• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2020

Objectives : In this study, we conducted a focus group interview among expatriates living in Korea, to investigate their experiences and perceptions of acupuncture and Korean Medicine in order to improve the usage of Korean Medicine in the medical tourism market. Methods : The inclusion criteria for the focus group interview was: (1) participants between the age of 20 to 75 years old; (2) those who had lived in Korea for more than 90 days, and (3) those who were able to express their thoughts freely in English. The participants were informed that the interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We ended recruitment once saturation of materials was met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed after each interview. Results : The interviews were held between June to December 2016. Twenty-four participants were recruited but four dropped out and a total of twenty participants successfully finished the interviews. Six focus group interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed that Korean Medicine was relatively less known compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants automatically associated acupuncture with the management of pain or stress and replied that these were the areas that they thought acupuncture would be most effective. Positive experiences with acupuncture and with the acupuncture practitioners were factors that promoted the use of acupuncture whereas lack of awareness, accessibility and accreditation were factors that hindered its use. Other factors that hindered the use of acupuncture was needle phobia and the perception that acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. Conclusions : Awareness on Korean Medicine and acupuncture is low. Participants lack awareness on what diseases acupuncture can treat, the scientific evidence behind the mechanism of action, and the rigorous education system that Korean Medicine doctors must go through to get their license. Rigorous marketing should be encouraged, which includes greater exposure in the media, more honest reviews from patients, and promotion of the scientific evidence base.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.424-429
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• 2016

Globally, obesity has been recognized as a serious health problem. Recently, slimming foods for weight loss and maintenance were found to contain anti-obesity drugs, their analogues, and prohibited ingredients. To avoid inspections by the Government, structurally modified analogs have been continuously synthesized. For rapid determination of adulterated slimming products, we simultaneously analyzed 21 illegal compounds using liquid chromatography (LC) equipped with photo diode array, and LC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The validation of the method was performed with regard to selectivity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, and accuracy. We purchased 128 samples from the Korean market and online sources in the year 2015. In 31 samples, 3 illegal compounds were detected as follows: 9.9-135.3 mg/g of sibutramine, 0.2-17.5 mg/g of yohimbine, and 1.8 mg/g of icariin. This simultaneous detection method might prove to be a simple and rapid analysis for monitoring illegal compounds in slimming foods.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumption patterns of traditional Korean rice cake among college students. Self administered questionnaires were collected from 512 college students in the Seoul, Kyunggi, Chungchung, Kyungsang, Junla and Gangwondo areas. The data were statistically analysed using frequency analysis, chi-squared and t-tests and a one-way ANOVA. By examining the results of the student's perceptions of traditional Korean rice cake, it was found that most know little, or only a moderate amount, about this type of food. Meanwhile, more than half the students liked traditional Korean rice cake, as this type of food satisfied their need for a traditional Korean taste, while the reason for disliking was that they were more familiar with western-style confectionary. Most students answered that they only ate traditional Korean rice cake on special occasions, such as big holidays or ceremonies for the dead ancestors. Most answered that they bought those foods at conventional markets, the mile in the neighborhood, (Eds note: I dont't understand, do you mean, “within a mile of their neighborhood”\ulcorner) or atbig malls. The factor they considered the most important at the time of purchase was the quality (taste), which demonstrates the need for the development of traditional Korean rice cakes, with new tastes and shapes, which still satisfy the Korean's taste, whilemaintaining the traditional taste. For the questions that asked about the problems faced by the traditional Korean rice cake manufacturing industry, and the reasons for low consumption, the students responded that buying this type of food was difficult as the outlets selling themwere not easy to find. Our results seem to suggest that there are almost no specialty stores for the sale of traditional Korean rice cake compared to the other types of cakes that are scattered all over the country. (Eds note: this is only my opinion, and I maybe wrong, but I would have thought that trying to market traditional Korean rice cakes at local convenience stores, rather than speciality stores, would make them more available to the general public. Their marketing at speciality stores will maintain the status quo, i.e. people will go to the speciality stores to purchase product for holidays and special occasions, whereas they will go to the local convenience stores to buy general everyday snacks etc.)

