• Title/Summary/Keyword: G-Method

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Hazardous Metal Content in Tattoo Cosmetics and Tattoo Inks (타투화장품 및 문신용 염료의 유해금속 함량 연구)

  • Mi Sun Kim;Su Un Kim;Sam Ju Jung;Young Eun Kim;Min Jung Kim;Myung Sook Lee;In Sook Hwang
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.49 no.2
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    • pp.66-77
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    • 2023
  • Background: Along with the increase in consumer interest in and consumption of tattoo products, the controversy over harmful heavy metals associated with the use of tattoo cosmetics is also increasing. Therefore, investigation of hazardous metals in these tattoo products is needed. Objectives: This study was performed to provide useful data for establishing reasonable standards to securely manage tattoo cosmetics, tattoo stickers, and tattoo inks distributed in the market. Methods: Thirteen kinds of hazardous metal contents (Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Se, Ba, Zn, Sn, and Hg) were analyzed for 23 tattoo cosmetics, ten tattoo stickers, and 16 tattoo inks. Hg was measured through the combustion-gold amalgamation method, and other hazardous metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acidic decomposition using a microwave apparatus. Results: The detected ranges of Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, and Hg in tattoo cosmetics were 0.07~1.18, 0.06~0.41, ND~0.07, 0.01~3.44, 0.12~2.75, and ND~0.01 ㎍/g, respectively. All of the hazardous metals detected were below the recommended maximum standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The mean amount of Pb detected in tattoo stickers for children was 0.24 ㎍/kg and Cd was not detected, meaning both metals met the recommended criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in all measured metals between children's tattoo stickers and adults' tattoo stickers. In the results of the study on the hazardous metal content of tattoo inks, four products (25%) for Pb, one product (6%) for As, 13 products (81%) for Ni, four products (25%) for Cu, and five products (31%) for Zn exceeded the recommended standards approved by the government. The highest predicted exposure amount for hazardous metals exceeding the recommended level of tattoo inks in a single tattooing was 5.69 ㎍/kg for Ni, 8.51 ㎍/kg for Zn, 0.44 ㎍/kg for Pb, 8.07 ㎍/kg for Cu, 0.44 ㎍/kg for As, and 71.36 ㎍/kg for Ba. Conclusions: It is necessary to prepare criteria for content limitation for the management of Co, Cr, Ba and Se tattoo cosmetics, and tattoo inks require thorough quality control.

Fertigation Techniques Using Fertilizers with Peristaltic Hose Pump for Hydroponics (연동펌프를 이용한 비료염 공급 관비재배기술 연구)

  • Kim, D.E.;Lee, G.I.;Kim, H.H.;Woo, Y.H.;Lee, W.Y.;Kang, I.C.
    • Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.57-71
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    • 2015
  • This study was conducted to develop the fertigation system with a peristaltic hose pump and brushless DC motor. The fertigation system was consisted of sensor, main controller, motor control unit, peristaltic pump, water supply pump, control panel, and filter. The peristaltic pump discharges liquid by squeezing the tube with rollers. Rollers attached to the external circumference of the rotor compresses the flexible tube. The fluid is contained within a flexible tube fitted inside a circular pump casing. The developed fertigation system has no mixing tank but instead injects directly a concentrated nutrient solution into a water supply pipe. The revolution speed of the peristaltic pump is controlled by PWM (Pulse width modulation) method. When the revolution speed of the peristaltic pump was 300rpm, the flow rate of the 3.2, 4.8, 6.3mm diameter tube was 202, 530, 857mL/min, respectively. As increasing revolution speed, the flow rate of the peristaltic pump linearly increased. As the inner diameter of a tube larger, a slope of graph is more steep. Flow rate of three roller was more than that of four roller. Flow rate of a norprene tube with good restoring force was more than that of a pharmed tube. As EC sensor probe was installed in direct piping in comparison with bypass piping showed good performance. After starting the system, it took 16~17 seconds to stabilize EC. The maximum value of EC was 1.44~1.7dS/m at a setting value of 1.4dS/m. The developed fertigation system showed ±0.06dS/m deviation from the setting value of EC. In field test, Cucumber plants generally showed good growth. From these findings, this fertigation system can be appropriately suitable for fertigation culture for crops.

