• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.38-51
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• 2019

Purpose - An appreciable number of small- and medium-sized exporters have continuously succeeded in their export marketplaces even though they do not possess enough resources. Advocating that affiliation with an export service-provider plays an important role in this phenomenon, we aimed to theoretically explain how export service providers' competences and relational factors drive small- and medium-sized exporters' competitive advantages in the long-run. Design/methodology - Drawing prominently on the resource-based view and the relationship-marketing theory, we built an empirically testable model. The model showed the roles of exporter capabilities, export service-provider competences, and relational factors on small- and medium-sized exporters' sustainable competitive advantages. Findings - The results of our research showed that exporter production and branding capabilities positively influenced their sustainable competitive advantage. In addition, export service-providers' marketing competence and relationship-building competence positively moderated the effects of exporter capabilities on their parties' sustainable competitive advantages. Finally, affiliation parties' interfirm trust and relationship commitment positively moderated the effects of export service-provider competence on the relationship between exporter capabilities and sustainable competitive advantages. Originality/value - Although prior studies have highlighted the effects of an exporter's resources on export performance, our research filled a knowledge gap of the effects of other resources on export performance. First, we proposed two types of export service-provider, competence marketing and relationship-building, influencing exporters' competitive advantage. Second, the effects of relational factors were proposed in the context of export affiliations.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2022

The paper aims to examine the impact of exports on the growth of Vietnamese manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by exploring the information of 36,053 enterprises across 24 manufacturing sectors from the Vietnam Annual Enterprise Survey (VAES) in the period 2014-2019. To deal with the problem of variable variance, autocorrelation, and endogeneity of the model, the paper uses the OLS regression method with a strong standard error method and system GMM. Export participation by SMEs is positively associated with business growth in terms of sales and total assets, according to the findings. The GMM estimate shows that the rate of sales growth among exporters is 36.5 percent greater than that of non-exporting enterprises in the case of the sales growth measure. Exporters' average total asset growth rate is 19% greater than the rate estimated for non-exporting businesses. The study's findings indicate the need of adopting policies that promote SMEs in transition economies like Vietnam to engage in exporting activities. Furthermore, the findings show that financial assistance and suitable ownership would enable SMEs to take advantage of export opportunities to increase sales and total assets.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.285-305
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• 2015

In the era of creative economy emphasizing creativity and entrepreneurship, the Korean small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) never ignore them. Especially, firms, that would like to penetrate into international markets and hence survive in them, must have creativity and entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, little study has been studied the casual relationships of the variables comprehensively. Therefore, based on small and medium-sized exporters, this study would like to investigate empirically the relationships among the creativity, the entrepreneurship, and the level of internationalization. According to the research results, firstly, creativity has positive and significant effects on entrepreneurship. Moreover, entrepreneurship has a positive and significant effect on the level of internationalization. Finally, it was found that entrepreneurship partially mediated the relationships between the creativity and the level of internationalization. These results implied that creativity and entrepreneurship can play a pivotal role in improving the level of internationalization.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.3-24
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• 2010

This study aims to identify the determinants on the implementation level of e-Trade of Chinese exporters in Shandong Province, China. From the review of previous studies, a research model and six hypotheses were set up and tested by the multiple regression analysis with total 127 effective survey data. Among the company characteristics, the company size was statistically significant to the utilization range and the utilization level. But unlike former studies in Korea, the utilization range showed the (-) mark. On the other hand, the innovative attitude of CEO didn't show statistical significance to both the utilization range and the utilization level. Among the information characteristics, the IT infrastructure was not statistically significant to both the utilization range and the utilization level. On the other hand, the education and training of technical personnel didn't have a significant effect on the utilization range, but it had a statistically significant effect on the utilization level. Among the external environment, the intensity of competition had a statistically significant effect on both the utilization range and the utilization level. In summary, the implementation level of e-Trade of Chinese exporters in Shandong Province, China is still behind that of Korea. But the fact that the small and medium-sized Chinese exporters are using Internet more actively than large companies suggests some implications for those of Korea.

• Journal of Venture Innovation
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-55
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• 2019

Recently, the perception of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has changed. Until now, corporate social responsibility has been recognized as a temporary means to improve the image of a company, but there is a growing recognition that it is a prerequisite for sustainable growth of the entity. Social responsibility of enterprises has altered according to the times and economic environment, and as the global value chain has become important, it has become a growth strategy for small and medium-sized exporters. Under these circumstances, CSR is increasingly an integral part of the activities of companies, and this is no exception for small and medium-sized enterprises. Nevertheless, Korean small businesses' CSR is still lacking, and so the case of Japan, where CSR has spread to small and medium-sized businesses despite the short period of time, is believed to give us policy implications. In the Japanese case, corporate social responsibility has been traditionally passed down by Omi merchants in the 17th century. The social responsibility of a company they thought was summed up by the so-called "sanspo-yoshi spirit" that is beneficial to sellers, benefits to buyers and helps society. Based on the case of Japan's CSR, which has been applied smoothly even to its small and medium-sized companies, this paper intends to suggest the following policy implications. First, the establishment and dissemination of a national long-term plan is necessary. Second, it is urgent for smaller businesses to introduce their strategic CSRs. Third, CSR, which does mutual cooperation between large and small businesses, should be pursued.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.179-198
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• 2023

