• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.273-285
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• 2022

Using data from a departmental profit and loss management questionnaire survey conducted for a group of hospitals consisting of various establishment entities, this study evaluates the effectiveness of departmental profit and loss management practices, such as break-even analysis, based on objective performance data. The study also examines whether the implementation of departmental profit and loss accounting is still effective in improving profitability in the financial year 2021 and whether the effectiveness of the implementation of departmental profit and loss accounting is robust. This study reconfirmed that the implementation of departmental profit-and-loss accounting has a positive effect on objective financial performance in hospitals and that the effect of improving profitability can be enhanced by implementing it monthly with high frequency and regularity and by using the accounting results more actively. It was also found that the department's implementation of break-even analysis had a positive impact on financial performance, which was enhanced by more active use of the data. Given the current economic climate, a hospital organization's active participation in income statement management, not only for the hospital as a whole but also for each department, would be an effective management activity.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.289-302
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• 2023

Insulating glass units (IGUs) have been widely used in buildings in recent years due to their superior thermal insulation performance. However, because of the panel reciprocating motion and fatigue deterioration of sealants under long-term wind loads, many IGUs have the problem of early failure of watertight properties in real usage. This study aimed to propose a statistical method for wind-induced deflection of IGU panels during the whole life service period, for further precise analysis of the accumulated fatigue damage at the sealed part of the edge bond. By the estimation of the wind occurrence regularity based on wind pressure return period, the events of each wind speed interval during the whole life were obtained for the IGUs at 50m height in Beijing, which are in good agreement with the measured data. Also, the wind-induced deflection analysis method of IGUs based on the formula of airspace coefficient was proposed and verified as an improvement of the original stiffness distribution method with the average relative error compared to the test being about 3% or less. Combining the two methods above, the deformation of the outer and inner panes under wind loads during 30 years was precisely calculated, and the deflection and stress state at selected locations were obtained finally. The results show that the compression displacement at the secondary sealant under the maximum wind pressure is close to 0.3mm (strain 2.5%), and the IGUs are in tens of thousands of times the low amplitude tensile-compression cycle and several times to dozens of times the relatively high amplitude tensile-compression cycle environment. The approach proposed in this paper provides a basis for subsequent studies on the durability of IGUs and the wind-resistant behaviors of curtain wall structures.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.440-446
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• 2013

The purposes of this study are to assess the diet and nutritional states of elementary and middle school students in the Daegu area by using nutrition quotient (NQ) for children. A survey was conducted with 366 elementary school students and 364 middle school students. Elementary school students showed higher total NQ scores (66.2) than middle school students (58.3), without gender difference. Elementary school students showed higher NQ scores in all 5 domains (balance, diversity, abstinence, regularity, practice) than middle school students. As for gender difference, boys showed higher scores than girls in balance and diversity, and girls showed higher scores in abstinence than boys. When scores of 5 domains were evaluated as good or bad, the percentage of good was highest in abstinence (63.4%) and lowest in diversity (22.9%). The percentage distribution of NQ of 1st (excellent) to 5th (bad) grades were 8.4%, 13.6%, 44.5%, 19.3%, 14.2%, respectively. In the 1st grade, there were 9.5%p more elementary school students, and in the 5th grade, there were 11.6%p more middle school students. No gender differences were found in the distribution of the NQ grades. Since NQ for children presents a convenient method of evaluating the diet and nutritional states of many subjects simply and simultaneously, a follow-up study will hopefully revise and supplement the question items and standards of judgement by the age groups.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.63-76
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• 2013

