• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2023

Overcoming the death valley, a period in which resources are depleted and profitability declines or stagnates in the entrepreneurial process, is an essential procedure for success. In this study, we examined how the strategic orientation(technology, customer, competitor orientations) and absorptive capacity(potential, realized capacities) of startups affect the possibility of startups to overcome the challenges of death valley, and also empirically analyzed whether support of open innovation and venture capital has a moderating influence to the overcoming of death valley. The result of this study shows that customer orientation and realized absorptive capacity have a positive influence on overcoming the death valley. In addition, we found that the support of open innovation and venture capital has a moderating effect only in the technology orientation among the three types of strategic orientations. The result of this research emphasizes (1) the need for startups to take a more customer-oriented approach to overcome the death valley. The customer-oriented behavior and strategies of startups are vital for their longterm survival and success if we consider the fact that most of the companies investigated in this study were technology-based startups and only customer orientation showed significant results in overcoming the death valley. The research outcome also shows that (2) implementing innovation in a more open way and securing venture capital funding can make it easier for startups to overcome the death valley. This study has academic significance in that it empirically analyzed the relationship of key factors influencing the overcoming of death valley in a situation where the majority of existing research remains at the conceptual level of discussion or methodology of case study. Furthermore, this research also provides practical implications for the establishment and implementation of effective strategies to confront the challenges of death valley for startups, government and related organizations.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.45-60
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• 2023

In this study, we analyzed the influence of middle-aged office workers' entrepreneurial competency and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition on entrepreneurial intention by mediating entrepreneurial opportunity evaluation. Sub-variables of entrepreneurial competency were classified into prior knowledge, positive attitude, and social network. For the empirical analysis of this study, an online survey using Naver Office was conducted for about 15 days (February 6, 2023 - February 20, 2023) targeting office workers across the country who are interested in starting a business, and a total of 262 copies were collected and missing values. For 250 copies excluding 12 copies, SPSS Ver.24.0 and PROCESS MACRO Model 4.0 were used for empirical analysis. The results of the analysis are as follows: First, the higher the prior knowledge of the founder's individual competency, social network, and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, the higher the entrepreneurial opportunity evaluation and entrepreneurial intention. On the other hand, it was found that the positive attitude among entrepreneurs' individual competencies did not affect entrepreneurship opportunity evaluation and entrepreneurial intention. In addition, the magnitude of the influence on entrepreneurial opportunity evaluation and entrepreneurial intention was in the order of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, prior knowledge, and social network. This is because the positive attitude of middle-aged office workers towards start-up has a negative image of start-up due to the shrinking start-up environment due to COVID-19, fear of failure due to lack of preparation for start-up, and successive cases of start-up failure due to cognitive bias errors due to overconfidence. implying that there is Second, it was found that the evaluation of entrepreneurship opportunities had a significant positive (+) effect on entrepreneurial intention in a situation where the entrepreneur's individual competency and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition were controlled. Third, the startup opportunity evaluation was shown to mediate between the prior knowledge of the entrepreneur's individual competency, social network and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, and entrepreneurial intention, but it did not mediate between positive attitude and entrepreneurial intention. Fourth, among the factors influencing entrepreneurial opportunity evaluation and entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial opportunity recognition was found to be larger than founder's individual competency, confirming the importance of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. Fifth, it was found that prior knowledge and network, which are individual capabilities of the founder, affect the evaluation of entrepreneurial opportunities and entrepreneurial intention, so that strengthening entrepreneurship education to recognize the importance of cultivating prior entrepreneurial knowledge and experience can revitalize middle-aged office workers' entrepreneurship. confirmed.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.205-221
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• 2022