A Study on the Framework of Customer Orientation, Interest Rate Sensitivity, and Customer Loyalty in the Banking Services: The Moderating Roles of Deposit Interest and Loan Interest Rates (은행서비스에서 고객지향성, 금리민감도, 고객애호도의 구조에 관한 연구: 예금이자율과 대출이자율의 조절효과)

  • Ha, Hong-Youl;Choi, Chang-bok
    • Asia Marketing Journal
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    • v.12 no.3
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    • pp.43-62
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    • 2010
  • The notion of customer orientation is now importantly considered in the context of banking industries. Despite customer-oriented organizational cultures, there are few studies addressing the relationship between customer orientation and its outcomes. In particular, this study aims at testing the effect of customer orientation as a key marketing effort designed by a bank. This is because interest rate sensitivity is critical for evaluating banking services after raising the base rate. In so doing, first, this study investigates the relationships among customer orientation, interest rate sensitivity, and customer loyalty. Second, this paper examines how the moderating effects of both deposit interest and loan interest rates influence the linkages of customer orientation-interest rate sensitivity and customer orientation-customer loyalty. To test the proposed model, research data are collected from 304 subjects who use banking services(e.g., Shin-Han, Kookmin, the First Bank, Hana, and Woori banks). Each construct was measured by published items and the psychometric properties of the three constructs, excluding two constructs of the moderators, were evaluated by employing the method of confirmatory factor analysis via the use of AMOS. The model fit was also evaluated using the CFI, TLI, and RMSEA fit indices that are recommended based on their relative stability and insensitivity to sample size. The findings show that the relationship between customer orientation and customer loyalty is significant, whereas the relationships between customer orientation and interest rate sensitivity and between interest rate sensitivity and customer loyalty are not supported. Although customer orientation is highly evaluated, customers' interest rate sensitivity that results in the comparison of interest rates plays an important role in reducing the effect of customer orientation. As a consequence, interest rate sensitivity does not influence customer loyalty. First of all, one of interesting results in this study is that the moderating effect of loan interest rate is quite different from deposit interest rate. In the case of deposit interest rate, the linkages both customer orientation-interest rate sensitivity and customer orientation-customer loyalty are insignificant. In the case of loan interest rate, however, the two proposed linkages are supported. As our proposed relationships are still in its infancy in the context of banking industry, our study contributes to enhance scholars' knowledge of bank services and provides insights for practitioners when their marketing strategies, particularly both deposit and interest rates, have to be established. Finally, this research also illuminates the need for further research that considers the influence of customer orientation on consumer's decision-making and bank profits. More specifically, the results are encouraging and will lead us to further investigate this key outcome of the banking deposit/interest rates.

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Comparison of Rice Growth and Yield in Different Direct Seeding Methods Following by Italian Ryegrass Harvest (사료작물 후작 벼 직파 방법별 생육 및 수량 비교)

  • Park, K.H.;Park, S.T.
    • Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.49-59
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    • 2019
  • The field trial was performed to evaluate the rice growth and yield in different direct seeding methods after Italian Ryegrass Harvest The required time for seed emergence was for 7 ~ 8days in the tested direct seeding methods and there was high in seedling establishment in order of wet hill-seeding with iron-coated seeds > water seeding with iron-coated seeds > wet hill-seeding with soil coverage with pregerminated seeds. The rice plant height was shorter in the tested direct seeding methods than that of machine transplanting until 45day after seeding but there was not significant difference in terms of statistical analysis at 63day after seeding. The growth of tiller number in the rice plant was high in water seeding with iron-coated seeds and wet hill-seeding with soil coverage and low in wet hill-seeding with iron-coated seeds compared to machine transplanting. The yield component in the tested direct seeding methods was not significant difference in terms of statistical analysis. The milled rice yield in the tested direct seeding methods was higher 2 ~ 8% being with 4.94 ~ 5.24t/ha than that of machine transplanting but there was not significant difference in terms of statistical analysis. The percentage of head rice was low in the tested direct seeding methods compared to machine transplanting. The weedy rice was not occurred in the tested rice cultivation methods. In conclusion the direct seeding method would be recommended to be a suitable to in following by Italian ryegrass harvesting in southern area of Korea in terms of reduction in production cost and high income basis for rice growing farmers.

