• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

Purpose - This research undertakes to understand the competitiveness of the steel distribution industry of both Korea and China to strengthen Korea-Sino economic cooperation, examines impediments to trade between the two countries to analyze causes which affect trade, and examines improvements in these areas to identify means of trade expansion. Through this survey of a defined period, we can identify the structural factors of trade dependence in the relationship between Korea and China. Research design, data, and methodology - The data were collected from the Korea Traders Association, the Korea Customs Office, and UN Comtrade, from which whole table indexes are calculated. The research methodology uses trade-related indexes to focus on analyzing comparative advantages based on time-series analysis statistics data (2000-2012) by using the analysis index of trade intensity index (TII), the revealed comparative advantage index (RCA), and the trade specialization index (TSI). Results - The export ratio for Korea to China was slightly higher in 2000 at 2.867, and the export ratio for Korea to China was sustained in 2005. However, it diminished gradually, reaching 1.263 in 2012. During the period 2000-2012, the indexes were maintained without any significant change. However, they still remain close to -1. In particular, in 2012 it is the closest it has ever been to -1. Therefore, China has a comparative advantage in export specialization. On the other hand, Korea has a comparative advantage in import specialization. For the research period, all indexes were much lower than 1, which means that Korea has consistently had a comparative disadvantage against China for the past 10 years when compared to other industries, even though it experienced improvement in 2000. Conclusions - The summary of conclusions based on empirical analysis research are as follows: First, per the trade intensity index of industries between the two countries, we conclude that the export ratio index in 2000 is 2.867, which means the export ratio of Korea to China is slightly higher. Furthermore, the ratios of 2.259 and 1.263 held in 2005 and 2012, respectively, meaning that the export ratio of Korea to China was maintained in 2005, but was diminishing gradually as the index in 2012 was 1.263. Second, per the trade specialization index of the steel distribution industry between Korea and China, the value was -0.379 in 2000, -0.368 in 2005 and -0.568 in 2012. Looking at the whole period of 2000-2012, the indexes remained without any significant change. However, they are still moving closer to -1. In particular, in 2012 it is the closest it has ever been to -1. Third, regarding the revealed comparative advantage index of the steel distribution industry between Korea and China, the RCA indexes in 2005 and 2012 are 0.246 and 0.306, respectively, which are still far from 1, even though the index has improved compared to the 2000's value of 0.0001. Therefore, the Korean steel distribution industry is at a significant comparative disadvantage to that of the Chinese steel distribution industry.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.402-411
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The role of a school's nutrition environment in explaining students' eating behaviors and weight status has not been examined in an Asian setting. The purpose of this study was to create a school nutrition environment index and to pilot test the index in elementary and middle schools in urban South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods approach. Environment assessment tools were developed based on formative research, which comprised literature reviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Key elements from the formative research were included in the assessment tool, which consisted of a structured survey questionnaire for school dietitians. Fifteen school dietitians from 7 elementary and 8 middle schools in Seoul completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The formative research revealed four main sections that guided a summary index to assess a school's nutrition environment: resource availability, education and programs, dietitians' perceptions and characteristics, and school lunch menu. Based on the literature reviews and interviews, an index scoring system was developed. The total possible score from the combined four index sections was 40 points. From the 15 schools participating in the pilot survey, the mean school nutrition-environment index was 22.5 (standard deviation ${\pm}3.2$; range 17-28). The majority of the schools did not offer classroom-based nutrition education or nutrition counseling for students and parents. The popular modes of nutrition education were school websites, posters, and newsletters. CONCLUSIONS: This paper illustrates the process used to develop an instrument to assess a school's nutrition environment. Moreover, it presents the steps used to develop a scoring system for creation of a school nutrition environment index. As pilot testing indicated the total index score has some variation across schools, we suggest applying this instrument in future studies involving a larger number of schools. Future studies with larger samples will allow investigation of the validity and reliability of this newly developed tool.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2013

