• Asian Journal of Business Environment
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.17-25
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• 2019

Purpose - This study uses the 'Galapagos Effect' theory proposed by Japanese researchers to investigate if there is a basis for applying the theory to South Korea, specifically in the High-Tech Service area. Research Design, Data, and Methodology - The underlying characteristics of Japanese business environment that led to the Galapagos Effect are identified, and then Korea is investigated to see if these characteristics are also evident. The case studies of three South Korean companies are explored to see if they can be considered as examples of the Galapagos Effect Results - The findings illustrate that some evidence for the existence of the Galapagos Effect does exist in Korean companies, but more research is required to systemize the phenomenon. Conclusions - The study concludes that proactive measures at a Government and business level should be implemented to mitigate the effects of the Galapagos Effect in Korea. The existence of evidence suggests that there may be grounds for more comprehensive studies in order to try and make a generalization. In addition, more study needs to be done to establish exactly which kinds of high-tech service companies are most likely to hit barriers due to the Galapagos Effect as it is not clear from the existing evidence.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2015

Background: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often the main pillar of an economy. Minor accidents, ergonomics problems, old and outdated machinery, and lack of awareness have created a need for implementation of safety practices in SMEs. Implementation of healthy working conditions creates positive impacts on economic and social development. Methods: In this study, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 30 randomly chosen SMEs in and around Mumbai, Maharashtra, and other states in India to evaluate safety practices implemented in their facilities. The study also looked into the barriers and drivers for technology innovation and suggestions were also received from the respondent SMEs for best practices on safety issues. Results: In some SMEs, risks associated with safety issues were increased whereas risks were decreased in others. Safety management practices are inadequate in most SMEs. Market competitiveness, better efficiency, less risk, and stringent laws were found to be most significant drivers; and financial constraints, lack of awareness, resistance to change, and lack of training for employees were found to be main barriers. Conclusion: Competition between SMEs was found to be major reason for implementation of safety practices in the SMEs. The major contribution of the study has been awareness building on safety issues in the SMEs that participated in the project.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to test a model of physical activity of elderly living in Korea, determine significant factors contributing the physical activity, and examine significant paths in the model. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 207 elderly men and women, aged 60 and older, residing in Busan Metropolitan City. Data were collected from July to August 2009 and analyzed using Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) and Analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS). Results: The fitness of the modified model was confirmed to be appropriate (${\chi}^2$ = 55.61, ${\chi}^2$/df = 1.32, p = .078, RMSEA = .04, GFI = .96, AGFI = .91, NFI = .90, NNFI = .94, CFI = .97, PNFI = .48). The elder's age, previous exercise behavior, and self-efficacy were significant in explaining the variance in their physical activity. We found that (a) perceived health status, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and social support directly affected self-efficacy; (b) previous exercise behavior and perceived health status directly affected perceived benefits; (c) previous exercise behavior directly affected perceived barriers; and (d) and education level, extent of pocket money, and economic level directly affected social support. Conclusions: The younger the age, the more previous exercise experience, and the higher the self-efficacy, the more S. Korean elders demonstrated improved physical activity.

• The Journal of Small Business Innovation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.53-68
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• 2016

Motivation and activities for technological learning, entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity are driving forces of economic development in Asian countries. In the early stages of technological development, technological learning and entrepreneurship are efficient ways in which to catch up with advanced countries because firms can accumulate skills and knowledge quickly at relatively low risk. In the later stages of technological development, however, innovation and creativity become more important. This study aims to identify a) the factors (learning capabilities) that influence technological learning performance and b) barriers to enhancing innovation capabilities for the creative economy and organizations. The major part of this study is related to learning capabilities in the post-catch-up era. Based on a literature review and observations from Korean experiences, this study proposes a technological learning model composed of various influencing factors on technological learning. Three hypotheses are derived, and data are collected from Korean machine tool manufacturers. Intense interviews with CEOs and R&D directors are conducted using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis, such as correlation and ANOVA are then carried out. Furthermore, this study addresses how to enhance innovation capabilities to move forward. Innovation enablers and barriers are identified by case studies and policy analysis. The results of the empirical study identify several levels of firms' learning capabilities and activities such as a) stock of technology, b) potential of technical labor, c) explicit technological efforts, d) readiness to learn, e) top management support, f) a formal technological learning system, g) high learning motivation, h) appropriate technology choice, and i) specific goal setting. These learning capabilities determine firms' learning performance, especially in the early stages of development. Furthermore, it is found that the critical factors for successful technological learning vary along the stages of technology development. Throughout the statistical and policy analyses, this study confirms that technological learning can be understood as an intrinsic principle of the technology development process. Firms perform proactive and creative learning in the late stages, while reactive and imitative learning prevails in the early stages. In addition, this study identifies the driving forces or facilitating factors enhancing innovation performance in the post catch-up era. The results of the preliminary case studies and policy analysis show some facilitating factors such as a) the strategic intent of the CEO and corporate culture, b) leadership and change agents, c) design principles and routines, d) ecosystem and collaboration with partners, and e) intensive R&D investment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8455-8460
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• 2016

