• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.31-52
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• 2023

The government's various support policies have helped Korea's SMEs and startups to grow from the beginning to the end, from domestic companies to exporters. In particular, direct business support policies such as financial support, R&D projects, and export support have been effective in helping a large number of entrepreneurs and startup companies to establish themselves in the market and have achieved tangible results every year since the establishment of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. As such, the government is making significant efforts to create and promote various types of support policies and to help companies utilize them in their business. However, this study aims to analyze the factors that affect the satisfaction of government policies and the achievement of managerial performance from the companies' perspective and to suggest the purpose of government support policies and the direction companies should take. Specifically, this study categorizes entrepreneurial self-efficacy into marketing, innovation, management, risk-taking, and financial management, using the relationship model of self-efficacy and collective efficacy to ultimately lead to practical results for SMEs and startups support policies. It uses perceived firm efficacy as a variable to reveal the influence relationship. In addition, the direct and mediating effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and policy satisfaction on managerial performance were analyzed to determine what SMEs and startups support policies should do. The results showed that, first, among the five components of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, innovation, and risk-taking efficacy positively affected perceived firm efficacy. Second, the specific components of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, marketing, and financial management efficacy positively influenced policy satisfaction. Third, we found that perceived firm efficacy positively influenced policy satisfaction and managerial performance, which are factors of SMEs and startups' policy performance. Specifically, perceived firm efficacy positively influenced policy satisfaction managerial performance. Fourth, we found that policy satisfaction positively influenced managerial performance.

• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2021

Purpose-This study examines how financial slack resources and subcontracting of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affect their internationalization. To identify slack resources, subcontracting, and internationalization of SMEs, 1,062 SME samples in the electronics industry are used in the logistic regression analysis to analyze their relationship with SMEs' export. Research design, data, and methodology-This study conducted the empirical analysis on 1,062 SMEs in the electronics industry using the sample survey method. The samples were based on data selected and distributed by the Ministry SMEs and Startups. The data analysis methods were descriptive, correlation analysis, and logistics regression analysis. Result-The analysis shows that only available resources are negatively related to SMEs' internationalization. It can be interpreted as a high tendency for SMEs to avoid relatively risky choices such as entering overseas markets if they have enough financial resources. Moreover, subcontracting has a negative relationship with internationalization. Conclusion-This study broadened the scope of SME research by analyzing subcontracting and slack resources together and provides practical implications for policymakers and managers.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.27-34
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• 2018

This study was conducted to identify the contents of major consulting needs of SMEs using Big Data and to suggest the efficiency of operation. The subjects of the study were counseling cases posted on the website of the Business Support Center of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. To do this, from 2009 to March 2018, we crawled about 7,000 cases of counseling cases, followed by word cloud analysis centering on effective keyword. The main results were as follows: First, the frequency of counseling cases in each field was found in the order of establishment, management strategy, human resources, financial order. Second, in word cloud analysis, the most frequent keyword related to counseling demand were small businesses, exports, methods, procedures, registration and authentication. In this study, we obtained research results that we can improve the efficiency of the policy in real time from a new point of view by conducting big data analysis on public policy.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.221-235
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• 2019

SMEs are experiencing difficulties in doing sales promotion due to the low awareness of the image of the company and the products produced by them in the global market. Therefore, the Government should seek ways to raise awareness of SMEs' image and products. SMEs have to carry out global innovation activities needed to develop new products or new technologies, but they are exposed to limitations of these innovative activities due to the limit of their available resources. Therefore, as a national project, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small and Medium Business Corporation are doing project for fostering and constructing global shopping mall (independent mall) so that SMEs can strengthen their global innovation activities. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to succeeding in the project for fostering and constructing global shopping mall (independent mall) by studying the case of Zungle Incorporation which operates a global shopping mall and greatly increases exports by participating in this project, and identifying success factors of Zungle Incorporation in doing this project.

• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Purpose - In this paper, we aim to analyze to what extent entrepreneurial orientation (EO) can help overcome Korean SMEs' liabilities of foreignness in overseas markets. In this end, we examined three sub-dimensions of EO (proactiveness, innovativeness, risk-taking) and examine their individual effects on NPD performance of exporting SMEs. Research design, data, and methodology - We collected survey questionnaires from Korean exporting SMEs that are certified with Inno-biz by the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 26 and AMOS to create an integrated model. Result - As a result of the analysis, we found that proactiveness and innovativeness dimension of EO have positive effect on new product performance of exporting SMEs. Furthermore, technological uncertainty has negative moderating effect between innovativeness and new product performance of SMEs. Conclusion - While proactive attitude and innovativeness of EO positively affected the performance of new products of SMEs, the tendency to take risks and pursue opportunities with bold behaviors did not have a positive effect on NPD performance in foreign nations.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.95-103
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• 2019