Purpose - For the past several decades, behavioral economics or behavioral decision theory has undergone rapid development. This study provides a critical review of the development of behavioral economics with a focus on what are deemed to be core theories in the field. Starting from the utility function proposed by Daniel Bernoulli in the 18th century, the development history of utility functions until the emergence of the prospect theory is thoroughly reviewed. Some of the experimental results violating the traditionally assumed utility function and supporting the prospect theory value function are summarized. The most representative principles of rational choice are transitivity, independence from irrelevant alternatives (IIA), and regularity. The development of behavioral economics has been triggered by finding counter-examples to these principles. Some of the choice behaviors discussed in this study as counter-examples to the traditional theories of rational choice are the St. Petersburg paradox; the Allais paradox; gambling behavior; and the various context effects including the similarity effect, attraction effect, and the compromise effect. The Elimination-by-Aspects (EBA) model, which was proposed as an explanation for the similarity effect, is discussed in detail as well. Based on the literature review and further analysis, this study summarizes the relationship between the context effects, prospect theory, and EBA model. Research design, data, and methodology - This study provides an extensive literature review on several important theories in the field of behavioral decision theory and adds some critical comments to the theories and the relationships among them. This study first reviews the development of utility functions. Daniel Bernoulli introduced the concept of utility function to solve the St. Petersburg paradox. In the mid-20th century, Herbert Simon proposed the "satisficing" heuristic and presented a value function with a shape different from traditional utility functions. This study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of several utility functions proposed until the emergence of the prospect theory value function. Results - This study posits that prospect theory and EBA model are the two most important theories in the field of behavioral decision theory. They can explain various choice behaviors that traditional utility maximization analysis has been unable to. The application of these models to various fields is further increasing nowadays. This study explains how prospect theory and the EBA model can be used to explain the context effects. Conclusions - The traditional economic theory relies on a single variable called "utility" in explaining consumer choice. However, this study argues that, in investigating consumer choice, several other variables should also be considered. These are the similarity among alternatives, an alternative's prototypicality within the category, the dominance relationship between alternatives, and the reference point in evaluating alternatives. Due to the development of behavioral economics, we are now closer to a more complete understanding of consumer choice behavior than in the past when we had only a single tool called utility.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.93-104
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• 2018

Purpose - This study is to investigate the relationship among emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and job stress of foreign life insurance consultants focusing on the mediating effect of self-efficacy. Regarding job security, in general foreign life insurance companies in Korea have more severe working conditions in terms of required contract performance. For foreign life insurance consultants, they are assumed to need higher level of emotional intelligence and self efficacy to meet the conditions. In this study, focus is cast on these aspects. Research design, data, and methodology - Basically the research is conducted upon questionnaires responded by foreign life insurance consultants. That is, data are collected from 255 sample of insurance consultants who work for a foreign owned life insurance company. The Questionnaire measure the level of emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and job stress of insurance consultants. The data are analyzed using pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple regression, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Durbin-Watson test. Results - The general characteristics of respondents are gender, age, marital status, education level, income monthly, career length, change jobs no, working day per week, call no. per week, meeting no. with client per week, contract regularity, contract no. per month and cancellation contract per year. The mean of emotional intelligence is 2.63, self-efficacy is 3.44 and job stress is 2.20. Emotional intelligence is composed with mean value of self emotion appraisal(3.93), other's emotion appraisal(3.78), regulation of emotion(3.29) and use of emotion(3.52). The mean of self efficacy is composed with mean value of self-confidence(3.41), self-regulated efficacy(3.59) and preference task difficulty(3.30). The job stress is composed with mean value of job requirement(2.61), lack of job autonomy(1.99), conflict of personal relations(1.99), job instability(2.38), organizational system(2.19) and inappropriate compensation(2.07). There is a significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. The emotional intelligence and self-efficacy are significantly negative correlation with job stress. The self-efficacy is showed a mediating variable between emotional intelligence and job stress. Conclusions - To decrease job stress level, foreign life insurance company should find the factors to improve the emotional intelligence and self-efficacy of life insurance consultants, and develop appropriate plans using a mediating role of self- efficacy between emotional intelligence and job stress.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.71-81
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• 2016

Purpose - Because creativity, which is an intangible resource embedded within the company, can offer a competitive advantage, most companies have an interest in promoting creativity among their employees and division(e.g., marketing organization). Creativity renders a sustainable competitive advantage to a firm because it is a strategic resource that is valuable, flexible, rare, and imperfectly imitable or substitutable. Although most companies broadly recognize the importance of creativity, the methods for developing creativity remain elusive. Therefore, the present study investigates how to structure incentives to motivate employees to be more creative and how to develop tools to facilitate creativity. In detail, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between the regulatory focus of marketing organizations(e.g., promotion focus vs prevention focus) and creativity of marketing organizations. In addition, the present study set out to examine the moderating role of interaction of financial reward and creative training in addition to investigating the direct relationship between creativity and regulatory focus in New Product Development(NPD) context. Research design, data, and methodology - The data used to test the hypotheses are drawn from a survey of full time NPD project members(including project manager, designer, engineer, and marketer). The present study utilized data obtained mainly from a database compiled by the Korea Investors Service-Financial Analysis System which provides comprehensive corporate and financial information on firms listed on the Korea Stock Exchange. A study population comprising 1,000 South Korean firms was obtained from this database. We selected 864 firms from the database, and the firms have experiences of new product development project. We collected a total of 162 responses, for a 18.8% response rate. After we excluded 14 questionnaire because of incomplete responses, a total of 148 questionnaire remained(final response rate: 17.1%). Working with a sample of 148 responses in South Korea, hierarchical moderated regression is employed to test research hypotheses(

