• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.57-81
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• 2010

Recently, labor unions' active participation in social issues is drawing people's attention as their concerns are expanding from the conventional wage raise and employment to others such as the environment and poverty eradication. This derives from the notion that a trade union with bargaining power is also an economic agent responsible and able to take a positive role in social issues. This paper explains through a micro economic analysis model that labor union movements can also contribute to social issues such as the global environment. Based on the international oligopoly trade theory, the study analyzes the principal-agent model whereby firms and labor unions pursue their strategic choices based on their interest and influence the implementation of regulatory policies on pollution emission. The analysis confirmed that labor unions' bargaining power and international cooperation are influential in alleviating global pollution emission and in improving social welfare. This conclusion could be presented as a basis for arguing for and requesting the participation and cooperation of labor unions to solve environmental problems discussed at WILL 2006.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

The Japanese government has carried out the power industry reform in three phases to supply power stably, control the rise of electricity tariff, and expand consumer choices. The reform of the Japanese electric power industry fosters new kinds of businesses as well as changes the competitive structure in which the enterprises participating electricity business compete. However, for the power industry restructuring to be done smoothly, the accompanying tasks should be carried out. Korea has also been devoting a lot of efforts to cultivate various types of new industries based on the convergence of energy and information and communications technology. If there are the same kinds of new industries between the two countries, the progresses of the industries can be compared to each other over a period of time.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.446-462
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• 2021

The aim of this paper is to examine the long-standing regional disparities and social division in the UK which are considered one of the crucial facts of Brexit. Since Brexit, also, the changed regional development policies are reviewed. Regarding policy perspective, we delve into the process of the UK government's strategic policy choices, such as privatisation of public enterprises and financial reform, amid the neoliberal globalisation in the late 1970s, drawing its implication to us having similar problems. Besides, the UK's self-sustaining regional development fund, policy, and changed governance are dissected with several ongoing debates. Finally, this study asserts the necessity of the social consensus of regional disparity policies and the establishment of the spatial environment particularly in regions left behind, giving the quality and equity of life.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.77-101
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• 2009

As a case study in the field of policy implementation research, this study focuses on how the logic of consumer choice and provider competition operates on the front line of policy processing. To find the implementation process of the program, 39 interview data were analyzed, including voucher users, care workers, social workers in 4 agencies and local public officers in one of the district in Seoul, and relevant officials from the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family affairs and the Center for Social Service Management. The main results are as follows: In the level of policy implementation, user choice and competition, which was the main logic behind the implementation of the voucher program, did not occur as expected by policy makers. Instead of user choosing his/her provider, it was found that the providers were choosing its users. Secondly, the case study found that providers have formed a caucus which allocated the local users equally amongst the providers. In this process, local public officers have supported the meeting by providing them with a list of users. Such results may be interpreted as a habitual execution from the tradition of supply-side subsidy, rather than the way of implementation in the market system. Thirdly, although voucher users could not choose their preferred agency in the first stage of service, some other choices exists so that users may choose their preferred care-giver and time for service. Finally, the change of agency and care-giver in the way of delivering services were observed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.169-180
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• 2010

The current status of information management and information strategy of an enterprise may determine the future capability of the firm, thus the competitiveness in the market. Especially, in case of SME(small and medium enterprise), the level of information management and strategy gives the company readiness in the ever changing business environment. In this study, we investigate the information infrastructure of SMEs operating in Incheon Metropolitan areas whether they can meet the challenge in terms of network, software, IT education, IT finance, etc. We came up some suggestions which might be good alternatives and choices for IT decision makers in local and central government.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.35 no.4B
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• pp.599-609
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• 2010

Korean government has recently abrogated WIPI policy to open domestic mobile phone market to the world, which may result in the influx of foreign smart phones. This circumstance has given users more wide range of choices to buy a product and also has brought benefit to buy mobile phone cheaply. On the other hands, this change might have brought potential danger of mobile malware incidents which have only occurred in foreign countries. There are standardized analysis methods and response guides for computer malwares, not but for mobile malwares in our country. In this paper, we introduce existing mobile malwares and available tools for their analysis. Considering domestic circumstances which might not be properly protected against mobile malwares, we propose analysis methods and response guide of mobile malwares.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2012