Purpose : Promoting startups has increased in importance in labor market policies since the economic crisis. In Korea, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is also seeking to revitalize youth startups and traditional markets by moving young stores into idle spaces in traditional markets through 'Project to Support the Activation of Youth Mall'. Research into startups in traditional markets is very limited. Therefore, this study looks at the differences between the management performance of young merchants and senior merchants, and looks at the impact of the business period. Research design, data and methodology : It was divided into youth startup and senior startup based on the age of 40 and startup and nonstartup. Based on these criteria, the company intends to compare and analyze sales and margin rates by setting the sales and margin rates with the management performance of the startup and senior startups. In particular, to look at the feasibility of government funded projects for young merchants, the company will look at the changes in sales and margin rates of young merchants and senior merchants over the period of operation. In this study, the analysis was based on the raw data of the Statistics of traditional market in 2017, and the ANCOVA was used. Results : First of all, the sales volume of stores operated by young merchants, was higher than those operated by senior merchants. Next, the margin ratio does not differ from that of stores that are for young people and those. These findings suggest that the profit structure of stores in traditional markets is similar between young merchants and senior merchants. Third, if you look at the performance of new startups based on one year of business period in more detail, it turns out that young startups have improved in sales and margin rates since startups, while senior startups have no difference. Conclusions : While it means that management performance can be improved through support for young startups, it suggests that there is a limit to supporting senior startups. Therefore, this research indicates that the government support projects centered on youth can contribute to the revitalization of traditional markets.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.27-35
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• 2023

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) performance in the context of subcontracting buyer-supplier relation. Specifically, we seek to examine whether the power dynamics between buyer and supplier either support or hamper subcontracting SMEs' ability to effectively pursue EO for enhancing their performance. Research design, data, and methodology: We collected survey questionnaires from Korean SMEs that are certified with Inno-biz by the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 26 and AMOS to create an integrated model. Result: Based on the analysis, our findings indicate that the proactiveness and innovativeness dimensions of EO have a positive effect on the SMEs' performance. However, the risk-taking dimension of EO has a negative effect on performance. Additionally, buyer dependency exhibit both positive and negative moderating effects on different dimensions of EO. Conclusion: For SMEs that rely heavily on a particular buyer in terms of sale, pursuing innovativeness dimension of EO could lead to positive performance, while pursuing proactiveness dimension of EO had a negative moderating effect on performance.

• Informatization Policy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.86-108
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• 2023

This study attempts to explain phenomenologically the shadow work that occurs among Kwangju·Jeonnam business support counselors as video consultation increases due to the counseling management systems used in business consulting for SMEs and digital transformation since COVID-19. Since digital shadow work is widespread, it has been considered basic and mandatory work, not recognized as shadow work itself, assuming that it is continuously used for a long time. We found that, in the case of the newly expanded video consulting systems, most of the users complain of burden and inconvenience and tend to choose face-to-face despite the time and cost savings associated with the former. These study results practically suggest that, in order to implement such digital systems successfully, a well-prepared system, an elaborate way of reducing the burden and inconvenience, and an adaptation period are considered critical as they can minimize the shadow work of users.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.99-108
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• 2022

Purpose: This study attempted to identify determinants affecting research collaboration and R&D distribution activities, especially regarding facility and equipment leasing of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea. The objective of this study was to find the most significant firm characteristics that affect firms participating in an R&D collaboration and distribution program and investing in R&D in terms of leasing payment for equipment. Research design, data, and methodology: This study analyzes which SMEs' characteristics influence external research cooperation activities by examining the SMEs that received government support for equipment leasing using multiple regression analysis and residual plots. The survey combined two databases: 1) a fact-finding survey of participating firms by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and 2) leasing information by the Korea Association of University, Research Institute and Industry. Results: The study found that firm size positively impacts R&D investment, R&D collaboration and distribution. Conclusions: The study provided evidence to policymakers and government officials that firms with more employees will more likely participate in government support programs. The study results also prove that government officials believe firm location does not impact R&D investment, R&D collaboration and distribution.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-94
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• 2022

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine firm-level attributes related to Korean manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs') decisions to implement smart factories. Design/methodology/approach - This study uses the provided by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of Korea and the Korea Federation of SMEs. Manufacturing SMEs' decisions to implement smart factories in 2018-2019 were analyzed using multinomial logit and ordered logit models. Findings - The findings of this study suggest that firms' decisions to implement smart factories were positively related to firm size, R&D intensity, international market scope, and transactional relationships with customers. However, smart factory implementation decisions were not related to firm age and CEO gender. Research implications or Originality - This study illuminates firm-level attributes that may drive organizational innovation in the era of Industry 4.0 and thus contributes to the innovation adoption literature. This study also contributes to growing research on smart factories by analyzing the actual, progressive decisions to implement smart factories, as opposed to perceived intentions to implement them.