• Information Systems Review
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.213-235
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• 2008

Recent reports about economic structure and changes show that global economy changes to rely on service rather than manufacturing. This phenomenon can be explained in two ways: the growth of service industry itself and the increasing reliance on service by other industry areas. The importance of service is indicated by the fact that the contribution of research and development, marketing, and finance to the revenue generation of companies is getting greater than that of manufacturing. This change in the economic structure calls for researchers' attention on the importance of service and the service-based economy. In the service-based economy, firms are considered value proposition providers and consumers actual value creators so that the concept of co-value creation becomes a key thesis to study. However, there are a variety of definitions of service and diversified measurements of service anchored in the supplier-oriented understanding of service yet. This lack of understanding of the service and the economic paradigm change causes a lot of problems in the areas of service productivity, service quality, and service innovation. Even though a new movement called service science started and rigorously pursues the way of enhancing the understanding of the economic change and service productivity, there is no framework that provides a unified view about the new role of service, service productivity, service quality, and thus service innovation. This study proposes a unified framework to provide a structured view about service provision and to facilitate the research on service. The framework is built on the concepts from previous studies about service marketing and service science: service life cycle and service networks including value activity network, resource integrator network, and capability network. We hope this study can be used as the basis for future studies on service science.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.1 s.29
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• pp.11-21
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• 1990

This study refers to the problem of long-term inpatient flow in a general hospital. In this study, a queueing simulation model was developed for the two departments in the hospital with a homogeneous case mix and relatively many long-term inpatients in order to increase the turnover rate and hospital charges. Before the simulation n, the model was verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The following results were generated by three alternative models of the special bed policies. 1. Alternative I : When long term inpatients were admitted to the wards belonging to departments A and B without transfer to other departments and special beds, the average turn-over rate decreased by 2-4% and the average hospital charges decreased by 70 million won. 2. Alternative II : When long-term inpatients were transferred to department C but the transfer of wards was determined by department C in order of clinical need, the average turnover rate increased by 4-13% but the average hospital charges decreased by 30 million won. This result was not greatly different from the present state. 3. Alternative III : When long-term inpatients were transferred to the special wards and department C simultaneously, the increase in the average turnover rate and hospital charges was equivalent to the increase of two beds in the special wards. When the special wards were allocated 16 beds, the average turnover rate of departments A and B increased by about 55% and 20% respectively. Also, the hospital charges increased by about 0.44 billion won. As a result, transfer to department C and the use of 16 beds in the special wards for long-term inpatients of departments A and B is expected to maximize the hospital revenue. However, as the above special bed policy can not increase the turnover rate above 60%, there is a need for a more comprehensive policy to further increase the rate. The development of an elaborate model should include the number of long-term inpatients in all clinical departments, the special wards system or an increase of hospital beds to handle admission needs, and the resources of the hospital by department. When the alternatives are evaluated, a cost-benefit analysis in addition to the turnover rate and the hospital charges should be considered.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.31-43
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• 2017

This study was aimed at analyzing the operational efficiency of DPAs(the delivery and pickup agents), which serve as sub-terminals in parcel delivery services, using CCR/BCC models in DEA. The input variables included the number of employees, and the amount of equipment and the operating expenses. The output variable was revenue value. The efficiency for the period from 2014 to 2016 was analyzed. The results revealed that the operational efficiency improved in 2016, compared with 2014, in both CCR and BCC models. According to the benchmarking analysis, DMU 1 and DMU 7 showed higher efficiency in 2016. The inefficiency analysis based on the BCC model showed increased efficiency of all factors in 2016 when compared with 2014. The Malmquist productivity index (MPI) dropped slightly as a result of technical changes and indicated a declining technical efficiency in all DMUs. This study suggests the need for government-led systematic improvement and support for DPAs by providing current insight into the parcel delivery industry and analyzing DPAs' operational efficiency in Korea for the first time. This research performed efficiency analysis of DPAs located in new town of paju and gimpo cities. In future research, comparative study on efficiency analysis including new town, old town area, and other cities are needed.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2006

