• Korea Trade Review
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.41-62
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• 2016

This study made an analysis of the effects of performance and learning orientation for the existing FTA on the intention to use a trilateral FTA among Korea, China and Japan. The results of the empirical analysis of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs) located in Gwangju and Jeonnam provinces are as follows. First, there is a positive correlation between the effects of performance for the existing FTA and intention of a trilateral FTA. This result suggests that SMEs' performance feedback can be used as an asset of corporate experience and will be helpful to increase the intention to use a trilateral FTA by contributing to have sustainable competitive advantage of companies. Secondly, there is a positive correlation between the SMEs' learning orientation about FTA and intention to use a trilateral FTA. This result indicates that SMEs have more learning orientation for FTA. They actively acquire and diffuse information. These activities can be helpful for having prior knowledge and absorptive capacity. In conclusion, this study is considered to provide useful theoretical and practical implications that can contribute to enhancing the using intention of a trilateral FTA by explaining the significance of performance feedback and learning orientation.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.131-148
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• 2019

Purpose - Based on the Korea-China FTA as the starting point, this paper makes an empirical analysis of the main influencing factors of the FTA utilization and performance of SMEs. Design/methodology - Taking into account the relationship between the internal and external environmental factors on FTA activities and performance of Korea's SMEs, with PLS-SEM and data obtained by the questionnaire, Smart PLS was applied for the analysis. Findings - The recognition of FTA in SMEs has a significant positive effect on FTA utilization and performance, the international marketing orientation factor only has a significant positive effect on the performance, while the inadequate improvement of non-tariff barriers has a significant negative impact on FTA utilization. In addition, FTA activity has a significant mediation effect on two paths. Originality/value - This paper is of great practical relevance as a tool to enable SMEs to make effective utilization of Korea-China FTA and improve their imports and exports. The paper helps grasp the main factors affecting the utilization and performance of FTA for SMEs, also to establish FTA Business Model and FTA utilization plans for specific industries in the future regarding tariff and non-tariffs compatibility.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.80-102
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• 2019

Purpose - This paper aims to articulate relationship about factors influencing FTA utilization by dividing them into company's external and internal factors and performing investigation on the relationship between FTA utilization and export performance. Design/methodology - This study verified factors influencing FTA utilization by dividing them into company's external and internal factors and performing investigation on the relationship between FTA utilization and export performance. Empirical analysis was performed by setting internal and external factors required for FTA utilization as variables. To achieve this, research model was established based on previous study, hypothesis was deduced, and statistical program were used to test the hypothesis. This study performed empirical analysis using statistical program of SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 for the research model. Findings - Empirical analysis was performed regarding the effect of the FTA utilization on export performance and previous study defined export performance as the company's increased economy benefits through export and increase in new transactions. Analysis was also performed for factors affecting the FTA utilization by the company and through management and response of external factors and internal factors it was confirmed that the FTA utilization by the company led to increase in the company's export performance as a result. This study proposes a method to achieve export performance based on this. Originality/value - Companies seeking to utilize the FTA sign the Contract for the International Sale of goods and there are many conditions to meet in order to receive trade preferences during the transaction process. Existing trade order and order in the FTA have to be followed. Country of origin can be seen as key in the FTA. The Rule of Origin becomes the most important evaluation standard in applying preferential tariff in the FTA. Such regulations can be seen as external factors which cannot be controlled by the company. Internal factors are capabilities owned before that can be controlled by the company. The study sought to test the variables regarding factors centered on such capability. This study verified factors influencing FTA utilization by dividing them into company's external and internal factors and performing investigation on the relationship between FTA utilization and export performance.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.475-491
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• 2022

