• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2004

Marginal Zn deficiency is prevalent through the world and yet human zinc status has not been properly assessed due to the lack of a reliable diagnostic indicator. One potential possibility for zinc status assessment using Zn-binding protein, metallothionein (MT)-mRNA, has been proposed. The purpose of the present study was aimed to show whether measurement of mononuclear cell (MNC) MT mRNA, using a competitive-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (competitive-RT-PCR) assay, could indicate zinc status in human subjects. In this study, MNC MT-mRNA expression was measured using a competitive-RT-PCR to compare before and after 14 days of zinc supplementation (50 mg Zn/das zinc gluconate). RT-PCR oligonucleotide primers which were designed to amplify both a 278 bp segment of the human MT-2A cDNA and a 198 bp mutant competitor cDNA template from MNCs, were prepared. MT-2A mRNA was normalized by reference to the housekeeping gene, $\beta$-actin, mRNA for which was also measured by competitive-RT-PCR. There was considerable inter-individual variation in MT-mRNA concentration and yet, the mean MT-2A mRNA level increased 4.7-fold after Zn supplementation, as compared to before Zn supplementation. This MT-2A mRNA level was shown as the same pattern and, even more sensitive assay, compared to the conventional plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) Zn assessment in which plasma and RBCs zinc levels increased 2.3- and 1.2-fold, respectively (p<0.05). We suggest that MT competitive-RT-PCR can be a useful assessment tool for evaluating human zinc status.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.85-101
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• 2015

This study formulates a development strategy for Gwangyang port through the analysis of its competition with other major Northeast Asian ports. A revised BCG matrix is applied to estimate the change in competition between the major ports in Northeast Asia and the Lotka-Volterra model is used for the competitor analysis. The growing competitive power and influence of Chinese ports, continued competitive advantage of Busan port, diminishing competitiveness of Gwangyang and Incheon ports, and disappearing competitive position of Japanese ports in Northeast Asia are all confirmed. In addition, according to the relationship between Gwangyang port and other major Northeast Asian ports from 2007 to 2014, Gwangyang port has changed to a predatory from a win/win relation with Busan port and has maintained its predatory relationship with Hong Kong port in terms of transshipment cargoes. Moreover, Gwangyang port has formed predatory relationships with Shanghai and Ningbo ports, a pure competitive relation with Tianjin port, and a win/win relation with Qingdao and Dalian ports. Overall, predatory relationships between Gwangyang port and other Northeast Asia ports increased from 2007 to 2014. The counterstrategies for Gwangyang port to address this situation include establishing cooperative relations and continuing the win/win relationships with cooperative ports.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.22-29
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• 2015

Many enterprises have been adopting management systems good enough for them and operating the schemes to have competitive edge better than their competitor. One of the finest systems that most companies have been selecting is ISO 14001. ISO 14001, environment management system, is widely known as advancing internal efficiency and productivity in the various industries. As a result, the number of companies that have adopted ISO 14001's certification have been increasing continuously year by year since ISO 14000 standard was called in 1994s from ISO 18000 standard that originally used. The purpose of this study is to present that ISO 14001's requirement execution influences on management performance in the small manufacturer. In order to carry out this research, we obtained 96 survey sheets and inspected ten assumptions based on the reliability, validity of the questionnaires. The results of regression analysis are summarized as follows; First, the three factors of ISO 14001 requirement, plan, implementation and operation and management consideration, have an important effect on the operational performance. Second, the three elements of ISO 14001 requirement, environment policy, implementation and operation and management consideration, affect to the financial performance significantly. Based on the results, it is sure that the companies that execute the factors of implementation and operation and management policy have a good performance to achieve operational and financial performance so that it is important to clarify the member's role, authority and follow the procedure by a company's process. Also, the truth shows CEO's continuous will and periodical review of ISO 14001 influence on management performance as well.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.81-100
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• 2020

