• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.107-120
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• 2014

This study proposes a novel recommender system using the structural hole analysis to reflect qualitative and emotional information in recommendation process. Although collaborative filtering (CF) is known as the most popular recommendation algorithm, it has some limitations including scalability and sparsity problems. The scalability problem arises when the volume of users and items become quite large. It means that CF cannot scale up due to large computation time for finding neighbors from the user-item matrix as the number of users and items increases in real-world e-commerce sites. Sparsity is a common problem of most recommender systems due to the fact that users generally evaluate only a small portion of the whole items. In addition, the cold-start problem is the special case of the sparsity problem when users or items newly added to the system with no ratings at all. When the user's preference evaluation data is sparse, two users or items are unlikely to have common ratings, and finally, CF will predict ratings using a very limited number of similar users. Moreover, it may produces biased recommendations because similarity weights may be estimated using only a small portion of rating data. In this study, we suggest a novel limitation of the conventional CF. The limitation is that CF does not consider qualitative and emotional information about users in the recommendation process because it only utilizes user's preference scores of the user-item matrix. To address this novel limitation, this study proposes cluster-indexing CF model with the structural hole analysis for recommendations. In general, the structural hole means a location which connects two separate actors without any redundant connections in the network. The actor who occupies the structural hole can easily access to non-redundant, various and fresh information. Therefore, the actor who occupies the structural hole may be a important person in the focal network and he or she may be the representative person in the focal subgroup in the network. Thus, his or her characteristics may represent the general characteristics of the users in the focal subgroup. In this sense, we can distinguish friends and strangers of the focal user utilizing the structural hole analysis. This study uses the structural hole analysis to select structural holes in subgroups as an initial seeds for a cluster analysis. First, we gather data about users' preference ratings for items and their social network information. For gathering research data, we develop a data collection system. Then, we perform structural hole analysis and find structural holes of social network. Next, we use these structural holes as cluster centroids for the clustering algorithm. Finally, this study makes recommendations using CF within user's cluster, and compare the recommendation performances of comparative models. For implementing experiments of the proposed model, we composite the experimental results from two experiments. The first experiment is the structural hole analysis. For the first one, this study employs a software package for the analysis of social network data - UCINET version 6. The second one is for performing modified clustering, and CF using the result of the cluster analysis. We develop an experimental system using VBA (Visual Basic for Application) of Microsoft Excel 2007 for the second one. This study designs to analyzing clustering based on a novel similarity measure - Pearson correlation between user preference rating vectors for the modified clustering experiment. In addition, this study uses 'all-but-one' approach for the CF experiment. In order to validate the effectiveness of our proposed model, we apply three comparative types of CF models to the same dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed model outperforms the other comparative models. In especial, the proposed model significantly performs better than two comparative modes with the cluster analysis from the statistical significance test. However, the difference between the proposed model and the naive model does not have statistical significance.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.99-124
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• 2009

