• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2013

Purpose - Nowadays, more than ever before, fierce competition, deep market segmentation, short product life cycles, and intensifying customer needs are putting increasing pressure on franchise's organizations to satisfy their customers by creating market-oriented relationships with and enhancing their market knowledge of them. One way that this might be achieved is by establishing deep ties (i.e., job commitment and job satisfaction) with their employees. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine how two important constructs of franchises' strategic efforts, LO (learning orientation) and RMO (relationship marketing orientation), affect job satisfaction, given the mediating role of job commitment. A franchise system comprises a set of contractual arrangements by which mutual obligations are performed. An organizational learning goal motivates employees to improve their abilities and master the tasks they perform. Relationship marketing, in addition, is to identify, establish, maintain, and enhance relationships with customers and other stakeholders to ensure that the objectives of all parties are met and this is done through the mutual exchange of promises. In a relationship marketing orientation, then, a firm creates, maintains, and enhances a strong relationship with its customers by sustaining long-term ties. This study was designed to examine the evolution of various theoretical approaches to franchise systems in order to determine whether theories about firms have significantly affected the franchise system. To this end, the authors developed a structural model consisting of several constructs. Previous studies have suggested that franchises' learning and relationship marketing orientations are important occupational immersion dimensions driving job satisfaction. Research design, data, methodology - We empirically tested a process of how the learning orientation and the relationship marketing orientation influence job commitment and job satisfaction using survey data drawn from 150 responding franchisees who were interviewed about their individual tendencies. Results - The results of this study provide empirical evidence that learning orientation, relationship marketing orientation, and job commitment all influence franchisees' job satisfaction. The results of this study indicate that, first, learning orientation had a significant effect on job satisfaction; second, relationship marketing orientation was positively related to job commitment; third, job commitment had a significant effect on job satisfaction. We also found that relationship marketing orientation and job satisfaction were mediated by job commitment. Conclusions - The findings of this study confirm the importance of learning orientation and relationship marketing orientation in maintaining a positive marketing relationship between franchiser and franchisee from to the perspective of the market. This indicates that franchiser support such as educational programs provided by the franchiser will help franchisees attain higher business management achievement and satisfaction. Moreover, a positive relationship between franchisees and consumers can be maintained through tie effects. Our findings also suggest that learning orientation plays a critical role in job satisfaction within the franchise system.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2017

Recently, flexible cages have been introduced in an attempt to absorb and reduce the abnormal load transfer along the anterior parts of the spine. They are designed to be used with the pedicle screw systems to allow some mobility at the index level while containing ROM at the adjacent level. In this study, a finite element (FE) study was performed to assess biomechanical efficacies of the flexible cage when combined with pedicle screws with flexible rods. The post-operated models were constructed by modifying the L4-5 of a previously-validated 3-D FE model of the intact lumbar spine (L2-S1): (1) Type 1, flexible cage only; (2) Type 2, pedicle screws with flexible rods; (3) Type 3, interbody fusion cage plus pedicle screws with rigid rods; (4) Type 4, interbody fusion cage plus Type 2; (5) Type 5, Type 1 plus Type 2. Flexion/extension of 10 Nm with a compressive follower load of 400N was applied. As compared to the Type 3 (62~65%) and Type 4 (59~62%), Type 5 (53~55%) was able to limit the motion at the operated level effectively, despite moderate reduction at the adjacent level. It was also able to shift the load back to the anterior portions of the spine thus relieving excessively high posterior load transfer and to reduce stress on the endplate by absorbing the load with its flexible shape design features. The likelihood of component failure of flexble cage remained less than 30% regardless of loading conditions when combined with pedicle screws with flexible rods. Our study demonstrated that flexible cages when combined with posterior dynamic system may help reduce subsidence of cage and degeneration process at the adjacent levels while effectively providing stability at the operated level.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.605-610
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this paper is to develop evaluation methods in order to apply effective problem-based learning (PBL). To observe the effectiveness of a PBL system on learners and to comprehend the learning process of a PBL application, analysis of reflective journals and an evaluation questionnaire completed by participants (n=68) were used. The participants of the study were recruited from Hankyong National University students who undertook first-year Creative Engineering Design. A total of four problems for the PBL-based lectures were designed and applied to 12 weeks of PBL lectures. The participants completed reflective journals upon completion of each PBL problem-based activity; upon completion of the last PBL problem, participants completed and submitted a PBL system class-evaluation questionnaire. Also the participants completed an evaluation questionnaire at each step of the instructional procedures for each PBL problem-based activity. The findings of the research show that the participants increased their comprehension of PBL systems, their understanding of lecture content and of cooperative learning, and improved their self-reflection, authentic experience, creative problem-solving skills, communication skills, documentation skills, presentation skills, observational skills, and evaluation skills. The participants described how learning through PBL increased their confidence, satisfaction, and sense of achievement, compared to the previous semester.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.11
• /
• pp.770-777
• /
• 2017

