• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2022

The smart factory is an important system that can reduce defects, maximize productivity, and respond to customer needs, from the labor-intensive era of traditional small and medium-sized manufacturing companies through the automation era to CPS using ICT. However, small and medium-sized manufacturers often fall short of the basic stage due to economic and environmental constraints, and there are many companies that do not even recognize the concept of a smart factory. In this situation, to expand the smart factory of small and medium-sized enterprises, the project to support the establishment of a smart factory for the win-win between large and small enterprises. The win-win smart factory construction support project provides a customized differentiation program support project according to the size and level of the company for all domestic manufacturing SMEs regardless of whether or not they are dealing with Samsung. In this study, we analyze the construction status and introduction performance of companies participating in the win-win smart factory support project to find out whether they have been helpful in management and to find efficient ways to improve support policies, and to suggest the direction of continuous support projects to improve the manufacturing competitiveness of SMEs in the future.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

This paper empirically studies the effect of public procurement on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of Korea using firm-level data. Public procurement, the purchase of goods and services from private firms by the public sector, is regarded as an important policy measure for providing support to firms, particularly SMEs. This study uses establishment-level panel data of the mining and manufacturing sectors from the Korean National Bureau of Statistics (Statistics Korea) and procurement history from the Korean Public Procurement Service to empirically estimate the effects of public procurement on firms' productivity (total factor productivity) and survivability. Using a propensity score matching estimation method, we find that participating firms showed higher productivity than non-participating ones in the control group only for the year of participation, that is, 2009. After two years, in 2011, they exhibited significantly lower productivity. In contrast, establishments that participated in public procurement for SMEs in 2009 were more likely to survive than those that did not do so in 2011. These results can be interpreted as the negative consequences of government intervention. The market's efficiency enhancement is hindered if underserving companies survive owing to government intervention but fail to improve efficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2024

A Smart factories are systems that enable quick response to customer demands, reduce defect rates, and maximize productivity. They have evolved from manual labor-intensive processes to automation and now to cyber-physical systems with the help of information and communication technology. However, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still unable to implement even the initial stages of smart factories due to various environmental and economic constraints. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of the concept of smart factories. To address this issue, the Cooperation-based Smart Factory Construction Support Project was launched. This project is a differentiated support project that provides customized programs based on the size and level of the company. Research has been conducted to analyze the impact of this project on participating and non-participating companies. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of the support policy and suggest efficient measures for improvement. Furthermore, the research aims to provide direction for future support projects to enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of SMEs. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the overall manufacturing industry and drive innovation.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-34
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• 1995

Since 1982, the government of Korea has actively promoted vertical cooperative R&D programs between government-sponsored research institutes (GRIs) and private firms. A number of firms participated in the programs because cooperative R&D could lower the risk and could contribute to rapid commercialization of many technologies. This paper examines the effectiveness of vertical cooperative R&D projects by the modes of cooperation between GRIs and industrial firms, and analyzes the performance of participating firms' technology sourcing strategies for commercial utilization of cooperative R&D results at the project performed from 1982 to 1989 under the Government-Industry Cooperative R&D Program sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology(MOST) in Korea. The cooperative R&D projects are classified into 4 groups by two criteria, i.e., the level of participation of firms, and the breadth of cooperation. The findings suggest that firms should actively participate in cooperative R&D projects. In addition, in order to enhance commercial success, cooperation between GRIs and industrial firms should not be limited to R&D stage only. The breadth of cooperation should be extended to commercialization stage. Small- and medium-sized firms participating in vertical cooperative R&D projects in Korea usually lack internal technological capabilities that are needed to commercialize the results of cooperative R&D. Three different technology sourcing strategies - exclusive cooperative R&D strategy, in-house development augmented cooperative R&D strategy, and licensing-in supplemented cooperative R&D strategy - are empirically derived through cluster analysis of the relative usage rates cooperative R&D and of other supplementary technology acquisition methods. The findings suggest that the firms participating in vertical cooperative R&D projects should try to utilize other supplementary technology acquisition methods in order to achieve commercial utilization of the vertical cooperative R&D results.

