• 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.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.84-104
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• 2019

Purpose - This paper explains why free trade agreements (FTAs) are more popular than customs unions (CUs) in respect of tariff coordination. Design/methodology - This paper employs an equilibrium theory of trade agreements with tariff coordination. I set up three-country partial equilibrium model with competing exporters. Domestic and exporting firms decide their optimal production under given tariffs and each country levies its tariff under the trade agreements. I found stability of implicit tariff coordination and preference of each country between an FTA and a CU. Findings - I demonstrate that two FTA members can keep their external tariffs higher than separately decided external tariffs by keeping the status-quo. This implicit tariff coordination can benefit each member through trade diversion. In a CU, each member country must have a common optimal external tariff and it must incur costs because each country may seek different external tariffs for their own national welfare. The benefit of implicit coordination in an FTA and the cost of explicit coordination in a CU account for the popularity of the FTA. Originality/value - This paper uses the idea of implicit tariff coordination in trade agreements. In a CU, tariff coordination is explicit and mandatory. All member countries must have a single common external tariff for each good. On the other hand, in an FTA, each country establishes its external tariff with the goal of maximizing its own welfare. However, each country can also coordinate "implicitly" by keeping the status-quo after establishing an FTA.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.211-228
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• 2023

The Korea-US FTA was one of the most controversial FTAs Korea has ever signed and was expected to have a significant effect on the agriculture sector, especially the livestock industry. This study ex-post analyzed the impact of the Korea-US FTA on the Korean beef industry including the Jeonnam province using a dynamic partial equilibrium model. According to the scenario analysis results, if there was no Korea-US FTA, the beef imports would be reduced to as low as 0.24% to 4.19% compared to the Baseline applying existing Korea-US FTA beef tariff rates over the 2012 to 2022 periods. In addition, if there was no Korea-US FTA, the agricultural product value of Jeonnam and national Korean beef cattle would increase from 0.25% to 7.37% and 0.25% to 7.33%, respectively, compared to the Baseline. The results of the analysis are expected to be used as important information for policy establishment in preparation for CPTPP and supplementation of current FTA policies regarding Korean beef cattle not only for the central government but also Jeonnam province.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.99-117
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• 2021

Korea's FTA e-commerce regulations are evolving into a standardized norm. However, "location of computing facilities", which was not covered by Korea's existing FTA, was newly established in Korea's first Mega FTA, RCEP. China, a member of RCEP, restricts data movement and requires data localization through its Cybersecurity law. These facts have led to start this study with interest in data-related regulations. It examined country-specific and regulatory characteristics in the process of forming digital trade norms, using the TAPED established by Burri et al. (2020). It also analyzed the current status of introducing norms related to 'data flow', 'data localization' and 'data protection' of the EU, USA and China, which are leading the formation of e-commerce trade norms. Finally, the legal review was conducted to compare the exact meaning of the wording expressed in each agreement for the six recently enacted Mega FTAs and Digital Economic Agreements. These findings are meaningful in that they provided implications for the effectiveness of RCEP and the direction of negotiations on Korea's digital trade norms.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.199-214
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• 2022

This study aims to quantify the value of origin among CPTPP and Korea, under the assumption that the 'cumulation' clause has large economic effects in multilateral FTAs and increase the possibility of improving FTA utilization. Analysing the relationship between value-added exports and FTA utilization rate, there is a positive correlation between the two variables, and the cumulation of multilateral production of CPTPP is expected to increase Korea's value-added exports. In the GTAP-VA model, the target of cumulation is calculated as 'Domestic Value Added', and all value-added of CPTPP are cumulated in the form of value added exports of exporting country. When Korea participates in CPTPP, it is possible to cumulate additional 6.3~9.6% value added, and the agreements with low FTA export utilization rates such as New Zealand, ASEAN would have greater economic effects of cumulation. For the successful implementation of CPTPP in Korea, it is necessary to develop a new origin verification system that enables multilateral value-added cumulation. It is time to seek cooperation with countries currently participating in CPTPP to prove the value added inherent in CPTPP-originating products.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.407-428
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• 2012