In this study, the authors investigated the effect of salesperson's Selling Influence Tactics (SIT) on customers' psychological obligation, trust in salespersons and repurchase intentions in the offline cosmetics purchase channel. In addition, we examined the moderating effect of service quality perceived by customers. To this end, a survey was conducted on 298 customers who had purchased cosmetics through the offline sales channel, and the authors conducted hypothesis testing through a structural equation model. As a result of the study, first, among salesperson's sales influence tactics, emotional appeal tactics (H1a), customer ingratiation tactics (H1d), and personal appeal tactics (H1e) were found to affect the psychological obligation of customers, and emotional appeal tactics (H2a), rational persuasion tactics (H2b), information provision tactics (H2c), and customer ingratiation tactics (H2d) were found to affect trust in salespeople. Third, it was found that the psychological obligation did not have a positive (+) effect on the customer's repurchase intention, and the customer's trust in the salesperson had a positive (+) effect on the repurchase intention. Third, perceived service quality showed a significant moderating effect between psychological obligation and repurchase intention, trust in salesperson and repurchase intention. In previous studies on salesperson's Selling Influence Tactics (SIT), many studies examined salesperson's Selling Influence Tactics (SIT) by specifying sub-variables in a limited way, and studies confirming marketing factors such as repurchase intention were also insufficient. Therefore, the results of the empirical research confirmed based on this study are expected to help the standard or direction of the salesperson's Selling Influence Tactics (SIT) in future studies. In addition, this study describes implications for providing help in employee education and management for small business owners who manage and operate offline cosmetics stores, and sales strategies that should be strategically established to improve perceived service quality for customers.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.141-155
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to identified the relationship between the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, subjective health, and health-related quality of life among the middle-aged and elderly population in Korea. Methods: Adults aged 40 or older were extracted from the total 22,559 respondents to the 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VIII, and secondary analysis was conducted on a total of 6,659 middle-aged and elderly people with no missing values. Logistic regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to examine the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea risk factors and subjective health as well as quality of life. Results: The subjective health status decline in the high-risk group compared to the non-risk group for obstructive sleep apnea was statistically significantly higher, with an odds ratio of 1.84 (p<0.001). The health-related quality of life was also statistically significantly lower by 0.02 points (β, -0.02; p<0.001). As a result of subgroup analysis on specific variables, the association between the risk of obstructive sleep apnea and subjective health and health-related quality of life was statistically significant depending on gender, sleep time, presence of depression, household income, and number of household members. Based on the obstructive sleep apnea risk group, women had a higher correlation with low subjective health and lower health-related quality of life scores than men. Sleeping time of more than 8 hours or less than 6 hours was more associated with low subjective health and lower health-related quality of life score than sleeping time of 6-8 hours. Patients with depression were more likely to have low subjective health than those without depression. The lower the household income level and the smaller the number of household members, the higher the association with low subjective health and the lower the health-related quality of life score. Conclusion: It is essential to recognize that the risk of obstructive sleep apnea not only directly affects sleep disorders but also impacts individuals' subjective health and quality of life. Consequently, social support and education should be provided to raise awareness of this issue. Particularly, programs for preventing and managing obstructive sleep apnea should target vulnerable groups such as women, individuals in single-person households, low household income, and those with depression, aiming to improve their subjective health and quality of life.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.110-126
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• 2024

