• Korea Trade Review
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.1-22
• /
• 2020

This paper analyzes the influence of entrepreneurial orientation, international market orientation, and investment performance of Korean SMEs in Vietnam on sequential investment. As a result of analyzing the research model using PLS SEM, it was found that Korean SMEs make sequential investments based on investment performance rather than entrepreneurial orientation or international market orientation. In addition, entrepreneurial orientation increased internationa market orientation and had a positive effect on investment performance, which was found to have a positive effect on sequential investment. Through this study, it was clarified that there is a difference between the determinants of initial investment and sequential investment, and it was confirmed that Korean companies show stable and strategic sequential investment tendency rather than proactive and bold investment in Vietnam. In addition, the mediating effect of international market orientation and investment performance in sequential investment was confirmed. In addition, it was confirmed that entrepreneurial orientation was a valid factor in the indirect effect of sequential investment. In the future, for high entrepreneurial orientation Korean companies entered the Vietnamese market, there will be a need for policy support to provide information on Global Value Chain in Vietnam and establish networks on the country.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.153-168
• /
• 2021

Purpose - In this study, we aim to explore new distribution strategies for sustainable growth in the era of the 4th industrial revolution, focusing on SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in Korea, and suggest ways to upgrade the government's official distribution channel to the next level. Design/methodology - First of all, this paper explored the prior research, the current status of sales support for SMEs, and the changes in the distribution industry due to COVID-19 pandemic. Based on Moon (2016)'s ABCD strategic model - Agility, Benchmarking, Convergence, and Dedication, the study then derived directions in which official distribution channels should move and the new distribution strategy for Korean SMEs to secure competitive advantage. Findings - First, in terms of 'Agility', in order to upgrade official distribution channels, which are currently at some competitive disadvantages compared to private distribution companies, we must quickly introduce technologies for the 4th industrial revolution, such as AI, Big Data, etc., and establish precise strategies to strengthen the capabilities of SMEs. Second, in terms of 'Benchmarking', the use of "Chamelezones" has been increasing to enhance the competitiveness of offline stores in line with recent ontact trends. Therefore, official distribution channels should also benchmark such cases, strengthening their competitiveness by utilizing offline spaces more efficiently and effectively. Third, in terms of 'Convergence', in line with the rapidly changing trend of the times, official distribution channels should also promote active partnerships with media commerce, e-commerce and ICT platforms, as well as cooperation with private retailers, and focus on creating synergy effects through them. Finally, from the perspective of 'Dedication', digitalization should be promoted step by step, finding the sector that can accelerate digital among the value chains of official distribution channels, and continuing to discuss how to digitize it realistically. Originality/value - Based on this analysis, we have presented strategies and implications for innovating official distribution channels for SMEs, which will contribute to enhancing the competitive advantage of official distribution channels in the post COVID-19 pandemic era.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.128-145
• /
• 2021

Purpose - The main purpose of this study is thus to investigate the contingent effect of imitation strategies on firm performance in transition economies such as China, focusing on pure and creative imitation. Design/methodology - We conducted a survey targeting department heads of each company who have more than 10 years work experiences. We assessed that the ability to gain trust and to access information from high-ranking informants would be greater if the firms were from the same country - Korea - as the lead researcher. A total of 200 highly reliable samples were obtained, which could effectively explain the nine variables set in the study. Relevant hypotheses were tested using a hierarchical linear model (HLM). Findings - The findings suggest that SMEs' technology level also had a positive impact on performance. Firms with better technology had a positive impact on performance, irrespective of pure or creative imitation. This reflects the cases where many Korean SMEs entering China without high technology level lose their competitiveness due to Chinese firms' technology catch-up within a short period of time. Originality/value - SMEs that lack technology and know-how need to focus on pure imitation strategies. It is possible that SMEs can perform creative imitation, but it seems difficult under the current circumstances. Therefore, SMEs with limitations in technology and know-how should maintain their competitive advantage for a while, by maintaining their pure imitation strategy.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.53-85
• /
• 2022

Small and medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") are vulnerable to trade secret misappropriation. Korea's legislation for the protection of SMEs' trade secrets and provision of civil, criminal, and administrative remedies includes the SME Technology Protection Act, the Unfair Competition Prevention Act, the Industrial Technology Protection Act, the Mutually Beneficial Cooperation Act, and the Subcontracting Act. Among these acts, the revised SME Technology Protection Act of 2018 introduced the "administrative technology misappropriation investigation system" to facilitate a rapid resolution of SMEs' technology misappropriation disputes. On September 27, 2021, Korea's Ministry of SMEs announced that it had reached an agreement to resolve the dispute between Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samyeong Machinery through the administrative technology misappropriation investigation system. However, not until 3 years and a few months passed since the introduction of the system could it be used to resolve an SME's technology misappropriation dispute with a large corporation. So there arose a question on the usefulness of the system. Therefore, we conducted a comparative legal analysis of Korea's laws enacted to protect trade secrets of SMEs and to address technology misappropriation, focusing on their legislative purpose, protected subject matter, types of misappropriation, and legal remedies. Then we analyzed the administrative technology misappropriation investigation system and the cases where this system was applied. We developed a proposal to enhance the usefulness of the system. The expert interviews of 4 attorneys who are experienced in the management of the system to check the practical value of the proposal. Our analysis shows that the lack of compulsory investigation and criminal sanctions is the fundamental limitation of the system. We propose revising the SME Technology Protection Act to provide correction orders, criminal sanctions, and compulsory investigation. We also propose training professional workforces to conduct digital forensics, enabling terminated SMEs to utilize the system, and assuring independence and fairness of the mediation and arbitration of the technology misappropriation disputes.

