• 한국노년학
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.811-835
• /
• 2018

Social relations and cognitive function in old age are closely related to each other, and social relation is classified into structural characteristics and qualitative characteristics reflecting cognitive and emotional evaluation. The concept of social isolation is the focus of attention in relation to the social relations of old age. Social isolation has a multidimensional theoretical structure that is divided into objective dimension such as social network, type of furniture, social participation, and subjective dimension such as lack of perceived social support and loneliness. There is also a close relationship between cognitive function and interpersonal conflict in old age. In this study, we examined the effect of subjective social isolation, which shows the structural characteristics of social relations, and subjective social isolation and interpersonal conflict on the dementia occurrence by age group in the elderly. The data were analyzed by applying a random effect panel logit model using 1,740 panel data from the first year to the third year of KSHAP. The results of the analysis are summarized as follows. First, the cognitive impairment increased sharply with age. Objective and subjective social isolation were both U-shaped distribution with an inflection point of 80 years old. Second, the main effect on the probability of cognitive impairment was statistically significant with objective and subjective social isolation, but the type of interpersonal conflict did not appear to be significant. Third, the results of two-way interaction effect analysis on the probability of cognitive impairment are as follows. The relationship between subjective social isolation and the probability of occurrence of cognitive impairment was significantly different according to the level of conflict with spouse. In addition, the higher the subjective social isolation, the higher the probability of cognitive impairment in the elderly(over 85) than in the young-old(65~74). In addition, as the level of conflict with spouses increases, the probability of cognitive impairment of the oldest-old(aged 85 or older) is drastically lower than that of the young-old(aged 65~74). Based on the results of this study, policy and practical implications for reducing the cognitive impairment of the elderly age group were suggested, and limitations of the study and suggestions for future research were discussed.

• Economic Analysis
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-33
• /
• 2020

Recent discussions about a minimum wage increase (MWI) and its influence on the economy have mainly focused on the quantitative aspects, such as labor costs and employment. However, concerning the qualitative aspects, an MWI could have positive effects by enhancing firm productivity and crowding out marginal firms from the market. These positive effects of an MWI can offset, to some extent, its potential negative effects - increasing labor costs and decreasing employment, among others. In this regard we empirically examine the impact of an MWI on firm productivity (total factor productivity). Using firm level panel data from the manufacturing industry in Korea, we calculate the influence rates of a minimum wage by sector and by firm size (number of workers), and analyze its effects on firm productivity. In particular, the production functions of the firms are estimated by taking into account endogeneity among the input factors, in order to resolve the drawbacks of existing studies - underestimating the capital factor coefficient and overestimating the labor factor coefficient. This study finds that the influences of an MWI on wages, employment, and productivity are substantially different across sectors and firm sizes. While an MWI has shown to have positive influences on productivity growth in the manufacturing industry as a whole, each sector demonstrates a different direction of effect, and the degree of productivity change also varies by sector. The impacts of an MWI on firm productivity are generally estimated to be more negative for smaller firms, but in some sectors the effects are found to be positive. In addition, the wage increases resulting from an MWI seem to cause a productivity enhancement across all sectors in the manufacturing industry. The policy implications of this study are as follows. Considering the empirical findings that an MWI causes an increase in productivity in many sectors of the manufacturing industry, it would be desirable to take into consideration not only the negative side effects but also the positive effects of an MWI when designing any future minimum wage policy. Moreover, in spite of there being a uniform minimum wage, this study finds that the diverse influence rates of a minimum wage across firms have different impacts on wages, employment, and productivity across sectors or firm size. This finding could be conducive to discussions about differentiation among minimum wage schemes by sector or firm size.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.55-65
• /
• 2009

