• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.169-190
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• 2015

The status of small and medium-sized enterprises has been changed into more independent business entities rather than simply subcontractor so that the utilization of specialized knowledge has been much more necessary for the survival in the market. However, small and medium-sized enterprises, it is difficult to sufficient investment in knowledge services due to limited resources relative to large enterprises and demand for knowledge services business of government support is growing. For this reason, it is important to measure accurately the demand for knowledge services of small and medium-sized enterprises in knowledge management for effective utilization of knowledge service. In this study, we analyzed previous studies on small and medium-sized enterprises knowledge services that can be utilized in a comprehensive way. As a result, we developed knowledge service needs assessment model based on five critical success factors for continual growth and 12 types of knowledge service. This model has been modified and supplemented through expert meeting using delphi research method and topic modeling analysis using secondary data. This study is attempted to appropriately measure necessary knowledge services for small and medium-sized enterprises so that generated the evaluation model of knowledge service demands, comprehensively dealing with core knowledge services for many kinds of business entities. It is expected that the developed model will be a useful tool to understand and evaluate knowledge services demands of enterprises.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.50-59
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• 2015

While the international construction industry for Korean companies have grown in market size exponentially in the recent years, the profit rate of small and medium sized construction companies (SMCCs) are incomparably lower than those of large construction companies. Furthermore, small and medium size companies, especially subcontractor, lacks the judgement of project involvement appropriateness, which leads to an unpredictable profit rate. Therefore, this research aims to create a profit rate prediction model for the international construction project focusing on SMCCs. First, the factors that influence the profit rate and the area of profit zone are defined by using a total of 8,637 projects since the year 1965. Seconds, an extensive literature review is conducted to derive 10 influencing factors. Multiple regression analysis and corresponding judgement technique are used to derive the weight of each factor. Third, cased based reasoning (CBR) methodology is applied to develop the model for profit rate analysis in the project participation review stage. Using 120 validation data set, the developed model showed 11% (14 data sets) of error rate for type 1 and type 2 error. In utilizing the result, project decision makers are able to make decision based on authentic results instead of intuitive based decisions. The model additionally give guidance to the Korean subcontractors when advancing into the international construction based on the model result that shows the profit distribution and checks in advance for the quality of the project to secure a sound profit in each project.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.439-448
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• 2022

Recently, domestic small and medium-sized subcontractors participating in the overseas construction market are suffering from the continuous loss and damage due to the insufficient recognition of the importance of risk Sub-Clauses among conditions of subcontracts. Therefore, the need to derive risk Sub-Clauses for conditions of the subcontract has been raised, but until now, previous studies have been conducted focusing on deriving risk Sub-Clauses for standard conditions of contract for construction between the Employer and the Contractor. In this study, 52 risk Sub-Clauses were derived on the basis of the influence size of the Sub-Clauses through the Delphi technique targeting 94 Sub-Clauses of conditions of standard subcontract for construction edition 2011, issued by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) and In addition, 33 key risk Sub-Clauses were finally derived through the PI Risk Matrix by Probability and Impact. The results of this study provide will useful information on key risk Sub-Clauses that need to be reviewed in advance to minimize contractual risks at the stage of bidding and signing contracts for overseas subcontract construction projects.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.90-97
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• 2016

Since Korean construction firms have steadily advanced into the international market, small and medium construction companies (SMCCs) have also advanced in such market. SMCCs's recent trend have clearly shown the changes of contract types from single subcontractor projects to multiple general contracting projects. However, among those multiple projects performed by SMCCs, 1 out of 3 projects were deficit projects that impact the overall pe rformance of the firm. To increase such performance, risk management for in international construction must be managed at the enterprise level for SMCCs. This research aims to create a multiple project management model for SMCCS that employs the concept of acceptable risk to assess the limit risk level for corporation to acceptable. Using the accumulated data from previous survey and International Construction Association of Korea (ICAK), integrated risk of each firm and their profitability of each project are analyzed. Through the analysis, each firm's acceptable risk level is derived. Through the two research steps, acceptable risk algorithm was developed based on corporate integrated risk and profit correlation. To prove the acceptable algorithm relevance, financial statement analysis of 3 corporation was derived that level of acceptable risk and financial statement were available. Through the approach, this research allows the firms to analyze the firm's capability and find projects that suits the firm's situation and capability.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.352-364
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• 2018

Objective: The Korean Industrial Hygiene Association(KIHA) held a forum on "Improvement of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) regulations for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency in the field" at its 2018 Winter Conference(February 2, 2018). This article summarized the major consensus opinions developed at the forum. Methods: Since the initial implementation of the MSDS system, the contents of the system have changed and related studies have been reviewed. Before the forum, online questionnaires were developed and opinions on the effectiveness of MSDS program were collected from various strata of the occupational health field. We also summarized the key opinions of companies, trade unions, experts, and government officials as discussed at the forums. Results: A total of 265 opinions were gathered through online questionnaire surveys from safety and health managers, trade unions, government officials, and health professionals. The results of online surveys and discussions showed some differences of opinion, but it was a common perception that the current MSDS system is not working effectively in the workplace. It was considered necessary to strengthen MSDS education and to make it easier for workers to understand and deliver the necessary information. In addition, it was confirmed that the supply of and education on MSDS to small- and medium-sized enterprise workers is not being well executed. In particular, MSDS training for subcontract workers should be carried out under the responsibility of the contracting employer. Conclusions: In order for the MSDS system to serve more effectively in the field in the future, it needs to be improved in terms of the effective education and training considering the type of industry and employment.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.111-120
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• 2010

The public construction industry in Korea involves a variety of stakeholders, encompassing multiple layers of contractual relationships that crisscross between the State as project client and the contractors, as well as subcontractors. In such a hierarchical landscape, managerial crises of contractors involving bankruptcy or insolvency can result in unexpected damages for both clients and subcontractors. Accordingly, the applicable legal framework requires project clients to act as patrons in relation to making payments to subcontractors, and stipulates provisions pertaining to direct payments to subcontractors in order to promote the balanced development of the national economy in terms of the public interest by protecting small and medium-sized businesses working as subcontractors for large businesses. However, the relevant legal documents provide for different payment criteria and procedures from document to document, and leave room for variations in the interpretation and construction of applicable provisions, which leads to disputes and discrepancies in court rulings. For this reason, it is necessary not only to compare and analyze statutory provisions pertaining to direct payment to subcontractors, but also to review issues of contention in actual cases. This study aims to analyze issues in cases involving payment to subcontractors from the perspective of the project client overseeing and supervising the construction business. The conclusions from such an analysis will help to effectively resolve subsequent cases of a similar nature by suggesting a strategy to improve the relevant statutory provisions pertaining to direct payment to subcontractors.