Purpose - This study analyzed the correlation and effect of FTA environmental factors (company internal environmental factors, corporate external environmental factors) between FTA utilization and performance of Shandong companies in China. Design/methodology/approach - To test the hypothesis, SPSS 24.0 statistical packages were used based on the collected data. Findings - First, it was confirmed that internal environmental factors (international marketing orientation, corporate competitiveness, and corporate awareness of FTA) of companies had a positive(+) effect on FTA utilization. Second, The government's support for FTA utilization will have a significant positive (+) effect on companies' FTA utilization.Non-tariff barriers will have a negative (-) effect on companies' use of FTA. Third, A company's FTA utilization will have a significant positive effect on FTA performance. Research implications or Originality - If Shandong companies want to increase the utilization of FTAs, they should strengthen international marketing, such as collecting information on competitors and improving product quality and price competitiveness, and increase corporate competitiveness through active export activities to the global market.In order to increase the awareness of FTA among enterprises in Shandong Province, the government should strengthen the relevant education of enterprises about FTA.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.225-251
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• 2014

This study was intended to confirm a positive correlation between a understanding and utilization and performance results of the FTA in Gangwon-do. To this end, eighty-six companies(90% SMEs) which participate in both import and export were surveyed regarding their understanding and utilization of the FTA, and current performance was analyzed. The research results are as follows. First, we found a positive correlation between 1) a company's global orientation (as measured in export density as a percentage of profit) and 2) its competitiveness (as measured in annual sales), and a company's degree of utilization of FTA provisions. Second, we found that increased awareness of the provisions of Korea's FTAs was positively correlated with the degree to which companies were able to benefit financially from Korea's FTAs. Third, however, at the time of this study's completion, FTA utilization was not yet positively correlated with statistically significant performance results. Therefore, to increase the utilization and performance of FTA, the Korean government have to make a efficient business models for each industry and support the small and mid-size businesses including Gangwon province's SMEs.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.199-216
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• 2023

Purpose - This study aims to identify the internal capabilities that export companies need to possess in order to utilize FTAs and to propose ways to expand their export performance through them. To achieve this goal, the study analyzed the internal factors that affect FTA utilization from a resource-based perspective, such as Origin Management Competency, Information Acquisition Competency, contract Management Competency, and Commitment to Export, based on prior research on corporate capabilities in the field of management and FTA-related research. The study ultimately aims to confirm whether a company's FTA utilization contributes to its export performance through the management and response to its internal factors for FTA utilization. Design/methodology - To achieve the research objective, this study conducted a literature review related to FTA utilization and identified the internal factors of companies that affect FTA by classifying them into Origin Management Competency, Information Acquisition Competency, contract Management Competency, and Commitment to Export Based on this, a final research model was developed, hypotheses were set through a preliminary study survey, and conclusions were drawn by analyzing the data of 312 companies. Findings - The empirical analysis results indicate that Origin Management Competency and Contract Management Competency have a positive impact on FTA utilization, while Information Acquisition Competency and Commitment to Export do not have a statistically significant impact on FTA utilization. Based on these findings, this study suggests measures for efficient FTA utilization for companies that want to utilize FTAs. Additionally, FTA utilization has a positive impact on export performance. In other words, the extent to which companies utilize the signed agreements has a positive impact on their performance. Based on these results, this study identifies the characteristics of companies that want to utilize FTAs and proposes measures for future efficient FTA utilization. Originality/value - This study has confirmed that in order for companies to utilize FTAs, they must meet the requirements of the FTA. To this end, the study has concluded that it is important to manage and address internal factors such as Origin Management Competency, Information Acquisition Competency, contract Management Competency, and Commitment to Export to increase FTA utilization. Based on these results, it can be confirmed that it is essential for companies to have an understanding and management of the internal factors that satisfy the requirements of the FTA in order to utilize the FTA.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.93-112
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of FTA information learning in export SMEs. Therefore, this study has constructed an integrated model including the moderating effects of FTA information learning on the of export performance in SME. The relationship between SMEs' localization strategy, product innovation capacity, and FTA information learning was linked to export performance, and an empirical analysis was conducted on 195 export SMEs. The path analysis was performed using the structural equation model(SEM), and six hypotheses including the control effect were tested. As a result, the localization strategy of SMEs positively influenced product innovation capacity. On the other hand, FTA information learning did not show significant results. Product innovation capacity and FTA information learning as an antecedents showed significant results in terms of export performance. In the moderated effects analysis, the moderated effect between the localization strategy and FTA information learning did not show significant effect on the product innovation capacity. Whereas the moderated effect between the product innovation capacity and the FTA information learning significant influence on the export performance of SMEs.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.58-76
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• 2022