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.787-798
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• 2017

This is a study on characteristics according to the material of sheet-type mask packs being sold on the market. The absorption capacities of water soluble components such as purified water, 1.3-propanediol, 1.3-butylene glycol, glycerine, and hyaluronic acid are compared with that of various oils including cyclomethicone, dimethicone, phytosqualane, caprylic capryl triglyceride, grape seed oil, and macadamia nut oil. As a result, all of the water soluble components except purified water showed higher moisture absorption capacity as the viscosity increased. And in case of oil, all oil showed higher oil absorption capacity according to the viscosity. During this test, the mask sheets with the type of acetic acid fermented bio-cellulose showed 500~1,000 times or more absorption capacity on water soluble wetting agent or all oils, which is due to the fine mesh structure seen in the 5,000x enlarged photograph at surface structure. This mesh structure was well recognized on the cross section and these structural features enhance the absorption capacity of water and oil. It is also believed that largely contained water-soluble components and oils facilitate the discharge over time. In addition, since each mask sheet shows their characteristics according to their material, it is intended to be a basic research for manufacturing mask packs good for skin.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.5-20
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• 2006

Retail is called location business because it is one of the most important factors to estimate management of stores for retailers who are going to sell products directly to customers. Retailers' management achievements are shown in sale in general. Therefore, retailers tend to focus on ways to increase the numbers of customers in order to raise sales. First of all, in this research, I am going to examine the most fundamental models such as Reilly's retail gravitation, converse model, huff probability model and multiful losit model in selecting stores. Secondly, I am going to provide the process and analyzing ways to predict estimated sales amount with the previous theory model. Also I am going to predict estimated sales amount of the department store L which is located in D metorpolitan city. Lastly, I am going to argue about the problem of this research and the next research subject. Our main goal is to provide ways to complement and inspect sales estimation models, which can be used in fields after taking characters of high class structure of Korea into consideration on the base of previous researches. According to the result of the research, my conclusion is that if the process of analysis and changing factors are complemented, revise model, which can reflect reality of Korea, will be provided. Therefore, in the future study, we have to build up theory models to suit for our retail market through critic reviews about the existing high class structure of Korea.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.21-40
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• 2006

Small and middle sized Franchise system channels experience conflicts because of constant interaction between franchiser and franchisee. However, it is rarely that attempt has been made to identify causes of conflicts in distribution of franchise industry. The purpose of this study was to explore cause of conflicts from the franchisee. For the study, data were collected from the owner or the shop-manager with a contractor in franchise systems. By means of in-depth interviews with multiple informants, their statement was analyzed qualitatively. From analysis of the resulting data, the causes of conflicts were associated with two broad sets, attitudinal and structural differences between franchisers and franchisees. First, attitudinal sources of conflict were identified as perception of subordinated relationships between channel members, delayed announcement on order changes, difficulties in communication by doing irresponsible behavior, different expectations between channel members in market territory and lack of consistent-supporting. Second, structural sources of conflict involved unilateral decision on interior, payment method, unreasonable delivery issue, treat franchisee with discrimination by the sales, in controlling against free management. There are limitations on generalization due to the results based on interview, but this study will be a useful exploratory step before designing a large scale survey.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.123-144
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• 2006