Building information modeling (BIM) has been receiving attention as an integrated information model instead of CAD since the 2000s. BIM technology was first used in the architectural field and was later introduced to the civil engineering field. However, the government announced a plan for the application of BIM to 20% of all SOC projects from 2020, so the adoption of BIM technology is expected to accelerate. In order to successfully adopt BIM, a systematic structure should be supported for integrated design information and implementation technology. Also, it is important to establish the relationship between information systems because many complicated factors are intertwined in the construction industry. In this study, we propose a framework for constructing integrated information through identifying the information relations for introducing BIM in the civil engineering industry. We applied this framework to a bridge project to confirm its effectiveness. This study can be applied to the integrated management of the construction process and costs by introduction of a work breakdown structure (WBS) to BIM. In addition, this study is expected to contribute to the adoption of BIM in the civil engineering field through the proposal of information system standardization in this field.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.8
• /
• pp.407-416
• /
• 2020

North Korea's demand for infrastructure construction and maintenance is growing rapidly. On the other hand, the number of skilled workers is insufficient. Therefore, through a survey of North Korean defectors, this study analyzed the status of construction technology and the difficulties of construction workers. In addition, an attempt was made to derive an appropriate education and training program process and operation plan. As a result of the survey, the reason for the low technical level of construction workers was the lack of skills, lack of motivation to work, and the lack of training and management systems. The appropriate education and training period was 56% of the total response within one year and 36% within six months. Based on the results of this survey, the period of education and training for the rapid training of construction technical personnel in North Korea was adopted as one year. Moreover, compared to the NCS standard in South Korea, appropriate training hours were suggested, excluding training courses, such as planning and design, construction management that require specialized knowledge. Finally, the curriculum corresponding to the education and training courses and the standards for facility names and required areas for facility operation were suggested.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2014

Purpose - Theorists and researchers in the area of customer satisfaction generally agree that product satisfaction intervenes between expectancy disconfirmation and various post-purchase cognitive states including attitude and behavioral intention. Studies in a variety of settings have supported the effect of expectation and its disconfirmation on satisfaction, but only a small number of studies address the cognitive consequences of satisfaction decisions and none report data on choice processes such as brand selection. This study examines the influence of satisfaction and its determinants on behavioral intention and product preference in eight coffee shops across the country. Generally it was found in both overall and summed attribute analyses that satisfaction was a function of expectation and disconfirmation, that intention was a function of satisfaction, and that preference was influenced by satisfaction and disconfirmation, the latter having the greater effect. Research design, data, and methodology - The main objective of this study was to assess the dimensions of consumer selection and satisfaction in choosing a coffee shop. In order to achieve this objective, a study of coffee shops across the country was conducted. This study comprised in-depth questionnaires distributed to coffee shop customers. A survey was conducted from September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011, involving franchise coffee shop, independently owned coffee shop, and roastery coffee shop customers. Results - Hypothesis 1-1, which states that coffee shop choice attributes differ based on the type of coffee shop, is accepted. It has a significance level of 0.05, according to choosing properties of coffee shop by convenience of transportation, varieties of beans, residence of the owner (manager), information, and relationships. Hypothesis 1-2, which states that satisfaction with the choice factor differs depending on the type of coffee shops, is accepted. The P-values for cleanliness and varieties of beans were 0.04 and 0.00, respectively, and have a significance level of 0.05, according to the satisfaction with the chosen coffee shop. Hypothesis 2-1, which states that the importance of the choice attributes in coffee shop selections differs based on the demographic characteristics of the customers, is accepted. According to the t-test result, convenience of parking and residence of the owner (manager) are significant. Hypothesis 2-2, which states that satisfaction with the choice factor will differ depending of the type of coffee shop, is accepted. According to the t-test result, convenience of parking and residence of the owner (manager) are significant. Conclusions - This study has shown that intention to revisit a certain shop is most likely correlated to satisfaction in all cases. In order to offer subsequent developments for coffee shops, this study also identifies relations between customer satisfaction and selection by finding significant factors. In order to maximize customers' satisfaction, coffee shops should analyze and satisfy customers' needs and wants in terms of coffee service. While the findings do not generalize beyond the mall sampling procedure used here, we have hopefully identified a close approximation of the process of satisfaction decisions used by consumers generally.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.59-71
• /
• 2014

