• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.245-270
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• 2011

It is known that weak competitiveness of micro enterprises can be overcome when they are organized with enterprise associations, franchise systems, and joint affiliation. In this paper, we empirically analyze the determinants of organization of micro enterprises, and propose the policy implementations to enhance the competitiveness of micro enterprises as a measure to reduce trade conflict due to SSM entry restrictions. Logit estimation results based on survey data consisted of 467 samples, show that insufficient labor force and high material costs had negative effects on organization. The unexpected findings generally support the rationale that organization is not helpful to solve insufficient labor force and high material costs. However, the decrease in sales due to the economic recession and the decreasing number of customers due to customer transition to large enterprises had a more positive effect on organization than usually expected. There are differences in estimation results between two types of business(restaurants and retail). In case of the restaurant business, insufficient labor force, high material costs and a decreasing of number of customers are important factors for organization, while the sales decrease is a relatively important factor in the case of retail businesses.

• The Journal of Small Business Innovation
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.49-68
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• 2017

Platform finance is emerging as an alternative finance for SMEs by suggesting a new funding source based on a new technology named FinTech. The essence of this business is the adapting ICT challenges to the financial industry that can adequately reflect risk assessment using Big Data and effectively meet individual risk-return preference. Thus, this is evolving as an alternative to existing finance in the form of P2P loans for Micro Enterprises and supply-chain finance for SMEs that need more working capital. Platform finance in Korea, however, is still at an infant stage and requires policy support. This can be summarized as follows: "Participation of institutional investors and the public sector," meaning that public investors provide seed money for the private investors to crowd in for platform finance. "Negative system in financial regulations," with current regulations to be deferred for new projects, such as Sandbox in the UK. In addition, "Environment for generous use of data," allowing discretionary data sharing for new products," and "Spreading alternative investments," fostering platform finance products as alternative investments in the low interest-rate era.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.59-62
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• 2014

Minority carrier diffusion length is one of the most important parameters of solar cells, especially for short circuit current density (Jsc). In this report, we proposed the calculating method of the minority carrier diffusion length ($L_n$) in CIGS solar cells through biased quantum efficiency (QE). To verify this method's reliability, we chose two CIGS samples which have different grain size and calculated $L_n$ for each sample. First of all, we calculated out that $L_n$ was 56nm and 97nm for small and large grain sized-cell through this method, respectively. Second, we found out the large grain sized-cell has about 7 times lower defect density than the small grain sized-cell using drive level capacitance profiling (DLCP) method. Consequently, we confirmed that $L_n$ was mainly affected by the micro-structure and defect density of CIGS layer, and could explain the cause of Jsc difference between two samples having same band gap.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.143-147
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• 2013

A Raman spectrometer is essential for analyzing the characteristics of graphene. The commercial micro-Raman spectrometer is useful for measuring small areas, but due to the small measuring area, it has limited use in industry, as a sampling measure. This paper suggests a Raman spectrometer able to get a large area image of graphene. By using this image, we can get information on defects and on the presence of graphene. Therefore, this equipment can be used for quality assessment for production of graphene.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.123-133
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the restaurant business adversely. The restaurant business is essential for Thailand's economy as it generates high income and a high employment rate. This study aimed to determine the relationships between restaurant businesses. Furthermore, it examined the problems encountered during COVID-19 and measures already implemented and planned. The research is intended to resolve these issues. We collected data from 136 people who worked in restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand, via telephone interviews. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and correspondence analysis using SPSS. The findings of this analysis indicate that all restaurants, irrespective of their size, face problems, though their planned and remedial actions are different. One finding was that medium restaurants face more financial problems and increased costs than others. They are countering this challenge through measures such as applying for loans and transitioning into a "non-restaurant" business. Nevertheless, typical medium restaurants have not engaged in extensive planning for the future. Based on a fact-finding survey, we considered appropriate short- and long-term measures suitable for micro, small and medium restaurants. In addition, our study's findings will help policymakers and practitioners identify strategies for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and other future crises.

