• 농촌지도와개발
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.121-136
• /
• 2000

This study reports on a comparison between the Korean diffusion of agricultural innovation or extension service and the cooperative extension service in the United States of America. It focuses on relevant differences between the two systems and provides recommendation for improvement of the Korean system to insure success in important areas related to the diffusion of agricultural innovations. After a comparative study on diffusion of innovations it is clear that: in order to have a productive agriculture that makes effective and efficient use of natural resources and helps achieve sustainability goals, a mechanism that delivers knowledge to agricultural communities must be established and maintained. This mechanism is clearly an agricultural extension service that is cooperatively funded by federal, state and local governments and that insures participation of constituents in the process of establishing priorities and evaluating achievements. The success of US agriculture, the most productive in the world, is to a large degree to the Cooperative Extension Service. Based on the results of this study and the differences of the United States and Korea, the following recommendations should be emphasized for more effective communication for agricultural innovation and rural development in Korea: 1) In order to insure that extension educators are high caliber professional individuals, it is important to establish a system that nationally recognizes these individuals as such, and that provides a professional development path. 2) The results of the decision of transfer of extension educators to local governments has not yielded positive outcomes, especially in terms of professional status. It is clearly demonstrable that valuable professionals are leaving the service, that local governments do not have the will and resources to implement a successful extension program. 3) Because of the critical importance of diffusing innovations to agricultural producers in order to insure and quality and steady food supply, it is of critical importance that these issues be addressed before the extension service is further deteriorated. Given the cement situation, it is clear that the extension service should become nationally supported again in cooperation with local and state governments and that extension professionals be given appropriate rank at the national level, commesurate with their peers in research and teaching. 4) The common current committee practice of lengthy reporting and short discussion needs to be changed to one that results in char, brief and substantive action oriented goals. Joint participation by researchers, extension educators and farmers should be encouraged in planning, implementation and evaluation of communication for agricultural innovations. Roles and functions of committees for institutional cooperation, and or agricultural extension committees should be enlarged. 5) Extension educators should be encouraged to adopt new communication technologies to improve their diffusion of innovations methods. Agricultural institutions and organizations should be encouraged to adopt farmer-first and or client-oriented approach in agricultural extension and diffusion of agricultural technologies. The number, complexity and rapid change of information in agricultural extension require the development of a computer based information and report system to support agricultural extension. 6) To facilitate and expand the further development of communication for agricultural innovation and rural development, agricultural communication programs in universities especially in colleges of agriculture and life sciences. 7) To strengthening the sense of national and social responsibility communication for agricultural innovation and rural development among students in agricultural colleges and universities through participation in learning activities by proactive recruitment. 8) To establish and reinforce a policy that insures participation in communication for agricultural innovation and regal development activities. 9) To improve further development of communication for agricultural innovation and rural development in Korea, more research activities should be encouraged.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
• /
• pp.95-95
• /
• 2017

Lodging is a serious issue in rice production, because it drastically decreases the biomass production and grain yield. Since the Green Revolution, the lodging resistance has been increased by lowering the moment of above-ground parts due to the short culm by the semi-dwarf gene sd1. However, it has been pointed out that sd1 alone has suppressive effects for biomass production and yield. To increase rice yield, the long-culm and large panicle type varieties with a superior lodging resistance need to be developed. To improve the lodging resistance and yield of these type varieties, it would be effective to identify novel alleles for these traits underlying natural variations in rice and to pyramid these alleles to a single rice variety. In order to perform this strategy, we have developed new rice lines derived from crosses among varieties with superior alleles. At first, TULT-gh-5-5 was selected from a cross between strong culm and high biomass variety Leaf Star and high-yielding variety Takanari, and TUAT-32HB was selected from a cross between high-yielding variety Akenohoshi and Takanari. Then, we developed the super thick-culm and super grain-bearing line, LTAT-29 derived from a cross between TULT-gh-5-5 and TUAT-32HB. In the current study, to identify the QTLs and genes relating to the strong culm and the high yield of LTAT-29, we performed QTL analysis using SNPs markers with $F_2$ population derived from a cross between LTAT-29 and Takanari. LTAT-29 has never lodged throughout the growth period despite it had long culms and heavy panicles. LTAT-29 had a larger outer diameter of the culm and twice the size of the section modulus than Takanari. As a result, the bending moment at breaking of LTAT-29 was significantly larger than that of Takanari. Brown rice yield of LTAT-29 was $9.2t\;ha^{-1}$ about 10% higher than that of Takanari due to the larger number of spikelets per panicle. LTAT-29 had a greater number of secondary branches per panicle. In the $F_2$ population between LTAT-29 and Takanari, we found continuous frequency distributions in the section modulus and the spikelet number per panicle. Two QTLs increased the section modulus by the alleles of LTAT-29 were detected on Chr.1L and Chr.2L. One QTL increased the spikelet number per panicle of Takanari by the allele of LTAT-29 was detected on Chr.1L, and two QTLs increased the number of secondary branches per panicle by the alleles of LTAT-29 were detected on Chr.1L and Chr.4L. It was found that the alleles of these QTLs were the japonica type originated from Leaf Star or Akenohoshi. The novel QTLs for the traits related to super thick-culm and super grain-bearing and their combinations could be utilized for improving the lodging resistance and yield in rice varieties.