This study conducted a classification of small-scale biological habitats created in Seoul to analyze and synthesize location characteristics, habitat structure, biological habitat functions, and threat factors of representative sites, as well as derive creation and management problems according to the ecological characteristics. The aim was to suggest improvement measures and management items. Data collected through a field survey was used to categorize 39 locations, and 8 representative sites were selected by dividing them into location, water system, and size as classification criteria for typification. Due to the characteristics of each type, the site was created in an area where amphibian movement was disadvantageous due to low or disconnected connectivity with the hinterland forest, and the water supply was unstable in securing a constant flow and maintaining a constant water depth. The habitat structure has a small area, an artificial habitat structure that is unfavorable for amphibians, having the possibility of sediment inflow, and damage to the revetment area. The biological habitat function is a lack of wetland plants and the distribution of naturalized grasses, and threats include the establishment of hiking trails and decks in the surrounding area. Artificial disturbances occur adjacent to facilities. When creating habitats according to the characteristics of each type, it was necessary to review the possibility of an artificial water supply and introduce a water system with a continuous flow in order to connect the hinterland forest for amphibian movement and locate it in a place where water supply is possible. The habitat structure should be as large as possible, or several small-scale habitats should be connected to create a natural waterfront structure. In addition, additional wetland plants should be introduced to provide shelter for amphibians, and facilities such as walking paths should be installed in areas other than migration routes to prevent artificial disturbances. After construction, the management plan is to maintain various water depths for amphibians to inhabit and spawn, stabilize slopes due to sediment inflow, repair damage to revetments, and remove organic matter deposits to secure natural grasses and open water. Artificial management should be minimized. This study proposed improvement measures to improve the function of biological habitats through the analysis of problems with previously applied techniques, and based on this, in the future, small-scale biological habitat spaces suitable for the urban environment can be created for local governments that want to create small-scale biological habitat spaces, including Seoul City. It is significant in that it can provide management plans.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.13-28
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• 2023

This study assessed the biochemical methane potential (B_u-P) of three grass species-Poa pratensis (PP), Zoysia japonica (ZJ), and Agrostis stolonifera (AS). B_u-P values were determined as 0.330 Nm³/kg-VS_added for PP, 0.297 Nm³/kg-VS_added for ZJ, and 0.261 Nm³/kg-VS_added for AS. Notably, PP exhibited superior suitability for methane production. The investigation also examined the impact of silage storage duration on PP grass clippings, revealing a 19% decline in B_u-P from an initial value of 0.269 Nm³/kg-VS_added on day 0 to 0.217 Nm³/kg-VS_added on day 180. Throughout the storage period, there were significant increases in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) contents, rising from 67.59%, 39.68%, and 3.02% on day 0 to 77.12%, 54.65%, and 6.24% on day 180, respectively. These findings highlight the influence of storage duration on the anaerobic digestibility of PP grass clippings. To effectively utilize grass clippings as a renewable resource for methane production, further studies considering factors such as initial moisture content, pretreatment methods, and potential effects of residual pesticides are necessary to optimize anaerobic digestion efficiency for herbaceous biomass.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.179-192
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• 2024

In this study, six types of natural products, Prunus tomentosa (P. tomentosa), Akebia quinata (A. quinata), Prunus armeniaca (P. armeniaca), Smallanthus sonchifolius (S. sonchifolius), Citrus japonica (C. japonica), and Citrus australasica (C. australasica), were used to verify the effect of improving sleep and skin barriers by stress relief. As a result of the experiment, the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, was significantly inhibited by the P. tomentosa, C. australasica, A. quinata, and C. japonica among the six natural products. In addition, the expression of GAD67, a GABA-producing enzyme involved in sleep regulation, showed a significant increase in P. tomentosa purified water extract and C. australasica 50% ethanol extract, and the extract by each P. tomentosa solvent was found to have the highest total polyphenol content. Based on the results, the P. tomentosa extract with the highest activity was finally selected, and subsequent experiments were conducted. Among each P. tomentosa solvent extract, the DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in the 30% ethanol extract, and purified water extract increased GABA production and skin barrier factors filaggrin and claudin-1 expression the highest. HPLC analysis confirmed quercitrin as the main component of P. tomentosa extract, and quercitrin content by extraction solvent was high in the order of 30% ethanol > purified water > 70% ethanol > 50% ethanol. Quercitrin inhibited the production of cortisol in a concentration-dependent manner, significantly increasing GAD67 expression and GABA production, which had been reduced by cortisol. From the results of this study, it has been demonstrated that P. tomentosa can be used as a cosmetic material to help improve sleep and strengthen skin barriers by relieving stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2024

