• Title/Summary/Keyword: national economic development

Search Result 3,049, Processing Time 0.033 seconds

ICT Company Profiling Analysis and the Mechanism for Performance Creation Depending on the Type of Government Start-up Support Program (정부창업지원 프로그램 참여에 따른 ICT 기업 프로파일링과 성과창출 메커니즘)

  • Ha, Sangjip;Park, Do-Hyung
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
    • /
    • v.28 no.3
    • /
    • pp.237-258
    • /
    • 2022
  • As the global market environment changes, the domestic ICT industry has a growing influence on the world economy. This industry is regarded as an important driving force in the national economy from a technological and social point of view. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT industry are regarded as essential actors of domestic economic development in terms of company diversity, technology development and job creation. However, since it is small compared to large-sized enterprises, it is difficult for SMEs to survive with a differentiated strategy in an incomplete and rapidly changing environment. Therefore, SMEs must make a lot of efforts to improve their own capabilities, and the government needs to provide the desirable help suitable for corporate internal resources so that they can continue to be competitive. This study classifies the types of ICT SMEs participating in government support programs, and analyzes the relationship between resources and performance creation of each type. The data from the "ICT Small and Medium Enterprises Survey" conducted annually by the Ministry of Science and ICT was used. In the first stage, ICT SMEs were clustered based on common factors according to their experiences with government support programs. Three clusters were meaningfully classified, and each cluster was named "active participation type," "initial support type," and "soloist type." As a second step, this study compared the characteristics of each cluster through profiling analysis for each cluster. The third step carried out in this study was to find out the mechanism of R&D performance creation for each cluster through regression analysis. Different factors affected performance creation for each cluster, and the magnitude of the influence was also different. Specifically, for "active participation type", "current manpower", "technology competitiveness", and "R&D investment in the previous year" were found to be important factors in creating R&D performance. "Initial support type" was identified as "whether or not a dedicated R&D organization exists", "R&D investment amount in the previous year", "Ratio of sales to large companies", and "Ratio of vendors supplied to large companies" contributed to the performance. Lastly, in the case of "soloist type", "current workforce" and "future recruitment plan", "technological competitiveness", "R&D investment", "large company sales ratio", and "overseas sales ratio" showed a significant relationship with the performance. This study has practical implications of showing what strategy should be established when supporting SMEs in the future according to the government's participation in the startup program and providing a guide on what kind of support should be provided.

Utilizing the Idle Railway Sites: A Proposal for the Location of Solar Power Plants Using Cluster Analysis (철도 유휴부지 활용방안: 군집분석을 활용한 태양광발전 입지 제안)

  • Eunkyung Kang;Seonuk Yang;Jiyoon Kwon;Sung-Byung Yang
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
    • /
    • v.29 no.1
    • /
    • pp.79-105
    • /
    • 2023
  • Due to unprecedented extreme weather events such as global warming and climate change, many parts of the world suffer from severe pain, and economic losses are also snowballing. In order to address these problems, 'The Paris Agreement' was signed in 2016, and an intergovernmental consultative body was formed to keep the average temperature rise of the Earth below 1.5℃. Korea also declared 'Carbon Neutrality in 2050' to prevent climate catastrophe. In particular, it was found that the increase in temperature caused by greenhouse gas emissions hurts the environment and society as a whole, as well as the export-dependent economy of Korea. In addition, as the diversification of transportation types is accelerating, the change in means of choice is also increasing. As the development paradigm in the low-growth era changes to urban regeneration, interest in idle railway sites is rising due to reduced demand for routes, improvement of alignment, and relocation of urban railways. Meanwhile, it is possible to partially achieve the solar power generation goal of 'Renewable Energy 3020' by utilizing already developed but idle railway sites and take advantage of being free from environmental damage and resident acceptance issues surrounding the location; but the actual use and plan for these solar power facilities are still lacking. Therefore, in this study, using the big data provided by the Korea National Railway and the Renewable Energy Cloud Platform, we develop an algorithm to discover and analyze suitable idle sites where solar power generation facilities can be installed and identify potentially applicable areas considering conditions desired by users. By searching and deriving these idle but relevant sites, it is intended to devise a plan to save enormous costs for facilities or expansion in the early stages of development. This study uses various cluster analyses to develop an optimal algorithm that can derive solar power plant locations on idle railway sites and, as a result, suggests 202 'actively recommended areas.' These results would help decision-makers make rational decisions from the viewpoint of simultaneously considering the economy and the environment.