Many firms in Korea have adopted and used advanced information technology in an effort to boost efficiency. The process of adapting to the new technology, at the same time, can vary from one firm to another. As such, this research focuses on several relevant factors, especially the roles of social interaction as a key variable that influences the technology adaptation process and the outcomes. Thus far, how a firm goes through the adaptation process to the new technology has not been yet fully explored. Previous studies on changes undergone by a firm or an organization due to information technology have been pursued from various theoretical points of views, evolved from technological and institutional views to an integrated social technology views. The technology adaptation process has been understood to be something that evolves over time and has been regarded as cycles between misalignments and alignments, gradually approaching the stable aligned state. The adaptation process of the new technology was defined as "appropriation" process according to Poole and DeSanctis (1994). They suggested that this process is not automatically determined by the technology design itself. Rather, people actively select how technology structures should be used; accordingly, adoption practices vary. But concepts of the appropriation process in these studies are not accurate while suggested propositions are not clear enough to apply in practice. Furthermore, these studies do not substantially suggest which factors are changed during the appropriation process and what should be done to bring about effective outcomes. Therefore, research objectives of this study lie in finding causes for the difference in ways in which advanced information technology has been used and adopted among organizations. The study also aims to explore how a firm's interaction with social as well as technological factors affects differently in resulting organizational changes. Detail objectives of this study are as follows. First, this paper primarily focuses on the appropriation process of advanced information technology in the long run, and we look into reasons for the diverse types of the usage. Second, this study is to categorize each phases in the appropriation process and make clear what changes occur and how they are evolved during each phase. Third, this study is to suggest the guidelines to determine which strategies are needed in an individual, group and organizational level. For this, a substantially grounded theory that can be applied to organizational practice has been developed from a longitudinal comparative case study. For these objectives, the technology appropriation process was explored based on Structuration Theory by Giddens (1984), Orlikoski and Robey (1991) and Adaptive Structuration Theory by Poole and DeSanctis (1994), which are examples of social technology views on organizational change by technology. Data have been obtained from interviews, observations of medical treatment task, and questionnaires administered to group members who use the technology. Data coding was executed in three steps following the grounded theory approach. First of all, concepts and categories were developed from interviews and observation data in open coding. Next, in axial coding, we related categories to subcategorize along the lines of their properties and dimensions through the paradigm model. Finally, the grounded theory about the appropriation process was developed through the conditional/consequential matrix in selective coding. In this study eight hypotheses about the adaptation process have been clearly articulated. Also, we found that the appropriation process involves through three phases, namely, "direct appropriation," "cooperate with related structures," and "interpret and make judgments." The higher phases of appropriation move, the more users represent various types of instrumental use and attitude. Moreover, the previous structures like "knowledge and experience," "belief that other members know and accept the use of technology," "horizontal communication," and "embodiment of opinion collection process" are evolved to higher degrees in their dimensions of property. Furthermore, users continuously create new spirits and structures, while removing some of the previous ones at the same time. Thus, from longitudinal view, faithful and unfaithful appropriation methods appear recursively, but gradually faithful appropriation takes over the other. In other words, the concept of spirits and structures has been changed in the adaptation process over time for the purpose of alignment between the task and other structures. These findings call for a revised or extended model of structural adaptation in IS (Information Systems) literature now that the vague adaptation process in previous studies has been clarified through the in-depth qualitative study, identifying each phrase with accuracy. In addition, based on these results some guidelines can be set up to help determine which strategies are needed in an individual, group, and organizational level for the purpose of effective technology appropriation. In practice, managers can focus on the changes of spirits and elevation of the structural dimension to achieve effective technology use.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.436-444
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the research trends related to work rehabilitation in the field of occupational therapy based on studies published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT). Thirty five articles in the AJOT from January, 2000, to June, 2016, were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to classify the articles according to their study methodology, evidence level, study subjects, and so on. When they were categorized according to the study methodology, eight studies (22.9%) were published as review or meta-analyses and 7 studies (20%) as qualitative and naturalistic inquiries. Group comparison/correlational and experimental outcome methods were used in 4 studies (11.4%). 3 studies (8.6%) were conducted using a case study/single-subject design or survey. 14 studies (40.0%) were evidence level V ones and 7 studies (33.3%) dealt with mental illness. When they were classified according to the study subjects, 25 studies (71.4%) were related to the work-rehabilitation process and 10 studies (28.6%) were related to the meaning and value of work. Through this study, we were able to determine the main research trends, study methodology, study participants, and evidence level related to vocational rehabilitation in the field of occupational therapy. Additionally, it is necessary to examine studies in the field of vocational rehabilitation, which have a high level of evidence and include various kinds of participants, as well as the process of vocational rehabilitation.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.43-57
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• 2016

