• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.1226-1236
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• 2022

Because students majoring in construction-related fields must develop a broad repository of knowledge and skills, effective transferal of these is the primary focus of most academic programs. While inculcation of this body of knowledge is certainly critical, actual construction projects are complicated ventures that involve levels of risk and uncertainty, such as resistant neighboring communities, unforeseen weather conditions, escalating material costs, labor shortages and strikes, accidents on jobsites, challenges with emerging forms of technology, etc. Learning how to develop a level of discernment about potential ways to handle such uncertainty often takes years of costly trial-and-error in the proverbial "school of hard knocks." There is therefore a need to proactively expedite the development of a sharpened intuition when making decisions. The AGC Education and Research Foundation case study committee was formed to address this need. Since its inception in 2011, 14 freely downloadable case studies have thus far been jointly developed by an academics and industry practitioners to help educators elicit varied responses from students about potential ways to respond when facing an actual project dilemma. AGC case studies are typically designed to focus on a particular concern and topics have thus far included: ethics, site logistics planning, financial management, prefabrication and modularization, safety, lean practices, preconstruction planning, subcontractor management, collaborative teamwork, sustainable construction, mobile technology, and building information modeling (BIM). This session will include an overview of the history and intent of the AGC case study program, as well as lively interactive demonstrations and discussions on how case studies can be used both by educators within a typical academic setting, as well as by industry practitioners seeking a novel tool for their in-house training programs.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Construction Safety
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2023

Gang-foam is used in many construction projects because it is not only precise in terms of vertical, horizontal, and specifications, but also easy to install and dismantle. However, major accidents occur every year due to non-compliance with safety rules and work order, also manuals and checklists currently in use are insufficient. Thirty-seven surveys was conducted by analyzing major accident cases of domestic gang-form construction project and deriving 20 risk factors and 43 check points. Based on the survey, the importance and appropriateness of check points were evaluated. As a result of this study, a checklist was presented, check points were placed in the order of importance based on assembly, installation, dismantling, and lifting of the Gang-form process. The checklist was organized so that workers could comply with safety rules and work order. Through this, it is expected to prevent major accidents and contribute to efficient safety management.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.467-474
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• 2013

Construction contactors must continuously seek to improve their cash flows, which reside at the heart of their financial success. They require careful planning, analysis, and optimization to avoid the risk of bankruptcy, remain profitable, and secure long-term growth. Sources of cash include bank loans and retained earnings, which are conceptually similar in that they both incur a cost of capital. Financial management therefore requires accurate yet customizable modeling capabilities that can quantify all expenses, including said cost of capital. However, currently existing cash flow models in construction engineering and management have strongly simplified the manner in which interest is assessed, which may even lead to overstating it at a disadvantage to contractors. The variable nature of cash balances, especially in the early phases of construction projects, contribute to this challenging issue. This research therefore extends a new cash flow model with an accurate interest calculation. It utilizes singularity functions, so called because of their ability to flexibly model changes across any number of different ranges. The interest function is continuous for activity costs of any duration and allows the realistic case that activities may begin between integer time periods, which are often calendar months. Such fractional interest calculation has hitherto been lacking from the literature. It also provides insights into the self-referential behavior of compound interest for variable cash balances. The contribution of this study is twofold; augmenting the corpus of financial analysis theory with a new interest formula, whose strengths include its generic nature and that it can be evaluated at any fractional value of time, and providing construction managers with a tool to help improve and fine-tune the financial performance of their projects.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.87-113
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• 2023

Purpose - Focusing on Haier, a successful corporate venture in China, we analyse the operating mechanism and success factors of corporate venture, and reveal the necessary factors for the successful implementation of corporate venture. Design/methodology/approach - This study is a single case study centred on Haier, a successful corporate venture in China. Findings - The operational process of Haier's corporate venture includes six key aspects: project selection, team building, resource allocation and support, project implementation, risk control measures, performance evaluation and rewards. In terms of success factors, the support of top management with leadership capability of value creation and sharing is very important for the success of corporate venture. Secondly, a multi reward mechanism can be introduced to motivate employees and improve performance. Thirdly, it is important to integrate corporate culture into the operating mechanism of an corporate venture. Fourthly, flexible operations that break down rigid organisational boundaries and transform the organisation into a more open platform for entrepreneurship can increase the likelihood of success. Finally, empowering employees with operational discretion can also have a positive impact on the success of an Corporate Venture. Research implications or Originality - This study contributes to theory and practice by analysing the success conditions of corporate venture, providing new understanding and drawing new perspectives, especially from the experience of Haier. The results suggest strategies and flexibility for successfully pursuing corporate venture, and provide important experience for international companies to help them gain competitive advantage in global competition. It also helps corporate leaders to promote new directions and innovations and improve their strategies to respond to dynamic environments.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.307-319
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• 2009