By definition, smart clothing describes a garment whose functionality is enhanced by technological advancements in order to ease one’'s lifestyle. To know user’'s understanding and needs, the research had consisted of brainstorming sessions, personal interviews, focus group meeting, and a series of content analyses. Ten of the interview subjects and focus group panel were found by contacting women aged 56-64 in the Ithaca community, NY. They were prompted with general questions on style choices for their lifestyles and age group and then presented with two examples of smart clothing to discuss and critique. Meanwhile, the other three interview subjects, located outside of the Ithaca community, were aged either above or below the targeted bracket. These subjects were interviewed as a method of comparison on multiple levels. Findings had shown that there was indeed a need for smart clothing amongst the increasingly populated demographic of older women: devices to help one’'s body temperature regulation and vision problem, and well-designed clothing. However, the functionalities must be carefully constructed and conveyed in order to be taken seriously by the mainstream consumer market. Once successfully designed, the smart clothing will ideally create a greater sense of autonomy for older women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.175-189
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop, validate, and assess the reliability of a questionnaire for nutritional literacy among young Korean adults. Methods: The draft questionnaire contained 65 items in 7 domains (i.e., dietary guideline, nutrition and health, nutrients, 5 food groups [food bicycle], nutrition labeling, portion size, and nutrition management for disease prevention). The authors developed a draft questionnaire based on a literature review. After multiple drafts, 52 items were retained and 13 were eliminated in the 7 domains according to professional advice from 5 nutrition experts. A panel of experts (n = 20) comprised of clinical dietitians and nutrition professors completed the content validity assessment, including quantitative and qualitative feedback. As the results, all items of the portion size were eliminated from the questionnaire. A sample of 211 young adults completed the test-retest reliability assessment. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and inter-item reliability by Cronbach α coefficient. Results: The final questionnaire contained 30 items with 5 questions each on the dietary guideline, nutrition and health, nutrients, 5 food groups (food bicycle), nutrition labeling, and nutrition management for disease prevention. The Lawshe content validity ratio for domains ranged from 0.60 to 1.00. The ICC scores for questions ranged from 0.64 to 0.86. Cronbach's α for domains ranged from 0.83 to 0.90 and for the overall questionnaire was 0.87. Conclusion: The questionnaire showed strong content validity, test-retest reliability, and high inter-item reliability, indicating that it is a useful tool for assessing nutritional literacy of young adults.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.257-267
• /
• 2004

Our study investigated the association between solvent exposure and acquired color vision loss using the Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel in petrochemical industry. Since neurotoxic effects associated with chronic solvent exposure, subjects with more than 6 months of exposure were included. Exposure assesment was estimated mean, maximum and cumulative 8hr TWA from individual 8-hour sampling. Exposure status were classified into two groups, occupationally exposed group to solvent and a non-exposed group. The results showed that CCI was positively related for age. According to the results of qualitative analysis, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of specific Type of dyschromatopsia the two examined group. However, the prevalence showed a higher proportion of dyschromatopsia to solvent exposure. It was affect with acquired dyschromatopsia(Type II, III and Complex) in exposed worker group(5.9%,7.86%,14.99%, respectively) than in the nonexposed group(6.16%,7.55%,13.71%, respectively). After each variable was adjusted for age, alcohol and tobacco consumption, a relationship between acquired dyschromatopsia and exposure showed an increase in the Odds ratio as compared to the nonexposed group at only left. The results showed that acquired dyschromatopsia was positively related to age (p<0.001). The results showed that solvent exposure, although not significant, could cause the acquired dyschromatopsia and visual system can serve important information on early neurotoxic effects in generally. Therefore, we need to concerns about eye health in workers.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.535-550
• /
• 2016

Objective: To enhance user experience of the product by using "wow" materials and parts, a framework for participatory emotional design and evaluation was proposed and validated through a case study in this paper. Background: Customers in recent days value a product which provides new feeling and images they want to get while interacting with it beyond its function, quality, and usability. Since the product consists of various parts and materials, "wow" materials and parts which can affect the customer's feeling and emotions are the essential components for changing the user experience. Method: A framework for participatory and human sensibility ergonomic design was considered and applied on developing the aesthetically and emotionally affecting glass panels of changing colors. Design experts defined a target market for this multicolor glass panels and modified the existing designing goal. Constraints for this design modification were identified by market trend research and consulting with the company which owns the technology for checking out its feasibility. The company developed and provided prototype samples as well as their competing materials. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the emotional quality was conducted to validate whether the design goal was achieved successfully. Results: The target market for the developing materials was defined as finishing for the buildings. The designing goal was set as to feed new visual sensation of clean and colorful images. The emotional quality of two different types of multicolor glass panels and an ordinary unicolor panel were evaluated quantitatively with semantic differential method. Results showed that the emotion of the subjects for the multicolor glass panels can be abstracted into two dimensions; named 'colorfulness' and 'harmony'. It was found that the developed samples got higher scores in emotional quality for both dimensions compared to the ordinary one. Age was found to be a significant factor for evaluating the emotional quality of colorfulness. Conclusion and Applications: The proposed framework is a valid approach for enhancing the user experience of the product by participatory design of emotional materials and parts. This framework can be applied easily on the emotional design and evaluation of different materials and components.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.103-114
• /
• 2022

