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ALL-SKY OBSERVATION OF THE 2001 LEONID METEOR STORM: 1. METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION (전천 카메라를 이용한 2001 사자자리 유성우 관측: 1. 유성 등급 분포)

  • 김정한;정종균;김용하;원영인;천무영;임홍서
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.283-298
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    • 2003
  • The 2001 Leonid meteor storm has been observed all over the world, and its most intense flux since the last few decades has caused great interest among both laymen and experts. Especially, its maximum hours occurred at dawn hours of Nov. 19 in the east Asia, during which moonless clear night at the Mt. Bohyun allowed us near perfect condition of observation. Observation was carried out in the period of 01:00∼05:40(KST), which include the predicted maximum hours, with all-sky camera installed for upper atmospheric airglow research. Tn this paper we analyze 68 all-sky images obtained in this period, which contain records of 172 meteors. Utilizing the zenith hourly rate(ZHR) of 3000 and magnitude distribution index of 2, which were reported to International Meteor Organization by visible observers in the east Asia, we estimate the limiting magnitude of about 3 for meteors detected in our all-sky images. We then derive magnitudes of 83 meteors with clear pixel brightness outlines among the initially detected 172 meteors by comparing with neighbor standard stars. Angular velocities of meteors needed for computing their passing times over an all-sky image are expressed with a simple formula of an angle between a meteor head and the Leonid radiant point. The derived magnitudes of 83 meteors are in the range of -6∼-1 magnitude, and its distribution shows a maximum new -3mag. The derived magnitudes are much smaller than the limiting magnitude inferred from the comparison with the result of naked-eye observations. The difference may be due to the characteristic difference between nearly instantaneuous naked-eye observations and CCD observations with a long exposure. We redetermine magnitudes of the meteors by adjusting a meteor lasting time to be consistent with the naked-eye observations. The relative distribution of the redetermined magnitudes, which has a maximum at 0 mag., resembles that of the magnitudes determined with the in-principle method. The relative distribution is quite different from ones that decrease monotonically with decreasing magnitudes for meteors(1∼6) sensitive to naked-eye observations. We conclude from the magnitude distribution of our all-sky observation that meteors brighter than about 0 mag., appeared more frequently during the 2001 Leonid maximum hours. The frequent appearance of bright meteors has significantly important implication for meteor research. We noted, however, considerably large uncertainties in magnitudes determined only by comparing standard stars due to the unknown lasting time of meteors and the non-linear sensitivity of all-sky camera.

A Study on Significance Testing of Driver's Visual Behavior due to the VMS Message Display Forms on the Road (도로상 VMS 표출방식별 운전자 유의성 검증에 관한 연구)

  • Kum, Ki-Jung;Son, Young-Tae;Bae, Deok-Mo;Son, Seung-Neo
    • International Journal of Highway Engineering
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    • v.7 no.4 s.26
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    • pp.151-162
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    • 2005
  • Variable Message Sign (VMS), which provides drivers with direct information about state of traffic congestion and for prevent an accident, is the most effective method among the methods of providing information in Advanced Transportation Management System. Currently establishment and the VMS which is operated foundation lets in Guidelines on the use of Variable message sign (a book of the VMS) of 1999 November the Ministry Construction & Transportation, these contents mean main viewpoint on physical part such as message special quality variable (font, character size and line space, word interval) and position mainly among standard about establishment in general. But, it is true that using without effect verification on the character of VMS display and that using mode of stationary-centered. In this paper, it executed significance test to effort verification on the character of VMS display for more practical and effective information transmission based on the driver viewpoint For the researches; develop 3D-Simulation, select characteristics of driver's visual cognition behavior (the conspicuity, the legibility and the comprehensibility), evaluation each issue (day or night, 80km/h or 100km/h). Especially, that used the Eye Marker Recorder to measure of reading-time (legibility) thus, confirmed objectivity and reduce an observational error. The results showed that the conspicuity is Flashing> Stationary>Scroll. The legibility is not deference that Flashing between stationary form. Also the comprehensibility result showed that Flashing> Stationary>Stroll form.