Background: Poor participation rates are often observed in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs utilising faecal occult blood tests. This may be from dislike of faecal sampling, or having benign bleeding conditions that can interfere with test results. These barriers may be circumvented by offering a blood-based DNA test for screening. The aim was to determine if program participation could be increased by offering a blood test following faecal immunochemical test (FIT) non-participation. Materials and Methods: People were invited into a CRC screening study through their General Practice and randomised into control or intervention (n=600/group). Both groups were mailed a FIT (matching conventional screening programs). Participation was defined as FIT completion within 12wk. Intervention group non-participants were offered a screening blood test (methylated BCAT1/IKZF1). Overall participation was compared between the groups. Results: After 12wk, FIT participation was 82% and 81% in the control and intervention groups. In the intervention 96 FIT nonparticipants were offered the blood test - 22 completed this test and 19 completed the FIT instead. Total screening in the intervention group was greater than the control (88% vs 82%, p<0.01). Of 12 invitees who indicated that FIT was inappropriate for them (mainly due to bleeding conditions), 10 completed the blood test (83%). Conclusions: Offering a blood test to FIT non-participants increased overall screening participation compared to a conventional FIT program. Blood test participation was particularly high in invitees who considered FIT to be inappropriate for them. A blood test may be a useful adjunct test within a FIT program.

• Proceedings of the Technology Innovation Conference
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• 1997.07a
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• pp.222-223
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• 1997

By analyzing the successful innovation case of potato microtuber mass production technology, a representative case of technology-push type creative innovation in an imitation oriented research culture, this paper attempts to figure out conceptual model of creative innovation that is initiated by the public laboratories in catching-up country, Stages of creative innovation can be divided into the internal R&D stage and the external commercialization stage. Success of the internal R&D stage depended on autonomy to secure creative research idea and commitment of individual researchers. Psychological pressure evoked from sportlights of mass media and commitment of sponsor increased the intensity of research efforts of the researcher Recognition of research problem and its significance was intensified by site visits of agricultural fields, and the recognized higher impacts of expected research results and knowledge creation achieved were a fundamental source of self-motivation. In the stage of commercialization stage, various legal, socio-economic, and psychological barriers were confronted. In a catching-up country lacking of experiences of creative innovation, creative innovation process can be regarded as a barrier elimination and cultural revolution process. Among the barriers, psychological refusal of farmers to corn-sized potato seeds was critical, which finally enforced to further researches to enlarge the size of potato seeds. In addition, the researcher has concentrated his research efforts in one specialized research area by getting a series of similar research project funds rather than diversification. It was lucky for him to have a chance to carry out a series of similar researches in one research area during the last 10 years. In getting research funds from government and private companies continuously in one research area, both internal and external promoters played significant roles.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-69
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• 2021

For the national economic development, the participation of women in the social and economic activities is crucial. The popularization of start-ups, digital transformation, and WEconomy trends have lowered the barriers to opportunities for women to start a business and provide an environment in which women can grow faster. This paper examines the significance and process of success of women entrepreneurs and the characteristics of innovation strategies and achievements by linking the recently changing business environment of a company, factors influencing the success of women entrepreneurship, and innovation activities. To this end, four companies' cases were analyzed in the fields of distribution/service and consumer products/services, which are areas of large investment among female startups. The result shows that women entrepreneurs recognize the meaning of success as creating and continuing to create a 'corporate value through establishing a trust relationship with customers' within the 'balance between personal life and work.' In terms of the business ecosystem, women entrepreneurs strive for 'business activities based on the win-win growth of consumers, producers and sellers' for success, and rather 'focus on the process with a problem-solving approach' rather than achieving performance-oriented goals. Also through excellent power of observation, flexibility, and execution power, women entrepreneurs conduct business by adapting to changing trends. In terms of innovation activities, the innovation strategy of women-led companies puts priority on 'creating the value customers want' and focuses on innovation in the 'customer-centric business model' rather than technological innovation. As such, women-led companies show several differentiated characteristics, which enable them to create corporate value and achieve sustainable growth. The barriers to challenges and opportunities for women to start a business have been lowered, and an ecosystem has been created for female startups to grow. But why are there still so few women entrepreneurs, and the answer to where we need to close these gaps is ultimately a close analysis and investigation of the field. We must present milestones for growth steps through the accumulation of case studies of women startups that have exited. In addition, women can stand as economic agents only when the policy targets are subdivided and specific approaches to child-rearing and childcare for women entrepreneurs must be taken. This paper expects to serve as basic data for follow-up studies and become the basis of research for women entrepreneurs to grow as economic agents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.236-245
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• 2017

