• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.639-650
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• 2023

In this research endeavor, we engaged with 70 construction safety specialists from established construction firms through surveys and interviews. The primary aim was to dissect and understand the weight and ramifications of specific cost items within the Occupational Safety and Health Management Funds(OSHMF) and Safety Management Expenses(SME). From our analysis, salient insights emerged. Within the realm of OSHMF, the cost items associated with safety facilities and the remunerations of safety managers were identified as paramount. It was observed that there are marked variations in the perceived significance and repercussions associated with diverse cost items of OSHMF. In stark contrast, when assessing the SME, the nuances in perceived weight and consequences of individual cost items were relatively muted, suggesting a more uniform viewpoint among the experts. Furthermore, our research probed the interrelationship between the significance and repercussions within OSHMF and SME domains. Notably, OSHMF manifested a positive linear relationship, suggesting that cost items of higher importance invariably had a more pronounced effect. On the other hand, the SME showcased a more subtle association, hinting at intricate underlying dynamics. The outcomes of this investigation are poised to offer instrumental guidance for enhancing safety protocols and diminishing accident occurrences in domestic construction undertakings.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.108-117
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• 2013

The domestic CM business market has continued to grow, but its size is relatively small yet in comparison with the total size of the domestic construction industry. Evaluation of CM projects was conducted through questionnaire surveys. Both clients and CM firms showed positive satisfaction levels. Nevertheless, the clients' satisfaction levels were relatively low in safety management, cost management, and document and information management. Superior areas of CM tasks were time management and recovery scheduling, quality control and technical instruction, and design value engineering. On the other hand, inferior areas of CM tasks were claim analysis and dispute resolution, cost estimation, and life cycle costing. Both entities have agreed with the positive effects of CM involvement in terms of cost saving, time reduction, quality improvement, and safety incidents prevention to at least 0~5% extent.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.38-46
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• 2014

The Global's top five Design Firms selected from BauNetz a German architectural magazine in 2007 designed free form building design which was 25% of the overall design by 2006-2010. Free form building is a landmark of the city and the country so its social and economic impacts are very large. In case of Korea, free form buildings such as Tribowl in Incheon, KINTEX Exhibition hall 2 and Dongdaemun Design Plaza have increased. However, those the increase in design trends and, the needs due to the lack of free form building design and construction management experience, free form building projects can't be expected to profitability and have a number of problems after completion. Especially, there are many excessive quality problems and the rising cost due to design changes frequently and lack of experience and data. Thus an initial plan regardless of considering of free form building's characteristics can be a huge risk because of the difference with the plan and actual projects, yet there aren't free form building project's performance data and case studies related to productivity. In this study, through selection of low-construction productivity works and an analysis of the work process and productivity data, hope to propose an actual field productivity of free form building and the ways to improve productivity.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-48
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• 2019