The relationship between promotion focus and creativity of marketing organization,

The relationship between prevention focus and creativity of marketing organization,

The moderating effect of joint influences(interaction between financial rewards and creativity training) on the relationship between promotion focus creativity of marketing organization,

The moderating effect of joint influences(interaction between financial rewards and creativity training) on the relationship between prevention focus creativity of marketing organization). SPSS 18.0 and AMOS software were used in the data analysis. Results - The empirical study confirmed that promotion focus of marketing organization is positively related to creativity of marketing organization. Also, prevention focus of marketing organization is positively affected to creativity of marketing organization. In addition, the interaction between financial rewards and creativity training moderated the relationship between regularity focus(e.g.), promotion focus vs prevention focus) and creativity of marketing organization. These results suggest that managers can improve the performances of their creative efforts by providing the use of financial rewards and creativity training in combination. Conclusion - Based on results of this study that examine the effects of regulatory focused creative efforts on creativity of marketing organization, promotion focus is helpful with marketing organizations to enhance their service innovation and performance. Prevention focused organization should allow monetary rewards and creativity training to increase their creativity for innovation of new products.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.643-648
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• 2014

Understanding of fracture networks and rock mass properties during tunnel construction is extremely important for the prediction of dangers during excavation, and for deciding on appropriate excavation techniques and support. However, rapid construction process do not allow sufficient time for surveys and interpretations for spatial distributions of fractures and rock mass properties. This study introduces a new statistical approach for predicting joint distributions at foreside of current excavation face during the excavation process. The proposed methodology is based on a cumulative space diagram for joint sets. The diagram displays the cumulative spacing between adjacent joints on the vertical axis and the sequential position of each joint plotted at equally spaced intervals on the horizontal axis. According to the diagram, the degree of linearity of points representing the regularity of joint spacing; a linear trend of the points indicates that the joints are evenly spaced, with the slope of the line being directly related to the spacing. The linear points which are stepped indicates that the fracture set show clustered distribution. A clustered pattern within the linear group of points indicates a clustered joint distribution. Fractures surveyed from an excavated space can be plotted on this diagram, and the diagram can then be extended further according to the plotted diagram pattern. The extension of the diagram allows predictions about joint spacing in areas that have not yet been excavated. To test the model, we collected and analyzed data during excavation of a 10-m-long tunnel. Fractures in a 3-m zone behind the excavation face were predicted during the excavation, and the predictions were compared with observations. The methodology yielded reasonably good predictions of joint locations.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.165-180
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• 2015

