles.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.173-214
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• 2023

Investments in new technologies have grown significantly in size, and science and technology have a large and complex impact on society at large. With people's great interest in technology, the government has the duty to accurately assess the influence of new technologies on society to facilitate their acceptance in society. For this purpose, technology impact assessment should be performed to facilitate a social consensus. There has been research on the initial methods of technology assessment for 50 years. Following various academic studies and discussions based on numerous new technology response policies, coupled with the examination of trends and changes over time, academia and policymakers around the world have paid attention to the multilateral analysis of the impact of new technologies on future society. This study focuses on research changes such as the stage of forecasting factors that should consider the technology assessment of new technologies, despite differences between the development methods for the assessment between developed countries and South Korea. The analysis yielded three factors of technological understanding of awareness, professionalism, and gender characteristics, in addition to a previously identified factor. The three factors are then suggested as forecasting factors for new technology. The findings of this study provide both academic and policy evidence for technology assessment based on the country's Framework Act on Science and Technology.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.32-44
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• 2024

This study aimed to analyze changes in temperature and humidity based on the presence of roadside trees (tree, tree + shrub) and their arrangement (single row, double row), and calculate the discomfort index to evaluate the thermal environment. For this, three temperature and humidity observation campaigns were conducted from June to September 2023 in Dalseo-gu and Jung-gu, Daegu. Results from the observation in Dalseo-gu showed that temperature and humidity were inversely related. During the day, areas with roadside trees consistently exhibited lower temperatures than those without trees. This pattern was evident in all observation campaigns. In particular, the temperature difference between the areas increased during peak heat hours (15:00-16:00). Specifically, the average temperatures were lowest in areas with tree + shrub planting, followed by tree-only areas, and highest in areas without trees, showing statistically significant differences. The highest temperatures were observed at night and early morning in areas with trees or tree + shrub planting. Conversely, when calculating the discomfort index, areas with trees and shrubs showed the most favorable thermal comfort. In Jung-gu, nearly all observations indicated that areas with double-row tree-planting had significantly lower temperatures than areas with single-row tree-planting. The discomfort index was also found to be more positive in second-row tree planting areas compared to first-row tree planting areas. By quantitatively analyzing the cooling effect of urban roadside trees and the improvement in thermal comfort, this study provides empirical evidence that can be used to support urban forest projects and related policy implementations.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.407-418
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• 2015

Purpose: Given that the indicators related to chronic diseases are important to evaluating goals of the national health policy, the aim of this study was to develop dietary behavior items available in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: The dietary behavior items were developed based on the literature reviews, need assessment of the field, expert focus-group interviews, and expert advisory meeting. Questions for each dietary behavior item were developed by reflecting on environmental, personal, and behavior factors of the ecological frame and then revised through expert focus-group interview and expert advisory meeting. The understanding and reliability of the developed questionnaire were assessed by cognitive interview and test-retest reliability. Results: The developed items were sodium and salt intake, added and simple sugar intake, enough time to consume a meal for all ages, caffeine drinks and fresh/healthy food intake for children and adolescents, and limited dietary intake, fresh/healthy food intake for seniors. In most questions except some questions on sodium and salt intake, subjects understood over 70% and consistency of responses based on the kappa values was acceptable. Conclusion: Developed dietary behavior items are expected to be useful for evidence-based nutrition policy, interventions and research targeting dietary patterns through investigating and monitoring dietary behavior patterns.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.1-39
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• 2013

Considering the relationship between state-owned enterprise (SOE) CEOs and political circles, this study examines the performance impacts of CEO's succession type, board chair separation, and industry expertise and finance expertise of CEOs and outside directors. I propose the definition of political independence in SOE CEOs based on the independence in appearance that might affect general people's perception. It means that there are no relationships or circumstances that might affect SOE CEO's judgment, activity, and report. The definition is able to overcome the limitations of the prior research that could not discover the CEOs who were affiliated to political circles because the research just distinguished the CEOs following their pre-jobs. This study focused on the performance impacts of political independence impaired CEO as well as the CEO's impacts on the relationship between the performance and other corporate governance variables. I selected as dependent variables the average return on asset as operating income divided by total assets and the average customer satisfaction rate evaluated by Korean government during the first three years following the year of the events of explanatory variables. My theory and evidence from the various CEO's personal background and financial information from SOEs in Lee Myung-bak Administration and Rho Moo-hyun Administration suggest the following important things. First, the analysis based on whether or not a SOE CEO keeps political independence shows that a political independence impaired CEO made a significantly negative impact on customer satisfaction rate. Second, the separation between a board chair and a CEO in SOEs introduced by Korean Act on Management of Public Institutions made a significantly positive impact on customer satisfaction rate. However, the positive impact of the board chair separation was removed in a political independence impaired CEO's SOE. Third, outside director's industry expertise made a significantly positive impact on return on asset. However, the positive impact of the outside director's industry expertise was removed in a political independence impaired CEO's SOE. Fourth, the comparison between Lee Myung-bak Administration and Roh Moo-hyun Administration on the corporate governance and performance of SOEs shows that the ratio of political independence impaired CEO was significantly higher in Lee Administration and the ratio of outside director's industry expertise and finance expertise were respectively significantly higher in Roh Administration. Based on these results, I suggested a few policy alternatives for CEO's improved political independence and requirements for executive's expertise in SOEs.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.89-125
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• 2017

Complex product systems (CoPs) is a engineering-intensive products with high-ended design technology, which are closely linked with national economic growth and development of social infrastructures. Accordingly, in order to understand the technological evolution of CoPs, it is necessary to identify the macro-environmental drivers surrounding the CoPs and their impact on the technological evolution of the CoPS. Therefore, we investigate the effect of policy, economic and social drivers on the technological evolution of CoPS by implementing the longitudinal case study on nuclear power plant during the periods between 1950 and 2010s. Based on the analysis of various sources of secondary data and primary data through interviews, we found that the technological evolution of nuclear power plant is progressed as "Phase 1: Application research for peaceful utilization of nuclear energy" between 1950s and 1960s, "Phase 2: The first renaissance of nuclear energy" during 1970s, "Phase 3: Enhancement of safety and the catch-up of latecomers in nuclear energy" between 1990s and 2000s, and "Phase 4: Top prioritization of safety and the development of next generation reactors for the second renaissance of nuclear energy" since 2010s. We also found that various kinds of policy, economic and social drivers, such as energy policy, investment in technology development, economic growth and energy demand, social acceptability and environmental concern, have affected the technology evolution of nuclear power plant at each phase. We emphasize the role of macroenvironmental drivers in the technological evolution of CoPS. We also suggest that countries that endeavor to develop CoPs need to utilize those drivers for enhancing competitiveness and sustaining leadership.