Purpose - Based on complexity theory, this study develops a configurational model to predict the profitability of Halal cosmetics firms in the Indonesian and Malaysian markets. The proposed research model involves two level configurations-industry context and selling strategies-to predict high and low scores of a firm's profitability. The industry context configuration model comprises industry stability, product homogeneity, price sensitivity, and switching cost. Selling strategies include customer-focused, competitor-focused, and margin-focused approaches. Design/methodology - This is the first empirical study that calculates causal models using a combination of industry context and selling strategy factors to predict profitability. Data obtained from the marketing managers of cosmetics firms are used to test the proposed configurational model using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). It contributes to the current knowledge of business marketing by identifying the factors necessary to achieve profitability using analysis of condition (ANC). Findings - The results revealed that unique and distinct models explain the conditions for high and low profitability in the Indonesian and Malaysian halal cosmetic markets. While customer-focused selling strategy is necessary to attain a higher profit in both the markets, margin-focused selling strategy appears to be an essential factor only in Malaysia. Complexity of the interactions of selling strategies with industry factors and differences between across two study markets confirmed that complexity theory can support the research configurational model. The theoretical and practical implications are also illustrated. Originality/value - Despite the rapid growth of the global halal industry, there is little knowledge about the halal cosmetic market. This study contributes to the current literature of the halal market by performing a set of asymmetric analytical approaches using a complex theoretical model. It also deepens our understating of how the Korean firms can approach the Muslim consumer's needs to generate more beneficial turnover/revenue.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.35-41
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• 2019

This study aims to analyze the cosmedical cosmetics market and the nature of customer through the social big data analysis. More than 80,000 posts were analyzed using R program. After data cleansing, keyword frequency analysis and association analysis were performed to understand customer needs and competitor positioning, formulated several implications for marketing strategy sophistication and implementation. Analysis results show that "prevention" is a new and essential attribute for appealing target customers. The expansion of the product line for the gift market is also suggested. It has been shown that there is a high correlation with products that can be complementary to each other. In addition to the traditional marketing technique, the social big data analysis based on evidence was useful in deriving the characteristics of the customers and the market that had not been identified before. Word2vec algorithm will be beneficial to find additional.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.109-123
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• 2019

Recently, As the desire of consumer gets complexed and demanding, business environment is they are rapidly changing to customer-oriented ones. In order to survive in an age of fierce competition with competitor encompassing changing and customer's needs of consumer company emphasizes market orientation to have a sustainability. It is necessary not only satisfy consumer but also to provide customer delight. We want to see if customer's loyalty can be increased by experiencing C/S and C/D. First, customer's loyalty influences repurchase intention after experiencing customer's satisfaction and customer's delight. Second, customer's satisfaction is influenced by customer's satisfaction level. Especially Joy is one of the most important factor affecting customers delight. Third, customer's loyalty is one of the most important factor affecting customer's satisfaction. Finally, through this study, it was found tha customer's satisfaction and customer's satisfaction improve the repurchase relationship which is crucial from customer's loyalty.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.131-145
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• 2020

Purpose - The recent growth of South Korean products in the international market is the benchmark for both developed as well as developing countries. According to the development index, the role of international trade is indeed crucial for the development of the national economy. However, the visualization of the international trade profile of the country is the prerequisite of governmental policy decision-makers and guidance for forecasting of foreign trade. Design/methodology - We have utilized data visualization techniques in order to visualize the import & export product space and trade partners of South Korea. Economic Complexity Index (ECI) and Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) were used to identify the Korean international trade diversification, whereas the time series approach is used to forecast the economy and foreign trade variables. Findings - Our results show that Chine, U.S, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Japan are the leading trade partners of Korea. Overall, the ECI of South Korea is growing significantly as compared to China, Hong Kong, and other developed countries of the world. The expected values of total import and export volume of South Korea are approximately US$535.21 and US$ 781.23B, with the balance of trade US$ 254.02B in 2025. It was also observed from our analysis that imports & exports are equally substantial to the GDP of Korea and have a significant correlation with GDP, GDP per capita, and ECI. Originality/value - To maintain the growth rate of international trade and efficient competitor for the trade partners, we have visualized the South Korea trade profile, which provides the information of significant export and import products as well as main trade partners and forecasting.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.173-184
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• 2021