Purpose - There is a paucity of literature dealing with exporters' compliance issues in e-commerce exports. This study aims to fill this gap in the literature by exploring customs initiatives to facilitate the e-commerce exports of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the changed compliance environment. The central question of this study was divided into five subquestions: first regarding the pros and cons of trade facilitation measures for Korean e-commerce export clearance; second and third questions about risk and compliance management for facilitation fourth about instruments, the changes in Korean SME compliance burden in e-commerce exports, and ways to improve trade facilitation for e-commerce exports. Design/methodology - This study adopts a qualitative approach using a case study method to understand the SME experience in Korean e-commerce export compliance procedures. A qualitative method was selected to answer research questions requiring an in-depth understanding of the regulatory procedures of customs administration and exporters' compliance burden. Because this study addresses the changing compliance environment for which statistical data is insufficient, a quantitative method is considered inappropriate. Based on the approach, data were collected using multiple sources, including an extensive literature review, interviews, and field observations. Thematic pattern matching was applied to interpret the data. Findings - This study examined ways to support SMEs in the changed e-commerce export compliance environment. Facilitation measures for e-commerce exports have contributed to SME access to global markets, simplifying export clearance procedures, and saving exporters' compliance costs. However, such instruments are limited in promoting SME compliance capabilities to cope with intensified competition and strengthened controls over foreign exporters in cross-border e-commerce. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of reshaping facilitation measures for e-commerce exports based on risk and compliance management theories to a system encouraging exporters' voluntary compliance. Originality/value - This study's academic significance derives from verifying the relationship between trade facilitation instruments and risk and compliance management procedures using an actual case in Korea. It is also of practical importance in navigating the directions for improving facilitation measures for e-commerce exports in a changed compliance environment.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.387-399
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• 2023

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to review the export support projects in Jeollabuk-do and to provide implications to the policy makers and to the local exporters. Based on this review, the study proposes future measures to enhance the efficiency of the current Jeollabuk-do export support project. Design/methodology/approach - This study reviews export support projects in Jeollabuk-do, d examines program types and utilization status, and subsequently summarizes the key aspects of Jeollabuk-do SMEs' export support projects. Findings - This study suggests that Jeollabuk-do's export support project can become more effective through active development of overseas markets and professional integration of marketing activities, particularly focusing on regionally specialized export products. Additionally, given the crucial roles played by the government, related agencies, and local offices in improving the export capabilities of SMEs in Jeollabuk-do, there is an emphasis on the need for continuous and systematic follow-up management and the establishment of export support projects and services. Research implications or Originality - While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Korea account for a significant portion of export activities, their actual export performance and contribution are low. The export competitiveness of SMEs, particularly those located in regions other than Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, is not improving despite various export support projects being promoted. Under the circumstances, this study provide meaningful implications to the policy makers and to the local exporters.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.52
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• pp.119-135
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• 2011

Korea's trading volume is expected to surpass USD 1 trillion in 2011. Korean economy achieves this largely due to its dependence on export and enhanced technological capacity and product quality. Improved recognition of Korean enterprises in the global arena also helped. However, the largest reason behind theses could be found in exporters' ceaseless marketing endeavors and continued government supports. Today, more and more people become to rely on trade exhibitions to boost export effectively. Trade exhibitions are employed as a useful tool to attract buyers and enter a market. This is because such exhibitions' marketing effect and professional aspects. South Korean export relies on large conglomerates for most part. However, 95% of the country's entire industry are small and medium-sized companies. This means that SMEs' export has a huge impact on the national economy. Therefore, as a way to improve SME export and minimize their losses, we need to use trade exhibitions more actively. The overseas policy insures only promotional activities regarding foreign exhibition and fair (including international events held in Korea), foreign distributor, shopping mall, home shopping, etc. and does not include air fare, traffic cost in the local place, accommodation cost and dining expenditures as costs to be excluded mentioned above. It is not easy for them to take part in events abroad if they have to pay for such expenses. If full financial support is difficult, the Korea trade insurance corporation still may give a certain level of aid for successful exporters to engage in marketing activities abroad more actively and further stimulate SMEs' export.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.93-113
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• 2018

The purpose of the study is to investigate whether monetary and non-monetary incentives of exports incentives affect the formation of trust between exporters and importers. Data was collected from 110 Korean SMEs(small and medium-sized enterprises) that were engaged in exporting. 'Three hypotheses were proposed and tested using the data collected. Findings include monetary incentives are not related to trust, but non-monetary incentives are positively related to trust. The findings suggest that exporters should focus on non-monetary incentives, rather than monetary incentives, to build trust with importers. Non-monetary incentives signal that exporters intend to have long-term relationship with importers, but monetary incentives do not. Trust was also found to mediate the relationship between non-monetary incentives and importer' role performance. Non-monetary incentives affect importer's role performance through trust formed between importer and exporter.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.77-98
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• 2004

This paper examines the major determinants affecting the user satisfaction on e-Trade portal sites in small and medium-sized exporters. The development of our research model is based on the empirical studies on the service quality of information system, web sites or Internet shopping mall, and on the factors influencing the user satisfaction. With the help of a regression analysis and factor analysis, five hypotheses are derived and tested. The results from regression analysis suggest that the user satisfaction of e-Trade portal sites is affected by information characteristics and ease of use of e-Trade portal sites. In addition, the user satisfaction of e-Trade portal sites is enhanced by support for international trade. Our findings will be useful, especially for those who are planning to build user-oriented e-Trade portal sites.