This narrative study aims to describe the experience of P.E. assessment that was conducted by P.E. teachers of Korea Science Academy of KAIST, and interpret the educational significance that was found in the process. The study participants were two P.E. teachers who were selected by decisive case sampling method. Data were collected mainly through official interviews with study participants, and through researcher's field notes, informal interviews, various minutes, students' evaluation of teaching, and emails between the researcher and study participants. Data were analyzed through inductive categorization, and to gain veracity of the study, there were integration of diverse materials, advice and suggestions of fellow researchers, continuous confirmation of study texts by study participants. Study participants, while conducting P.E. assessment in Korea Science Academy of KAIST, experienced effectiveness of evaluation such as qualitative development of P,E. classes in accordance with the simplified assessment, freedom from the chores of handling assessment results, students' improved perceptions of P.E. class, realization of safe classes without excessive competition, and the possibility of giving alternative evaluations to pass/fail system but at the same time experienced limitations such as concerns over gaining validity and reliability of P.E. evaluation, the students' attitude who take lightly of P.E. class, and the reality that teachers cannot fail students. The evaluation experiences of the two P.E teachers were educationally interpreted as encounter with good P.E. classes, invitation to P.E. class criticism, and the start of school P.E. culture that is led by students.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.78-90
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to explore the direction of developing policies for parks and green spaces for inclusive urban planning and regeneration. By reviewing the status, budget, and laws pertaining to urban parks in Korea, as well as assessing the inclusivity of urban parks, this study revealed the problems and limitations in Korea as follows. First, the urban park system, which takes into account indicators such as park area per capita and green space ratio, is focused only on quantitative expansion. Second, the distribution of urban parks is unequal; hence, the higher the number of vulnerable residents, the lower the quality of urban parks and green spaces. Moreover, this study focused on the UK central government, along with the five local governments, including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, and Liverpool. Through an analysis of the contexts and contents establishing UK park and green space policies that can reduce socioeconomic inequalities while at the same time increase inclusiveness. This study discovered the following. The government's awareness of the necessity of tackling socioeconomic inequalities to make an inclusive society, the change in the urban regeneration policies from physical redevelopment to neighborhood renewal, and the survey and research on the correlation of parks and green spaces, inequality, health, and well-being provided the background for policy establishment. As a result, the creation of an inclusive society has been reflected in the stated goals of the UK's national plan and the strategies for park and green space supply and qualitative improvement. Deprived areas and vulnerable groups have been included in many local governments' park and green space policies. Also, tools for analyzing deficiencies in parks and methods for examining the qualitative evaluation of parks were developed. Besides, for the sustainability of each project, various funding programs have been set up, such as raising funds and fund-matching schemes. Different ways of supporting partnerships have been arranged, such as the establishment of collaborative bodies for government organizations, allowing for the participation of private organizations. The study results suggested five policy schemes, including conducting research on inequality and inclusiveness for parks and green spaces, developing strategies for improving the quality of park services, identifying tools for analyzing policy areas, developing park project models for urban regeneration, and building partnerships and establishing support systems.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.5 no.1 s.17
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• pp.71-79
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• 2004

In the stage of feasibility study of urban rehabilitation projects, the precise forecast of physical and environmental changes has great influence on the further transaction of the projects. However, various important decision makings are made by the experience and intuition of the person-in-charge in practice without the process and method for systematic and quantitative analysis. In spite of various qualitative influent factors on the projects, the feasibility studies are made by the result of economic analysis only, which often lead the projects to the crucial deficit. The main reasons of such a mal-functional transaction are due to the absence of the reasonal procedure of feasibility study and decision making reflecting the characteristics of urban rehabilitation projects. The objective of this paper is to propose feasibility study processes and decision making methods in relation to various influent factors on urban rehabilitation projects in the initial stage. The goal and process of every analysis stage and the pertinent factors and decision makings are analyzed and proposed through the survey of current research, a case study, interview with the professionals. The processes and methods are well applied to improve current problems of feasibility study of urban rehabilitation projects. In addition, the establishment of the analysis goal at three principal stage and a series of reasonable decision makings with pertinent factors to each stage will lead the project to more successful result than ever.

• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.29
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• pp.233-269
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• 2005

The purpose of the study is to explore the characteristics of lawsuits against investigative reporting programs of the broadcast media. This study proposed three research questions: (1) what were the characteristics of court derisions on the investigative reporting programs? (2) what were the reasonings on which judges rely in the lawsuits for a right of reply? (3) what were the critical issues and how the libel laws were applied in balancing between the freedom of the press and the protection of individual rights. To answer these questions, the study employed quantitative and qualitative methods analysing 35 related cases. This study revealed that investigative reporting programs must deal with the Issues of 'public figures' and 'matters of public concern' to be protected under the freedom of the press. The study also found that the broadcast media must prove legitimate public interests and the truth of the facts to prevail in a case. In 1999, the Constitutional Court of Korea held that pubic figures in libel cases must be regarded differently from private figures. In accordance with the decision, the Supreme Court has applied differing criteria for public figures in libel cases. However, courts have not set a clear definition of the public figure yet. To advocate the freedom of the press, as the results of this study indicate, TV producers and journalists should behave lawfully in the course of newsgathering and provide the opportunities of reply for their news sources.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.853-870
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• 2017

This study examined the changes of depression and life satisfaction among the elderly living together in group-home and congregate housing. And in this course, it was to verify the practical effects of the recent government and local authority community life of elderly people by comparing them with the groups of elders living alone. The study was divided into Time 1 and Time 2, and 205 person's data were used for the final analysis. PASW Statistics 18.0 was utilized to analysis the data of this study, because it is difficult to explain the results of this analysis, secondary qualitative research has been used to identify additional contextual information. The major results of this study are as follows. First, the depression of the subjects was significantly improved in the case of living in group-home and congregate housing, and it was significantly worse in the group of elders living alone. Second, the life satisfaction of survey subjects was significantly improved when living in congregate housing, group-home was significantly worse, and the group of elders living alone were not statistically significant but slightly worse. Third, mixed research methods were applied to make accurate interpretation of changes of life satisfaction of the elderly living in group-home. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to establish appropriate measures for the elderly to improve early adjustment and quality of life in community life. And the community life of the elderly can contribute to a real social safety net by solving the blind spot of welfare. At the national level, it can be utilized as a standard reference to improve and strengthen existing policies by providing data that can simultaneously examine the performances and problems of various policies related to housing or the welfare of the elderly.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.331-341
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore relationships among the structural elements of Science Classroom as Community of Practice (SCaCoP). For this, we investigated the case of small-group activities in practical work of elementary school science in a qualitative way based on the five structural elements of SCaCoP, such as responsibility for learning, common interest, open participation, mutual relationship, and practice. We observed and interviewed five small-groups during five lessons with video- and audio- recording to collect data. The results of analysis are as follows. First, 'mutual relationship' was a necessary-condition for 'open participation.' We also found that 'common interest' has two dimensions related to their interest and related to learning topic. The former interacted with 'open participation,' and the latter was influenced by 'responsibility for learning. Lastly, 'practice' enhanced the features of other elements with dynamic relationships. Based on these results, we suggested the relationships among the structural elements of SCaCoP and discussed implications related to the perspective that regards learning as participation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.271-284
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify the educational needs among social workers in social welfare facilities in Jeju province concerning lack of knowledge, skill and attitude, and establish the systematic education for prosecuting diverse training and suggest fundamental data for designing future curriculum. The results of analyzing top 10 educational needs for the workers are as follows: firstly technics for managing crises, understanding and practice for clients (characteristics, human right, safety and health), case management (basic), counseling technique (basic), case management (advanced), counseling technique (advanced), planning and operating social welfare program, managing client response and emotional labor, improving competence for communication (between staffs and clients, etc.), and finally assessing project outcome (project plan, execution, management and assessment, etc.). Social workers in social welfare facilities in the area have highly recognized the necessity of profession centred education. However, they had low satisfaction with the diversity of profession education in the Jeju island and the systematic training courses. This survey suggests the various results concerning qualitative growth of profession education, expansion of job-centred curriculum and security of professional instructors to fulfil systematic education training for social workers.