For the current organizations, retaining executive members is one of the most important functions of human resource management. Given that importance, although executives' mobility becomes prevalent, most prior studies tended to focus on involuntary turnover of executive members. To fill this gap, the current theoretical paper suggests a model of executive voluntary turnover, drawing on the lierature of employee mobility and entrepreneurship. First, running a new business as a CEO negatively affects prior-firm performance, but collaboration between two firms mitigate the negative association. Second, spin-off positively affects prior-firm performance, but this is weakened as spin-off firm performance decreases. Finally, moving to a competitor negatively, while moving to a collaborator positively affects prior-firm performance.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.215-228
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• 2014

The automotive industry plays a significant role in the global economy. One of the reasons is that this industry compasses every aspects of the value chain - from raw materials to design and development, manufacturing, sales and services, and even disposal. Thus, the industry needs significant upfront capital investment and requires years of R&D and market development. As a result, this industry is dominated by a handful of global players and it is not easy for a new entrant to enter this industry. Furthermore, success is even more difficult to achieve. How did Hyundai Motor make it in this tough marketplace? Can it continue against all odds? The CAGR for last 5 years is 12% and it stands at 6th in the world. Compared to other global brands, Hyundai has geographically well-balanced sales portfolio. The quality improvement is outstanding. The brand performance follows these quality and sales improvements. Yet, the global competition is ever intensifying. Now, it is the time to step up once more. The next strategic goal needs fundamental shift toward brand and marketing-focus. In constructing global marketing strategy, Hyundai Motor's vision is "Lifetime partner in mobility and beyond" and its goal is global top 3 brand by year 2015 through modern premium brand image and selling 5 million vehicles. The target brand positioning of Hyundai Motor is the leading position in premium dimension and stylish/modern dimension. The global brand strategy framework is based on the brand direction of "Modern Premium" and is designed to deliver core brand identity (i.e., Simple, Creative, Caring) to customers. In order to manage brand performance, Hyundai's marketing platformalso includes marketing performance management, brand performance management, and market driven organization. From this diagnosis, Hyundai Motor is well posed to build a strong brand. Nevertheless, there are still challenges ahead from consumer, technology, competitor, and macro-environment perspectives. To overcome these threats, the bases of competition for all successful automotive brands are various differentiation factors, including technology, performance, value proposition, or heritage. Hyundai Motor is well prepared so far. However, it is not tested against time yet whether Hyundai can overcome these unforeseeable major threats. Hyundai is trying to find the solution from a strong brand, while believing in "New Thinking. New Possibilities."

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2024

Distribution and logistics industries contribute some of the biggest GDP(gross domestic product) in South Korea and the number of related companies are quarter of the total number of industries in the country. The number of retail tech companies are quickly increased due to the acceleration of the online and untact shopping trend. Furthermore, major distribution and logistics companies try to achieve integrated data management with the fulfillment process. In contrast, small and medium distribution companies still lack of the capacity and ability to develop digital innovation and smartization. Therefore, in this paper, a deep learning-based demand forecasting & recommendation model is proposed to improve business competitiveness. The proposed model is developed based on real sales transaction data to predict future demand for each product. The proposed model consists of six deep learning models, which are MLP(multi-layers perception), CNN(convolution neural network), RNN(recurrent neural network), LSTM(long short term memory), Conv1D-BiLSTM(convolution-long short term memory) for demand forecasting and collaborative filtering for the recommendation. Each model provides the best prediction result for each product and recommendation model can recommend best sales product among companies own sales list as well as competitor's item list. The proposed demand forecasting model is expected to improve the competitiveness of the small and medium-sized distribution and logistics industry.