• Korean small business review
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.155-172
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• 2021

This research means that it analyzed the conflict structure of key stakeholders in the operation and management of the Regulation Free Zone. The analysis results are as follows. First, for the safety review related to the amendment of the law, the process of presenting a preliminary review opinion is additionally required. Second, institutional improvement is needed for the complicated preliminary preparation stage in the management system issue. Third, there is the issue of whether to provide an incentive structure to the local innovation ecosystem or to leave it to the autonomy of the participating companies and guarantee the choice in the post-management issue. In the future, this research suggests a method to systematically prepare a micro-policy demand identification process through continuous monitoring using the Q method.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2020

This research aims to revisit the hypothesis that bribery hurts firm performance in the context of a perceptibly corrupt country. Specifically, we use micro-data from Vietnamese small and medium firm surveys in 2013 and 2015 to examine whether bribery impedes firm revenue growth and labor productivity growth. An issue arising in this type of research is the potential endogeneity between firm bribing behaviors and firm performance. To go around the issue, we follow the literature to instrument bribery variable with the average probability of bribery in other provinces. We further employ the Analysis of Variance technique (ANOVA) to unveil if the effect of bribery is dependent on bribing purposes. The regression results show that firm performance is significantly influenced by firm size, firm age and firm bribing behavior. Larger firms are more likely to grow faster while firm performance tends to be negatively related to firm age. Particularly, we find that bribery significantly impedes firm revenue growth and labor productivity growth. The analysis of variance shows that the effect of bribery on firm performance may vary across bribing purposes. Our findings, therefore, support the sand-the-wheels hypothesis that bribery hurts firm performance even in a highly corrupt business environment.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.39-57
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• 2024

Purpose: Various policies continue to be strengthened to develop Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which have a strategic role in the economy through the pillars of corporatization, capacity and financing to support strong and inclusive economic growth. Efforts to transform MSMEs marketing strategies are undertaken through eco-friendly digitalization to increase resilience and more productive and innovative capacity. Research design, data and methodology: This research is an exploratory qualitative approach taken to investigate the transformation of eco-friendly marketing strategies for MSMEs to increase competitiveness at the global level. The samples obtained were 425 MSMEs assisted by the DKI Jakarta, Bali, Java, Borneo, and Sumatera. The data collection technique used non-probability sampling (snowball sampling). Data is analyzed through collection, reduction, analysis, validity testing, presentation and conclusion. Results: This research shows the transformation of eco-friendly digital-based MSME marketing strategies occurred through four stages, namely production and institutional activities, expanding market share, digitalization and financing, and export market access. Conclusions: Eco-friendly digital transformation allows MSMEs competencies to be refined to improve business processes and business competitiveness at the international level. The contribution of this marketing strategy transformation is expanding MSMEs access to financial institutions (fintech), marketplaces, and QRIS (QR Code Indonesian Standard) digital payments.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.97-105
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to analyze and prove the effect of logistic capability and Total Quality Management practices on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) performance directly or mediated by non-financial performance. Research design, data and methodology: This study tested the hypothesis using Hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the method of data collection in this study was using questionnaire, the sampling technique was purposive sampling technique, with SME that has been established for more than 5 years and manufacturing. The data analyzed were 180 respondents using SPSS 25. Results: The findings showed that logistic capability has direct and indirect effects on SME financial performance and has a positive effect on SME financial performance mediated by non-financial performance. While the total quality management practices have a positive effect on SME financial performance mediated by non-financial performance. Thus, companies can achieve maximum financial performance if they invest in developing employee knowledge and concerning on non-financial actions, such as employee satisfaction, innovation and proactively seeking market opportunities. Conclusions: In conclusion, one of the main factors that companies need to consider to improve financial performance is non-financial performance in mediating the effect of logistic capability and TQM practices on the financial performance of SMEs.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.9
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• pp.747-753
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• 2020

This study aims to interpret the meaning of a successful entrepreneur from the perspective of women entrepreneurs in Malang, Indonesia. This research offers a phenomenological approach using purposive sampling. Data was collected by in-depth interviews using structured questionnaire with registered women entrepreneurs in Malang obtained from MSMEs (micro small and medium-sized enterprises) entrepreneurs. The 'continually developing' is one of the meanings of a successful entrepreneur. This study also found that success is when what women do can be useful to others. Besides, the meaning of success has two criteria, i.e., when they can meet their needs (individual satisfaction) and social performance as a goal to be achieved by entrepreneurs. The motivation of women entrepreneurs to establish their venture was not only financial returns, but also personal satisfaction, which was also the indicator of entrepreneurial success for women. This study has several limitations. First, our sample size is too small and consists of entrepreneurs that have an average age above 40 years. Hopefully, further research will be able to generalize our findings to a broader sample in various industries outside the city of Malang. As our research shows, the criteria and meaning of success may be different for a larger sample of entrepreneurs.