• 한국학교ㆍ지역보건교육학회지
• /
• 제5권
• /
• pp.25-42
• /
• 2004

This study set out to investigate the relations between middle school students' perception of body image and their allowance for plastic surgery, to understand their perception of body image and desire for plastic surgery, and provide some data needed to warn against reckless plastic surgery and guide the students effectively. For those purposes, an examination was conducted of the relationships between the individual characteristics and perception levels of body image, the individual characteristics and allowance for plastic surgery, and perception levels of body image and allowance for plastic surgery. The subjects were drawn from sour middle schools located in two regions of Gyeonggi Province. Total 922 boys and girls were surveyed on a questionnaire, which was developed based on the pretest of previous literature, reviewed for appropriateness, and tested for reliability and reasonableness. The body image on the five scale was greater as the perception level was higher. The allowance for plastic surgery was also greater as the scores were more. The findings were as follows: First, the relationships between individual characteristics and perception levels of body image were examined. The third graders showed the highest perception level, being followed by the first and second graders. The girls were more perceptive than the boys, and those who were extrovert were more perceptive than those who were introvert. Those students whose parents earned 2 million won or more a month and who adapted themselves to the environmental changes had a higher perception level. In a word, the girls from the middle class that were well adapted, felt happy, and were extrovert had a higher perception level of body image. Second, the connections between individual characteristics and allowance for plastic surgery were investigated. The third graders were the most admissive of plastic surgery, followed by the second and first graders. That is, the upper graders were more admissive of plastic surgery. In addition, the girls were more admissive than the boys, and those who were extrovert were more than those who were introvert. There were no significant differences according to the monthly income of the parents, grades, adaptability to surroundings, and happiness, which results almost resembled the findings of a study conducted on adults. Third, there were negative correlations found between the perception levels of body image and the allowance for plastic surgery. To elaborate, the higher the perception levels were, the lower the allowance was, and vice versa. As for the items, the subjects showed more allowance for plastic surgery when they scored less in the item of caring about appearance, importance of looking pretty to others, and efforts to improve appearance. When they had a low value of body and easily felt tired, they were highly acceptive of plastic surgery. The allowance for plastic surgery was also great when their perception was much of how healthy they felt, how important they felt about their bodies, how they were satisfied with their current appearances, how they evaluated the appearance of others, how much they were satisfied physically, and how much demanding they were for physical changes. Meanwhile, there were no correlations between the allowance and physical attraction, the degree for one's activities to be hindered, and sickness. In short, the demand for plastic surgery was 41% for the girls and 20.2% for the boys. Just as the study on adults reported, those who had a low or negative perception of body image were more acceptive of plastic surgery. The middle school students were generally positive about their bodies with the lowest perception level at 2.91 and the highest at 3.21. Their individual allowance for plastic surgery was related to their individual body images, which were in turn affected by the mass communication, surrounding environments, and social values. Thus it's necessary for the entire society to try to improve or change the overall perception. Helping measures should be taken so that the students can form right sense of values about their bodies, avoid the obsession with appearance and appearance-based evaluation, and exercise righteous criteria against humans beings and things. In conclusions, the following suggestions were made: they need to develop such questionnaires or tools as can measure the body image of teens and fit the reality. Moreover, body image improvement programs should be more diverse and more applicable to teens. Despite the consistent reports that prove the correlations between body image and plastic surgery, there has been little effort to apply such factors as experience of the life of the disabled, volunteer activities for the disabled and at the hospitals, and others that can induce changes to body image to the body image improvement programs. In the future, comparative research should be carried out on body image and plastic surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• 제39권6호
• /
• pp.427-433
• /
• 2006

