• Journal of the Korea Management Engineers Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.143-158
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• 2018

It is also difficult for SMEs to pursue their own innovation activities due to their limited resources and capabilities. There are various government support policies for small and medium enterprises to enhance the competitiveness of the nation by improving sustainability management based on productivity improvement of SMEs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that are important for the external support by the government and the related organizations in the machinery industry participating in the industrial innovation movement and identify the appropriate measures within and outside the organization. The results of this study are as follows: First, the higher the innovation commitment quality of the SMEs in the machinery industry, the more positive the non - financial performance. Second, the higher the quality of support from the headquarter, which has comprehensive responsibility for external support, the more positive the non - financial performance of participating companies. Third, it was concluded that the role quality of the consultant did not significantly affect the non - financial performance of participating companies in the machinery industry. Fourth, as the financial performance of the firm is better, the financial performance is also positively improved.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.51-80
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to empirically analyze the impact that occurs when Korean organizations make practical use of various information technology tools and systems in the knowledge management process, such as sharing, learning and creating knowledge. Such a process is usually made through online and offline knowledge management activities. This paper also verifies how the externalization of tacit knowledge, and the internalization of explicit knowledge via the Internet and offline socialization activities have altered the mechanisms of knowledge transfers inside organizations. For the research, a survey was conducted on the satisfaction and usability levels of information technology, and the impact of IT usage on the results of knowledge management activities and knowledge transfers. 622 Korean organizations were surveyed, including major listed firms and public organizations. The results were examined as an online/offline integration process using SECI's Model proposed by Nonaka (1994, 1995). The analysis shows that information technology satisfaction and the usage of information technology help accelerate the pace of the knowledge flow and amplify the volume of the knowledge transfer by boosting the externalization and internalization processes-also known as knowledge management activities. However. there is no distinct correlation between information technology and socialization, an offline knowledge transferal activity. In particular, the quality of knowledge-an end result of knowledge transfer-does not improve merely by the externalization of online knowledge and instead requires the internalization of knowledge processes. Above all, the research reveals that offline socialization processes vastly contribute to the improvement of knowledge quality. This paper suggests that in order to ensure a transfer of quality knowledge, an organization or a company should focus on the use of information technology rather than the satisfaction level of information technology, and that knowledge transfers via the Internet has limitations in creating high quality of knowledge. For an organization to ensure the transfer of high-quality knowledge, the organization should not entirely hinge the transfer of knowledge online, as it is essential to have an offline method-a form of socialization such as a 'community of practice.'

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.123-148
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• 2015

Today the mobile devices including smart phones have influenced on the users' daily activities in the mobile internet society, and the expansion of social media has also affected on the purchasing behavior of consumers. This study examines whether the quality of corporate twitter, a typical social network service for call centers influences on the customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty. In order to achieve the research goal, the quality of twitter has been divided into four variables; information quality, service quality, system quality, and social quality. The results of our empirical analysis show that the three variables except service quality have significantly influenced on the customer satisfaction and the customer satisfaction also significantly has a casual effect on the brand loyalty. The empirical results are expected as a guideline to contribute on the practical improvement of customer service, satisfaction, and brand loyalty through corporate social network services such as corporate twitters in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.87-101
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• 1996

