• Korean Journal of Labor Studies
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.107-156
• /
• 2018

This article examines the history of the in - house subcontracting and the stabilization of labor - management relations in the steel industry in Japan. The ratio of in-house subcontract workers among steel workers has increased steadily until the mid-2000s, and about 70% in case of the largest company. In-house subcontracting was used as a strategy of the company to increase the quantity flexibility of employment and to save labor costs. The in-house subcontracting company needed company-specialized skills, and the internal labor market was formed because the rate of full-time workers was high and the turnover rate was low. The in-house subcontractor introduced long-term business relationship with the steel factory by introducing the equipment and materials necessary for the performance of the work, and the factory implemented the productivity improvement policy of the in-house subcontractor, and the win-win relationship between the factory and in-house subcontractor was developed. The trade union did not oppose the idea that the expansion of in-house subcontracting contributed to corporate profits, the stability of employment of the members and maintenance of their working conditions. Since 2000, the steel factory has pursued the transformation of in - house subcontractors into subsidiaries, which has been supported by capital relations. By the way, since the mid-2000s, there has been an increase in the number of regular workers' employment. The major factors are as follows: more strengthened compliance with laws and regulations, the higher quality request of customers, stricter keeping of deadlines, and problem in recruiting of workers at in-house subcontract companies. The wage gap between the factory and in - house subcontracting was less at company B than at company S, and the wage level of in - house subcontracting was about 90% of the factory at company B. The relatively small gap at company B seems to be due to the union's movement of narrowing the gap, low market dominance and unfavorable labor market. The internal labor market has been formed in the in-house subcontracting, and the wage gap is not large, and the possibility of labor disputes is low. Industrial relations are stable in the in-house subcontract company as well as the factory. The stabilization of labor-management relations in the steel industry in Korea is required to reduce the wage gap between the factory and in-house subcontract enterprises by raising productivity and expanding the internal labor market at in-house subcontract enterprises.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.17-45
• /
• 1987

This study contributes to understanding women's labor market behavior by focusing on a particular set of labor force transitions - labor force withdrawal and entry during the period surrounding the first birth of a child. In particular, this study provides a dynamic analyses, using longitudinal data and event history analysis, to conceptualize labor force behaviors in a straightforward way. The main research question addresses which factors increase or decrease the hazard rates of leaving and entering the labor market. This study used piecewise Gompertz model, following the guide of the non-parametric analysis on the hazard rates, which allowed relatively detailed description on the distribution of timing of leave and entry to the labor market as parameters of interest. The results show that preferences and structural variables, as well as economic considerations, are very important factors to explain the labor market behavior of women in the period surrounding childbirth.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.52
• /
• pp.33-61
• /
• 2003

This study aims to identify early retirement and the subsequent career ending patterns and explain the phenomena in terms of social security policies and labor market perspectives. Although many older workers retire early, there are very few studies to examine how the retirees end their careers after quitting the long-time jobs. The paper investigates individual work experiences 55 through 61, identifies the career ending patterns, constitutes the micro and macro analytical models to estimate the impacts of labor market and work-related variables. The findings show that many older workers have diverse career ending patterns after long-time career jobs, that is, still working at age-55 job, exiting and reentering, sporadic work, retired permanently from age-55 job, a repeat of labor force entry. Also the estimation results indicate that pension, social security, labor market condition, work structure variables better explain the career ending behaviors than social psychological factors of health, education, attitudes toward retirement and job, ethnicity. Finally, this paper discusses theoretical importances of labor market perspectives and policy implications at the end of thesis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.12
• /
• pp.494-502
• /
• 2017

This study examines how the Netherlands and Denmark lowered the increase in income inequality, at a period in time when income inequality in the world was deepening. This study investigates the level and trend of income inequality in the Netherlands and Denmark compared to those in Korea, the United States, Germany and Sweden. Using the method of the decomposition of changes in income inequality, this study identifies which factors are associated with the changes in inequality in these countries. It also explores which labor market policies mitigated inequality in these two countries. One of the major reasons for the reduction in earned income inequality in the Netherlands is the increased participation of women in economic activity through the increase in voluntary part-time working. In particular, the policies designed to promote equal treatment between full-time and non-regular workers contributed to the active participation of women in part-time work. Using active labor market policies, Denmark improved the proficiency of low skilled and low-wage workers, thereby alleviating the wage gap between high-income and low-income workers. Based on the experiences of the Netherlands and Denmark, this study discusses policy directions to mitigate income inequality in Korea.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.99-112
• /
• 2022