Development of a Device for Estimating the Optimal Artificial Insemination Time of Individually Stalled Sows Using Image Processing (영상처리기법을 이용한 스톨 사육 모돈의 인공수정적기 예측 장치 개발)

  • Kim, D.J.;Yeon, S.C.;Chang, H.H.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.49 no.5
    • /
    • pp.677-688
    • /
    • 2007
  • 돼지를 포함한 대부분의 동물은 일정한 발정주기를 가지고 일정한 시기에 배란을 하는 자연배란동물이지만, 토끼, 고양이, 밍크 등의 암놈은 교미자극에 의해 배란이 일어나는 유기배란동물이다. 또한 1년에 한 번만 발정하는 단발정동물과 1년에 수차례 발정하는 다발정동물이 있다. 이 중에서 모돈은 1년에 수차례 발정하는 다발정 동물로서 발정기에 들면 비발정기와는 다른 행동을 나타낸다(Diehl 등, 2001). 양돈가의 수익을 최대화하기 위해서는 비생산일수를 최소로 줄여야 한다. 모돈의 비생산일수를 줄일 수 있는 한 가지 방법은 성공적으로 교배를 시키는 것이다. 이처럼 성공적으로 교배를 시키기 위해서는 수정적기를 정확히 예측해야 한다. 만약 수정적기를 정확히 판단하지 못하여 수태가 되지 않으면, 비생산일수가 늘어나 손실을 입게 된다. 따라서 수정적기를 정확히 판단하는 것은 모돈의 성공적인 인공수정에 있어서 중요한 요소이다. 수정적기는 배란이 일어나기 전 10시간에서 12시간 사이이며, 발정이 시작되는 시점을 기준으로 하였을 때 경산돈의 경우 26시간에서 34시간 사이이고 미경산돈의 경우는 18시간에서 26시간 사이이다(Evans 등, 2001). 현재 하루에 두 번 모돈의 발정을 확인하는 것이 일반화되어 있으며, 이 때 웅돈을 접촉시키거나 육안관찰을 통하여 발정 유무를 판단한다. 이러한 방법에는 숙련된 기술과 풍부한 경험이 요구될 뿐만 아니라 총 소요노동력의 30% 정도가 요구된다(Perez 등, 1986). 하루에 두 번밖에 발정을 감지하지 않기 때문에 발정이 언제 시작되었는지를 정확히 알 수 없으며, 또한 발정의 대부분이 새벽에 시작되므로 수정적기를 정확히 판단하기란 매우 어렵다. 만약 발정을 감지했더라도 적기에 인공수정을 하지 못한다면, 수태율이 낮아지므로 경제적 손실이 초래된다. 현재 이러한 문제점 때문에 2회에서 3회에 걸쳐 인공수정을 하고 있으나 이에 따른 소요비용과 소요노동력 등은 양돈가의 부담을 가중시키는 요인이 되고 있다. 돼지는 발정기가 되면 비발정기에 나타내지 않던 외음부의 냄새를 맡는 행동, 귀를 세우는 행동 및 승가허용 행동 등을 나타낸다(Diehl 등, 2001). 또한 돼지는 비발정기에 비하여 발정기에 더 많은 활동량을 나타낸다(Altman, 1941; Erez and Hartsock, 1990). Freson 등(1998)은 스톨에서 개별적으로 사육되고 있는 모돈의 활동량을 적외선센서를 이용하여 측정함으로써 발정을 86%까지 감지하였다고 보고하였다. 그러나 이 연구는 단지 모돈의 발정을 감지하였을 뿐 번식관리에 있어서 가장 중요한 수정적기의 판단 기준을 제시하지 못하였다. 따라서, 본 연구는 스톨에서 사육되는 모돈의 활동량을 측정함으로써 발정시작시각을 감지하고 이를 기준으로 인공수정적기를 예측할 수 있는 인공수정적기 예측 장치를 개발한 후 이의 성능을 농장실증실험을 통하여 시험하고자 수행되었다.