Global virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) markets are growing as VR and AR become a new source of revenue for industries around the world. In the edutech sector, an industry that combines traditional education, research on new innovative educational models and business models are scarce, and improvements are needed in the technology group and business environment to realize edutech in detail. Therefore, this study aims to define the elements strategically required for VR Toon development by comparing and analyzing the characteristics of existing touch panel-based display Toon and VR Toon content experiences. Tablet PC Toon and VR Toon were selected to conduct the research. Thirty people (19 men and 11 women) from their teens through their forties were surveyed using questionnaires. The questionnaires were formulated through a quantitative method by using AttrakDiff with a 7-point scale (-3: negative words to 3: positive words). Qualitative evaluations were also performed addressing nine concepts (satisfaction, novelty, operability, creativity, understanding, education, interest, participation, expressiveness). As a result, the usability test results of educational content using tablet personal computers and VR equipment were analyzed from the viewpoint of user experience to define elements expected to be strategically required for VR Toon development.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.1-29
• /
• 2011

Korean government built "2040 Science and Technology Future Vision" in order to show positive future scenarios and suggest a long-term guideline for a progress in science and technology. The S&T Future Vision was built based on an analysis of global megatrends and a prospect of domestic social change. After building S&T Future Vision, the "Government R&E Strategy"s was established as a follow-up action plan. The Government R&D Strategy consists of lists of future emerging technologies for future leadership, government R&D investment status and investment portfolio plans. Exploring future emerging technologies aggressively and making a governmental R&D strategic policy are requirements for national competitiveness, leadership in the world. Therefore search and selection for future emerging technologies is getting more and more important recently. Generally qualitative methodologies have been used such as expert-panel discussion method and portfolio analysis with expert valuation method in order to explore future technologies. These experts-based qualitative methodologies are well defined but lacking in some objectivity because size of expert-panels has limitations. We suggest a quantitative methodology, science mapping method to compensate this shortcoming in this study. There is another limitation related governmental R&D strategy which is that general R&D portfolios are static until a point of technology realization. We also propose a dynamic R&D investment portfolio which present different portfolios at a intermediate point and a point of technology realization. We expect this try with science mapping method and a dynamic R&D portfolio could strengthen strategic aspect of government R&D policy.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.73-103
• /
• 2005

This study takes of youth panel data(2002-2003), there is the purpose to know to youth employed's labor mobility conditions of employment status conversion and examine on factors affecting conversion of employment status. Main analysis result and policy imply, is as following. First, although youth employed's non-standard employment shows some decrease, employment youth hierarchy was construed that youth of our country is consisting very changefully because appear great turnover that is converted by unemployment or Not economically activity population same period. Specially, non-standard employment phenomenon of woman or low in scholarship person appeared notedly, and because phenomenon that is converted by unemployment or Not economically activity population is expose that is deepened, discriminating policy of government dimension is required for employment stabilization of these class. Second, show result that danger to escape to non-standard job risk trap which seeking employment activity of youth class is arranged case or company which is formed by official path is suitable becomes low, must formulate path of employment about youth class and improve qualitative level of employment through suitable job placement education of youth class or function (technology) level. Third, when was construed, but take into account that the although large enterprise have low risk in non-standard job, recently employment of youth class consists very limited, rather small scale business or smaller enterprise's competitive power preferably need to be plan. Finally, danger to non-standard job youth employed's company form is government connection wonder was expose that high, Such result can do that it is difficult by limited research period, but reflect actuality that youth unemployment policy of our country is enforced laying stress on public labor or unregular job employment such as internship system. Therefore, current youth unemployment policy may have to change by employment policy that can secure stable work record by youth class or act as bridge-building that promote conversion by full-time job.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.135-168
• /
• 2006

This study reviewed pension reform's overall characteristic and(anticipated) positive negative effect in OECD countries's and then analysed middle-old age's retirement transition and determinants of full/gradual retirement through the $3{\sim}7th$ Korea Labor and Income Panel considering that Korea has been aging society quickly and it is necessary to suggest not only solution of early retirement and working age reduction but also pension reform. As a result of this study, about 1/4 of 50 years and older have been continuing to work through various pathways after retirement and 98% among fully retired older who passed by re-employment step of occupational status including retirement are still searching for jobs. This showed that it is also inappropriate to typical retirement concept itself on the lines of labour market participation in Korea and part-time/temporary work or self-employment have been used by means of alternatives of maintaining works for middle-old ages. However, the duration of changed occupational status of gradual retirees is mostly only $1{\sim}2$ years. Therefore it is necessary to support the gradual retirement to minimize a term of income insecurity and promote the work of the old ages who have will and capacity of work. Most of all, partial pension system which is main program of gradual retirement, should make the rules that beneficiaries are those who age less than pensionable age and benefit levels should be actuarial fairness together with pension system and provide substantial help. But, the introduction of partial pension system is not the only way to solve and needs overall social economic approach. Especially guarantee the increase of quantitative qualitative employment for middle-old ages linking labor market policy and supporting gradual retirement not ought to be abused to force the part time works and early retirement route against their own will.