Growth and Yield in Direct Seeded Rice Cultivation with Iron Coated-Seeds (철분코팅 볍씨를 이용한 벼 직파재배의 생육 특성 및 수량)

  • Park, K.H.;Park, S.T.
    • Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.5-18
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    • 2018
  • The field trial was performed to evaluate the rice growth and yield in direct seeding cultivation with iron-coated rice seeds. The required time for seed emergence was for 9~11days in the tested direct seeding methods. That was 1~2days earlier in direct seeding with pregerminated seeds than that of direct seeding with iron-coated seeds. The seedling establishment was highest in water seeding with iron-coated seeds but there was not significant difference in terms of statistical analysis. The rice plant height was taller in water seeding with broadcasting method than that of wet hill-seeding methods and in direct seeding with iron-coated seeds than that of direct seeding with pregerminated seeds. The tiller number in the rice plant was the highest in machine transplanting at 30days after direct seeding(June 17) and in water seeding with iron-coated seeds at 45days after seeding(DAS) and 60DAS. The tiller number of 75 and 90DAS in the tested rice cultivation methods being with 352~405/m2 was not significantly different in terms of statistical analysis. The heading time was not different in rice direct seeding methods but 2 day earlier in direct seeding with iron-coated seeds than that of direct seeding with pregerminated seeds. The culm length was the highest in water seeding with iron-coated seeds and the panicle length was the longest in wet hill-seeding with pregerminated seeds. The panicle number per m2 was highest in water seeding with iron-coated seeds but not significant difference among the tested rice cultivation methods. The water seeding with iron-coated seeds resulted in the highest spikelet number per m2 and the heaviest grain weight of brown rice. Percentage of ripened kernel was the highest in wet hill-seeding with iron-coated seeds. But there were not significant among the tested rice cultivation methods. The milled rice yield in direct seeding methods was 3~21% higher than that in machine transplanting. Water seeding with iron-coated seeds recorded the highest milled rice yield being with 6.86t/ha.The occurrence of sheath blight was high according to machine transplanting>wet hill-seeding>water seeding. Weed occurrence was the highest in water seeding with pregerminated seeds. Weedy rice occurred not in machine transplanting but occured 0.6~0.7% in direct seeding methods with pregerminated seeds and 0.1% in direct seeding with iron-coated seeds.

A Comparative Study on Factors Affecting Satisfaction by Travel Purpose for Urban Demand Response Transport Service: Focusing on Sejong Shucle (도심형 수요응답 교통서비스의 통행목적별 만족도 영향요인 비교연구: 세종특별자치시 셔클(Shucle)을 중심으로)

  • Wonchul Kim;Woo Jin Han;Juntae Park
    • The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.132-141
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    • 2024
  • In this study, the differences in user satisfaction and the variables influencing the satisfaction with demand response transport (DRT) by travel purpose were compared. The purpose of DRT travel was divided into commuting/school and shopping/leisure travel. A survey conducted on 'Shucle' users in Sejong City was used for the analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was applied to minimize the overfitting problems of the multilinear model. The results of the analysis confirmed the possibility that the introduction of the DRT service could eliminate the blind spot in the existing public transportation, reduce the use of private cars, encourage low-carbon and public transportation revitalization policies, and provide optimal transportation services to people who exhibit intermittent travel behaviors (e.g., elderly people, housewives, etc.). In addition, factors such as the waiting time after calling a DRT, travel time after boarding the DRT, convenience of using the DRT app, punctuality of expected departure/arrival time, and location of pickup and drop-off points were the common factors that positively influenced the satisfaction of users of the DRT services during their commuting/school and shopping/leisure travel. Meanwhile, the method of transfer to other transport modes was found to affect satisfaction only in the case of commuting/school travel, but not in the case of shopping/leisure travel. To activate the DRT service, it is necessary to consider the five influencing factors analyzed above. In addition, the differentiating factors between commuting/school and shopping/leisure travel were also identified. In the case of commuting/school travel, people value time and consider it to be important, so it is necessary to promote the convenience of transfer to other transport modes to reduce the total travel time. Regarding shopping/leisure travel, it is necessary to consider ways to create a facility that allows users to easily and conveniently designate the location of the pickup and drop-off point.