Future Development Strategies for KODISA Journals: Overview of 2016 and Strategic Plans for the Future (KODISA 학술지 성장전략: 2016 개관 및 미래 성장개요)

  • Hwang, Hee-Joong;Lee, Jung-Wan;Youn, Myoung-Kil;Kim, Dong-Ho;Lee, Jong-Ho;Shin, Dong-Jin;Kim, Byung-Goo;Kim, Tae-Joong;Lee, Yong-Ki;Kim, Wan-Ki
    • Journal of Distribution Science
    • /
    • v.15 no.5
    • /
    • pp.75-83
    • /
    • 2017
  • Purpose - With the rise of the fourth industrial revolution, it has converged with the existing industrial revolution to give shape to increased accessibility of knowledge and information. As a result, it has become easier for scholars to actively persue and compile research in various fields. This current study aims to focus and assess the current standing of KODISA: the Journal of Distribution Science (JDS), International Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business(IJIDB), the East Asian Journal of Business Management (EAJBM), the Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business (JAFEB) in a rapidly evolving era. Novel strategies for creating the future vision of KODISA 2020 will also be examined. Research design, data, and methodology - The current research will analyze published journals of KODISA in order to offer a vision for the KODISA 2020 future. In part 1, this paper will observe the current address of the KODISA journal and its overview of past achievements. Next, part 2 will discuss the activities that will be needed for journals of KODISA, JDS, IJIDB, EAJBM, JAFEB to branch out internationally and significant journals will be statistically analyzed in part 3. The last part 4 will offer strategies for the continued growth of KODISA and visions for KODISA 2020. Results - Among the KODISA publications, IJIDB was second, JDS was 23rd (in economic publications of 54 journals), and EAJBM was 22nd (out of 79 publications in management field journals). This shows the high quality of the KODISA publication journals. According to 2016 publication analysis, JDS, IJIDB, etc. each had 157 publications, 15 publications, 16 publications, and 28 publications. In the case of JDS, it showed an increase of 14% compared to last year. Additionally, JAFEB showed a significant increase of 68%. This shows that compared to other journals, it had a higher rate of paper submission. IJIDB and EAJBM did not show any significant increases. In JDS, it showed many studies related to the distribution, management of distribution, and consumer behavior. In order to increase the status of the KODISA journal to a SCI status, many more international conferences will open to increase its international recognition levels. Second, the systematic functions of the journal will be developed further to increase its stability. Third, future graduate schools will open to foster future potential leaders in this field and build a platform for innovators and leaders. Conclusions - In KODISA, JDS was first published in 1999, and has been registered in SCOPUS February 2017. Other sister publications within the KODISA are preparing for SCOPUS registration as well. KODISA journals will prepare to be an innovative journal for 2020 and the future beyond.

Impact of the Environmental Factors on Adolescents' Food Purchasing Attitudes (청소년의 식품구매태도에 대한 환경 요인의 영향)

  • Kim, Hyun-Ju;Kim, Yoo Kyeong
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
    • /
    • v.32 no.2
    • /
    • pp.43-58
    • /
    • 2020
  • This study was conducted to investigate adolescents' food purchasing attitudes and related factors in the aim of improving youth's ability to purchase food properly and providing basic data on educational program development regarding dietary life. Total 476 adolescents residing in Daegu area participated in this study, and followings are the summary of the results. In terms of concerns in food purchasing, adolescents put priority in order of price(3.81±0.64), taste(3.70±0.72), safety(3.52±0.78), health(2.93±0.92). With respect to food purchasing attitudes, a significant differences were found in economic concern(p<.05) by gender and by the amount of allowance; preference(p<.01) and safety(p<.01) by school year. The analysis of environmental factors affecting food purchasing attitudes revealed that adolescents were most influenced by their parents(3.44±0.62) in food purchasing, whereas friends' influences(2.43±0.60) were relatively low. Regarding the effect of environmental factors on food purchasing, significant differences were found in parents(p<.05) and brands(p<.05) by gender; friends(p<.01) and parents(p<.05) by school year; friends(p<.01) by the amount of allowance. Food purchasing attitudes represented positive correlation with parents, advertisements and brands(p<.001). In addition, regression analysis showed that parents and advertisements affect adolescents' food purchasing. Conclusively, adolescents appear to prioritize price and taste, and they were influenced most by their parents when purchasing food. Therefore, parents, serving as a consumer role model, should instruct their children to learn considerate attitude in food purchasing.