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Formation of the $CoSi_{2}$ using Co/Zr Bilayer on the Amorphous and the Single Crystalline Si Substrates (단결정과 비정질 Si 기판에서 Co/Zr 이중층을 이용한 $CoSi_{2}$ 형성)

  • Kim, Dong-Wook;Jeon, Hyeong-Tag
    • Korean Journal of Materials Research
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    • v.8 no.7
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    • pp.621-627
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    • 1998
  • The formation of Co-silicide between Co/Zr bilayer on the amorphous and crystalline Si substrates has been investigated. The films of Zr(50$\AA$) and Co(l50$\AA$) were deposited with e-beam evaporation system and were heattreated with the rapid thermal annealing system at the temperatures between 50$0^{\circ}C$ and 80$0^{\circ}C$ with 10$0^{\circ}C$ increments for 30 seconds. The phase identification of Co-silicide was carried out by XRD and the chemical analysis was examined by AES and RBS. The interface morphologies of Co/Zr bilayer films were investigated by cross sectional TEM and HRTEM. $CoSi_2$ was formed epitaxially on the crystalline Si substrate above $700^{\circ}C$ while polycrystalline $CoSi_2$ was grown on the amorphous Si substrate. The formation temperature of Co-silicide on the amorphous Si substrate was about 100 C lower than that on the crystalline Si. The COzSi phase was not identified on the both Si substrates. The formation temperature of first phase of Co-silicide on ColZr bilayer was higher than that on Co mono layer. CoSizlayer formed on the amorphous Si substrate exhibits better uniformity compared to the CoSiz formed on the crystalline substrate. The sheet resistance of CoSiz layer on crystalline Si was lower than that on the amorphous Si at high temperatures.tures.

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Studios on Silkworm Selection by Use of Anesthetic(2) (The Effect for next Generation through Anesthesia) (마취제처리에 의한 잠아선발 연구 (2) (마취잠의 차대에 미치는 영향))

  • Choe, Byong-Hee;Lee, Sang-Poong
    • Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.15-20
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    • 1973
  • This will be second publication regard with silkworm selection using anesthetic followed by previous report. This treatise investigated for nacorsis recovery concerned with silkworm health through more directions than the previous paper. After the author has found a possibility of silkworm seperation through nacorsis recovery, he has recommended to use Balance Health (BH) value system to evaluate or identify silkworm health and to produce better homogeneous silkworm eggs. Also, the author has continued the observation for the next generation how once nacortized parents affect to their family. The obtained results are summarized as followings. 1. Basic investigation a) Hybrid silkworm variety recovers from nacorsis earlyer than pure line because it is stronger. b) Strong pure line variety recovers from nacorsis earlyer than weak one because it is stronger. c) Male worm recovers from nacorsis earlyer than female worm because it is stronger. 2. Establishment of Balance Health(BH) value system. In order to identify each seperated group by nacorsis and their family, the following Balance Health (BH) value indicating system was established.(Table Omitted) 3. In order to select better silkworm during breeding service, the BH value indicating system is strongly recommended. That is, in case BH value is smaller than four, it would be strong group or in case BH value is larger than four, it would be weak group. 4. Once nacortized parents do not harm any nature for next generation regardless P$_1$ or F$_1$ production. 5. The seperation through nacorsis may delay retrograde phenomenon some years than other case, so, this system should be used for pure line production every year. 6. It is recommended to nacortize silkworm for five minutes on breeding purpose, but two and half minutes on pure lines reproduction at fifth instar. 7. This report has been discussed in relation to practical industry promotion aspects, but there are many subjects to be solved from academical aspect in future

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Fluid Inclusions Trapped in Xenoliths from the Lower Crust/upper Mantle Beneath Jeju Island (I): A Preliminary Study (제주도의 하부지각/상부맨틀 기원의 포획암에 포획된 유체포유물: 예비연구)