Operation of dry distillation process on the production of radionuclide 131I at Puspiptek area Serpong Indonesia, 2021 to 2022

  • Chaidir Pratama;Daya Agung Sarwono;Ahid Nurmanjaya;Abidin Abidin;Triyatna Fani;Moch Subechi;Endang Sarmini;Enny Lestari;Yanto Yanto;Kukuh Eka Prasetya;Maskur Maskur;Fernanto Rindiyantono;Indra Saptiama;Anung Pujiyanto;Herlan Setiawan;Tita Puspitasari;Marlina Marlina;Hasnel Sofyan;Budi Setiawan;Miftakul Munir;Heny Suseno
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.56 no.4
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    • pp.1526-1531
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    • 2024
  • 131I is a fission product produced in a nuclear reactor by irradiating tellurium dioxide, with a half-life of 8.02 day. The most important and widely used method for making 131I is irradiation using a nuclear reactor and post-irradiation followed by dry distillation. The advantage of the dry distillation process is that the process and the equipment are relatively simple, namely TeO2 (m.p. 750 ℃), which can withstand heating during reactor irradiation. Based on TeO2 irradiation by neutron following the technique of dry distillation was explained for production of 131I on a large scale. A dry distillation followed the radioisotope production operation using the 30 MW GA Siwabessy nuclear reactor to meet national demand. TeO2 targets are 25 and 50 g irradiated for 87-100 h. The resulting 131I activity is 20.29339-368.50335GBq. According to the requirements imposed on the radionuclide purity of the preparation, the contribution of 131I training in the resulting preparation was not less than 99.9 %

Enhanced immunity effect of Korean Red Ginseng capsule: A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial

  • Yi Yang;Jing Li;Shengyuan Zhou;Daoyan Ni;Cailing Yang;Xu Zhang;Jian Tan;Jingrui Yan;Na Wang
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.48 no.5
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    • pp.504-510
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    • 2024
  • Background: As a physiological function of body, immunity can maintain health by identifying itself and excluding others. With economic development and increasingly fierce social competition, the number of sub-healthy population is gradually increasing, and the most basic problem exposed is human hypoimmunity. Hypoimmunity can be manifested as often feeling tired, catching colds, mental depression, etc. In order to enhance immunity, eating healthy foods with the effect of enhancing immunity may become an effective choice. KRG has pharmacological effects of enhancing immunity. Because the screening and evaluation method of immune population are not unified, there are relatively few KRG immunity tests for sub-health population. It is of great significance to study the effect of KRG on people with hypoimmunity to improve sub-health status. Methods: This was a 180-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. According to the trial scheme design, 119 qualified subjects were included and randomly divided into the test group taking KRG and the placebo control group. Subjects need to check safety indicators (blood pressure and heart rate, blood routine, liver and kidney function, urine routine and stool routine) and efficacy indicators (main and secondary) inspection at baseline, efficacy indicators inspection during the mid-term of the test (90th days of administration), safety and efficacy indicators inspection after the test (180th days of administration). Results: After the test, the safety indicators of placebo control group and KRG test group were basically within the normal range, and there is no significant difference in fireness score between the two groups. Through follow-up interviews, it was found that the subjects in the test group and the control group had no adverse reactions and allergic reactions such as nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal pain during the test period. Self-comparison of the test group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were significantly improved in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) CD3 and CD4/CD8 increased significantly after the test (P < 0.05), (3) IgG, IgA, IgM and WBC increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) TNF-α decreased significantly in the midterm (P < 0.05), IFN-γ decreased significantly in the mid-term (P < 0.01), (2) NK increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), (3) monocyte increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01). Inter-group comparison of the test group and the control group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) IgA of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) WBC of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05); (2) monocytes of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), neutrophils of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Taking KRG has no adverse effects on the health of the subjects. According to the standard of clinical trial scheme, the immune related health scores and IgA in the main efficacy indicators were positive, which shows that KRG is helpful in enhancing human immunity.