This study was carried out to compile year 2001 forest resource statistics for the State of Virginia. USA. Virginia has 15.8 million acres (6.4 million ha) of forested 1and, accounting for 62% of the landcover with non-industrial private forest landowners owning 77% of the forested area. Deciduous forests make up 78% of Virginia's forests. Total tree volume is 26.5 billion cubic ft, of which average volume per acre is $1.677ft^3/ac(117m^3/ha)$. The overall annual volume of roundwood output is $543\;million\;ft^3$. Tree growth exceeds removals by $271\;million\;ft^3$ each year for all species statewide. Average net forest land loss in Virginia is 20,000 acre (8,094 ha) per year. In 1999, the forest products industry contributed over $25.4 billion to Virginia's economy while providing over 248,000 jobs. Among forest industries logging contributes to the economy at over $863 million/yr; timber accounts for the greatest amount (28%) of the total market value of Virginia's agricultural crops. Revenue received from stumpage by landowners exceeded $345 million/yr. In their entirety. Virginia's forests provide over $30.5 billion in annual return. including $3 billion for recreation and $1.9 billion for carbon sequestation and pollution control.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.201-223
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• 2006

This study surveys the current state of the art in the field of IT investment and performance in domestic finns and investigates the statistical significance of various hypothesis of previous relevant researches. Data of 145 information systems of 133 firms have been collected. The amount of IT budget in 2005 has increased to the level of 2.53% of gross revenue of the firms and IT business value has also increased as compared to the previous year. As results of MANOVA test, it has been found that the amount of IT budget does not affect the level of IT business value. In other words, the relationship between IT investment and IT business value does not exist. And among ten factors which has been known to determine IT business value in previous researches, only three factors have been found to affect the level of IT business value: the technical quality of information systems, CIO leadership in the context of resource allocation and decision makings, and the capability and commitment of the user department. These finding provide insight for both practitioners and researchers.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.275-295
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• 2005

Changes in business environment caused by globalization of the world economy and the beginning of the knowledge society forced hospitals to equip with tools for the enhanced competitiveness. In other words, hospitals must aim three targets such as acquisition of advanced medical skills and equipments, improvement of service level for patients, and achievement of superior managerial performance simultaneously. This study has been done to suggest a way to reduce the possibility of hospital bill claim reduction as an alternative for the achievement of superior managerial performance. If the reduction rate of hospital bill claim is high, it will put negative impact on the hospital's revenue stream and hospital's reliability. Thus, if they want to stay competitive, hospitals need to device ways to cut the reduction rate as much as possible. In this study, a prototype system has been developed and implemented to check the possibility to cut the reduction rate through deep analysis of causes of reduction. The prototype first developed utilizing data mining techniques and the relation rules algorithm. Then the prototype was tested its performance using the D hospital's live data.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.15-39
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• 2007

Mobile games have emerged as the most innovative entertainment technology, adding new revenue streams, taking advantage of the potential of wireless applications and service offerings. Mobile games, like any other types of computer game, offer a unique value for users in providing an exciting digital experience in virtual worlds. In this paper, we attempt to investigate the demographic factors which play critical roles in determining the level of playing times; classify mobile gamers based on their motives for playing games; and empirically test differences in their demographic factors and mobile game usage. Statistical results show that significant differences in playing times exist, depending upon their age, gender, mobile device, mobile phone usage, mobile game experiences, and preferred games genres. Applying Factor analysis, we have identified Escape, Social interaction, Challenge and Competition, Fantasy, Diversion and Relaxation, Ease of Accessibility as key motivators for playing mobile games. Additional cluster analysis shows that the categorization of gamers, according to their usage habits and the key motivators for playing, can be made as follows: Multi-gamers, Communication-focused gamers and Mobile active-gamers. Further correlation of these grouping with socio-economic data shows the significant differences in gaming habits and patterns of mobile phone use.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 1994