Objective: The study was to investigate the effects of alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) and glutamine (Gln) supplementation on the intestinal mucosa barrier in piglets. Methods: A total of 180 barrows with initial weight $10.01{\pm}0.03kg$ were randomly allocated to three treatments, and each treatment consisted of three pens and twenty pigs per pen. The piglets of three groups were fed with control diet [0.62% alanine (Ala)], Ala-Gln diet (0.5% Ala-Gln), Gln diet (0.34% Gln and 0.21% Ala), respectively. Results: The results showed that in comparison with control diet, dietary Ala-Gln supplementation increased the height of villi in duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05), Gln supplementation increased the villi height of jejunum (p<0.05), Ala-Gln supplementation up-regulated the mRNA expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in jejunal mucosa (p<0.05), raised the mRNA expressions of Claudin-1, Occludin, zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) and the protein levels of Occludin, ZO-1 in jejunal mucosa (p<0.05), Ala-Gln supplementation enlarged the number of goblet cells in duodenal and ileal epithelium (p<0.05), Gln increased the number of goblet cells in duodenal epithelium (p<0.05) and Ala-Gln supplementation improved the concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G in the jejunal mucosa (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that dietary Ala-Gln supplementation could maintain the integrity of small intestine and promote the functions of intestinal mucosa barriers in piglets.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.102-112
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• 2000

The authors of this paper chose the delphi methods to investigate into several areas to understand where the pressures for ATM equipments will emerge in the prescribed time horizon of 1999 to 2010- a period just beyond the current manufacturing and deployment schedules of most companies. The areas studied are the office buildings and interoffice connectivity as well as switches, and finally transmission facilities. This paper is matched into these areas with the results of a Delphi study of 14 respondents from the common carriers like Korea Telecom and national institutions like ETRI. The investigators calculated the average answer for each question and presents the questionnaires for a second round to individuals who had responded to the first round of questioning. As a result of this paper, the authors reached some conclusions regarding what item will be predominant in each of the areas studied as well as the promoters and barriers for ATM deployment and some suggestions are provided for corporate managers and policy makers. This Delphi study did not provide a strong and uniform forecast that ATM would dominate the marketplace in the early years of next millenium, as many had anticipated. Whether it is in he area of office connection, enterprise backbone, switches and transmission facilities, respondents predicted the patterns which indicate a movement toward higher-bandwidth connectivity, although not necessarily provided with ATM networks. A general pattern is that the predictions for ATM deployment in each of the areas were strong from the year 1999 to 2010.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.85-94
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• 2022

Purpose: Previous research has found that organizational performance pressures and barriers have an effect on the long-term viability of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Furthermore, MSMEs' intellectual capital and strategic orientation, according to recent research findings, have an impact on this. The goal of this study is to see how intellectual capital and strategic orientation affect MSMEs' performance. Research design, data and methodology: The performance of MSMEs is the dependent variable, with intellectual capital, market orientation, learning orientation, and technical orientation as independent factors. With a sample size of 113 respondents, this research focused on information technology-based MSMEs in Indonesia's Solo Raya area. Data was analyzed use Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the reliability test and path analysis SEM. Results: The interaction between intellectual capital and strategic orientation in respect to MSMEs' performance reveals that innovation capability serves as a partial mediator in the relationship between intellectual capital and technical orientation and organization performance. Conclusions: In general, intellectual capital and strategic orientation have a positive substantial influence on innovation, according to the findings. Furthermore, they have a considerable favorable influence on the performance of MSMEs. It's just that intellectual capital has no discernible impact on knowledge sharing.