Studies on the Effects of Various Methods of Rotation Irrigation System Affecting on the Growth. Yield of Rice Plants and Its Optimum Facilities. (수환관개방법과 적정시설연구 (수환관개의 방법의 차이가 수축생육 및 수량에 미치는 영향과 그 적정시설에 관한 연구))

  • 이창구
    • Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.1534-1548
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    • 1969
  • This experiment was conducted, making use of the 'NONG-RIM6' arecommended variety of rice for the year of 1968. Main purposes of the experiment are to explore possibilities of; a) ways and means of saving irringation water and, b) overcoming drought at the same time so that an increased yield in rice could be resulted in. Specifically, it was tried to determine the effects of the Rotation irrigation method combined with differentiated thickness of lining upon the growth and yield of rice. Some of the major findings are summarized in the following. 1) The different thicknesses show a significant relationship with the weight of 1,000 grains. In the case of 9cm lined plot, the grain weight is 23.5grams, the heaviest. Next in order is 3cm lined plot, 6cm lined plot, control plot, and wheat straw lined-plot. 2) In rice yield, it is found that there is a considerably moderate significant relationship with both the different thickness of lining and the number of irrigation, as shown in the table. 3) There is little or no difference among different plots in terms of a) physical and chemical properties of soil, b) quality of irrigation water, c) climatic conditions, and rainfalls. 4) It is found that there is a significant relationship between differences in the method of rotation irrigation and the number of ears per hill. The plot irrigated at an interval of 7 days shows 17.4 ears and plot irrigated at an interval of 6 days, 16.3 5) In vinyl-treated plots, it is shown that both yield and component elements are greatest in the case of the plot ith whole of $3cm/m^2$ Next in order are the plot with a hole of $2cm/m^2$ the plot with a hole of $1cm/m^2$ In the case of the plot with no hole it is found that both yield and component elements are decreased as compared to the control plot. 6) The irrigation water reqirement is measured for the actual irrigation days of 72 which are the number subtracted the days of rainfall of 30 from the total irrigation days of 102. It is found that the irrigation water requirement for the uncontrol plot is 1,590mm as compared to 876mm(44.9% saved) for the 9cm-lined plot, 959mm(39.7% saved) for the 6cm-lined plot 1,010mm(36% saved) for the 3cm-lined plot and 1,082mm(32% saved) for the wheat straw lined plot. In the case of the Rotation irrigation method it is found that the water requirement for the plot irrigated at an interval of 8 days is 538mm(65% saved), as compared to 617mm(61.6% saved) for plot irrigated at an interval of 7 day 672mm(57.7% saved) for plot irrigated at an interval of 6day, 746mm(53.0% saved) for the plot irrigated at an interval of 5 days, 890mm 44.0% saved) for the plot irrigated at an interval of 4 days, and 975mm(38.6% saved) for the plot irrigated at an interval of 3 days. 7) The rate of evapotranspiration is found 2.8 around the end of month of July, as compared to 2.6 at the begining of August 3.4 around the end of August and 2.6 at the begining of August 3.4 around the end of August and 2.6 at the begining of September. 8) It is found that the saturation quantity of 30mm per day is decreased to 20mm per day though the use of vinyl covering. 9) The husking rate shows 75 per cent which is considered better.