Purpose - This paper empirically investigates via a spatial lag model from the perspective of space economy to find the influencing factors of South Korea's OFDI along with 60 countries. Design/methodology - In the study of regional economic phenomena, we must first test the corresponding spatial correlation, and on this basis, complete the construction of the spatial model. For the target research object, after testing the spatial correlation, if there is spatial correlation, a spatial measurement model is needed. This paper uses the global Moran's I index for calculation. Based on the characteristics and research needs of the research object, this paper selects the spatial lag model to verify the existence of the spatial effect and factors affecting OFDI. Findings - Our results show that export scale, infrastructure, technology level, political stability, resource endowment, market size, distance and labor cost have a certain impact on Korea's OFDI, but at present the distance and market size factors are the most important influencing factors for South Korea's OFDI, The technical level and political stability have little effect on South Korea's OFDI, and are not main factors determining South Korea's OFDI. Originality/value - Through spatial measurement verification, it was found that the spatial effect has a significant impact on OFDI, along with more than 60 countries. On this basis, relevant suggestions are put forward, which have strong practical significance for South Korea's OFDI to achieve healthy and sustainable development.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.771-781
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study is to identify major drivers of Myanmar's long-term economic growth and draw implications to implement development policies. This study investigated Myanmar, as the country is the most recently opened economy in Southeast Asia. This study conducted simulation analysis based on scenarios by applying World Bank's Long-Term Growth Model, Penn World Table 9.1, and World Development Indicator data. This study makes extensive use of LTGM and the LTGM-TFP extension to improve the validity of models for data calibration. This study confirms the validity of the model with data calibration and specifies scenarios for simulation analyses by setting the growth trajectory of Vietnam due to common geographical, political, and economic conditions. Main findings include that Myanmar's economic growth rate will continue to fall below 3% in 2040 without proper improvement of growth drivers. The results of this study also provide that total factor productivity growth and female labor participation are key factors for Myanmar's long-term economic growth. This study advises policymakers in Myanmar to strengthen human capital, which is crucial for total factor productivity growth in Myanmar's context and directly affects economic growth. Further, labor market policies to promote female labor participation is important to sustain economic growth.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.12
• /
• pp.345-352
• /
• 2021

Guided by a resource-based theory, this study is the first one that takes a quantitative approach to identify determinants of competitiveness of women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. The study employs time series data of Vietnamese SMEs extracted from the Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprises Survey conducted biennially from 2005 to 2015 in ten Vietnamese provinces. Firm competitiveness hereby is indicated by revenue, market share, profitability, and export volume. The research reveals a number of determining factors, of all, research and development, labor skills, business environment, technology investment are the most important factors, followed by capital and headcount. It is indicated that the determining factors have different influences on competitiveness obtained by different measurements. Therefore, it is based on specific targets and situations to make wise business decisions. The authors also make comparisons among groups of women-owned enterprises divided by their firm age, location, ownership, export, age, and educational background of business owners. The findings serve as critical empirical evidence and provide policy recommendations for improving the competitiveness of women-owned SMEs in Vietnam. The recommendations range from technology support, education and professional support for female entrepreneurs, access to capital and human resources to business environment improvement.

• Journal of Labour Economics
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.91-134
• /
• 2010

This study examines job transition process and its lahor market performance by reasons of job separation, using the Employment Insurance DB(2000~07). The findings show that involuntary job changers lend to suffer greater loss in job spell and real wage than voluntary job changers, which seems to reflect their characteristics such as lower quality of job matching due to unsystematic job search, negative signaling effect in the labor market and decreasing availability of human capital in previous job. In addition, unemployment benefit eligible for involuntary job changers tends to prolong the period of unemployment, while increasing job spell in the following employment.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
• /
• 2015.10a
• /
• pp.742-743
• /
• 2015

Korean construction industry has developed with national economy growth for a couple of decades. However, because of slump of real estate, the domestic construction industry was intimidated. In this situation, many construction company has no choice but to go abroad to find construction projects. However, almost small or medium-sized construction companies are very hard to operate their business because they have small funding ability and weak labor power. Therefore, this study aims to propose an assessment tool through analyzing risk factors of overseas construction projects for small or medium-sized companies by examining preceding research and interviewing industry experts. Weights of the risk factors are determined through the surveys of the industry practitioners. All of the data is configured into the assessment tool and this converts the quantitative information which leads to the optimal of strategies choice. This paper provides a quantitative measurement of possible performance and detailed assessment of each itemized risk factors. This assessment tool is qualified for industry experts so that it can safely be applied to the future projects. Ultimately, many small or medium sized construction companies will benefit from the tool proposed in this study to examine the potential of the overseas market expansion.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.467-475
• /
• 2019

Delay is one of the most critical issues for construction projects and leads to huge losses in both developing and industrialized countries. The construction sector in Rwanda, a rapidly-developing nation, is no exception. Delays can be mitigated only once we have identify their primary causes, and these may not be the same in each region. This study aims to ascertain the main critical factors responsible for delays in building construction in Rwanda through an intensive literature review and questionnaire survey. A total of 40 delay causative factors were obtained from a literature review and were further classified into nine major categories. The questionnaire survey was distributed to about 80 respondents from clients, contractors, and consultants. From the list of 40 different factors, the top twelve most critical causes were identified as stoppage of work due to cash flow constraints, delay in approving design documents, confidentiality of physical plan, price fluctuations and delay in approving significant change, change orders, delay in performing inspections, Ineffective project planning, inadequate drawing details, unqualified labor, lack of materials on the market and dishonesty.