The objective of this study was to develop a user-friendly computer model for economic analysis on the commercial egg production that could help the egg farmer make managerial diagnosis and rational decision in the changing environment. To raise the adequacy of the model, the program was run for every sample and adjusted to fit the data. The model, programmed with Microsoft QuickBASIC, was a user-friendly computer program in supporting the Korean language. The basic analytical tool used in the study was an engineering-type computerized simulation model which incorporates a cost-benefit analysis of a full-time egg farmer. The computer model developed in this study may be the powerful analytical tool used to evaluate both a managerial decision whether to alter the production system and its impact on production, costs, revenue, and profits. Ultimately, the program is expected to enable the egg farmer to make managerial planning and diagnosis. The program can also calculate the values of economic variables at user-chosen incremental values of market eggs and feed prices. It provides the information on the profit and cost. This may lead the egg farmer, by allowing to establish the best managerial strategy, to increase the profit aor to lessen the cost. The results of this study could be utilized in the evaluation and improvement of the management. It also may be utilized for the researchers and guiding farmers in collecting and analyzing the data on the laying hen. In particular, such a program would be potentially useful to researchers who wish to quickly estimate profits associated with various laying hen treatments. The program could also benefit the egg farmer interested in making managerial decisions based on either current or predicted market conditions. The model would make the egg farmer respond actively to the information-oriented society by promoting to use personal computer.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.113-130
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• 2011

Due to the development of information and communication technology, the global influence on politics, economics, society, and culture has grown. A major example of this impact on the economic sector is the growth of e-commerce, which increases both the speed and efficiency of businesses. In light of these new developments, businesses need to shift away from the misconception that information overwhelms to embrace the enhanced competitiveness that e-commerce provides. However, concern about fraudulent transactions through e-commerce is pertinent because of the loss in both critical revenue and consumer confidence in open markets. Current solutions for fraudulent transactions include real-time monitoring and processing, payment pending, and confirmation through SMS, E-mail, and other wired means. Our research focuses on the management of Fraud Detection Systems (FDS) to safeguard online electronic payment systems. With effective implementation of our research we hope to foster an honorable online trading culture and protect consumers. Future comparative research in domestic and abroad markets would provide further insight into preventing fraudulent transactions.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.65-76
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• 2015

Purpose - This article aims to present and test a model regarding franchisors' supporting activities that may positively influence franchisees' attitude toward the franchising headquarter and their own business performance. Moreover, the authors examine the moderating effect of competitive intensity between franchisee attitude and business performance. Most previous research focused on behavioral performance measurements such as satisfaction, trust, and commitment. There are few empirical studies that focus on financial performance data because it is difficult to determine a relational mechanism between behavioral and financial performance. Moreover, financial data is confidential and difficult to collect in many cases. However, this study measures financial performance (e.g., sales revenue per square meter) differently than most previous research, which is mostly focused on the behavioral performance measurements. Research design, data, and methodology - To test our hypotheses, we selected 137 franchisee managers who are running chains of one of the foremost bakery franchise brands in South Korea. This study carefully investigated the reliability, content validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the proposed instrument by analyzing the data obtained from the samples. The data was analyzed using the AMOS structural equation modeling program. Results - The results indicated that: non-financial support activities (e.g., information exchange and communication) had a positive impact on the franchisee attitude toward the franchising headquarter. The franchisee attitude in turn had a positive effect on the headquarters' business performance. Furthermore, competitive intensity could enhance the relationship between franchisee attitude toward franchising headquarter and business performance in a local franchise market. However, financial support activities (e.g., rewards and promotional support) and training had no relationship with either franchisee attitude or business performance. Conclusions - This study provides some practical implications to franchisors in terms of franchise operation and store opening strategies. With respect to the franchise operation strategy, franchisors need to focus on non-financial rather than financial support. Most franchisees consider the necessity of financial support activities and not their sufficiency because these activities are specified in their franchise contract. In addition, it is important for franchisees to maintain a positive attitude for the franchise headquarters. The franchisees with a positive attitude for the franchisor can show a high degree of solidarity for various support activities, and it consequently determines franchisees' sales performance. In terms of franchise store opening strategy, this study suggests an additional criterion that can be considered in determining the location of direct and non-direct management stores (e.g., franchisees' stores). In this research, franchise stores located within high level of competitive intensity are shown to have a high relationship between franchisee attitudes of franchisor support activities and business performance compared to the franchisees located within low competitive intensity level. This result shows that opening non-direct franchise stores is more effective than direct stores in higher competitive market situations. Research contribution, implications, and further research directions are discussed at the end of the paper.