Purpose - This study aims to (a) analyze local citizens' perception of a local company, the Gwangyang Steel and Iron Company (GSIC); (b) compare the perception toward the local company with that of national citizens' perceptions towards many other unspecified companies, which were surveyed biannually by The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI); and (c) analyze how such companies evaluate perceptions towards them, in relation to citizens' socioeconomic position, such as their education status. Research design, data, methodology - The data were collected using a questionnaire, which was given to a sample of local citizens in cities. To test the hypotheses, factor analyses, a t-test, and an ANOVA were conducted. The total number of respondents was 1798. The data gathered from the respondents of the sample were analyzed using SPSS Win 19.0 software. Perception towards the company was evaluated on the corporate favorite index (CFI). The CFI index shows how positive citizens feel towards a company. It is calculated using five leading factors, consisting of the following: contribution to the economy, productivity, international competitiveness, social contribution, and ethical management. The higher the level of positive feelings exhibited, the closer the index will come to 100. Results - As a result of the analysis, the CFI index towards the GSIC stood at 67.3. The CFI index towards the company is 16.5 points higher than that of the index towards the many other unspecified companies, which were surveyed by the bi-annual KCCI study in the first half of 2011. The other five indexes stood as follows: contribution to the economy, productivity, social contribution, and ethical management was 69.2, 71.2, 64.6, and 58.6, respectively. These indexes are 18.3, 4.6, 27.6, and 35.6, respectively, higher than those found by the KCCI study. However, international competitiveness is 73.0 (9.8 points lower than that of the KCCI study). This survey thus shows that the CFI of the local citizens towards the global company GSIC is very high when compared with the CFI index towards the many other unspecified companies that was determined by the KCCI survey. Conclusions - This survey shows that local citizens have high expectations of economic activity, increasing working opportunities, and regional cooperation projects from the local company, GSIC. In addition, the CFI index towards GSIC evaluates results depending on the respondent's relationship with the company, and their educational status. Respondents, whose family or relatives were working as employees of GSIC, have relatively positive perceptions of GSIC, and respondents with a relatively higher educational status also share positive perceptions. Local citizens expect the profit-making of the company to operate in accordance with management activities, and at the same time, they expect that the wealth generated by the company will return to wider society.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.621-629
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• 2013

Desertification monitoring as a main portion for understand desertification, have been conducted by many scientists. However, the stage of research remains still in the level of comparison of the past and current situation. In other words, monitoring need to focus on finding methods of how to take precautions against desertification. In this study, Vegetation Temperature Condition Index (VTCI), derived from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST), was utilized to observe the distribution change of vegetation. The index can be used to monitor drought occurrences at a regional level for a special period of a year, and it can also be used to study the spatial distribution of drought within the region. Techniques of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) were combined to detect the distribution change of vegetation with VTCI. As a result, assuming that the moisture condition is the only main factor that affects desertification, we found that the distribution of vegetation in Bulgan, Mongolia could be predicted in a certain degree, using VTCI. Although desertification is a complicated process and many factors could affect the result. This study is helpful to provide a strategic guidance for combating desertification and allocating the use of the labor force.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.231-252
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• 2013

The Republic of Korea has made major strides in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) over the last five decades. After going through continuous efforts in e-Government and national informatization, Korea has become one of the global E-government leaders. Korea's E-government Development Index ranking assessed by the United Nations improved from 15th in 2001 to the top in 2010 and 2012 out of 192 countries worldwide, and its E-participation Index ranking was also ranked 1st in 2010& 2012. In addition, many of Korea's E-government practices until now have been introduced to the world as the best cases and received worldwide acknowledgement. The importance of official development aid/assistance (ODA) through informatization is especially gaining attention as Korea has joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and its status has significantly improved within international organizations. The Korean government has selected countries that have high potential in trade, economic, and E-government cooperation or those that are selected as ODA priority countries by the international community and has carried out various activities including ICT consultation, ICT Cooperation Center operation, and ICT learning programs. With joining the OECD DAC, Korea's overseas aid projects are expected to increase and be carried out in a more systematic manner. Also in the area of informatization, the importance of not only the overseas aid 'in ICT' itself but also the overseas aid 'through ICT' is increasing along with the expanding scale for more efficient and influential support. The Korean government's comprehensive reach of international projects in the ICT arena, aims to foster the global partnership for development by sharing and expanding the benefits of ICTs. The Korean government recognizes its advances and has endeavored to share them with others through participation in international forums and hosting of workshops.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.197-223
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• 2005