배경: 현재까지 개발된 인조혈관들은 소구경 혈관에서는 개통성을 유지하기 어려워 사용에 제한이 따른다. 이에 저자는 이종혈관이식편이 소구경 혈관을 대신할 수 있는지 시험하고자 돼지의 혈관을 채취하여 냉동보관과 무세포화의 두 가지 방법으로 전처치한 뒤 이를 염소에게 이식하고 일정기간 동안 그 변화를 비교 분석하였다. 대상 및 방법: 돼지의 양측 경동맥을 적출한 뒤 하나는 바로 조직 보관액에 담아 냉동 보관하였고 하나는 NaCl-SDS 용액을 이용하여 무세포화(acellularization)한 뒤 냉동 보관하였다. 동일한 염소의 양측 경동맥에 냉동보관만 했던 이식편과 무세포화한 이식편을 각각 삽입하였다. 3마리의 염소에게 이를 시행하였고 술 후 각각 1, 3, 6개월째에 이식편을 적출하였다. 관찰기간 동안 주기적으로 초음파검사를 시행하여 개통성 여부를 확인하였으며, 이식 편의 적출 후에는 육안소견 및 광학현미경 소견을 비교 분석하였다. 결과: 3마리 실험동물 모두 혈전색전증과 같은 별다른 문제없이 예정된 적출시기까지 생존하였다. 초음파검사상 모든 혈관이식편에서 관찰기간 동안 우수한 개통성을 보였다. 육안소견상 이식편의 내강에서는 혈전의 생성없이 매끈한 표면을 관찰할 수 있었다. 현미경 검사상 6개월째의 혈관이식편에서 세포가 재구성되고 있는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이식 후 초기였을 때 무세포화이식편보다 단순 냉동이식편에서 염증반응이 활발한 것으로 보였으나 유의한 거부반응의 증거는 관찰되지 않았다. 결론: 돼지-염소간의 이종이식모델에서 단순 냉동혈관이식편과 무세포화혈관이식편 사이에 이식 후 6개월까지는 임상적인 차이를 야기하지 않았다. 이는 동일한 모델의 혈관이식에 있어 무세포화의 과정을 생략할 수 있다는 가능성 때문에 고무적인 결과라 할 수 있으나, 관찰기간이 비교적 짧고, 실험동물의 수가 많지 않아 향후 추가적인 연구가 뒷받침되어야 하리라 생각된다.

• 수면정신생리
• /
• 제12권2호
• /
• pp.122-132
• /
• 2005

배 경：본 연구에서는 청년기 기면병 환자의 인지기능 변화를 평가하고자 하였다. 청년기 기면병 환자의 인지기능과 수면 증상과의 관계도 관찰하였다. 방 법：17세 이상 35세 이하의 기면병 환자 18명과 정상대조군 18명을 모집하여 연구를 시행하였다. 탈력발작이 있고, HLA $DQB_1$ *0602 양성인 경우만을 기면병 대상군으로 하였다. 기면병 대상군과 정상대조군에게 13종의 신경심리검사(Wisconsin 카드분류, Trail making, Stroop, Ruff, 청각순차합산, 바꿔쓰기, 숫자 외우기, 공간 외우기, Rey 기억력, California 언어학습, 통제단어연상, Boston 이름대기, 굽은 막대 검사)를 시행하여 양군을 비교하였다. 그리고, 기면병 대상군의 신경심리검사 결과와 Epworth 졸음증 척도, Ullanlinna 기면병 척도, 야간수면다원검사 및 입면 잠복시간 반복검사 결과 사이의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 결 과：기면병 대상군은 정상 대조군에 비해 2.0초 간격과 2.4초 간격의 청각순차합산, 바꿔쓰기, 공간 외우기 정방향 검사에서 수행능력이 저조하였다(t=3.86, p<0.001；t=-2.47, p=0.02；t=-3.95, p<0.001；t=-2.22, p=0.03). 다른 신경심리검사에서는 양 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 기면병 대상군에서 저하된 신경심리검사 결과는 Epworth 졸음증 척도나 Ullanlinna 기면병 척도와 유의한 상관관계가 없었으며, 야간수면다원검사나 입면잠복시간 반복검사와도 유의한 상관관계가 없었다. 결 론：본 연구에서 기면병 환자군의 주의력이 저하되어 있음을 관찰하였다. 그러나 주의력 저하는 주간 졸음증과 유의한 상관을 보이지 않았다. 따라서 기면병 환자의 주의력 저하는 주간 졸음증의 개선만으로 호전시킬 수 없다는 점을 시사한다.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• 제19권2호
• /
• pp.195-221
• /
• 2009

