• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1-18
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• 2021

Purpose - In this study, we explore the relationship between the degree of internationalization (DOI) and firm performance (DOI-P) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector. Specifically, we investigate whether the costs and benefits dynamics concerning the internationalization of SMEs differ between high-tech and non-high-tech industries. Design/methodology - We extend the prior literature on this relationship by employing 5-year data on 589 Korean SMEs in the manufacturing sector and examining the moderating impact of the industry characteristics. Our findings reveal a U-shaped relationship between the DOI and SME performance. High-tech SMEs demonstrate an inverted U-shaped relationship, whereas non-hightech SMEs exhibit a U-shaped relationship. Findings - Our findings illustrate the importance of the industry factor in testing the performance impact of the internationalization of Korean SMEs. By incorporating industry dynamics, our results indicate that the DOI-P relationship depends on the context of the industry in which an SME operates. High-tech SMEs also display a higher DOI but are outperformed by non-high-tech SMEs for the entire internationalization path, which implies that high-tech SMEs face more challenges than non-high-tech SMEs while seeking internationalization. Originality/value - The findings strongly validate that significant benefits exist for SMEs undertaking internationalization. We also employ the contextual framework contributing to increasing the understanding of the intrinsic value of internationalization and resolving the mixed results issue on the DOI-P relationship, by illustrating that the industry factor leads to different dynamics of costs and benefits of SME internationalization; it also determines the shape and direction of the relationship.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.361-371
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• 2016

This study examined the factors influencing the happiness of employees of the SME manufacturing industry. Data were collected from 139 employees using structured questionnaires, and were analyzed by a t-test, one way-ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS/WIN Ver 18.0 program. In general characteristics, happiness was significantly associated with age, level of education, religion, monthly income, monthly income satisfaction, position in the working area, and way of working. Happiness was positively correlated with self-esteem and perception of interpersonal caring behavior, and was negatively correlated with job stress. The factors influencing happiness was self-esteem and perception of interpersonal caring behavior, which explained 46.6%. Self-esteem and the perception of interpersonal caring behavior should be considered for improving the happiness of employees. The results will form the basis of nursing interventions to increase employees' happiness in the SME manufacturing industry.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.545-571
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• 2016

The development of ICT brings a big change in manufacturing industries, and new information technology such as IoT, AR, and big data was applied on manufacturing process. As a result, the concept of smart factory has been introduced as a new manufacturing paradigm. In fact advanced countries like USA, Germany, and Japan have actively introduced smart factory in their manufacturing industries such as electronic, automobile, machinery, to improve production efficiency and quality. The manufacturing environment has been changed into flexible system, so that smart factory will be leading future manufacturing industries. Thes changes have more severe influence on Korean manufacturing industries. Mny industrial companies, have a strong interest in smart factory and they, particularly big enterprises, have been adopting smart factory to increase their manufacturing efficiencies. However, Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have many financial and technological difficulties so that the diffusion of smart factory in Korean SMEs has not been satisfiable up to present. However, smart factory is very important for enhancing their competitiveness in global market. Therefore, this study aims at identifying the standardization strategy of smart factory in so-called Korean 'roots industry' by presuming that the standardization will activate the diffusion of smart factory among Korean SMEs. For this purpose, first, this study examines the competitiveness of SMEs, especially in 'roots industry' and identifies the necessity of diffusion of smart factory among those SMEs. Second, based on the active review on the existing literature, this study identifies four factor groups that would influence the adoption or diffusion of standardized smart factory. They are technological, organizational, industrial and policy factors. Third, using those four factors, this study made two comprehensive case analyses on the adoption and diffusion of smart factory. These two companies belong to molding sector which is one of the important six sectors in 'root industry'. Finally, based on the theoretical and empirical analyse, this study suggests four strategies for activating the standardization of smart factory; international standardization, government-leading standardization, firm-leading standardization, and non-standardization.