• Korea Trade Review
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2020

Korea is one of active countries in terms of FTA(Free Trade Agreement) around the globe. Local market is not big enough for Korean companies. This is why Korea is actively participating in FTA with various countries. Individual companies should conform to regulation, policy and system relevant to the agreement. Otherwise, it is not easy for companies to enjoy benefits of FTA. The Korean government is using various FTA programs to support domestic companies, in particular SMEs(Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises). FTA-PASS is a representative program. FTA-PASS is an official program of Korea Customs Service. Korean companies can use the program as free. However, some companies may have difficulties regarding the use of FTA-PASS. The program may cause of compatibility problem related their own ERP(Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. This study is designed to analyze determinants of FTA-PASS and ERP system compatibility. Furthermore this study aims to examine effects of the system compatibility on export performances. This study collected data from Koreas SMEs. In specific, the primary data was based on surveys distributed to 303 SMEs. Based on empirical findings, we could get important determinants to improve compatibility between FTA-PASS and ERP systems. For instance, the government support, product standardization, HS Code clearness and market stability could be considered important determinants. Also, according to empirical findings, a positive relationship between system compatibility an export performance was supported. Analyzing comprehensive determinants of system compatibility can be suggested as an important topic for future research.

• International Commerce and Information Review
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.25-47
• /
• 2013

In China, the commercial bank credit financing is the most important external financing channel for SMEs. However, the lack of credit guarantee significantly deters commercial banks to finance SMEs. which may generate a negative impact on the trade activities of SME in China. In this paper we examine the risk of credit guarantee for SMEs financing and the factors affecting this risk through a VAR (Value-at-Risk) model. Our analysis shows that the scale of enterprises' impact on the VAR (risk of financing guarantee) is not much relevant. We also find that the certainty of financing for SMEs, such as the fixed asset ratio, has a significant and negative effect on the VAR of Chinese credit guarantee institutions. The product uniqueness is positively correlated with the VAR, and operation risk is also positively related to the credit risk of Chinese credit guarantee institutions.

• Korea Trade Review
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.197-216
• /
• 2023

This research aims to examine and reevaluate the risk management procedures required for facilitating E-Commerce exports by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs) in the context of customs risk management procedures. Based on risk management studies, this research focuses on three research questions. First, what courses comprise the export risk management structure? Second, what are the key issues in risk management in facilitating E-Commerce export clearance? Third, based on the research results, what are the implications and improvements for export customs risk management in boosting SMEs' E-Commerce exports? The research concluded that risk control for SMEs' E-Comerce exports should be further strengthened based on a compliance management approach. To achieve this, the customs authorities should develop a new method of reasoning about the difficulties SMEs face in exporting and the risks of failure to comply with the regulations at the foreign markets.

• Korea Trade Review
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.31-49
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of knowledge-based resource and ambidextrous capability on their export performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on an extensive review of the literature on Knowledge-based resource and ambidextrous capability, hypotheses are developed and tested using a sample of 284 SMEs in South Korea. Structural equation modeling was applied. As a result of analysis, first, international entrepreneurship has a significant effect on ambidextrous capability. Second, human capital has significant influence on ambidextrous capability. Third, ambidextrous capability has a significant effect on export performance. The results indicate that their knowledge-based resources ware significant driver of their ambidextrous capability. and that their ambidextrous capability was significant driver of their export performance. In the final conclusion section, implications and limitations of research results and suggestions for future research are discussed.

• International Commerce and Information Review
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.131-149
• /
• 2007

E-tade has the potential to accelerate existing trends and introduce new ways of conducting traditional trade. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate performance factor and analyzes influence between performance of e-Trade and implementation of company. This research will be used as a basis for examining the actual results of e-Trade usage and export productivity. In order to facilitate the process, analysis began after a research prototype was created and research thesis established.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.7 no.6
• /
• pp.277-286
• /
• 2020

Research on employee commitment to the organization is necessary for human resource management, and the result is applied in practice to improve organizational effectiveness. The aim of the present study is to explore factors affecting organizational commitment at the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. Besides, the relationship between organizational commitment and job performance is examined as well. The research was conducted on a sample consisting of 67 white-collar workers and 260 blue-collar workers at SMEs. A total of 327 valid complete questionnaires were input into SPSS 20 database for processing to provide evidence. The research model and hypotheses were tested using the technique of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The research resultsrevealed that income, reward and welfare, direct manager, working environment, coworker, and promotion opportunity tended to associate positively with organizational commitment. Besides, the finding also showed that, when the employee has a high organizational commitment, it would lead to high job performance. The main findings of this study provided some managerial implications for SMEs, in general, and managers, in particular. It implies that Vietnam's small and medium-sized enterprises should improve these six factors to retain employees as well as enhance their job performance.