According to an industry report, a large number of organizations have invested in Organizational Information System(OIS) in the past few years. Several research results indicate that successful investments in OIS lead to productivity enhancement, while failed ones result in undesirable consequences such as financial losses and dissatisfaction among employees. In spite of huge investments, however, many organizations have failed in achieving the hoped-for returns from OIS. Thus, understanding user acceptance, adoption, and usage of new IS(Information Systems) is an important issue for IS practitioners. Indeed, study of the user acceptance of new information system has been one of the most important research topics in the contemporary IS literature. Several theoretical models are tested to examine 'user acceptance' and 'usage behavior' in IS context. While many research models incorporate 'ease of use' or 'usefulness' as important factors in explaining user acceptance, Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) has been one of the most widely applied models in user acceptance and usage behavior. Even in recent IS studies that employ theories of innovation diffusion in the area of IS implementation, a major focus has been on the user's perception of information technologies. In this research, we study 'voluntariness' as an important factor in IS acceptance by users. Voluntariness is defined as "the degree to which the use of the innovation is perceived as being voluntary, or of free will" When examining the diffusion of accepting OIS, a thoughtful consideration should be given to 'perceived voluntariness.' Current article has following research questions: 1) What models are appropriate to explain the success of OIS? and 2) How does the 'voluntariness' affect the success of OIS? In order to answer these questions, a research model is proposed to describe the detailed nature of association among three independent variables (IT usage level, task interdependency, and organizational support), a mediating variable (IS usage), a dependent variable (perceived performance), and a moderating variable(perceived voluntariness). The central claim of this article is that organizations hardly realize expected returns from OIS investments unless perceived voluntariness is effectively managed after operating OIS. As an example of OIS in this study we have selected the Intranet of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). ROKAF has implemented the Intranet in an attempt to improve communication and coordination within the organization. To test our research model and hypotheses, survey questionnaires were first sent out to 400 Intranet users. With the assistance of ROKAF, Intranet users were initially identified among its members, and subjects were randomly drawn from the pool. 377 survey responses were finally returned. The unit of measurement and analysis in this research is a personal level. Path analysis based on structural equation modeling was used to test research hypotheses. Construct validity represents accordance between the theoretical base concept of constructs and its measurement items. Tests for the reliability and discriminant validity are accepted, thus verifying our survey instrument. In this research, we have proposed a conceptual framework to highlight the importance of perceived voluntariness after organization deploys OIS. The results of our analysis present several key finding. First, all three independent variables (IT usage level, task interdependency, and organizational support) have significant effects on IS usage, which will eventually improve performance. Thus, IS usage plays a mediating role between antecedent variables (IT usage level. task interdependency, and organizational support) and performance improvement. Second, the effect of the task dependency was the highest for IS usage among the three antecedent variables. This is highly plausible since one of the Intranet's major capabilities is to facilitate communication among members within an organization. Accordingly, we conclude that the higher the task dependency, the higher Intranet usage. The effect of user's IT usage level was the second, while the effect of the organizational support was the third. Finally, the perceived voluntariness plays a pivotal role in enhancing perceived performance in personal level after launching the Intranet. Relationships among investigated variables were significantly different between groups with a high level and a low level of voluntariness. The impact of the Intranet usage on the performance was greater in the higher level voluntariness group than in the lower one. For the lower level voluntariness group, the user's IT usage had the highest effect on the Intranet usage among the three antecedent variables. In short, our study suggests that the higher the perceived voluntariness is the more IS usage will be. Perceived voluntariness was found to have a moderating effect on the relationships among user IT usage level, task interdependency, IS usage, and perceived performance, supporting all the hypotheses on the moderating effect. Most of all, user IT usage level has the strongest influence on IS usage, indicating that users with superior IT usage are more likely to enjoy a high level of perceived performance.