  • Yang, Kyounghee
    • The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.34-45
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    • 2004
  • This paper describes the textural relations of mantle xenoliths and fluid inclusions in mantle-derived rocks found in alkaline basalts from Jeju Island which contain abundant ultramafic, felsic, and cumulate xenoliths. Most of the ultramafic xenoliths are spinel-lherzolites, composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and spinel. The felsic xenoliths considered as partially molten buchites consist of quartz and plagioclase with black veinlets, which are the product of ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism of lower crustal materials. The cumulate xenoliths, clinopyroxene-rich or clinopyroxene megacrysts, are also present. Textural examination of these xenoliths reveals that the xenoliths are typically coarse grained with metamorphic characteristics, testifying to a complex history of evolution of the lower crust/upper mantle source region. The ultramafic xenoliths contain protogranular, porphyroclastic and equigranular textures with annealing features, indicating the presence of shear regime in upper mantle of the Island. The preferential associations of spinel and olivine with large orthopyroxenes suggest a previous high temperature equilibrium in the high-Al field and the original rock-type was a Al-rich orthopyroxene-bearing peridotite without garnet. Three types of fluid inclusions trapped in mantle-derived xenoliths include CO$_2$-rich fluid (Type I), multiphase silicate melt (glass ${\pm}$ devitrified crystals ${\pm}$ one or more daughter crystals + one or more vapor bubbles) (Type II), and sulfide (melt) inclusions (Type III). C$_2$-rich inclusions are the most abundant volatile species in mantle xenoliths, supporting the presence of a separate CO$_2$-rich phase. These CO$_2$-rich inclusions are spatially associated with silicate and sulfide melts, suggesting immiscibility between them. Most multiphase silicate melt inclusions contain considerable amount of silicic glass. reflecting the formation of silicic melts in the lower crust/upper mantle. Combining fluid and melt inclusion data with conventional petrological and geochemical information will help to constrain the fluid regime, fluid-melt-mineral interaction processes in the mantle of the Korean Peninsula and pressure-temperature history of the host xenoliths in future studies.

Methodology of Selecting Criteria for Pedestrian only Street (차없는 거리 선정기준 수립을 위한 방법론 정립 연구)

  • Kim, Yoomi;Park, Jejin;Lee, Junyoung;Ha, Taejun
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.36 no.5
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    • pp.867-879
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    • 2016
  • Since the 1970s, the region of its own pedestrian center and environmental pollution caused by exhaust gases have been reduced gradually in a continuous increase of the vehicle, school route the central business district, around the school, the sidewalk where the vehicle do not pass, facilities of minimum for the safety of pedestrians and systematic management of an area where an unspecified number and alleys impassable is insufficient. Recently, in response to the "Law for convenience enhancing safety and walking" is enforced in Korea, research on Pedestrian only Street has been actively about the government, the standard for calculating the weights of evaluation associated with it. it is a actuality, however, there are insufficient, evaluation for business promotion is being conducted evaluation polite manner by using, for example, scale residence time and purpose of the passengers as there is no car that has been carried out on a voluntary basis through the municipality have. In this study, by suggesting a method for the selection of the street without a car, make a survey by placing a purpose in the selection method presentation of the street with no car to be construction future, was researching. F.G.I (Focus Group Interview) survey, professors, staff in urban, traffic field of experts in order to present the weights for the evaluation of the Pedestrian only Street by using the evaluation index by type of Pedestrian only Street, was interviewed about the evaluation index for the conducted for professionals engaged in the engineering company, and randomly selected 200 peoples, weighted evaluation of the street with Pedestrian only Street was proposed. By classifying the items purpose and goals of the evaluation type by this by applying the weight, and present the weight of the detailed indicators each corresponding to each item, and scored on the basis of the result, in this paper it can be so that one methodology for the selection standard for the construction as Pedestrian only Street, and the weight of the evaluation of the type that has been derived, the selection and evaluation methods and then added to these criteria to settle careful study of the reference should be performed further.

A Comparative Study on the Competitive Power in Fisheries of Korea and China (한ㆍ중 수산업의 경쟁력 비교 분석)