Present study investigates on the impact of resources and characteristics of the tenure choice for divorced women in Korea. The authors utilize the micro data from the Korea Census (2% sample) provided by the National Statistical Office. The authors apply the bivariate probit model to eliminate selection bias that could incur due to sample selectivity, from a chain of marital disruption and tenure choices. This study starts with a descriptive explanation of homeownership after divorce from 1985 to 2005. It concluded that divorce results in a substantial attrition of homeownership. The authors found that out for many women, divorce initiates a process of downward mobility on the housing ladder. The probability to own housing is much lower for divorced women than for women who are not divorced. The present study concludes by suggesting some policy implications for divorced women who have limited access to housing stability. The authors also suggest some future studies that can compensate the empirical limitations of the present study.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2012

Food allergy refers to an immunologically mediated adverse reaction to food, mainly to proteinaceous constituents. Health implications vary between those individuals who experience mild physical discomforts to those with fast-acting, life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. The prevalence of food allergy is higher in children than in adults, estimated around 4-8% and 1-2% respectively in developed countries. Food allergy has no effective cure at the present time and total avoidance of causative foods is the most reliable prophylactic method currently recommended by the medical community. To help food allergic patients to make informed choices of their foods, mandatory labeling of selected food allergens has been introduced in several countries. All food allergen labelling provisions specify a set of allergens common to the regulated countries. Policy divergence, however, exists between countries by inclusion of additional allergens unique to specific countries and enforcement of specific labelling requirements. Such variations in food allergen labelling regulations make it difficult to manage allergen labeling in imported pre-packaged food products. This paper addresses two current issues in food allergen regulation: 1) an urgent need to determine true prevalence of food allergy in the Asia-Pacific region. This will enable refinement to the food allergen regulation to be more country-specific rather than simply adopting CODEX recommendations. 2) There is an urgent need for harmonization of food allergen regulation in order to prevent food allergen regulation becoming a trade barrier.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.157-173
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• 2021

In the transition to a multipolar international system, the literature has focused on great power competition while little attention has been given to the strategic possibilities of smaller states. However, as a result of globalization, states are so closely interconnected that the primary strategies of even major powers are not to achieve zero-sum solutions but to create asymmetric dependency through which they can influence the behavior of other states and non-state actors. States are assisted in this effort by a variety of tools, including setting up institutions, direct economic influence and through building different forms of infrastructure connectivity networks. By discussing asymmetric dependency situations from the perspective of the great powers, the literature presents smaller states primarily as passive actors, paralyzed by their dependence on great powers. Our paper argues that interdependence allows smaller states to effectively influence larger actors and examines strategies from which smaller states can choose in order to influence the behavior of larger states. Despite an extremely asymmetric relationship between Myanmar and China, actors in Myanmar have sought to influence China's Myanmar policy. We examine a case study of the Myitsone Dam, including Myanmar's strategic aims, chosen strategy and limitations in maneuvering space. Semi-structured interviews with local decision-makers and stakeholders are conducted in order to portray the full picture. Our study concludes that further research on the influencing strategies of small states in response to asymmetric dependence can contribute to a better understanding of the interdependence of states.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.sup1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has brought to light issues regarding personal and environmental cleanliness. Individuals may have concerns about cleanliness at food service establishments when they consume food prepared at a restaurant. In Korea, a new restaurant hygienic certificate system was implemented in 2017. The effect of this new system has not been evaluated. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study investigated consumers' perceptions of these new certificates using the protection motivation theory (PMT). An online survey was conducted to collect data and then exploratory factor analysis, analysis of variance, and multiple regression tests were run. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that 3 different certificates had significant differences in threat (P < 0.001) and benefit (P < 0.001) perception. However, experience with a foodborne illness from a restaurant did not effect on the PMT variables. In addition, the 3-tier certificate did not motivate consumers to protect themselves against foodborne illnesses, while previous experiences of foodborne illness (P < 0.05), coping (P < 0.001), and benefits (P < 0.01) affected this protection motivation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that consumers were not influenced by different certificate levels regarding their motivation to protect themselves from foodborne illnesses. Therefore, an improved plan should be initiated to clarify the meaning of these certificates. The results of this study can help the application and development of a new system for future adaptations.