• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-81
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• 2013

The purpose of this paper is to seek ways to improve the competitiveness of Korea's fashion industry by utilizing the source of competitiveness of Japan's fashion industry, which represents the world's leading countries in terms of fashion, so that Korea can better enter the global fashion market. The study shall first compare the competitiveness of the Japanese and Korean fashion industries by utilizing the generalized double diamond model; second, provide an understanding of what the Japanese fashion industry can offer to Korean fashion industry and companies - that is, understand what the Japanese fashion industry's competitive edge is; and third, study the kind of global competitiveness that Korea's fashion industry must achieve. To adopt a generalized double diamond model to compare the competitiveness of the Korean and Japanese fashion industries, we selected 31 sub-variables to act as determinants of the model. That is, we extracted 31sub-variables by doing research of literature to analyze national competitiveness of the fashion industries. To measure these 31 sub-variables, secondary data was gathered. We collected data related to each sub-variable from various sources of Korea and Japan. And to calculate the competitiveness index, we took three steps with reference to previous studies. We found that status of the fashion industry of the two countries as it stands. That is, Japan is an advanced country of which fashion industry is domestic market-oriented while Korea is a small open economy that mainly focuses on the foreign market. Out of 31 proxy variables, Korea's fashion industry shows higher measurements relating to production and export than Japan, but Japan's fashion industry reports higher measurements than Korea in the fields of R&D, design and brand power, the rate of value added, the efficiency of companies and globalization. In order for Korea's fashion industry to achieve competitiveness in the global market, it should pursue the following development direction. First, it is very difficult for Korea to follow the footsteps of the U.S. and Japanese fashion industries that are able to take advantage of economies of scale, because Korea is smaller than those countries. Therefore, in the case of small economies such as Singapore, strengthening of international activities will practically improve domestic determinants that Korea should improve its domestic diamond by enhancing the current competitiveness of its international diamond. In other words, Korea needs to further endeavor to develop and expand global resources and markets as well as improve its competitiveness in terms of R&D, design and brand power, the rate of value-added, and the efficiency of companies. As the Korean fashion industry shows relatively advanced level of information technology and the fashion education system, it has considerable potential to grow. Korea is expected to have a huge growth potential since it has relatively higher level of information technology, fashion education system and activities than those of Japan in both the domestic diamond and international diamond. In particular, a better environment is laid out before Korea to gain competitiveness in the fashion industry due to the recently growing influence of the Korean Wave that Korea is expected to grow as a leader in the Asian market as well as in the global market.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.67-85
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• 2014

This study compares and analyzes the fashion industry of Korea with that of China and Japan, the two countries geographically and culturally adjacent to Korea, by applying the generalized double diamond model to find useful measures to strengthen the global competitiveness of the Korean fashion industry. The fashion industries of Korea, China and Japan were first compared in terms of the four determinants of the double diamond model: thereafter, the double diamond model of Korea, China and Japan were compared. In this, study 31 sub-variables were extracted to measure the eight determinants and secondary data were collected from selected sources between January 2013 and May 2014. The results of comparing the domestic diamond models showed that: China is considerably better than Korea and Japan in terms of demand conditions, firm strategy, organization, and competition conditions while Japan is superior in terms of demand conditions and Korea shows better related and supporting industries conditions. When comparing and analyzing the international diamond models, Japan is superior in terms of factor conditions and China has better demand conditions, while Korea has failed to lead in any of the four determinants. When comparing and analyzing the comprehensive diamond model per country, China show superior demand conditions and firm strategy, organization, and competition conditions, Japan has better factor conditions, and Korea shows superior related and supporting industries conditions.

• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.90-95
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to analyze Korea's fashion industry and find out the ways to settle recent crisis of the field. This study considered the environments of domestic or foreign fashion industry, then tried to find efforts to become one of the world's top companies and products.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.84-92
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the facilities, the current status, and the problems of Korean Exhibition Industry and to provide its future direction based on analysis of the characteristics and the recent trend of German Exhibition Industry. Data were obtained from previous research papers, periodicals, magazines, and newspapers. Also, statistical data provided by AUMA(Ausstellungs- und Messe- Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.), Association of Korean Exhibition Industries, and Global Exhibition Portal were used. In the result part of this study, various issues such as similarities and differences between Korean and German Exhibition Industry and problems of Korean Exhibition Industry were discussed. The strategies to improve the competitiveness of Korean Exhibition Industry were suggested. They are as follows ; development of global and specialized exhibitions, training of professional human resources for exhibition, formulating of aggressive and powerful oversee marketing, formation of oversee network, improving of laws, regulation and system in such a way to meet the realistic needs of exhibition, building of infrastructure such as roads, traffic networks and accomodations, raise of the Korea image and strengthen of quality of exhibition service.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.9_10 s.157
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• pp.1354-1365
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• 2006

China has a big potential as an apparel market due to its rapid economic growth. In the fashion industry, great attention has been paid to China. However, analysis of competitiveness has received relatively little attention from fashion scholarship. This study attempts to apply the double diamond model to analyze the international competitiveness of the apparel industry of China as well as of Korea. The purpose of this study is 1) to establish diamond model components in the fashion industry for Korea and China respectively, and 2) to compare the established diamond models(i.e., double diamond model, multinational diamond model) between Korea and China. Finally we suggested a marketing strategy based on the results of the double diamond model application. To build a diamond model for each country intensive literature review were conducted and additionally quantitative data were collected from 31 merchandisers and managers. We found that the domestic diamond of China was larger than Korea's, but firm strategy, structure and rivalry condition of Korea were more competitive than China's. Secondly, regarding the international diamond, China was more competitive, and especially had more the larger factor condition than Korea confirming that Korea was less competitive than China. This article provides a theoretical background and empirical findings for the competitiveness model of the fashion industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.4 s.163
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• pp.507-518
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• 2007