Recently, product design innovation to improve user experience has been perceived as a core element of enterprise competitiveness due to the fierce market competition and decrease of the technological gap between companies, but there is insufficient services to support the product experience evaluation of small and medium-sized companies (SMCs). The aim of this study is to develop a web-based product user experience evaluation and certification system supporting product design practices for SMCs. For system interface design, we conducted systematic functional requirement elicitation methods such as user survey, workflow analysis, user task definition, and function definition. Then main functions, information structure, navigation method, and detailed graphic user interfaces were developed with consideration of user interactions and requirements. In particular, it provides the databases for evaluation efficiency to support the evaluation process above a certain level of performance and efficiency, and knowledge databases to utilize in the evaluation and product design improvement. With help of the developed service platform, It is expected that the service platform would enhance SMCs' product development capability with regard to the user experience evaluation by connecting the consulting firms with SMCs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.191-202
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to develop an engineer competency model using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to improve the national technical qualification system. Korea has managed technical human resources at the government level through the operation of a national technical qualification system that certifies engineers with national certificates or technical grades by laws. However, there have been increasing concerns that the government system is separated from global standards and does not reflect an engineer's comprehensive capabilities. For these reasons, the new architecture of the system has been continuously discussed and becomes a major policy issue of the Korean government. For the development of the engineer competency model, domestic and global models were separately structured using 554 valid questionnaires with a consistency ratio (CR) of 0.1 or less. The relative importance of engineer competency factors in a domestic model was career (0.383), qualification (0.253), academic degree (0.195), and job training (0.169) whereas the order in the global model was career (0.308), global ability (0.237), job training (0.175), domestic qualification (0.147), and academic degree (0.134). The results of AHP analysis indicated that the evaluation factors and methods recognized by engineers were different from a current government model focusing on domestic qualifications. There was also perceptual difference in the importance of engineer evaluation factors between groups depending on the type of organizations and markets. This means that it is necessary to reflect the characteristics of organizations and markets when evaluating engineer competency. Based on AHP analysis and literature reviews, this paper discussed how to develop a new engineer competency index (ECI) and presented two effective index models verified by simulation test using 59,721 engineers' information. Lastly, the paper discussed major findings of our empirical research and proposed policy alternatives for the improvement of a national engineer qualification system. The paper contributes to the management of technical human resources since it provides quantitative competency models that are objectively developed by reflecting market recognition and can be effectively used by the policy makers or firms.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.167-178
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between internal corporate, supplier, and customer integrations for domestic SMEs on non-financial and financial performance through SCM performance such as flexibility and reduction of uncertainties. To this end, data was collected on 286 SMEs in Korea, and the structural relationships between SCM integration level, SCM performances, and management performance were analyzed. As a result of the analysis, first, it was found that the SCM integration level had a significant positive effect on the flexibility and reduction of uncertainties, which are SCM performances. Second, the flexibility and reduction of uncertainties showed significantly positive effects on the non-financial performance of the companies, but did not directly affect the financial performance positively. Third, the non-financial performance was found to have a positive effect on the financial performance. In addition, the SCM integration level did not have a direct effect on the financial and non-financial performance, but it was found that it affected management performance by mediating the flexibility and reduction of uncertainties, which are SCM performances. That is, although the SCM integration level did not directly affect financial and non-financial performance, it was confirmed that it affects management performance by mediating SCM performances, flexibility and uncertainty reduction. In other words, it was confirmed that the SCM integration level directly or indirectly affects SCM performances and overall management performance. These results imply the necessity to focus on competency in the supply chain management area according to the SCM performance expected by SMEs, and the step by step approaches to the expected effects. In a situation where prior SCM related studies have not been able to present SCM performances and management performance of SMEs that are relatively lacking in their capital and SCM construction capabilities, the findings of this study could suggest the importance of SCM integration from the perspective of SMEs. In addition, from the viewpoint of SMEs, this study suggested that a sequential approach for performance measurement is required (SCM performance → management performance) in relation to the performance factors to be established through SCM.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.390-398
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• 2017

In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey for the purpose of finding a method of mobile sector ecosystem activation targeted at small and medium businesses (SMBs). Through the total of 204 responders consisting of business employees from each mobile sector, we analyzed the factors inhibiting the development of the mobile ecosystem and preventing the activation the mobile market, as well as conducting a diagnosis of the digital potential. This paper presented suggestions for searching for a systematic supporting strategy considering the short-term inhibitory factors (market structure improvement, financial support, etc.) and long-term orientation factors (personnel nurturing, strengthening of supporting role by governmental initiative) for the activation of the domestic mobile market. After measuring the digital potential, we found that domestic mobile SMBs have perceived the importance of the digital potential and have considered and readied themselves for the future market. The present survey found that if suitable digitalization can be accomplished for their firms' products and services, they have the ability and willingness to succeed in the market. However, they have a hard task ahead of them from adigital delivery perspective given the potential for digital disruptions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.78-91
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• 2017

