• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.131-154
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• 2018

While strong investments on startup and venture ecosystem prosper worldwide, growing interest on nurturing startup ecosystem in Korea is also on its way. However, korean entrepreneurial ecosystem currently results few successful business models with those continuous development of itself compared to the one in China, which is breeding more than 50% of unicorns internationally. Accordingly, this study examined how people in the venture ecosystem, especially in IT industry feel about themselves and startup itself and compared startup ecosystem in Seoul, Korea to the one in Chengdu, China considering each of economic, social and administrational environment. The study tried to provide an implication about the future orientation of Korea's starup and venture ecosystem to policy makers and the ones inside the environment to make a better one. Therefore, the study choose Seoul, Korea and Chengdu, China as geological specimens of startup ecosystem and conduct qualitative study by interviewing selected ones who work in startup incubator, accelerator specified to IT industry and started their own business in IT industry funded by startup reward program. The study categorize the result in social, economic, and administrative parts and screens whether the interviewees from both Korea and China have similar opinions toward each of questions and can be translated to have tendency or not in each part of study. According to the study, the national recognition of startup should be moved from means of maintenance such as restaurants, franchise business to IT startup especially based on software business for the sustainable flourish in Korean venture ecosystem. Investors including accelerator, Angel investors and VCs should be less risk-aversion and therefore prefer stake purchase to solely giving subsidies. The role of governors should be limited to be a middleman of the network, connecting each people in need inside the ecosystem and their reward program should focus on nurturing the growing ones, not just multiplying the numbers of startups to expand the size of entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since this study indicated that entire revision of startup ecosystem should be applied to make a better one, it could be used to design future entrepreneurial infrastructure and the ways of activating startup ecosystem elsewhere in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2014

Due to the development of civilization, the humans is privileged the rich of technologies for housing thermal environment. But, this kind of technological development caused enough trouble of energy excessive consumption. For solve this problem, many researchers strive to exploit the low energy sustainable techniques. For such a reason, the eco-friendly techniques of vernacular house are resurfacing. These traditional techniques are applied to a development of eco-friendly modern housing. They are no longer recognized as outdated products. On this context, this study proposes an scientific analysis on the thermal environment characteristics of Neolithic thatched-roof dugout hut(Um house). So far the several studies have been carried out in viewpoint of the history and structural compositions of the Um house which has been used as the normal housing for about 1000 years in the Neolithic era, however the thermal characteristics analysis of the Um house has never been studied. Um house is not a housing which has been composed by the scientific analysis or architectural design technology, but evolved empirically over a long period. This study on the thermal environment characteristics of Um house would provide basic information for the development of korean eco-friendly rural housing by korean climate characteristics. In this study, the thermal environmental characteristics of the Um house in the Neolithic era was analysed experimentally. The results of this study could be summarized as follows: 1. When the solar insolation and the ambient temperature in the daytime were $420W/m^2$ and $17^{\circ}C$ respectively, the surface temperature of the Um house roof covered with the rice straw was $37^{\circ}C$ and that in the roof $32^{\circ}C$, and in the conditions above the air temperature in the room was $15^{\circ}C$. 2. When the ambient relative humidity was 40%, that in the room of the Um house 50%, and at the ambient relative humidity of 90~100%, that in the room was 60%. 3. Through the experimental analysis, it was verified that the enthalpy and relative humidity is in an inverse relationship. 4. In general the comfort degree in the living space is changed with the seasonal climate, also in this study, the comfort degree in the room of the Um house in October and November was higher than that in May and June.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.107-118
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• 2016