This study aimed to investigate the competitive advantages of Chinese fashion industry and firms to Korean fashion industry by applying the generalized double-diamond theory. Data collection was done by internet and fax survey. Questionnaires were distributed to the Korean textiles and apparel firms who entered China for production anuor distribution. List of firms were provided by KOFOTI, KOTRA, and Korea Apparel Industry Association. Total 198 questionnaires were distributed, and 77 questionnaires were used for final analysis. The results were follows. Korea's competitiveness scores of double-diamond model were higher in every aspects, such as demand condition, infra/supportive industry, firms's strategy and competition except factor condition. Glottalization score in double diamond model measured by the degree of glottalization which was determined by international diamond factors which make firm's multinational/international activities possible. Chinese fashion industry's globalization score of factor condition was significantly higher than Korea, but for the rest of aspects, Korean fashion industry showed higher scores. Therefore, Korean fashion firms can overcome comparative disadvantage of factor condition by utilizing Chinese fashion industry no matter what type of entry. In addition, considering the growth rate of Chinese fashion industry and its power of influence in the world market, the entry to the global market of the Korean fashion industry can be possible.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.351-362
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• 2003

To study marketing strategy changes caused by Korea fashion industry development process, the fashion marketing strategy changes of Japan, considered as the most similar one of Korea, was compared. At each period, p! roper cost efficiency strategies, product differentiation strategies, and market segment strategies has been selected and applied. The fashion industry foundation period namely practical usage clothing period of Korea follows 10 years after one of Japan. 90's highly sensitive fashion period namely fashion industry growth period follows 5 years after one of Japan. As entering to fashion industry maturity period with global competition, the time difference falls to less than 5 years. With hosting of 2002's World-Cup, Korea's global competitiveness has increased, and it appears to be possible of being fashion market leader in East Asia and Japan's rival on an equal footing.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.898-905
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• 2012

This paper develops fashion products that express the beauty of Baekje through an investigation of the unique characteristics of Baekje artifacts. This work can promote the Baekje region and provide cultural goods for local festivals to improve the economic competitiveness of the area. Artifacts from the Muryongwangreung in Gongju (the capital city of Baekje during the Woongjin period)were reinterpreted into a more modern form. Among the Muryongwangreung artifacts, the king and queen's gold coffin as well as chignon ornaments were used as design motifs. These artifacts were stylized into motifs and developed into patterns using Adobe Illustrator CS3 and Adobe Photoshop CS3. The patterns were subsequently applied to the designs of scarves and ties. The color was selected using the CMYK colorway from the Gongju city logo subsequently, a total of 12 designs (including 6 ties and 6 scarves) were developed. The design developed from this research can be applied to diverse products to promote the area. Using the research as a foundation, fashion product development based on the local culture can have a significant impact on the establishment of the Baekje cultural identity and the competitiveness of the region.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the present condition of the Korean footwear industry, and its competitiveness through related precedent research. Research was done by analyzing data from the Korean Statistical Information Service, the Korea International Trade Association and advanced research about the footwear industry. Footwear markets all over the world are growing continuously. The main consumers are China, America and India. World footwear trade is showing a growth trend on the basis of cost and amount. The main exporting countries are China, Vietnam and Italy, while main importing countries are America, Germany and France. The domestic market and the export market of footwear in Korea are decreasing. The scale of exporting footwear is gradually decreasing, however the scale of importing footwear is increasing. Korea exports footwear to China, Vietnam and Japan and imports them from China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Studies concening the footwear industry implied that the competitiveness of Korea has been weakened both in the domestic and the export markets. To enhance the competitiveness of Korean footwear corporations, long-term support at the national level is needed. Especially, cultivating competitive experts is crucial to improve the competitiveness of designs and the quality of products. Furthermore, branding strategies using the Korean wave, Korean culture and the national image of Korea, as well as platform strategies to communicate with consumers globally and selling high-quality products are significant.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.168-177
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate sustainable fashion flows and to outline their characteristics by analysing Esthetica as the largest trade-based sustainable fashion exhibition in the UK. Most of the researchers have focused on its ethical meaning rather than on fashionable criteria or marketable value. This pioneer work could be helpful in order to plan and study sustainable fashion flows. The research method is to identify characteristics of sustainable fashion trends through literature reviews and case studies focused on the UK, Esthetica events and participating brands. The following results were obtained. Upcycling suggests the extension of a product's lifecycle, a trend on the increase. Transparency is the crucial issue in sustainable fashion. Estethica shows that nurturing sustainable brands is one effective way of boosting the sustainable industry, as well as encouraging the production of sustainable products. Sustainable fashion has come to be included in mainstream fashion in terms of aesthetics and commercial competitiveness. Finally, sustainable fashion highlights quality of garments. Thus, Esthetica shows the present of sustainable fashion and its future, that is, sustainable fashion not just as a trend but a lifestyle for both its consumers and the industry. As the sustainable industry is a growing sector, it would be useful to carry out separate in-depth case studies on leading sustainable brands and qualitative aspects.