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An Empirical Study in Relationship between Franchisor's Leadership Behavior Style and Commitment by Focusing Moderating Effect of Franchisee's Self-efficacy (가맹본부의 리더십 행동유형과 가맹사업자의 관계결속에 관한 실증적 연구 - 가맹사업자의 자기효능감의 조절효과를 중심으로 -)

  • Yang, Hoe-Chang;Lee, Young-Chul
    • Journal of Distribution Research
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.49-71
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    • 2010
  • Franchise businesses in South Korea have contributed to economic growth and job creation, and its growth potential remains very high. However, despite such virtues, domestic franchise businesses face many problems such as the instability of franchisor's business structure and weak financial conditions. To solve these problems, the government enacted legislation and strengthened franchise related laws. However, the strengthening of laws regulating franchisors had many side effects that interrupted the development of the franchise business. For example, legal regulations regarding franchisors have had the effect of suppressing the franchisor's leadership activities (e.g. activities such as the ability to advocate the franchisor's policies and strategies to the franchisees, in order to facilitate change and innovation). One of the main goals of the franchise business is to build cooperation between the franchisor and the franchisee for their combined success. However, franchisees can refuse to follow the franchisor's strategies because of the current state of franchise-related law and government policy. The purpose of this study to explore the effects of franchisor's leadership style on franchisee's commitment in a franchise system. We classified leadership styles according to the path-goal theory (House & Mitchell, 1974), and it was hypothesized and tested that the four leadership styles proposed by the path-goal theory (i.e. directive, supportive, participative and achievement-oriented leadership) have different effects on franchisee's commitment. Another purpose of this study to explore the how the level of franchisee's self-efficacy influences both the franchisor's leadership style and franchisee's commitment in a franchise system. Results of the present study are expected to provide important theoretical and practical implications as to the role of franchisor's leadership style, as restricted by government regulations and the franchisee's self-efficacy, which could be needed to improve the quality of the long-term relationship between the franchisor and franchisee. Quoted by Northouse(2007), one problem regarding the investigation of leadership is that there are almost as many different definitions of leadership as there are people who have tried to define it. But despite the multitude of ways in which leadership has been conceptualized, the following components can be identified as central to the phenomenon: (a) leadership is a process, (b) leadership involves influence, (c) leadership occurs in a group context, and (d) leadership involves goal attainment. Based on these components, in this study leadership is defined as a process whereby franchisor's influences a group of franchisee' to achieve a common goal. Focusing on this definition, the path-goal theory is about how leaders motivate subordinates to accomplish designated goals. Drawing heavily from research on what motivates employees, path-goal theory first appeared in the leadership literature in the early 1970s in the works of Evans (1970), House (1971), House and Dessler (1974), and House and Mitchell (1974). The stated goal of this leadership theory is to enhance employee performance and employee satisfaction by focusing on employee motivation. In brief, path-goal theory is designed to explain how leaders can help subordinates along the path to their goals by selecting specific behaviors that are best suited to subordinates' needs and to the situation in which subordinates are working (Northouse, 2007). House & Mitchell(1974) predicted that although many different leadership behaviors could have been selected to be a part of path-goal theory, this approach has so far examined directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented leadership behaviors. And they suggested that leaders may exhibit any or all of these four styles with various subordinates and in different situations. However, due to restrictive government regulations, franchisors are not in a position to change their leadership style to suit their circumstances. In addition, quoted by Northouse(2007), ssubordinate characteristics determine how a leader's behavior is interpreted by subordinates in a given work context. Many researchers have focused on subordinates' needs for affiliation, preferences for structure, desires for control, and self-perceived level of task ability. In this study, we have focused on the self-perceived level of task ability, namely, the franchisee's self-efficacy. According to Bandura (1977), self-efficacy is chiefly defined as the personal attitude of one's ability to accomplish concrete tasks. Therefore, it is not an indicator of one's actual abilities, but an opinion of the extent of how one can use that ability. Thus, the judgment of maintain