Purpose - Over 90% of Domestic logistics industry is small enterprise and they are experiencing growth stagnation due to price-based competition structure rather than constructing logistics service of high added value. In order to get over this situation and pursue the development of logistics industry, strengthening its competitiveness, through inter-enterprise cooperative network build-up, would be a key alternative. Therefore, in this study, an index for measuring inter-enterprise cooperation level of Joint logistics business will be developed as a typical collaborative business model in logistics industry. Moreover, a strengthening competitiveness method suggests a developmental step and a key management index to mature in logistics industry. Research Design, Data, Methodology - This study is an index development research for measuring inter-enterprise cooperation level of logistics industry. Such a level was measured by performing a survey by targeting enterprises that participated in Joint logistics business. The targeting enterprises are typical cooperative models in logistics industry. Measurement items were developed which were based on the presented items in existing research. Question items were composed of selection type questions as answering Yes/No. They measures implementation status of corporate activity and detailed activity items measuring qualitative level. Total samples were based on 116 enterprise samples including 90 logistics enterprises and 26 shippers. In addition, by evaluating the importance for Joint logistics business recognition with personnel working level, the weight of measuring variable was extracted. This study has built an assessment tools (LPCI) on Joint logistics business cooperation level in a situation where there are no previous studies on joint logistics business, this study is meaningful for other studies. Results - As a result of analyzing LPCI presented in this study, the score of logistics enterprise was represented as 59.9 points based on full score of 100 points and that of shippers as 47.2 points and cooperation level among enterprises participated in Joint logistics business was revealed to be very low. In particular, as a result of measuring the importance between logistics enterprise and shippers, the difference by each measurement standard was represented among those enterprises. This difference is considered to be a key factor that cooperative operational conformity between logistics enterprises and shippers is represented to be low. Conclusions - As most joint logistics business, being promoted at present, is sharing facility and information with joint logistics business, it is hard to find such a joint logistics business in reality based on cooperative business model in main cooperation agents. Therefore, competitiveness of logistics industry could be strengthened by promoting joint logistics business based on their mutual cooperation among enterprises. In other words, it is to secure sustainable competitiveness of joint logistics business together with creation of new market by inter-enterprise cooperation based on integration of basic logistics business.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.53-63
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• 2016

Purpose - This study examines the effects of the influence strategies on sales representative and headquarter trust, and investigates how sales representative trust plays a mediating role in the relationship between influence strategies and headquarter trust. For these purposes, a structural model which consists of several constructs was developed. In this model, influence strategies that consist of relational influence strategies (information exchange, recommend, promise) and mandatory influence strategies (legal plea, request, threat) were proposed to affect the sales representative trust and in turn, increase the headquarter trust. Thus, this study proposed that sale representative trust plays a core mediating role in the relationship between relational and mandatory influence strategies and headquarter trust in B2B food materials distribution context. Research design, data, and methodology - For these purposes, the authors collected the data from 208 B2B specialized complex agents. We used the 2,200 B2B specialized complex agents which trade with CJ, Ottogi, and Daesang firms and supply food materials to restaurant, school cafeteria, supermarket and traditional market as a sample frame. Once we identified 330 B2B specialized complex agent owners, CEOs, and/or Directors who had agreed to participate in this study, we dropped off a questionnaire at each B2B specialized complex agent and explained the purpose of this study. The survey was conducted from October 1, 2015 to December 15, 2015. A total of 230 questionnaires were collected. Of these collected questionnaires, 28 questionnaires excluded since they had not been fully completed. The data were analyzed using frequency test, reliability test, measurement model analysis, and structural equation modeling with SPSS and SmartPLS 2. Results - First, information exchange, recommendation, and promise of relational influence strategies had positive effects on sales representative trust. The threat of mandatory influence strategies had a negative effect on sales representative trust, but legal plea and request did not have a significant effect on sales representative trust. Second, information exchange and recommendation of relational influence strategies had positive effects on headquarter trust, but promise did not. Also, legal plea, request, and threat of mandatory influence strategies did not have a significant effect on headquarter trust. Third, this findings show that sales representative trust plays a partial mediator between information exchange and headquarter trust, and threat and headquarter trust, and a full mediator between promise and headquarter trust, and recommendation and headquarter trust. Conclusions - The aim of this study was to examine the effects how diverse dimensions of relational and mandatory influence strategies relate to sales representative trust and headquarter trust. To do so, we integrated the influence strategies and the trust transfer theory to hypothesize that various influence strategies increase sales representative and headquarter trust. The findings of this study suggest that headquarter firms should establish and enforce proper influence strategies guidelines to make clear what proper actions sales representatives should implement in relationship with B2B specialized complex agents. Also, relational and mandatory influence strategies must be regarded as a long-term and ongoing strategy that eventually build a long-term orientation with B2B specialized complex agents and guarantee a company's sustainable growth and success.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.123-133
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• 2015