The Impacts of Smoking Bans on Smoking in Korea (금연법 강화가 흡연에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Beomsoo;Kim, Ahram
    • KDI Journal of Economic Policy
    • /
    • v.31 no.2
    • /
    • pp.127-153
    • /
    • 2009
  • There is a growing concern about potential harmful effect of second-hand or environmental tobacco smoking. As a result, smoking bans in workplace become more prevalent worldwide. In Korea, workplace smoking ban policy become more restrictive in 2003 when National health enhancing law was amended. The new law requires all office buildings larger than 3,000 square meters (multi-purpose buildings larger than 2,000 square meters) should be smoke free. Therefore, a lot of indoor office became non smoking area. Previous studies in other counties often found contradicting answers for the effects of workplace smoking ban on smoking behavior. In addition, there was no study in Korea yet that examines the causal impacts of smoking ban on smoking behavior. The situation in Korea might be different from other countries. Using 2001 and 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition surveys which are representative for population in Korea we try to examine the impacts of law change on current smoker and cigarettes smoked per day. The amended law impacted the whole country at the same time and there was a declining trend in smoking rate even before the legislation update. So, the challenge here is to tease out the true impact only. We compare indoor working occupations which are constrained by the law change with outdoor working occupations which are less impacted. Since the data has been collected before (2001) and after (2005) the law change for treated (indoor working occupations) and control (outdoor working occupations) groups we will use difference in difference method. We restrict our sample to working age (between 20 and 65) since these are the relevant population by the workplace smoking ban policy. We also restrict the sample to indoor occupations (executive or administrative and administrative support) and outdoor occupations (sales and low skilled worker) after dropping unemployed and someone working for military since it is not clear whether these occupations are treated group or control group. This classification was supported when we examined the answers for workplace smoking ban policy existing only in 2005 survey. Sixty eight percent of indoor occupations reported having an office smoking ban policy compared to forty percent of outdoor occupation answering workplace smoking ban policy. The estimated impacts on current smoker are 4.1 percentage point decline and cigarettes per day show statistically significant decline of 2.5 cigarettes per day. Taking into account consumption of average sixteen cigarettes per day among smokers it is sixteen percent decline in smoking rate which is substantial. We tested robustness using the same sample across two surveys and also using tobit model. Our results are robust against both concerns. It is possible that our measure of treated and control group have measurement error which will lead to attenuation bias. However, we are finding statistically significant impacts which might be a lower bound of the true estimates. The magnitude of our finding is not much different from previous finding of significant impacts. For cigarettes per day previous estimates varied from 1.37 to 3.9 and for current smoker it showed between 1%p and 7.8%p.

  • PDF

The Effects of BizCool of Vocational High School on the Understanding of Enterprise Commencement and BizCool Outcomes (전문계 고교 창업교육(BizCool)이 창업인식 및 창업교육성과에 미치는 영향)

  • Cheon, Soo-Kyung;Jung, Hwa-Young
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
    • /
    • v.4 no.4
    • /
    • pp.89-114
    • /
    • 2009
  • BizCool is an entry-level business education program implemented with a purpose of enhancing the entrepreneurial disposition and capability of the youth through enterprise commencement education of vocational high school students and developing them into economic pillars of future to alleviate the labor shortage crisis of small and medium enterprises and revitalize enterprise commencement. In this study, the factors were deduced and a path analysis was conducted with the purpose of proposing a revitalization plan through an effectiveness analysis of enterprise commencement education for the youth. The result of the analysis revealed that BizCool has effects on the knowledge and understanding of enterprise commencement, and enterprise commencement knowledge also has effects on the understanding of enterprise commencement. In addition, it was found that the enterprise commencement knowledge and the understanding on enterprise commencement have effects on the intention of enterprise commence. In the result of verifying the hypothesis that the understanding of enterprise commencement according to the psychological characteristics of individuals will have a positive effect on the enterprise commencement intention, it was revealed that the risk resignation disposition and patience for ambiguity are having effects but accomplishment desire is not playing a moderating variable role. Through the above path analysis, a conclusion was obtained that the enterprise commencement education has effects on the outcome of enterprise commencement education through the understanding on enterprise commencement. Additionally, the nation needs to actively lead systematic enterprise commencement education within the policy of job creation upon realizing the need for enterprise commencement education of vocational high school, and a revitalization plan was proposed on the five kinds of a conversion of social perception on vocational high school, establishment of institutes specializing in BizCool and cultivation of BizCool specialists, development of various materials and expansion of BizCool program, field-centered lessons, revitalization of enterprise commencement club and personnel and resource support by companies.