Salmonella is a common food-borne intracellular bacterial pathogen that has triggered significant public health concerns. Salmonella hosts' genetic factors play a pivotal role in determining their susceptibility to the pathogen. Cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1), a member of LIM/double zinc finger protein family, is widely expressed in humans, such as in the lungs, spleen, and especially the gut. Recently, CRIP1 has been reported as a key marker of several immune disorders; however, the effect of CRIP1 on bacterial infection remains unknown. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between Salmonella infection and CRIP1 gene deficiency, as Salmonella spp. is known to invade the Peyer's patches of the small intestine, where CRIP1 is highly expressed. We found that CRIP1-deficient conditions could not alter the characteristics of bone marrow-derived myeloid cells in terms of phagocytosis on macrophages and the activation of costimulatory molecules on dendritic cells using ex vivo differentiation. Moreover, flow cytometry data showed comparable levels of MHCII⁺CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ dendritic cells and MHCII⁺F4/80⁺CD11b⁺ macrophages between WT and CRIP1 knockout (KO) mice. Interestingly, the basal population of monocytes in the spleen and neutrophils in MLNs is more abundant in a steady state of CRIP1 KO mice than WT mice. Here, we demonstrated that the CRIP1 genetic factor plays dispensable roles in host susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium infections and the activation of myeloid cells. In addition, differential immune cell populations without antigen exposure in CRIP1 KO mice suggest that the regulation of CRIP1 expression may be a novel immunotherapeutic approach to various infectious diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.5
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• pp.1231-1245
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• 2021

Purpose To investigate the usefulness of imaging features for differentiating between small lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Materials and Methods It included 52 female with LCISs (median 45 years, range 32-67 years) and 180 female with ILCs (median 49 years, range 36-75 years), with the longest diameter of ≤ 2 cm, who were evaluated between January 2012 and December 2016. All the female underwent mammography and ultrasonography. Twenty female with LCIS and 150 female with ILC underwent MRI. The clinical and imaging features were compared, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of LCIS. Female with LCIS were also sub-grouped by lesion size and compared with the female with ILC. Results Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.100), smaller lesion size (OR = 1.103), oval or round shape (OR = 4.098), parallel orientation (OR = 5.464), and isoechotexture (OR = 3.360) were significant independent factors predictive of LCIS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for distinguishing LCIS from ILC was 0.904 (95% confidence interval, 0.857-0.951). Subgroup analysis showed that benign features were more prevalent in female with smaller LCISs (≤ 1 cm) than in those with ILC. Conclusion Small LCISs tend to demonstrate more benign features than small ILCs. Several imaging features are independently predictive of LCIS.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.51-64
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• 2023

Background: This study was conducted to determine the association with dual jobbing on dental hygienists' job satisfaction and to identify the factors that lead to dual jobs. Methods: This study was an online survey of 110 currently employed dental hygienists conducted during the month of May 2022. To determine job satisfaction, we used the 20-item Korea-Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (K-MSQ). Survey questions related to dual job were adapted and supplemented from the dual job survey instrument for dental hygienists to identify intention to dual job and future intention to dual job. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc analysis, and multiple logistic regression were performed. Results: The dual job rate and future dual job rate of the participants in this study were about 27% and 47%, respectively. The means for Intrinsic job satisfaction, Extrinsic job satisfaction, and job satisfaction were 3.44, 3.15, and 3.36, respectively. It was statistically significant that extrinsic job satisfaction increased with increasing position, and intrinsic job satisfaction, extrinsic job satisfaction, and job satisfaction increased with increasing salary. Those currently working dual jobs cited "self-actualization" as a reason for doing so, and those who intended to work dual jobs in the future cited "not being paid enough in their primary job" as a reason. We found that a one-unit increase in intrinsic job satisfaction and job satisfaction increases the odds of future intention to dual job by about 1.07 and 1.05 times, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed the influence of dental hygienists' job satisfaction on intention to dual job and future intention to dual job, and self-actualization was found to be the main factor. Therefore, the consideration of dual jobs in the future will affect the improvement of dental hygienists as professionals and the reduction of turnover through better working conditions.