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology has been regarded as one of the most possible and practical option to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and consequently to mitigate the climate change. Korean government also have started a 10-year R&D project on $CO_2$ storage in sea-bed geological structure including gas field and deep saline aquifer since 2005. Various relevant researches are carried out to cover the initial survey of suitable geological structure storage site, monitoring of the stored $CO_2$ behavior, basic design of $CO_2$ transport and storage process and the risk assessment and management related to $CO_2$ leakage from engineered and geological processes. Leakage of $CO_2$ to the marine environment can change the chemistry of seawater including the pH and carbonate composition and also influence adversely on the diverse living organisms in ecosystems. Recently, IMO (International Maritime Organization) have developed the risk assessment and management framework for the $CO_2$ sequestration in sub-seabed geological structures (CS-SSGS) and considered the sequestration as a waste management option to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This framework for CS-SSGS aims to provide generic guidance to the Contracting Parties to the London Convention and Protocol, in order to characterize the risks to the marine environment from CS-SSGS on a site-specific basis and also to collect the necessary information to develop a management strategy to address uncertainties and any residual risks. The environmental risk assessment (ERA) plan for $CO_2$ storage work should include site selection and characterization, exposure assessment with probable leak scenario, risk assessment from direct and in-direct impact to the living organisms and risk management strategy. Domestic trial of the $CO_2$ capture and sequestration in to the marine geologic formation also should be accomplished through risk management with specified ERA approaches based on the IMO framework. The risk assessment procedure for $CO_2$ marine storage should contain the following components; 1) prediction of leakage probabilities with the reliable leakage scenarios from both engineered and geological part, 2) understanding on physio-chemical fate of $CO_2$ in marine environment especially for the candidate sites, 3) exposure assessment methods for various receptors in marine environments, 4) database production on the toxic effect of $CO_2$ to the ecologically and economically important species, and finally 5) development of surveillance procedures on the environmental changes with adequate monitoring techniques.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.497-504
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• 2008

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to report prevalence and to identify risk factors of subclinical mastitis of dairy cattle in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Among 325 dairy farms of the district 12 farms(3.7%) were selected conveniently for this study. All the dairy cows of the 12 farms were selected for sample collection. Fresh milk samples from each of the selected dairy cows were collected aseptically in separate sterilized test tube as RF, RH, LF and LH quarter of the udder. Rapid modified White Side Test(WST) was used to detect subclinical mastitis(SCM). Results of WST and data derived from filled in questionnaire were entered in Microsoft Excel 2003 and transferred to $STATA^{(R)}$, version 8.0/Intercooled(Stata Corporation, Texas, USA, 2003). The overall prevalence of SCM and its distribution in different categories of variables in cow and their exact binomial 95% confidence intervals were calculated in $STATA^{(R)}$. Simple bivariable associations among independent variables were investigated by $x^2$ test in $STATA^{(R)}$. Multiple logistic regression analysis with backward elimination method was used to identify risk factors of SCM. To identify significant variation in quarter SCM, linear regression analysis was performed after arcsine transformation of the data. The overall prevalence of SCM found in this study is 54%. Dairy cows with teat lesions had significantly increased SCM(OR=12342, P value=0.000, 95% CI=762, 199798) than others without teat lesions. The Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwal breed has significantly decreased(OR=0.18, p=0.03, 95% CI 0.04, 0.85) SCM than other breeds. The prevalence of SCM found in this study is in agreement with others. The injury in the teat increases the probability of getting infected with microbes and thereby mastitis. If the prevalence of teat lesion can be decreased the probability of subclinical mastitis will also be decreased. The negatively associated Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwall breed may help in planning mastitis control program if this finding can be validated by a more powerful case-control or cohort study design.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2009