Purpose - In recent years, many firms have attempted various approaches to cope with the continual increase of aviation transportation. The previous research into freight charge forecasting models has focused on regression analyses using a few influence factors to calculate the future price. However, these approaches have limitations that make them difficult to apply into practice: They cannot respond promptly to small price changes and their predictive power is relatively low. Therefore, the current study proposes a freight charge-forecasting model using time series data instead a regression approach. The main purposes of this study can thus be summarized as follows. First, a proper model for freight charge using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, which is mainly used for time series forecast, is presented. Second, a modified ARIMA model for freight charge prediction and the standard process of determining freight charge based on the model is presented. Third, a straightforward freight charge prediction model for practitioners to apply and utilize is presented. Research design, data, and methodology - To develop a new freight charge model, this study proposes the ARIMAC(p,q) model, which applies time difference constantly to address the correlation coefficient (autocorrelation function and partial autocorrelation function) problem as it appears in the ARIMA(p,q) model and materialize an error-adjusted ARIMAC(p,q). Cargo Account Settlement Systems (CASS) data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) are used to predict the air freight charge. In the modeling, freight charge data for 72 months (from January 2006 to December 2011) are used for the training set, and a prediction interval of 23 months (from January 2012 to November 2013) is used for the validation set. The freight charge from November 2012 to November 2013 is predicted for three routes - Los Angeles, Miami, and Vienna - and the accuracy of the prediction interval is analyzed using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Results - The result of the proposed model shows better accuracy of prediction because the MAPE of the error-adjusted ARIMAC model is 10% and the MAPE of ARIMAC is 11.2% for the L.A. route. For the Miami route, the proposed model also shows slightly better accuracy in that the MAPE of the error-adjusted ARIMAC model is 3.5%, while that of ARIMAC is 3.7%. However, for the Vienna route, the accuracy of ARIMAC is better because the MAPE of ARIMAC is 14.5% and the MAPE of the error-adjusted ARIMAC model is 15.7%. Conclusions - The accuracy of the error-adjusted ARIMAC model appears better when a route's freight charge variance is large, and the accuracy of ARIMA is better when the freight charge variance is small or has a trend of ascent or descent. From the results, it can be concluded that the ARIMAC model, which uses moving averages, has less predictive power for small price changes, while the error-adjusted ARIMAC model, which uses error correction, has the advantage of being able to respond to price changes quickly.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
• /
• v.9 no.9
• /
• pp.63-74
• /
• 2018

Purpose - The current study is to compare the cognition of stakeholders on hosting a mega sports event between Korea and the United States. In particular, to understand their cognition and perceptual conflict towards hosting a mega sports event, the study employed conflict theory. Furthermore, the study reviewed the role of social capital in the process of managing the mega sports events. Research Design, Data, and Methodology - Of homogeneous sampling, purposeful sampling method and criterion-based selection approach were used to collect interview data from key stakeholders who have been involved in hosting a mega sports events in Korea and the United States. In-depth interview transcripts were reviewed multiple tiems after transcription to extract concepts and meanings that were pertinenet to the experience involving hosting a mega sports event. Further member checks was conducted to increase the credibility of the results. Results - Results can be summarized as followed: First, stakeholders of Korea have a strong desire for positive economic effects of a mega sports event, compared to those in the United States who are more concerned in enhancing the public interests and concerns. Second, in Korea, various socio-political issues emerged at the same time and conflicts among multiple stakeholders have aggravated the situations to coordinate the issues. This was because legal system supporting socio-trust has not been established. On the other hand, major stakeholders of the United States consisted of community members who have socio-trust and networks. Thereby these social resources have been found playing a key role in building social capital that assists the stakeholders to coordinate the current issues and to solve them. Conclusions - The current study analyzed the cognition and perceptual conflict of stakehoders in a mega sports event. Social capital has beend found as a key catalyst to increase a network and cooperation among stakeholders. In order to enhance social capital in managing a mega sports event hosted in Korea, legal systems that establish networks and relationships among the related stakeholders need to be developed. Furthermore, the systematic guideline needs to be developed, organizing the sub-committees according to the types of stakeholders and the categorized common needs.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
• /
• v.8 no.12
• /
• pp.507-516
• /
• 2019

Costs invested in road maintenance and road development are on the rise. However, due to accidents such as portholes and ground subsidence, the risks to the drivers' safety and the material damage caused by accidents are also increasing. Following this trend, we have developed a system that determines road damage, according to the magnitude of vibration generated without directly intervening the driver when driving. In this paper, we implemented the system using a remote control car (RC car) simulator due to the limitation of the environment in which the actual vehicle is not available in the process of developing the system. In addition, we attached a vibration sensor and GPS sensor to the body of the RC car simulator to measure the vibration value and location information generated by the movement of the vehicle in real-time while driving, and transmitting the corresponding data to the server. In this way, we implemented a system that allows external users to check the damage of roads and the maintenance of the repaired roads based on data more easily than the existing systems. By using this system, we can perform early prediction of road breakage and pattern prediction based on the data. Further, for the RC car simulator, commercialization will be possible by combining it with business in other fields that require flatness.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.36-45
• /
• 2016

Sand filters are widely used in infiltration systems to manage polluted urban runoff. Clogging, which is mainly caused by the deposition of sediments on the filter media, reduces the filter system's infiltration capacity, which further limits its lifespan and function. The physical, chemical and biological clogging characteristics of sand filter, therefore, need to be known for effective design and maintenance. Physical clogging behavior and variations in the characteristics of sand filters according to different media depths are examined in this paper. The variations were observed from laboratory column infiltration tests conducted in a vertical flow and fluctuating head condition. It can be seen that an increase in filter media depth results in a high sediment removal performance; however, it leads to a shorter lifespan due to clogging. In the choice of filter media depth to be used in field applications, therefore, the purpose of facilities as well as maintenance costs need to be considered. At all filter media depth configurations, premature clogging occurred because sediments of 100~250 μm clogged the top 15% of filter media depth. Thus, scrapping the top 15% of filter media may be suggested as the first operational maintenance process for the infiltration system.