For the property right's protection of the nation, the uncertainty's dissolution and the reliability's security of real estate trade are very important. With the life style's change, the market of real estate becomes diversification, and the level of the real estate trade becomes diversification. But compared with this, the trade system of the real estate has not broken away from the mode in the past yet. To cope with it actively, it needs to review the real estate trade form. Especially, it needs to investigate a plan that can advance the Agency Listing method. The Exclusive Agency Listing and the real estate Information Network System have been the usual system in some advanced countries like America, Japan. It is the system that establishes the real estate brokerage's trade order and encourages the execution for the real estate client's property right's protection and benefit offer. In our country, The Exclusive Agency Listing and the real estate Information Network System were created in the revised real estate brokerage law in 12, 1993. But because of varies of questions, it can not be settled down. So this paper will develop the characteristic factors of the Exclusive Agency Listing and the real estate Information Network System revitalization and examine the mutual relation depends on the factors. And these factors were studied through the proved analysis to the effecting made on the Agency function's consideration and real estate broker' trust and customer satisfaction. So depends on these, the existed value now will present the revitalization plan and political implication about the Exclusive Agency Listing and the real estate Information Network System.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.152-159
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to analyze how consumers make links between convenience meat products and self-relevant consequences and value. Surveys on convenience meat product consumption patterns and hard laddering based on means-end chain theory were conducted from April 21 to April 25, 2014 and targeted 200 consumers in the US. The most preferred cooking method of convenience meat product was roast (25.9%) and the most common information medium was suggestions by friends and parents (37.1%). The main as well as desired places of purchasing were both the supermarket (33.6% and 27.3%, respectively). The most preferred promotion method was free sample events (38.5%). From analyzing means-end chains of convenience meat products, the most dominant value chain was 'taste (A)'-'good taste (C)'-'feel good (V)'. These results show that consumption of convenience meat products will increase when consumer expectations of taste and satisfaction are met. Further, results of the value measurement provide information on consumer satisfaction and needs and can be applied to set marketing strategies for Korean style convenience meat products.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.64-73
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• 2020

The government announced a plan for fund support to the enterprises with high possibility of recovery and early restructuring for the enterprises with low recovery by objectifying credit assessment system. Such announcement of government could be extended to restructuring risk of middle standing enterprises with low financial soundness by establishing the basis to prepare prompt restructuring by reinforcing the basis for restructuring through capital market. This research analyzed financial soundness based on the financial evaluation of bank by selecting 10 middle standing construction companies which focused on housing business in 2019, based on such analysis result, it was confirmed that there was a high possibility of restructuring risk. This research determined that there would be a decrease in growth rate of construction industry on the whole in 2020 due to fall of economic growth rate and reinforced real estate regulation, accordingly, there's a big possibility for middle standing construction companies with paid-in capital ratio due to its low possibility of maintenance of stable credit rating. This research established KCSI assessment model by utilizing the material of a reliable research institute in order for middle standing construction companies to evade restructuring risk, and indicated risk ratio differentiated per each item through a working-level expert survey. Such research result could suggest credit risk reduction method to middle standing construction company management staffs, and prepare a basis to evade restructuring risk.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.263-301
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• 2015

Digital inclusion is the ability or opportunities of individuals and groups to access and use information technology (IT). Digital inclusion strategies aims to ensure that all citizens regardless of their gender, race and class benefit from IT. Discourse of digital inclusion is notable in that it proposes a desirable relationship between the state, individuals, and the market within the shifting topology of technoscience. Throughout broad discourse analysis of media coverages, in-depth interviews and reports on Korean IT industry, this research argues that dialogues on digital inclusion have substantially influenced the formation of a specific ethical regime. In this regime, individuals should become subjects embodying IT expertise and acceptable codes of conducts. We further discuss that such government-driven ethical regime conflicts with technological citizenship practiced by IT experts and semi-experts. We make theoretical contribution to STS by expanding the concept of technological citizenship to include the rights and obligations of heterogeneous expert and semi-expert groups to form, propose and socially demand alternative developmental pathways of technoscience. We also note that, amid the conflict between ethical regime and technological citizenship, alternative interpretations of gender gap can be forged, providing competing perspectives on women's under-representation and labor conditions in the IT industry. Further research is required to capture the emergence of multiple identities--differentiated by gender, race, class, and more--within the clashing interface between the ethical regime and technological citizenship.