• Korea Science and Art Forum
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• v.20
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• pp.147-158
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• 2015

This study made an approach to the industrial exhibition space, which is a medium of marketing communication, from the position of an enterprise and consumers through the output of Space Design, and conducted it with focus on B2B transactions among specialized exhibitions. In addition, this study inquired into what factors should be considered along with space design by interpreting the purpose of participating in the exhibition and space design of the enterprise which supply capital goods, elements, related technologies and materials, etc. This study aimed at drawing the direct/indirect effect, produced by space design, on the marketing by analyzing correlation between space design and participating enterprises' marketing. Despite the marketing effect of the exhibition, which was proved by preceding research results, the reality is that exhibition-participating expenses work as considerable burden on enterprises. Particularly, booth design, which is forming the most proportion among the participating expenses, was found to have insufficient influence on visitors due to the decline in its importance among diverse factors influencing visitor's decision to visit a booth. Regardless of the business category of participating enterprises in the exhibition, the standard of exhibits was ranked as the most important consideration factor in visiting a booth. Even by business category, the standard of booth design rarely had an influence on booth visit. Booth design had an affirmative influence on participating enterprise's preference, but its influence on product purchase or business talk & contact with a participating enterprise or price was found to be extremely low. It's difficult to judge marketing success or failure of an exhibition by the form and standard of booth design. Preferably, this study infers that it's necessary to put much weight on qualitative excellence of an exhibition, which consists of participation of an enterprise in possession of excellent technologies, exhibits with higher standards and high-quality visitors with purchasing power. This study suggests that it's more effective to set up the plan for expansion of participation in exhibition by optimally regulating the proportion of space design in participating expense to increase marketing effectiveness of an exhibition. The limitations of this study, analysis of which based on the visitors to an exhibition only, requires supplementation through the follow-up research work on participating enterprises in the exhibition.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.72-111
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• 1996

Background: Group occupational health program by non-for-profit agency, started five years ago, for management of health problems in small and medium sized industries, is one of the measures to cope with limited human and financial resources in occupational health. The program has been rapidly expanding to include 54 participating institutions, private as well as public, all over the country. In spite of its potential impact on health of employees and practice of occupational health in small and medium sized industries, comprehensive evaluation in terms of quality has not been tried. Objectives : The aim of this study are to develop and apply criteria to assess quality of newly developed Korean group occupational health program. Methods : By defining occupational health services, in particular for small and medium sized industries, as one of the primary health care, we included followings as core elements of sound occupational health program; accessibility, continuity, intersectoral collaboration, comprehensiveness, community participation, technical quality, adequacy, focus on preventive services, acceptability, and workers' satisfaction. Again we divided each elements into five major components of national health system infrastructures developed by World Health Organization; development of health resources organized arrangement or resources, delivery of health care, economic support, and management. In turn, we categorized each component into input, process and outcome aspects. After discussions in expert panel, several criteria were selected for evaluation of program. The criteria were modified according to each group of interviewees. Results: We developed five sets of questionnaire that evaluate the quality of 'Group occupational health program'. Conclusion : The refining of the measurement tool and the continuing evaluation process for the 'Group occupational health institute' should be done further.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.18-35
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to offer a holistic description of the role demanded of costume designers to provide qualitative improvement of costume designs for small- and medium-sized musicals. The study accomplishes this by analyzing the relationship between the play and costume design in musicals and also by examining the process and environments in which costumes of small-sized theater companies' original musicals are produced. The methods of study are empirical research of literature related to dress, stage art, and culture & arts from both domestic and foreign publications; research of visual materials related to plays; and production and analysis of theatrical performances in which the researcher has participated as a costume designer. The results of the study are as follows. First, professionalism of the play and visual perfection of the work may be enhanced by costume designers actively participating in meetings with staff from each field of the play. Second, by taking advantage of the unique aspects of the work environment of small-sized theater companies' small- and medium-sized original musicals, such as harsh situations of regular and periodical meetings with all staff member, the designer may consider the director's intentions and concepts of the play, but should display more creative and autonomous design abilities. Third, because the costume designers of small- and medium-sized original musical plays are given a small budget and short production periods, the ability to systematically manage budget and production periods and the ability to flexibly handle unexpected incidents during the play is essential.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.86-94
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to identify current quality control (QC) practices of primary care clinics participating in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea. Methods: A nationwide survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted among the primary care clinics participating in the NCSP, which were selected by a proportionate stratified sampling. The questionnaire consisted of general information about the responding clinics and the scope of QC activities undertaken. A total of 360 clinics responded and the set of data was then analyzed with Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 360 respondents, 332 (92%) reported that they were involved in the QC activities. Most frequently performed QC activities were 'maintenance of facility and instruments' (89%) and 'staff training' (85%). The analysis revealed, with statistical significance (p<.05), that there was an association between certain characteristics of the clinics and the scope of QC activities. These findings also indicated that the diversity of QC practices varies according to the size of the clinics. The clinics screening more types of cancer, those with more screenees, and those with more employees were more likely to implement various QC activities including 'maintenance of facility and instruments', 'external quality control', and 'management of screening data'. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the current status of QC activities conducted among primary care clinics participating in the NCSP. The results of this survey can be used as a basis for further development of policies on quality management of small- and medium-sized primary care clinics in Korea. However, further studies encompassing various aspects of QC activities and management of primary care clinics are needed to assess the current situation in a concise manner.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 1993.10a
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• pp.538-545
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• 1993