  • 박영병
    • The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.53-74
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    • 1995
  • The purpose of this paper is to compare China's and Korea's marine fisheries industries in order to present the main features of China's marine fisheries and show the comparative advantages they have in production. The results indicate that China's marine fisheries have the following features. (1) The marine proportion of the fisheries industry economic activity is less than 60%. Fishing is 71.3% of that marine activity. (2) The production trends of marine fisheries history in China can be classified as follows: 1) an early growth period, 2) a deliberation/consolidation period, 3) a second growth period, 4) a third growth period, and 5) a fourth growth period. The growth rate has rapidly increased recently. (3) Fish production is over 70% of marine fishing fisheries, the next major product is crustacea. The production of shellfish occupies over 70% of marine aquaculture, seaweed production however, is only 22% of total marine aquaculture. (4) The licensed area for marine aquaculture in China is 586.3 ha and that area is 5.4 times larger than that of Korea. The allotted area for shellfish aquaculture is 60% of marine aquaculture, production areas of crustaceans occupy 27.3%, fish has 7 1%, and seaweed production only 5.7% of allocated marine aquaculture areas. (5) The proportion of power vessels for marine fisheries of China's total power vessel fleet is around 65%, and the marine fisheries portion of non - powered vessels constitutes only 12%. The highest proportion of power vessels engaged in marine fisheries activities is between 10 tonnes to 100 tonnes. (6) The portion of marine fishery workers of all fishery industry employees is 22%, and 70% of them are full - time workers. Of marine fishery workers, 64% are in the fishing sector, 22%, aquaculture workers, and the number of employees in marine fisheries is increasing every year. The analysis of China's fishery industry in the production competitiveness indicates as follows : (1) The licensed areas in marine aquaculture, number of fishing vessels, number of marine fishing workers in China's fishery industry are much more than those of Korea's. Therefore China is much more competitive than Korea in the quantity of production side. However, licensed areas for seaweed aquaculture are more extensive in Korea than China. In China, the number of power vessels of between 10 tonnes and 100 tonnes, the licensed shellfish aquaculture areas, and the number of fishing workers within the fisheries industry are much more than those of Korea. (2) It is estimated that the licensed areas in marine aquaculture, number of medium sized power vessels, number of marine fishery workers will be increased as the quantity of production factors grow in China. (3) At present, yield per Ha. in marine cultures is very low in China. Therefore it is estimated that aquaculture techniques have only been diffused recently in China. Yield of fish per Ha especially is much lower than that of Korea. So the level of aquaculture techniques seems much lower than that of Korea. (4) China is behind Korea in production technique, however the number of HP per boat in China is lower than that of Korea. Therefore, China is much more competitive than Korea in Costs. (5) Average fish catches per marine fishery worker in China is only 1/3 that of Korea's, and average marine aquaculture production in China is only 1/2 that of Korea. Therefore we can say Korea is more competitive than China in efficiency. The average income of marine fishery workers in China is higher that that of other Chinese industries. However, the competitiveness of the fisheries industry in China will be increased as more capital is invested and advanced techniques are developed.

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The Effects of Price Salience on Consumer Perception and Purchase Intentions (개격현저대소비자감지화구매의도적영향(价格显著对消费者感知和购买意图的影响))