• 대한간호
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.108-117
• /
• 1997

This study was carried out to examine the standards for evaluation of laboratory facilities and equipment. These constitute the most important yet vulnerable area of our system of higher education among the six school evaluation categories provided by the Korean Council for University Education. To obtain data on the present situation of holdings and management of laboratory facilities and equipment at nursing schools in Korea, questionnaires were prepared by members of a special committee of the Korea Nursing Education Society on the basis of the Standards for University Laboratory Facilities and Equipment issued by the Ministry of Education. The questionnaires were sent to nursing schools across the nation by mail on October 4, 1995. 39 institutions completed and returned the questionnaires by mail by December 31 of the same year. The results of the analysis of the survey were as follows: 1. The Physical Environment of Laboratories According to the results of investigation of 14 nursing departments at four-year colleges, laboratories vary in size ranging from 24 to 274.91 pyeong ($1{\;}pyeong{\;}={\;}3.3m^2).$. The average number of students in a laboratory class was 46.93 at four-year colleges, while the number ranged from 40 to 240 in junior colleges. The average floor space of laboratories at junior colleges, however, was almost the same as those, of laboratories at four-year colleges. 2. The Actual State of Laboratory Facilities and Equipment Laboratory equipment possessed by nursing schools at colleges and universities showed a very wide distribution by type, but most of it does not meet government standards according to applicable regulations while some types of equipment are in excess supply. The same is true of junior colleges. where laboratory equipment should meet a different set of government standards specifically established for junior colleges. Closer investigation is called for with regard to those types of equipment which are in short supply in more than 80 percent of colleges and universities. As for the types of equipment in excess supply, investigation should be carried out to determine whether they are really needed in large quantities or should be installed. In many cases, it would appear that unnecessary equipment is procured, even if it is already obsolete, merely for the sake of holding a seemingly impressive armamentarium. 3. Basic Science Laboratory Equipment Among the 39 institutions, five four-year colleges were found to possess equipment for basic science. Only one type of essential equipment, tele-thermometers, and only two types of recommended equipment, rotators and dip chambers, were installed in sufficient numbers to meet the standards. All junior colleges failed to meet the standards in all of equipment categories. Overall, nursing schools at all of the various institutions were found to be below per in terms of laboratory equipment. 4. Required Equipment In response to the question concerning which type of equipment was most needed and not currently in possession, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) machines and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors topped the list with four respondents each, followed by measuring equipment. 5. Management of Laboratory Equipment According to the survey, the professors in charge of clinical training and teaching assistants are responsible for management of the laboratory at nursing schools at all colleges and universities, whereas the chief of the general affairs section or chairman of the nursing department manages the laboratory at junior colleges. This suggests that the administrative systems are more or less different. According to the above results, laboratory training could be defined as a process by which nursing students pick up many of the nursing skills necessary to become fully qualified nurses. Laboratory training should therefore be carefully planned to provide students with high levels of hands-on experience so that they can effectively handle problems and emergencies in actual situations. All nursing students should therefore be thoroughly drilled and given as much on-the-job experience as possible. In this regard, there is clearly a need to update the equipment criteria as demanded by society's present situation rather than just filling laboratory equipment quotas according to the current criteria.

• 한국광물학회지
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.271-282
• /
• 2012

비정질 실리카겔은 Si와 O로 이루어진 가장 간단한 화합물로서, 표면에 다양한 구조의 물과 수산기, 그리고 합성과정에서 형성된 유기 리간드(ligand)를 함유하고 있어, 지권, 수권, 그리고 생물권의 상호작용을 이해하는 모델 시스템으로서 의미를 갖는다. 본 연구에서는 $^{17}O$ NMR 분광분석을 통해 비정질 실리카겔의 Si-O-Si와 Si-OH 산소 원자환경의 차이를 규명하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 $SiCl_4$의 수화반응을 통해 $^{17}O$이 집적된 비정질 실리카겔을 합성하였다. $^1H$과 $^{29}Si$ NMR 분광분석 결과, 비정질 실리카겔 표면에는 다양한 수소결합 세기를 가진 물과 수산기 이외에, Si-$O{\cdots}R$ 형태의 유기 리간드가 존재함을 확인하였다. 이와 같은 유기 리간드는 에탄올 또는 증류수를 이용해 비정질 실리카겔을 초음파 세척함으로써 상당부분 제거 가능하다. $^{17}O$ NMR 분광분석 결과, 짧은 펄스 길이($0.175{\mu}s$)를 이용한 $^{17}O$ NMR 스펙트럼에서 Si-O-Si와 Si-OH 산소원자 환경이 거의 구분되지 않고 나타나는 반면, 특정 실험조건($2{\mu}s$ 펄스길이)의 $^{17}O$ NMR 스펙트럼에서는 약 0 ppm에서 빠른 동역학적 특성을 가지는 Si-OH로 추정되는 피크가 관찰되었다. 이 피크는 비정질 실리카겔 표면의 유기 리간드가 제거됨에 따라 더 뚜렷하게 관찰되며, 이는 유기 리간드와 비정질 실리카의 산소원자 사이의 상호작용이 존재함을 지시한다. 이와 같은 상호작용은 비정질 실리카겔 표면의 수산기의 원자구조에 대한 정보를 제공하며, 이를 통해 규산염 지구물질의 탈수반응 기작에 대한 이해를 고양시킬 수 있다. 따라서 궁극적으로 지구물질의 탈수반응에 기인하여 일어나는 섭입대의 중간깊이(약 70~300 km)에서 일어나는 지진의 미시적인 원인에 대한 실마리를 제시할 것으로 기대된다.