  • PDF

A Study of Unregistered Manufacturing Plants: Their Problems and Alternative Policies (首都圈 無登錄工場 問題와 對策에 관한 硏究)

  • Hwang, Man-Ik
    • Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
    • /
    • v.31 no.3
    • /
    • pp.489-507
    • /
    • 1996
  • The purpose of this study is to examine the increasing number of unregistered manufacturing plants and related problems, and to recommend alternative solutions to the problems. Data are obtained from a field survey of randomly selected small scale manufacturing plants in Seoul and its suburban cities. A total number or respondents are 533, and 416 of them are unregistered plants. The Capital Regional Planning has had a goal during last three decades to lead a balanced regional economic development by restriction manufacturing plants in the Capital Region and by encouraging them in other regions in the nation. It was 1984 when a comprehensive planning was established to achieve this goal. Sets of various regulations, by-laws and codes have been implemented to regulate manu-facturing activities in the Capital Region to achieve the goal. The region is divided into three sub-regions, and a different degree of regulations is applied to each sub-region. Only a certain types of industries are allowed in a particular sub-region. For instance, a plant manufacturing high-technology products could be allowed in the most urbanized sub-region. All manu-facturing plant in the Capital Region which has ares size of larger than 200"\;"$m^2$ is compulsory to register to the local government office. In practice, however, it is not common or sometimes almost impossible to get approval for many applicant manufacturers because of strict regulations. There have been increasing number of plants in the Capital Region during last several decades, despite the strict regulations. Many of those newly established plants are without formal registration at the local administration office. howerver. These are so called 'unregisterd' plants. Surveyed data and many government official data show that many of unregistered plants have been established in recent years. which indicate that current regulations are no longer effective. The number of unregistered plants are increasing tin the Capital Region because of many locational advantages in the region for plants, particularly those in small scale. Unregistered plants are the source of many problems, such as local water pollution or noise pollution in residential areas. There are also many administration problems, bed\cause they are not registered. The central government has attempted to cure the problems of unregistered plants. For example, the government allowed a unregistered plant to remain at present site for three ydars, if it met certain conditions in three years. However, this program was unsuccessful because many of those plants were not able to meet the concitions. Three times the government renewed the term for those which did not meet conditions since 1989, but it was afraid to be without success. There are many evidences that current policies to control manufacturing plants are not effective. The Capital Region must face mounting problems if ploicies are not reformed soon. This study suggests that the policy of the Capital Regional Planning has to be reoriented to provide more favorable policies for manufacturing plants in the Capital Region than current regulations which is aimed to restrict manufacturing activities. It is time to improve many existing problems in the region through reforms and of current regulations to foster unregistered plants. This study also proposes many smaller-area sub-divisions instead of current three large area sub-regions which is too broad to apply single kind of regulation, or codes. Flexible regulations and codes can be applied to such a small-area sub-divivisions based on location and industrial characteristics of the individual sub-divisions. It is necessary to provide decent industrial environment in the Capital Region, which is best equipped to provide many favorable industrial locational factors in the nation, thus this nation can be further prepared to compete in an inter-national market at an era of globalization in manufacturing.