The industrial cluster policy of 21st century rise to the focus method of regional economic promotion, therefore, the importance of study in cluster identification and mapping as policy task will bring into relief. This paper will confirms the estimate index and policy of industrial clusters with regional industry. The result in this case study, Cluster development should embrace the pursuit of competitive advantage and specialization rather than simply imitate successful clusters in other locations. This requires building on local sources of uniqueness. Government should reinforce and building on existing and emerging clusters rather than attempt to create entirely new ones. This sort of role for government is very different from industrial policy. The aim of cluster policy is to reinforce the development of all clusters. Not all clusters will succeed, but market forces should determine the outcomes. In other words, government should build on market- oriented system and innovative infra. The result of this study is meaning to the development of objectivity estimate index and derivation of cluster-focused policy with a case study of industrial clusters.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.43-49
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was done to develop a nursing activity index for postoperative patient using Patient-controlled Analgesia(PCA). The study was developed in two steps: $1^{st}$ step) nursing activity index was developed through literature review and focus-group interview. $2^{nd}$ step) the nursing activity was ratified and Intervention Content Validity(ICV) was tested. Subjects were consisted of 5anesthesiologists, 6adult/fundamental nursing professors and 1acute pain management Clinical Nurse Specialist. We identified 12 items of nursing activity for postoperative patient using PCA. The Intervention Content Validity(ICV) score for each item ranged from 0.92 to 1.0. The nursing activity index for postoperative patient using PCA would be very useful in facilitating the nursing practice.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1231-1239
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• 2013

Recently, successful management of the brand is more important than anything else to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises and increase customer loyalty. Most customers evaluate value and image of an enterprise in accordance with their experience of its goods and service. This study focused on the Fisheries Cooperative Association representative brand for the marketing point of view and attitude shall establish a scheme that can identify. We suggest a model that can measure the brand equity index (BEI) for equity. Based on the survey, we intended to provide the strategic direction and derive important factors for improving brand equity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2011

Purpose: In this study, we tried to determine the effect of upper extremity training such as functional reaching on improved trunk control and ADL performance in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. Methods: We randomly selected 11 stroke patients in the hospital, who had a problem with the upper extremity, trunk and ADL performance. The patients were divided into the conservative training group and the functional reaching training group. We applied general occupational therapy only in the conservative training group whereas we applied upper extremity training with a focus on functional reaching in the functional reaching training group. To compare the two groups we used several assessment tools such as Modified Barthel Index (MBI), total Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), static TIS, dynamic TIS and coordinative TIS. Results: The results obtained were as follows: (1) In the functional reaching training group, there was a statistically significant difference in the total TIS score, dynamic TIS score, and MBI. (2) We compared the results obtained before training with the changes in the results obtained after training and found that there was a relation between the assessment outcomes. Especially, static TIS score showed a relation in both groups. Conclusion: Functional reaching training influenced both the trunk control and ADL performance. Especially, the functional reaching training group demonstrated better static trunk control ability than the conservative treatment group.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.40-54
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• 2014

This paper attempts to highlight quantitatively the growth and development of literature in the field of ecology in terms of publication output using the resource Web of Science$^{(R)}$. The focus of this analysis was to study the literature on ecology published in three journals, viz., Ecology Letters, Trends in Ecology & Evolution, and Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics. 2946 records were retrieved for 10 years (2003-2012). The study revealed that multiple authorship in the field with collaborations of two (30.31%) and three authors (19.89%) was dominant. The Degree of collaboration, Collaborative coefficient, and Collaborative index were calculated and the applicability of Lotka's law was tested. The study identified five-year patterns in research trends, using the three studied journals, to see if the subjects of focus changed within a decade. The most productive institution was University Calif. Davis, USA, followed by University Calif. Santa Barbara, USA, and University Queensland, Australia, and the most productive countries were the USA followed by UK and Canada.