In this study, we conducted a comparative study on user's perception and behavior on public system service (PSS) using institutionalism theory and MGA (multi-group analysis) methodology. In particular, this study focuses on how institutional isomorphism is applied to public system services and how MGA can be implemented correctly in a variance based SEM (structural equation model) such as PLS (partial least square). A data set of 496 effective responses was collected from pubic system users and an empirical research was conducted using three segmented models categorized by public proximity theory (public firms = 113, government contractors = 210, private contractors = 173). For rigorous group comparisons, each model was estimated by the same indicators and approaches. PLS-SEM was used in testing research hypotheses, followed by parametric and non-parametric PLS-MGA procedures in testing categorical moderation effects. This study applied novel procedures for testing composite measurement invariance prior to multi-group comparisons. The following main results and implications are drawn : 1) Partial measurement invariance was established. Multi-group analysis can be done by decomposed models although data can not be pooled for one integrated model. 2) Multi-group analysis using various approaches showed that proximity to public sphere moderated some hypothesized paths from quality dimensions to user satisfaction, which means that categorical moderating effects were partially supported. 3) Careful attention should be given to the selection of statistical test methods and the interpretation of the results of multi-group analysis, taking into account the different outcomes of the PLS-MGA test methods and the low statistical power of the moderating effect. It is necessary to use various methods such as comparing the difference in the path coefficient significance and the significance of the path coefficient difference between the groups. 4) Substantial differences in the perceptions and behaviors of PSS users existed according to proximity to public sphere, including the significance of path coefficients, mediation and categorical moderation effects. 5) The paper also provides detailed analysis and implication from a new institutional perspective. This study using a novel and appropriate methodology for performing group comparisons would be useful for researchers interested in comparative studies employing institutionalism theory and PLS-SEM multi-group analysis technique.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.273-284
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• 2024

This study investigates the impact of international oil price fluctuations on overseas construction orders secured by domestic and foreign companies. The analysis employs statistical data spanning the past 20 years, encompassing international oil prices, overseas construction orders from domestic firms, and new overseas construction orders from the top 250 global construction companies. The correlation between these variables is assessed using correlation coefficients(R), determination coefficients(R²), and p-values. The results indicate a strong positive correlation between international oil prices and overseas construction orders. The correlation coefficient between domestic overseas construction orders and oil prices is found to be 0.8 or higher, signifying a significant influence. Similarly, a high correlation coefficient of 0.76 is observed between oil prices and new orders from leading global construction companies. Further analysis reveals a particularly strong correlation between oil prices and overseas construction orders in Asia and the Middle East, potentially due to the prevalence of oil-related projects in these regions. Additionally, a high correlation is observed between oil prices and orders for industrial facilities compared to architectural projects. This suggests an increase in plant construction volumes driven by fluctuations in oil prices. Based on these findings, the study proposes an entry strategy for navigating oil price volatility and maintaining competitiveness in the overseas construction market. Key recommendations include diversifying project locations and supplier bases; utilizing hedging techniques for exchange rate risk management, adapting to local infrastructure and market conditions, establishing local partnerships and securing skilled local labor, implementing technological innovations and digitization at construction sites to enhance productivity and cost reduction The insights gained from this study, coupled with the proposed overseas expansion strategies, offer valuable guidance for mitigating risks in the global construction market and fostering resilience in response to international oil price fluctuations. This approach is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic and foreign construction firms seeking success in the international arena.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.2 no.2 s.6
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• pp.68-80
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• 2001

While opportunities for international construction firms have been growing with globalization, the risk of international construction projects is significantly increasing in severity and complexity. However, the traditional risk management approach in the construction industry has maintained a profit focus. In addition, this approach has not considered the overall risk at the corporate level, but rather has focused only on the risk of individuals at the project level. Corporate risk management should be implemented from the initial stages of new project selection. This paper suggests the Multi-criteria Integrated Systematic Analysis as a strategic decision-making tool for international construction contractors. The model integrates the multi-criteria of risk, return, and efficiency to choose the optimal set of new portfolios at the corporate level. This model also introduces the Value at Risk (VaR) concept to the international construction industry to present the total risk at the corporate level. To validate this model, this paper tested an experimental case study using the historical data of a global general contractor.