To investigate the impacts of ISO 9000 QA systems to the Korean industry quality improvement as well as quality consciousness, QA related data has been surveyed from quality assurance engineers who have worked on ISO 9000 certification activities and has been analyzed using relevant tabulations of five(5) scale or x2-homogeneity test method. Hypotheses to the unchange in the quality consciousness are tested in terms of x2-homogeneity in order to compare the consciousness of pre-certification with that of post-certification. The level of quality management of Korean manufacturing industry has been high-lighted by use of quality maturity grid.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the audiologic results after cochlear implantation (CI) in older patients and the degree of improvement in their quality of life (QoL). Subjects and Methods: Patients over 65 years old who underwent CI at implant center in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). The control group was patient over 65 years old with normal hearing (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). We administered three questionnaires [World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD)], and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to evaluate the QoL, CIrelated effects on activities of daily life, and social activities in all the subjects. Moreover, correlations between speech recognition and the QoL scores were evaluated. The duration of implant use and comorbidities were also examined as potential factors affecting QoL. Results: The patients had remarkable improvements (the mean score of postoperative speech perception 75.7%) in speech perception after CI. The scores for the WHOQOL-OLD and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire responses were similar in both the study and control groups, except those for a two subdomains (social relations and social participation). The patients with longer-term CI had higher scores than those with short-term CI use. In general, the changes in GDS scores were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The treatment of hearing loss with CI conferred significant improvement in patient's QoL (p<0.01). The evaluation of QoL can provide multidimensional insights into a geriatric patient's progress and, therefore, should be considered by audiologists.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.138-145
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the audiologic results after cochlear implantation (CI) in older patients and the degree of improvement in their quality of life (QoL). Subjects and Methods: Patients over 65 years old who underwent CI at implant center in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). The control group was patient over 65 years old with normal hearing (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). We administered three questionnaires [World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD)], and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to evaluate the QoL, CIrelated effects on activities of daily life, and social activities in all the subjects. Moreover, correlations between speech recognition and the QoL scores were evaluated. The duration of implant use and comorbidities were also examined as potential factors affecting QoL. Results: The patients had remarkable improvements (the mean score of postoperative speech perception 75.7%) in speech perception after CI. The scores for the WHOQOL-OLD and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire responses were similar in both the study and control groups, except those for a two subdomains (social relations and social participation). The patients with longer-term CI had higher scores than those with short-term CI use. In general, the changes in GDS scores were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The treatment of hearing loss with CI conferred significant improvement in patient's QoL (p<0.01). The evaluation of QoL can provide multidimensional insights into a geriatric patient's progress and, therefore, should be considered by audiologists.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.193-199
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the development of fall prevention programs for the elderly and for improvement of quality of life based on history of falls, chronic diseases, location, fear of falling, daily living activities, and quality of life. This study was conducted from 15th August to 17th September of 2016 on 185 elderly subjects above the age of 65 living in four centers of J city and four centers of J rural. The results of this study are as follows: There were no statistically significant differences in daily living activities, fear of falls, and quality of life regarding falls in the past. There were statistically significant differences in fear of falling and quality of life regarding chronic diseases. There were statistically significant differences in daily living activities and quality of life regarding residence. This study confirms that there were relations among daily living activities, fear of falling, and quality of life, and there was a negative correlation between fear of falling and accomplishment of daily living activities(r=-.386, p<.000). There was also a positive correlation between accomplishment of daily living activities and quality of life(r=.513, p<.000). Therefore, avoiding outings on slippery roads and creating safe environments for the elderly are important to reduce fear of falling. Additionally, a system should be developed for the elderly to acquire necessary information for daily life.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.169-178
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• 2015

This study implemented a health support network project to improve the quality of life of women with musculoskeletal disorders. These activities were intended to analyze the effects of the impact on the quality of life of women with musculoskeletal diseases, continuing to base their future needs for materials and practice so as to provide a method for this purpose. On August 19, 2013 through December, a survey of 320 people living in Seoul included 31 women with symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Another, 16 weeks led to a total of 127 people with housewives screened as a subjects for social support networks projects. After the research, the health support network project was implemented, and most musculoskeletal pain was reduced, depression levels were reduced, and a quality improvement was noted in health-related life activities. In particular, mental- health-related quality of life was found to increased. As incidental factors that may cause musculoskeletal disorders, marital status, living with family, low income, and a high depression index were related to low health-related quality of life. Future studies can support continued health at the local business community level rather than with smaller samples. This work can also be supported by follow-up studies to evaluate the effectiveness of program.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2010

The competitive strategies of the Korean manufacturing companies have changed from the "cost leadership" strategy in the early developing stage since 1960's to the "stuck in the middle" position since 1990's in the face of emerging new cost leaders as the Chinese companies. The data on the strategic contents of the Korean manufacturing companies show that their strategies are seeking the value innovation through not only quality improvement but also cost reduction altogether rather than selecting one on the trade-off relation between the both competitive dimensions. Their strategic actions seem to be seeking the operational efficiencies through all the value chain activities rather than the strategic effectiveness by selecting and focusing on the specific competitive dimension, which is considered as a typical strategic approach. Their strategy seems to be non-strategic in the general sense. But their non-strategically looking behaviors can be reasonable enough for their sandwiched competitive position between the global quality leaders and following cost leaders. This paper explains why their strategies can be right through the theoretical explanations by using the quality-price elasticity approaches for the consumer behaviors. We can call their strategic activities as the value innovation strategy.