Jurassic granite from Geochang was analysed with respect to the characteristics of the rock cleavage. The phases of distribution of microcracks were well evidenced from the enlarged photomicrographs(${\times}6.7$) of the thin section. In this study, the length - cumulative frequency diagrams were used for expressing the distribution characteristics of microcrack. The diagrams for the six directions were arranged in the magnitude of density(${\rho}$). These diagrams show an order of H2 < H1 < G2 < G1 < R2 < R1 from the related chart. Among six diagrams, the diagram for hardway 2(H2) occupies the lowermost region on the left. On the contrary, the diagram for rift 1(R1) occupies the uppermost region on the right. Curve patterns of the two diagrams change from uniform to exponential distribution type in accordance with the increased density. The overall distribution characteristics of the diagrams were well evidenced from the magnitude of the exponent(${\lambda}$) and length of line oa related to the exponential straight line. The magnitude of exponent governing the values of slope(${\theta}$) is inversely proportional to the values of microcrack parameters such as number(N), length(L) and density. On the contrary, length of line oa is directly proportional to the values of the above three parameters. Above microcrack parameters related to the order of arrangement of diagrams show an order of hardway(H1 + H2) < grain(G1 + G2) < rift(R1 + R2). The distribution characteristics of progressive variation are found among the six diagrams. The order of arrangement of the diagrams indicates a relative magnitude of the rock cleavage. Meanwhile, the parameters such as slope, exponent, density and length of line oa were arranged in an order of H2 < H1 < G2 < G1 < R2 < R1. The variation curves of a smooth quadratic function are shown from the related chart. From the correlation chart between density and the above parameters, a common regularity following power-law correlation function was derived. Finally, the analysis for the rock cleavage was conducted through the combination between the diagram and microcrack parameter. This type of combination contribute to the progressivity in evaluation for the rock cleavage.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.335-343
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the food behavior and nutritional status of elementary school students in the Jeju area using Nutrition Quotient (NQ). Methods: The subjects were 440 students (235 boys and 205 girls) in the fifth and sixth grade at four elementary schools located in Jeju. Demographic, lifestyle, and environmental information was collected using a self-reported questionnaire. The food behavior checklist for children's Nutrition Quotient (NQ), consisting of 19 items, and nutrition education related information were also obtained. Results: The mean score of the children's NQ was poor, reaching 60.3 points. The percentage distribution of NQ grade was 19.8% (lowest), 18.6% (low), 45.0% (medium), 10.7% (high), and 5.9% (highest) and the factor scores for balance, diversity, abstinence, regularity, and practice were 56.6, 68.4, 71.3, 57.4, and 54.8 points, respectively. Compared with the NQ cut-off points for defining malnutrition (balance; 57, diversity; 87, abstinence; 66, regularity; 69, and practice; 67 point), average score of abstinence factor was only above the cut-off point and scores of the other factors were below the cut-off point. Subjects with higher NQ scores tended to have higher levels of exercise activity (p < 0.001), frequency of family meals (p < 0.01), and father's educational levels (p < 0.01) compared to those with lower NQ score. NQ score showed positive association with nutrition education experience and practice (p < 0.001). Conclusion: NQ score of elementary school students residing in Jeju was lower than the national average. More opportunities should be provided for participation in nutrition education, which incorporates a range of program strategies, as well as communication and education activities.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.604-617
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• 2019

Purpose: To investigate the effect of eating behavior on nutritional status according to temperament type. Methods: One thousand one hundred three preschool children aged 2 to 6 years in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do from April to June 2018 were surveyed about their eating behavior and nutritional status using DBT (Dietary Behavior Test) and NQ (Nutrition Quotient) which are proven tests. The dietary behaviors of the children were classified into four categories: approach avoidance, sensory sensitivity, hyperactivity, and irregularity. NQ scores were divided into five categories: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. Results: The mean of the children's age was 3.42 ± 1.4 (596 boys and 507 girls). The percentage distribution of the NQ grade was as follows: 5.5% (highest), 12.5% (high), 47.1% (medium), 22.2% (low), and 12.6% (lowest). The risk group of approach avoidance and sensory sensitivity had significantly (p < 0.001) lower scores than the normal group in balance factor (51.9 ± 12.0 vs. 57.8 ± 15.9 in approach avoidance type, 52.6 ± 17.6 vs. 57.7 ± 15.9 in sensory sensitivity type) and diversity factor (32.5 ± 24.4 vs. 50.1 ± 22.4 in approach avoidance type, and 32.5 ± 24.0 vs. 50.7 ± 22.2 in sensory sensitivity type). The scores of the hyperactivity risk group were significantly lower in moderation factor (78.2 ± 12.1 vs. 81.2 ± 11.9), and those of the irregular risk group were significantly lower in variety (35.9 ± 24.5 vs. 48.8 ± 23.2), regularity (57.6 ± 37.1 vs. 66.1 ± 17.6), and practice (57.1 ± 19.4 vs. 65.1 ± 22.5) factors than the normal group (p < 0.001). Especially, the risk group of approach avoidance and sensitivity type had significantly (p < 0.001) lower intakes of whole grain, fruit, bean and bean products, vegetables, and Kimchi. Conclusion: This present study suggested that the eating behavior based on temperament of demanding preschool children affected food choice resulting in food consumption diversity of children. Therefore, it is important to provide customized nutrition education programs based on temperament type.