franchisee's commitment depends on the situation (e.g., government regulation and policy and leadership style of franchisor) and how it affects one's ability to mobilize resources to deal with the task, so even if people possess the same ability, there may be differences in self-efficacy. Figure 1 illustrates the model investigated in this study. In this model, it was hypothesized that leadership styles would affect the franchisee's commitment, and self-efficacy would moderate the relationship between leadership style and franchisee's commitment. Theoretically, quoted by Northouse(2007), the path-goal approach suggests that leaders need to choose a leadership style that best fits the needs of subordinates and the work they are doing. According to House & Mitchell (1974), the theory predicts that a directive style of leadership is best in situations in which subordinates are dogmatic and authoritarian, the task demands are ambiguous, and the organizational rule and procedures are unclear. In these situations, franchisor's directive leadership complements the work by providing guidance and psychological structure for franchisees. For work that is structured, unsatisfying, or frustrating, path-goal theory suggests that leaders should use a supportive style. Franchisor's Supportive leadership offers a sense of human touch for franchisees engaged in mundane, mechanized activity. Franchisor's participative leadership is considered best when a task is ambiguous because participation gives greater clarity to how certain paths lead to certain goals; it helps subordinates learn what actions leads to what outcome. Furthermore, House & Mitchell(1974) predicts that achievement-oriented leadership is most effective in settings in which subordinates are required to perform ambiguous tasks. Marsh and O'Neill (1984) tested the idea that organizational members' anger and decline in performance is caused by deficiencies in their level of effort and found that self-efficacy promotes accomplishment, decreases stress and negative consequences like depression and emotional instability. Based on the extant empirical findings and theoretical reasoning, we posit positive and strong relationships between the franchisor's leadership styles and the franchisee's commitment. Furthermore, the level of franchisee's self-efficacy was thought to maintain their commitment. The questionnaires sent to participants consisted of the following measures; leadership style was assessed using a 20 item 7-point likert scale developed by Indvik (1985), self-efficacy was assessed using a 24 item 6-point likert scale developed by Bandura (1977), and commitment was assessed using a 6 item 5-point likert scale developed by Morgan & Hunt (1994). Questionnaires were distributed to Korean optical franchisees in Seoul. It took about 20 days to complete the data collection. A total number of 140 questionnaires were returned and complete data were available from 137 respondents. Results of multiple regression analyses testing the relationships between the each of the four styles of leadership shown by the franchisor as independent variables and franchisee's commitment as the dependent variable showed that the relationship between supportive leadership style and commitment ($\beta$=.13, p<.001),and the relationship between participative leadership style and commitment ($\beta$=.07, p<.001)were significant. However, when participants divided into high and low self-efficacy groups, results of multiple regression analyses showed that only the relationship between achievement-oriented leadership style and commitment ($\beta$=.14, p<.001) was significant in the high self-efficacy group. In the low self-efficacy group, the relationship between supportive leadership style and commitment ($\beta$=.17, p<.001),and the relationship between participative leadership style and commitment ($\beta$=.10, p<.001) were significant. The study focused on the franchisee's self-efficacy in order to explore the possibility that regulation, originally intended to protect the franchisee, may not be the most effective method to maintain the relationships in a franchise business. The key results of the data analysis regarding the moderating role of self-efficacy between leadership behavior style as proposed by path-goal and commitment theory were as follows. First, this study proposed that franchisor should apply the appropriate type of leadership behavior to strengthen the franchisees commitment because the results demonstrated that supportive and participative leadership styles by the franchisors have a positive influence on the franchisee's level of commitment. Second, it is desirable for franchisor to validate the franchisee's efforts, since the franchisee's characteristics such as self-efficacy had a substantial, positive effect on the franchisee's commitment as well as being a meaningful moderator between leadership and commitment. Third, the results as a whole imply that the government should provide institutional support, namely to put the franchisor in a position to clearly identify the characteristics of their franchisees and provide reasonable means to administer the franchisees to achieve the company's goal.

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