Service trade is very important in Korea Economy. The world economy is changing with the FTA. Lots of FTAs are going on between countries and economic blocs in the world economy, as the battle field of FTA. Therefore, Service trade should be activated in FTA. The conclusion of this study are as follow. First of all, the government quickly create a service-related laws. and establish the principles and criteria for recognition systems. Also, Exports should change developed countries. and the government should establish a policy for attracting investment to expand overseas markets in FTA. The field of service trade is very important for the growth of the Korea Trade. If we neglect to increase the competitiveness of service trade, we can not expect the growth of the Korea trade. We should strive to strengthen the competitiveness of service trade.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.69-75
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• 2018

Efficiency of Process in manufacturing industry is a critical factor to connect directly to competitiveness of product. In particular, due to FTAs with various worlds around the world, the domestic and overseas manufacturing industries are facing intense competitions, and it requires elaborate task management system for shortening production time. This study aims at seeking how to raise efficiency of manufacturing process, using motion analysis solution. When improving the process of manufacturing after verifying optimization using motion analysis solution, it can save costs for additional process, modification, or supplement. It can also deduce practical effect to improve productivity of companies. It is expected that the study will contribute to improve wastes in the work field and task assignment efficiency, to shorten time replacing equipment, to measure standard time, and to standardize task system.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.978-987
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• 2015

This study investigates the awareness levels of Korean textile companies and develops appropriate response plans for the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. The study also explores practical and realistic directions that the Korean textile industry must initiate. A qualitative study was conducted on 10 individuals for a more in-depth and demonstrative understanding that provide a better awareness on the responses of the textile industry towards the Korea-US FTA. The results of this study are as follows. First, the effect of the Korea-US FTA on the textile industry was insignificant. Second, industry members determined that fabric sectors and specialized fabrics (such as industrial materials and finished clothing products) could realize benefits through the Korea-US FTA. Third, industry members emphasize that the current focus is on FTAs by countries that have solidified their positions as manufacturing and sewing bases for the US and Europe (such as Southeast Asia) and not the Korea-US FTA. Based on results acquired through this study, the response measures to enter the U.S. market are as follows. First, the industry must develop high-performance and high value-adding direct export products suited to the needs of the US market in order to realize the benefits of the Korea-US FTA. Second, the industry and government must cooperate to actively host and participate in overseas trade shows that can actively open sales channels within the US. Third, the self-sustainability of textile companies must be cultivated through continuous and focused government training.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.271-288
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• 2019

It has continuously promoted to scale up the agricultural management body in order to cope with the market-opening pressure such as the UR negotiation, the DDA negotiation, and more conclusions of FTAs and to enhance the competitiveness of our agriculture. This study evaluated the factors associated with production organization participation centered on environmentally-friendly agriculture farmers in order to improve the production efficiency of environmentally-friendly agriculture in the aspect of production. In order to achieve this objective, this study evaluated the factors that contributed to participating in an organization using the bivariate probit model focusing on environmentally-friendly agriculture farmers in Chungnam. This study examined the validity and reliability of the study model through exploratory factor analysis. The results of factor analyses identified four factors: "distribution", "production", "organization operation", and "social capital". The results of the bivariate probit model showed that distribution significantly affected production activities and distribution, organization operation, agricultural income, and gender significantly influenced sale activities. Environmentally-friendly production organization had not been able to provide the productive support that was needed for local farmers to produce environmentally-friendly agricultural products in a region. Additionally, farming education did not provide the information needed by the farmers. Although producers had a network within a production organization, it was operated mainly for administrators. Therefore, participants felt somewhat lacking. This study identified the level of organization of producer organizations in Chungnam area, where environmentally-friendly agriculture is well activated. This study suggested implications for future production organization participation by evaluating factors affecting participation quantitatively.