  • Martin-Consuegea, David;Millan, Angel;Diaz, Estrella;Ko, Eun-Ju
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.149-163
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    • 2010
  • Previous studies have shown that retail price promotion change consumers' purchase behavior and that retailers use price promotion more frequently. Keeping constant the benefits received by consumers, there are several ways for retailers to communicate a price promotion. For example, retailers can present a price reduction in absolute terms ($, ${\euro}$), percentage terms (%), or some combinations of these two methods (Della Bitta et al. 1981). Communicating a price promotion in different ways is similar to the framing of purchase decisions (Monroe 1990). Framing effects refers to the finding that subjects respond differently to different descriptions of the same decision question (Frisch 1993). Thus, the presentation of the promotion has an impact on consumer deal evaluation and hence retail sales. In fact, much research in marketing attests to the effects of price presentation on deal perception (Lichtenstein and Bearden 1989; Urbany et al. 1988; Yadav and Monroe 1993). In this sense, a number of marketing researches have argued that deal perceptions are also determined by the degree to which consumers are able to calculate the discounts and final purchase prices accurately (Estelami 2003a; Morwitz et al. 1998), which suggests that marketers may be able to enhance responses to discounts by improving calculation accuracy. Consequently, since calculation inaccuracies in the aggregate lead to the underestimation of discounts (Kim and Kramer 2006), consumers are more likely to appreciate a discounted offer following deeper processing of price information that enables them to evaluate a price discount more accurately. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of different presentations of discount prices on consumer price perceptions. To be more precise, the purpose of this study is to investigate how different implementations of the same price promotion (semantic and visual salience) affect consumers' perceptions of the promotion and their purchase decisions. Specifically, the analysis will focus on the effect of price presentation on evaluation, purchase intentions and perception of savings. In order to verify the hypotheses proposed in the research, this paper will present an experimental analysis dealing with several discount presentations. In this sense, a2 (Numerical salience presentation: absolute and relative) x2 (Worded salience presentation: novel and traditional) x2 (Visual salience: red and blue) design was employed to investigate the effects of discount presentation on three dependent variables: evaluation, purchase intentions and perception of savings. Respondents were exposed to a hypothetical advertisement that they had to evaluate and were informed of the offer conditions. Once the sample finished evaluating the advertisement, they answered a questionnaire related to price salience and dependent dimensions. Then, manipulation checks were conducted to ensure that respondents remembered their treatment conditions. Next, a $2{\times}2{\times}2$ MANOVA and follow-up univariate tests were conducted to verify the research hypotheses suggested and to examine the effects of the individual factors (price salience) on evaluation, purchase intentions and perceived savings. The results of this research show that semantic and visual salience presentations have significant main effects and interactions on evaluation, purchase intentions and perception of savings. Significant numerical salience interactions affected evaluation and purchase intentions. Additionally, a significant worded salience main effect on perception of savings and interactions on evaluation and purchase intentions were found. Finally, visual salience interactions have significant effects on evaluation. The main findings of this research suggest practical implications that firms should consider when planning promotion-based discounts to attract consumer attention. Consequently, because price presentation has important effects on consumer perception, retailers should consider which effect is wanted in order to design an effective discount presentaion. Specifically, retailers should present discounts with a traditional style that facilitates final price calculation. It is thus important to investigate ways in which marketers can enhance the accuracy of consumers' mental arithmetic to improve responses to price discounts. This preliminary study on the effect of price presentation on consumer perception and purchase intentions opens the line of research for further research. The results obtained in this research may have been determined by a number of limiting conceptual and methodological factors. In this sense, the research deals with a variety of discount presentations as well as with their effects; however, the analysis could include additional salience dimensions and effects on consumers. Furthermore, a similar study could be carried out including a larger, more inclusive and heterogeneous sample of consumers. In addition, the experiment did not require sample individuals to actually buy the product, so it is advisable to compare the effects obtained in the research with real consumer behavior and perception.

Investigating the Moderating Impact of Hedonism on Online Consumer Behavior (탐색쾌악주의대망상소비자행위적조절작용(探索快乐主义对网上消费者行为的调节作用))

  • Mazaheri, Ebrahim;Richard, Marie-Odile;Laroche, Michel
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.123-134
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    • 2010
  • Considering the benefits for both consumers and suppliers, firms are taking advantage of the Internet as a medium to communicate with and sell products to their consumers. This trend makes the online shopping environment a growing field for both researchers and practitioners. This paper contributes by testing a model of online consumer behavior with websites varying in levels of hedonism. Unlike past studies, we included all three types of emotions (arousal, pleasure, and dominance) and flow into the model. In this study, we assumed that website interfaces, such as background colors, music, and fonts impact the three types of emotions at the initial exposure to the site (Mazaheri, Richard, and Laroche, 2011). In turn, these emotions influence flow and consumers' perceptions of the site atmospherics-perception of site informativeness, effectiveness, and entertainment. This assumption is consistent with Zajonc (1980) who argued that affective reactions are independent of perceptual and cognitive operations and can influence responses. We, then, propose that the perceptions of site atmospherics along with flow, influence customers' attitudes toward the website and toward the product, site involvement, and purchase intentions. In addition, we studied the moderating impact of the level of hedonism of websites on all the relationship in the model. Thus, the path coefficients were compared between "high" and "low" hedonic websites. We used 39 real websites from 12 product categories (8 services and 4 physical goods) to test the model. Among them, 20 were perceived as high hedonic and 19 as low hedonic by the respondents. The result of EQS 6.1 support the overall model: $\chi^2$=1787 (df=504), CFI=.994; RMSEA=.031. All the hypotheses were significant. In addition, the results of multi-groups analyses reveal several non-invariant structural paths between high and low hedonic website groups. The findings supported the model regarding the influence of the three types of emotions on customers' perceptions of site atmospherics, flow, and other customer behavior variables. It was found that pleasure strongly influenced site attitudes and perceptions of site entertainment. Arousal positively impacted the other two types of emotions, perceptions of site informativeness, and site involvement. Additionally, the influence of arousal on flow was found to be highly significant. The results suggested a strong association between dominance and customers' perceptions of site effectiveness. Dominance was also found to be associated with site attitudes and flow. Moreover, the findings suggested that site involvement and attitudes toward the product are the most important antecedents of purchase intentions. Site informativeness and flow also significantly influenced purchase intentions. The results of multi-group analysis supported the moderating impacts of hedonism of the websites. Compared to low (high) hedonic sites, the impacts of utilitarian (hedonic) attributes on other variables were stronger in high (low) hedonic websites. Among the three types of emotions, dominance (controlling feelings) effects were stronger in high hedonic sites and pleasure effects were stronger in low hedonic sites. Moreover, the impact of site informativeness was stronger for high hedonic websites compared to their low-hedonic counterparts. On the other hand, the influence of effectiveness of information on perceptions of site informativeness and the impact of site involvement on product attitudes were stronger for low hedonic websites than for high hedonic ones.

