• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the range of maximum TE that could measure T2 relaxation time accurately by setting diverse maximum TE with using contrast medium phantoms. Contrast medium phantoms ranging from low to high concentrations were made by using Gadoteridol. The relaxation time and relaxation rate were compared and evaluated by conducting T2 mapping by using reference data based on various TEs and data obtained from different maximum TEs. It was found that accurate T2 relaxation time could be expressed only when the maximum TE over a certain range was used in the section with long T2 relaxation time, such as the low concentration section of saline or gadolinium contrast medium. Therefore, the maximum TE shall be longer than the T2 relation time for accurately maturing the T2 relaxation of a certain tissue or a substance.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2011

Small- and medium-sized companies obtain ISO 9000 quality management systems as a way of adapting to the changes of business environment and improving their business performance. Certificates of ISO 9000 quality management systems have been granted to companies by either domestic or foreign certification agencies with different requirements and standards. This study empirically examined whether there are differences in business performance among small- and medium-sized companies that have obtained ISO 9000 quality management system from different types (domestic or foreign) of certification agencies. This study found that there are statistically significant differences in both qualitative and quantitative business performance among them. The findings of this study imply that companies considering ISO 9000 quality management systems be prudent in choosing the type of certification agency to maximize the expected benefits of ISO 9000 quality management systems. This study also provides the government agency regulating ISO 9000 quality management certification system with some valuable information that brings up the need for establishing and managing a more effective quality management certification system.

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

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

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.7
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• pp.151-160
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• 2021

The purposes of this research were: 1) to analyze the confirmatory factors with the business operational model of entrepreneurs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and clothing industry, and 2) to verify the congruence of the model with the operational ways of the entrepreneurs of SMEs in the textile and clothing industry. The sample consisted of 500 small and medium enterprise entrepreneurs in the textile and clothing industry. This study was quantitative research and the instrument used to collect the data was a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using 1^st order and 2^nd order of confirmatory analysis (CFA). The findings of this research revealed that the model of SMEs in the textile and clothing industry was overall at a high level. Four main factors were used for the model of SMEs in the textile and clothing industry by their importance in descending order as follows: marketing mix (MM), collaboration network (CN), production inventory management (PIM), and creativity (CT). The results of verification of model congruence revealed the model of SMEs in the textile and clothing industry was fit and in accordance with the empirical data.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.759-766
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• 2021

In this digital age, all organizational environments force businesses to adopt Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) since these technologies have immense impact on such businesses' competitiveness and productivity. Nonetheless, the productivity and the competitiveness enjoyed by such firms vary depending on the size or the organizations, context of the country; developing or developed, and what kinds of technologies are adopted. This investigation focused on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Eastern province of Sri Lanka where such studies are scanty. The adoption of social media (SM) by SMEs is inclined to change how organizations operate, this calls for an investigation of the elements that impact SMEs to adopt SM and such investigation. Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework was based to understand the factors. Research approach was quantitative approach using questionnaire survey. Data were collected using online form to see 285 valid responses. Structural Equation Modelling was deployed to evaluate the proposed model. Results revealed that Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Complexity, Observability, Competitive Intensity, Bandwagon Pressure, and Competitive Pressure were influencing, while Trialability, Top Management Support, CEO's Innovativeness did not show statistically significant influence on SMEs' social media adoption.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.123-133
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• 2022

This paper explores the key factors influencing the business performance of enterprises, specifically women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. The extant literature on factors affecting the business performance of women-owned SMEs in Vietnam is still quite scarce. The researchers used a self-administered questionnaire to achieve a sample of 265 female SME owners in Vietnam to find these factors. The obtained data was analyzed by using SPSS 20.0. Cronbach's α test and factor analysis have been carried out to test the reliability of data and validate the hypothesis. The results showed that these enterprises' performances had a significant positive relationship with the business management competencies of the directors of the business, quality of human resources, financial access, socio-cultural factors, and government policy. Also, the study showed no relationship between the enterprise's business network and business performance. The results suggest that female business owners should improve their business management capacity, focusing on training activities to improve the quality of human resources of enterprises. The Government needs policies to support small and medium enterprises in accessing financial and other resources and propagate to reduce gender stereotypes.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.157-167
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• 2023

The purpose of this research was to determine the degree to which Small-to-Medium Enterprise (SME) owners and operators in Mountain Province were willing to take on financial risk to invest in the capital markets as a potential additional source of income, as well as the extent to which these five indicator variables-particularly their income, expenses, financial goals, liquid cash, and insurance coverage-were influenced by demographic factors. The study used a quantitative approach and employed a descriptive survey research method. The results show that the SME Owners and Operators in Mountain Province have minimal knowledge of capital market investments which makes them moderate investors with a neutral level of financial risk tolerance toward capital market investment. Their marital status, net income, and educational attainment significantly influence their financial risk tolerance level. The respondents also believe that engaging in the capital markets will grow their businesses. Further, the extent of influence of Income, Expenses, Liquid Cash, and Insurance Cover on the financial risk tolerance of the SME owners and operators in Mountain Province a great extent; thus, making them careful in investing in the capital markets, and it is primarily affected by their Net Income. Consequently, the financial goals of SME owners and operators in Mountain Province have a vital role in their financial risk tolerance level.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.166-166
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• 2003

In terms of the risk assessment, qualitative and quantitative informations are needed to estimate the exposures of environmental pollutants, which may be potentiality of risks, and those are the information about the changes caused by the chemical transportation among environmental media and transformation in environmental media by duration. The various fate mechanism of chemical is possible for estimation of chemical concentration in environmental media. Since there are limitations in measuring the change of chemical concentration within all medium according to the time period, estimating method through modeling are developed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 1999.11a
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• pp.133-136
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• 1999

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.84-90
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• 2000

Biodegradation of vanous medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (MCL-PHAs) by an extracellular depolymerase system from Pseudomonas sp. RY-1 was investigated under laboratoly conditions. The degradation rate of the polymers was determined by quantitative clem zone technique, enzyme (turbidity) assay, and respirometry assay. Although the enzyme system secreted by Pscudomor~as sp. RY-1 was capable of degrading all MCL-PHAs tested. its secretion was influenced by the availability of secondary carbon sources. The rate of enzymatic degradation of MCL-PHAs was dependent upou the monomeric composition of the polyesters and reduced as the chain lengths of the monomer m t s in the polyesters increased. MCL-PHAs containing C-even monomer units showed faster degradation rate than MCL-PHAs containing C-odd monomer units. Respiration rates of MCL-PHAs with C-even monomer uuts were also much faster than those of MCL-PHAs with C-odd monomer units. The degmdation rate of MCL-PHAs bearing unsaturated substituents was faster than that of mcl-PHAs without functional substituents, which is suggesting the correlation between the degradation rate and the crystallinity of MCL-PHAs.