Purpose - This study examined the Rules of Origin (RoO) as a factor affecting free trade agreements' (FTA) utilization and analyzed the causal relationship and the effects of these factors on the export performance of automobile parts companies. Design/methodology - We analyzed and verified the impact of FTA utilization and the export performance of automobile parts companies by dividing the characteristics of the RoO into complexity and uncertainty. Following which, various statistical analyses were conducted on the interrelationships among these variables. Findings - This research analyzed the effect of the RoO factors of complexity and uncertainty on the use of FTA and the export performance of automobile parts companies. We found that these characteristics of RoO were generally related to and affected the FTA use and export performance of these companies. Based on this, this study's investigation into the characteristics of the RoO would then help companies in better utilizing the FTA, as well as providing suggestions on how to effectively respond to the application of the FTA in the future. Originality/value - Companies that want to utilize FTAs in international trade must follow the RoO. In the Regional Trade Agreement (RTA), the country-of-origin is a key factor, with the RoO being an important requirement for the application of preferential tariffs. These regulations are a requirement for receiving FTA preferential treatment; however, they also cause difficulties to companies in using the FTA.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.59-82
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• 2015

According to the survey on the state of practical usage and present situation of FTAs, conducted among trade companies operating in Shandong province in 2014, more than 90% of companies are believed to be small and medium sized enterprises. Therefore this study tries to test what impact the awareness and utilization of an FTA have on its outcome among trade companies operating in Shandong province as well as partner countries and other trade companies. The research results are as follows. First, we found a positive correlation between 1) a company's global orientation (as measured in export density as a percentage of profit) and 2) its competitiveness (as measured in annual sales), and a company's degree of utilization of FTA provisions. Second, One of the findings is that the more aware of the (exporting) HS code, conventional tariffs and the process of issuing C/O the companies from Shandong province are the more they actually use (utilize) an FTA inpractice. Another interesting finding is that the more aware of the (exporting) HS code and conventional tariffs the enterprises are the higher is their practical usage level of an FTA. Third, however, at the time of this study's completion, FTA utilization was not yet positively correlated with statistically significant performance results. Therefore, to increase the utilization and performance of FTA, the China government have to make a efficient business models for each industry and support the small and mid-size businesses including Shandong province's SMEs.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.78
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• pp.119-143
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• 2018

This research aims to review every important academic research on risk management in FTA and to suggest a future area for further research. This research area seems to focus on conceptual study or fact finding rather than on theory development or empirical research on causal relationship or theory testing. The National Assembly Digital Library analyzed the results of 3,576 researches on thesis and journals fromthe results of the FTA. Research on FTA is analyzed in four major themes. First, there have been previous studies on business performance such as FTA export performance and economic effect. Second, analyzed the effects of FTA in product and service. The products are classified into agricultural, marine products, manufacturing, textiles and clothing, medicinal pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and others. Services are classified into educational and cultural contents, service industry and financial industry. Third, research on the risk management of FTA Origin is broadly classified into the use of country of origin and the verification of origin, and the use of origin includes the study of rules of origin and systems of origin and management. Origin verification was divided into origin verification and origin risk management. Fourth, study on the conclusion area of the FTA, studies were conducted on areas such as Korea-US FTA, Korea-China FTA, Korea-EU FTA, Korea-Japan FTA, Korea-Chile FTA, and Korea-ASEAN FTA. Search results through the FTA, focused on analyzing the FTA area and concept research by research purpose. In addition, research methods are mainly focused on documentary survey, and research areas are concentrated on specific countries such as China and USA. This implies a necessity for a future development in that research area. Other areas for future research may include case research on actual failures in FTA, proactive risk management strategy, and integrated risk management for export companies. Risk management in FTA may help investment expansion, and that is why research on the issue matters.