International Success the Second Time Around: A Case Study (제이륜국제성공(第二轮国际成功): 일개안례연구(一个案例研究))

  • Colley, Mary Catherine;Gatlin, Brandie
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.173-178
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    • 2010
  • A privately held, third generation family owned company, Boom Technologies, Inc. (BTI), a provider of products and services to the electric utility, telecommunications and contractor markets, continues to make progress in exporting. Although export sales only equaled 5% of total revenue in 2008, BTI has an entire export division. Their export division's Managing Director reveals the trial and errors of a privately held company and their quest for success overseas. From its inception, BTI has always believed its greatest asset is its employees. When export sales struggled due to lack of strategy and direction, BTI hired a Managing Director for its export division. With leadership and guidance from BTI's president and from the Managing Director, they utilized the department's skills and knowledge. Structural changes were made to expand their market presence abroad and increase export sales. As a result, export sales increased four-fold, area managers in new countries were added and distribution networks were successfully cultivated. At times, revenue generation was difficult to determine due to the structure of the company. Therefore, in 1996, the export division was restructured as a limited liability company. This allowed the company to improve the tracking of revenue and expenses. Originally, 80% of BTI's export sales came from two countries; therefore, the initial approach to selling overseas was not reaching their anticipated goals of expanding their foreign market presence. However, changes were made and now the company manages the details of selling to over 80 countries. There were three major export expansion challenges noted by the Managing Director: 1. Product and Shipping - The major obstacle for BTI was product assembly. Originally, the majority of the product was assembled in the United States, which increased shipping and packaging costs. With so many parts specified in the order, many times the order would arrive with parts missing. The missing parts could equate to tens of thousands of dollars. Shipping these missing parts separately in another shipment also cost tens of thousands of dollar, plus a delivery delay time of six to eight weeks; all of which came out of the BTI's pockets. 2. Product Adaptation - Safety and product standards varied widely for each of the 80 countries to which BTI exported. Weights, special licenses, product specification requirements, measurement systems, and truck stability can all differ from country to country and can serve as a type of barrier to entry, making it difficult to adapt products accordingly. Technical and safety standards are barriers that serve as a type of protection for the local industry and can stand in the way of successfully pursuing foreign markets. 3. Marketing Challenges - The importance of distribution creates many challenges for BTI as they attempt to determine how each country prefers to operate with regard to their distribution systems. Some countries have competition from a small competitor that only produces one competing product; whereas BTI manufactures over 100 products. Marketing material is another concern for BTI as they attempt to push marketing costs to the distributors. Adapting the marketing material can be costly in terms of translation and cultural differences. In addition, the size of paper in the United States differs from those in some countries, causing many problems when attempting to copy the same layout and With distribution being one of several challenges for BTI, the company claims their distribution network is one of their competitive advantages, as the location and names of their distributors are not revealed. In addition, BTI rotates two offerings yearly: training to their distributors one year and then the next is a distributor's meeting. With a focus on product and shipping, product adaptation, and marketing challenges, the intricacies of selling overseas takes time and patience. Another competitive advantage noted is BTI's cradle to grave strategy, where they follow the product from sale to its final resting place, whether the truck is leased or purchased new or used. They also offer service and maintenance plans with a detailed cost analysis provided to the company prior to purchasing or leasing the product. Expanding abroad will always create challenges for a company. As the Managing Director stated, "If you don't have patience (in the export business), you better do something else." Knowing how to adapt quickly provides BTI with the skills necessary to adjust to the changing needs of each country and its own unique challenges, allowing them to remain competitive.