Individual farming involving small land parcel (0.5 to 1.0ha) is declining because it is uneconomic and unable to incorporate modern technological innovation to improve its production efficiency. A centrally managed medium scale mechanised rice share farming was implemented at Permatang Pauh, Sebeerang Perai, Malaysia in 1988-1991 for eight seasons on a contiguous 57 ha rice land rented from 100 owners. Ten participants were chosen to participate in this project which perpetuated from revolving fund of MR 165.000. The objective of the project was to overcome problem of production efficiency and to provide a stable income to farmers operating on a medium and full time basis. Mechanisation was given prime emphasis to optime and reduce labour requirement and meeting the targeted crop scheduling. Direct seeding and mechanical transplanting methods of crop establishment were adopted. Land preparations, crop establishment and crop care were done using machineries purchased by the group. Selected participants were trained to operate machineries which composed 2 and 4 wheel tractors, mechanical transplanters, motorised seeders and sprayers. Harvesting and transportation of rice to the mills were done on contractual basis using combine harvesters and bulk handling via 3-4 ton lorries respectively. The net clean yield (less 10-20 percent deduction at rice mills) obtained in such project has contributed to stabilise the production and income of participating farmers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2016

Background: Management and workers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often find it hard to comprehend the requirements related to controlling risks due to exposure to substances. An intervention study was set up in order to support 45 SMEs in improving the management of the risks of occupational exposure to chemicals, and in using the control banding tool and exposure model Stoffenmanager in this process. Methods: A 2-year intervention study was carried out, in which a mix of individual and collective training and support was offered, and baseline and effect measurements were carried out by means of structured interviews, in order to measure progress made. A seven-phase implementation evolutionary ladder was used for this purpose. Success and failure factors were identified by means of company visits and structured interviews. Results: Most companies clearly moved upwards on the implementation evolutionary ladder; 76% of the companies by at least one phase, and 62% by at least two phases. Success and failure factors were described. Conclusion: Active training and coaching helped the participating companies to improve their chemical risk management, and to avoid making mistakes when using and applying Stoffenmanager. The use of validated tools embedded in a community platform appears to support companies to organize and structure their chemical risk management in a business-wise manner, but much depends upon motivated occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals, management support, and willingness to invest time and means.