Background: The insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is the primary docking molecule for the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), and is required for activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) pathway. IRS-1 activation of the (PI3K) pathway regulates IGF-mediated survival, enhancement of cellular motility and apoptosis. Therefore, we attempted to ascertain whether IRS-1 genetic variations affect an individual's risk for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Two-hundred and eighteen subjects, either diagnosed with NSCLC or control subjects, were matched by age, gender and smoking status. Genomic DNA from each subject was amplified by PCR and analyzed according to the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile to detect the IRS-1 G972R polymorphism. Results: The frequencies of each polymorphic variation, in the control population, were as follows: GG=103 (94.5%) and GR=6 (5.5%); for the NSCLC subjects, the genotypic frequencies were as follows: GG=106 (97.2%) and GR=3 (2.8%). We could not demonstrate statistically significant differences in the genotypic distribution between the NSCLC and the control subjects (p=0.499, Fisher's Exact test). The relative risk of NSCLC, associated with the IRS-1 G972R polymorphic variation, was 1.028 (95% CI; 0.63~9.90). In addition, we found no differences between polymorphic variants with regard to the histological subtype of NSCLC. Conclusion: We did not observe any noteworthy differences in the frequency of the IRS-1 G972R polymorphism in NSCLC patients, compared to control subjects. These results suggest suggesting that, in our study population, the IRS-1 G972R polymorphism does may not appear to be associated with an increased risk of NSCLC.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.87-106
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the association between process quality of inpatient care and risk-adjusted, thirty-day potentially preventable hospital readmission (PPR) rates. Data Sources/Study Setting: This was an observational cross-sectional study of nonfederal acute-care hospitals located in two states California and Florida, discharging Medicare patients with a principal discharge diagnosis of heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or pneumonia January through December 31, 2007. Data were obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Compare database, and the American Hospital Association Annual Survey of Hospitals. Study Design: The dependent variable of this study is condition-specific, risk-adjusted, thirty-day potentially preventable hospital readmission (PPR). 3M's PPR software was utilized to determine whether a readmission was potentially preventable. The independent variable of this study is hospital performance for process quality of inpatient care, measured by hospital adherence to recommended processes of care. We used multivariate hierarchical logistic models, clustered by hospitals, to examine the relationship between condition-specific, risk-adjusted, thirty-day PPR rates and process quality of inpatient care, after taking clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients and structural and operational characteristics of hospitals into account. Findings: Better performance on the process quality metrics was associated with better patient outcome (i.e., low thirty-day PPR rates) in pneumonia, but not generally in two cardiovascular conditions (i.e., heart failure and acute myocardial infarction). Practical Implication: Adherence to the process quality metrics currently in use by CMS is associated with risk-adjusted, thirty-day PPR rates for patients with pneumonia, but not with cardiovascular conditions. More evidence-based process quality metrics closely linked to 30-day PPR rates, particularly for cardiovascular conditions, need to be developed to serve as a guideline to reduce potentially preventable readmissions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2001

Objective : To elucidate risk factors for coronary heart diseases among Korean males. Methods : A nested case control study was conducted among a Korea Medical Insurance Cooperation(KMIC) cohort composed of 108,802 males. The eases included 246 male patients who were admitted to hospital due to coronary heart diseases from 1993 to 1997 (120-25 by ICD) and whose diagnosis was confirmed by the protocol by WHO MONICA Project(1994). The control group was composed of 483 patients selected by frequency matching considering age and resident area from an inpatient care group without coronary heart disease during the same period. For study cases and the controls, the results of a health check-up in 1990 and a questionnaire on life style in 1992 were received through the KMIC. Some additional information was collected by telephone interviews during October 1999. Results : Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio(OR) of coronary heart diseases among past smokers and current smokers as compared to non-smokers were 1.94(95% CI : 1.14-3.31) and 2.20(55% CI : 1.35-3.59), respectively. The OR among persons who drank 4 cups or more of caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea daily as compared to persons who drank one cup for 2-3 days was 2.50(95% CI : 1.07-6.12). The OR among persons with high normal BP and stage 3 hypertension against normotension were 2.51 (95% CI : 1.44-4.37) and 5.08(95% CI : 2.38-10.84). The OR among persons whose blood cholesterol were 240 mg/dL or mere against lower than 200mg/dL was 2.24(95% CI : 1.43-3.49). Conclusion : Smoking, drinking of excessive caffeinated beverages, hypertension and high blood cholesterol were proven to be significant risk factors for coronary heart diseases among Korean males.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.134-144
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• 2010

In China, the enhancement of water services has become the most crucial issue confronted with the rapid urbanization and industrialization process. A huge financial gap to meet the demand for water infrastructure and need for adopting advanced operation technology precipitated the rapid growth of PPP over the last 10 years. Diverse schemes of PPP such as TOT, Divestiture, and Management Contract and Lease have been practiced. Local governments and private investors/operator have adjusted their objectives and strategies to avoid potential pitfalls behind BOT projects in China. However, current academic research outcomes do not properly reflect important issues of BOT projects or related case studies in China. This limitation has brought in the lack of assessment of important risks and success factors required for the improvement of the body of risk management. In this regard, this study uses the market analysis method to identify major schemes of PPP water projects and conducts case studies on five PPP projects to identify key risk and success factors in association with each different scheme. It is expected that the risk and success factors identified from the cases will be used as reference to Korean companies which plan to enter the Chinese water market.