• 무역상무연구
• /
• 제78권
• /
• 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.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• 제18권4호
• /
• pp.105-130
• /
• 2008

Consumers of e-learning market differ from those of other markets in that they are replaced in a specific time scale. For example, e-learning contents aimed at highschool senior students cannot be consumed by a specific consumer over the designated period of time. Hence e-learning service providers need to attract new groups of students every year. Due to lack of information on products designed for continuously emerging consumers, the consumers face difficulties in making rational decisions in a short time period. Increased uncertainty of product purchase leads customers to herding behaviors to obtain information of the product from others and imitate them. Taking into consideration of these features of e-learning market, this study will focus on the online herding behavior in purchasing e-learning contents. There is no definite concept for e-learning. However, it is being discussed in a wide range of perspectives from educational engineering to management to e-business etc. Based upon the existing studies, we identify two main view-points regarding e-learning. The first defines e-learning as a concept that includes existing terminologies, such as CBT (Computer Based Training), WBT (Web Based Training), and IBT (Internet Based Training). In this view, e-learning utilizes IT in order to support professors and a part of or entire education systems. In the second perspective, e-learning is defined as the usage of Internet technology to deliver diverse intelligence and achievement enhancing solutions. In other words, only the educations that are done through the Internet and network can be classified as e-learning. We take the second definition of e-learning for our working definition. The main goal of this study is to investigate what factors affect consumer intention to purchase e-learning contents and to identify the differential impact of the factors between consumers with purchase experience and those without the experience. To accomplish the goal of this study, it focuses on herding behavior and perceived usefulness as antecedents to behavioral intention. The proposed research model in the study extends the Technology Acceptance Model by adding herding behavior and usability to take into account the unique characteristics of e-learning content market and e-learning systems use, respectively. The current study also includes consumer experience with e-learning content purchase because the previous experience is believed to affect purchasing intention when consumers buy experience goods or services. Previous studies on e-learning did not consider the characteristics of e-learning contents market and the differential impact of consumer experience on the relationship between the antecedents and behavioral intention, which is the target of this study. This study employs a survey method to empirically test the proposed research model. A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to 629 informants. 528 responses were collected, which consist of potential customer group (n = 133) and experienced customer group (n = 395). The data were analyzed using PLS method, a structural equation modeling method. Overall, both herding behavior and perceived usefulness influence consumer intention to purchase e-learning contents. In detail, in the case of potential customer group, herding behavior has stronger effect on purchase intention than does perceived usefulness. However, in the case of shopping-experienced customer group, perceived usefulness has stronger effect than does herding behavior. In sum, the results of the analysis show that with regard to purchasing experience, perceived usefulness and herding behavior had differential effects upon the purchase of e-learning contents. As a follow-up analysis, the interaction effects of the number of purchase transaction and herding behavior/perceived usefulness on purchase intention were investigated. The results show that there are no interaction effects. This study contributes to the literature in a couple of ways. From a theoretical perspective, this study examined and showed evidence that the characteristics of e-learning market such as continuous renewal of consumers and thus high uncertainty and individual experiences are important factors to be considered when the purchase intention of e-learning content is studied. This study can be used as a basis for future studies on e-learning success. From a practical perspective, this study provides several important implications on what types of marketing strategies e-learning companies need to build. The bottom lines of these strategies include target group attraction, word-of-mouth management, enhancement of web site usability quality, etc. The limitations of this study are also discussed for future studies.