  • PDF

A Study on the Proposal for Training of the Trade Experts to Promote Export of Domestic Companies (내수기업 수출활성화를 위한 무역전문인력 양성 방안에 대한 연구)

  • KANG, Ho-Yeon;JEONG, Yoon Say
    • THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
    • /
    • v.78
    • /
    • pp.93-117
    • /
    • 2018
  • In all countries of the world, the development of trade is an important factor for the survival of the national economy. Increased export will lead to national economic growth. Export is directly linked to employment, and the industrial structure will be developed in the direction to produce products of comparative advantages. Therefore, every country around the world is trying to promote export regardless of the size of its economy. Accordingly, this paper focused on the promotion of export of domestic companies. It proposed to cultivate trade experts to promote export of domestic companies. The following five methods were proposed to materialize the proposal. First, it is important to foster trade experts to expand and foster the one-person creative companies. In particular, it is important to develop a professional education curriculum. It is necessary to design and conduct a systematic curriculum throughout the process including follow-up after education such as teaching detailed procedures for establishing a trade business, identification of relevant regulations and related organizations, understanding of special features of each exporting country, and details of exporting procedures through specialist training for the individual industries, helping themto keep their network steady so that they can easily get help from consultants. Second, it is necessary to educate traders working in the field to make them trade experts and utilize themin on-the-job training and consulting. To do this, it is necessary to introduce systematic consultant selection process, and to introduce a systemto educate and manage them. It is because, we must select the most appropriate candidates, educate themto be lecturers and consultants, and dispatch themto the field, in order to make the best achievement in export. Nurturing trading professionals utilizing the current trading workers to activate export of domestic companies can be more efficient through cooperation of trading education agencies and related agencies in various industries. Third, it is also proposed to cultivate female trade experts by educating female trade workers whose career has been disrupted. It is to provide career disrupted women with opportunities to work after training them as trade professionals and to give manpower pool to domestic companies that are preparing for export. Fourth, it is also proposed to educate foreign students living in Korea to be trading experts and to utilize them as trading infra. They can be trading professionals who will contribute to the promotion of export. In the short term, they will be provided with opportunities for employment and start-upin the field of trade, and in the mid- to long-term, they may develop a business network between Korea and their own countries. To this end, we need to improve the visa system, expand free trade education opportunities, and support them so that they can establish small but strong enterprises. Fifth, it is proposed to proactively expand trade education to specialized high school students. Considering that most of domestic companies pursuing activation of export are small but strong companies or small and mediumsized companies, they may prefer high school graduates rather than university graduates because of financial limitations. Besides, the specialized high school students may occupy better position in the job market if they are equipped with expertise in trading. This study can be meaningful, in that it is the first research that focuses on cultivating trading experts to contribute to the export activation of domestic companies. However, it also has a limitation that it has failed to reflect the more specific field voices. It is hoped that detailed plans will be derived from the opinions of the employees of domestic companies making efforts to become an export company in the related researches in the future.

  • PDF

Study on Measuring the Value of Recreational Forests Using Contingent Valuation Method (조건부가치측정법을 이용한 자연휴양림 휴양가치 측정)

  • Kang, Kee-Rae
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
    • /
    • v.37 no.5
    • /
    • pp.42-52
    • /
    • 2009
  • Recreational forests are catching on as places for personal development through recreation, association with people, education about nature, mind relaxation and spiritual peace. However, the value and significance of recreational forests with various functions are easily overlooked. Whoever pays fees for admission to facilities are able to enjoy fresh air, a comfortable environment, and space for rest. It should be taken into consideration whether the fee which customers pay is appropriate for the value of nature they are enjoying. This study is involved in giving the right recognition to the value of recreation and environment by estimating economically the value of the environment in which visitors stay, and presenting the appropriate price. The most efficient way to achieve this goal is through an economic approach, which suggests following established research skills and yielding suitable and accurate amounts of money. The environmental value of a recreational forests is estimated through contingent valuation method(CVM), which is chosen among several methods to estimate public facilities because the value of recreational forests has strong characteristics as public facilities which are not traded in the market. The annual recreation value per person of surveyed recreational forests is Willingness To Pay(WTP) with a mean between about 16,000 won and 25,400 won. The recreation value of one recreational forest surveyed is annually between approximately 1.7 billions won and 2.7 billions won. The annual recreation value of 85 national and public recreational forests is presumed to be between about 140 billions won and 230 billions won. The presumed amount of money is the environment in which visitors can enjoy whenever they invest some money and time. Indeed, it is more than that; it provides visitors with a greater sense of satisfaction and the recognition of the preciousness of nature and the environment.