Purpose - The Korean government has devised intermodal transportation policies and granted subsidies to shippers and logistics companies that made a conversion of transportation means through the policies. This provides support by expanding the complex uniform railroad transportation and overhauling the deteriorated railroad facilities. As for 2013, however, the freight transportation percentage of railroad was 4.5% in tons and 8.5% in ton kilometers. Meanwhile, since the 1990s, developed countries such as the U.S. and Europe have been trying to expand intermodal freight transport with a legal and institutional support to build a logistics system corresponding with social and economic environmental changes. In this study, I set out to examine the effects of the intermodal freight transport policies in the EU and the U.S., and to explore the direction of setting up a rail intermodal transport system in South Korea. Research design, data, and methodology - The paper used a qualitative research methodology through the literature review. First, was an overview of Intermodal transportation in the EU, U.S. and UN. Second, it describes the development of transport in Europe and the U.S. with particular emphasis on intermodal freight transport. Third, it explores the direction of setting up a intermodal freight transport in South Korea. The last section contains concluding remarks. Results - As for the EU, it has been promoting integration between transport and intermodal logistics network designs while utilizing ITS or ICT and supports for rail freight intermodal by giving reduction to a facilities fee or subsidizing for rail freight in order to minimize the cost of external due to freight transport. On the other hand, as for the U.S., it has been made up of an industrial-led operating project and has been promoting it to improve accessibility between intermodal hubs and cargo terminals through intermodal corridor program, and an intermodal cargo hub access corridor projects, etc. Moreover, it has tried to construct intermodal transport system using ITS or ICT and to remove Barrier. As a result, in these countries, the proportion of intermodal freight transport is going to be the second significant transport compared with rail and maritime transport. An Effective rail intermodal transport system is needed in South Korea, as seen in the case of these countries. In order to achieve this object, the following points are required to establish radical infrastructure policy; diversify investment financing measures taken under public-private partnerships, legal responsibilities, improvement of utilization of existing facilities to connect the railway terminal and truck terminal, and enhancement service competitiveness through providing cargo tracking and security information that combines the ITS and ICT. Conclusions - This study will be used as a basis for policy and support for intermodal freight transport in South Korea. In the future, it is also necessary to examine from the perspective of the shipper companies using the rail intermodal transport, ie, recognition of shipper, needed institutional supports, and transportation demand forecasting and cost-effective analysis of the railway infrastructure systems improvement.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.97-104
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• 2015

Purpose - The distribution of agricultural products is changing due to recent shifts in environmental free trade. Specifically, the competitiveness of domestic agricultural products has weakened as a result of the Korea-China Financial Trade Agreement. Agricultural producers are faced with increasing difficulties and organized production centers are growing in importance daily. To overcome this crisis, agricultural producer organizations are vying for environment-friendly agricultural certifications, Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). In particular, as consumer demand for higher safety grows, farmers are increasing their certification rates. Therefore, this certification system is expected to help strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural producer organizations. Research design/data/methodology - Organized production centers are classified by certification. A survey was conducted with 91 organizations using factor analysis and logistic regression analysis for the examination. The factor analysis results are as follows. Raw material procurement, education·specialization, marketing, joint business, organizing ability, business management, effectiveness, certification, and larger organizations were classified as the nine types of factors. These factors affect the organized production centers and are used in the logistic regression analysis. The purpose of such research and analysis is to suggest a direction for future production center policies. Results - The basic statistical results are as follows: analysis of the producer organizations of 91 sites, average number of members per site of 1,624, and average sales of 25,961 million won. Additionally, the average income per farmer is 175 million won, and the pooling system rate is 53.5%. The factor analysis results are as follows. Factor 1 consists of contract cultivation, ongoing shipment, selection subdivision, traceability, and major retailer management. Factor 2 consists of manual cultivation, specialty selection, education program, and R&D. Factor 3 consists of advertising, various dealers, various sales strategies, and a unified sales counter. Factor 4 consists of agricultural materials co-purchase, policy support, co-shipment, and incentives. Factor 5 consists of the co-selection and pooling system. Factor 6 consists of co-branding and operating by the organization's article. Factor 7 consists of the buy-sell ratio and rate of operation of the agriculture promotion center. Factor 8 consists of bargaining power in volume and participation rate of farmer certification. Factor 9 consists of increasing new subscribers. The logistic regression analysis results are as follows. Considering the results by type of certification, the environment-friendly agricultural certification type and the GAP certification type have a (+) influence. GAP and HACCP certification types affecting the education·specialization factor have a (+) influence. Considering the results for each type of certification, the environment-friendly agricultural certification types on the effectiveness factor have (-) influence; the HACCP certification types on the organizing ability and effectiveness factor have a (-) influence. Conclusions - Agricultural producer organizations should develop plans as follows: The organizations need to secure education for agricultural production; increase the pooling system ratio for sustainable organizational development; and, finally, expand the number of agricultural producer organizations.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.119-130
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• 2014

Purpose - Franchise industries are significant both socially and economically. However, with increasing interest, there are manifold problems. It is necessary to seek measures for mature operation constantly despite unprepared franchisors, negative perceptions of the media and society toward franchise, and rapid changes in business start-up trends and propensity to consume that make business start-ups difficult. The paper aims to explain the effects of relational commitment and performance on the franchisor's management characteristics and justice in the food service franchise system. Research design, data, and methodology - This is an exploratory survey examining franchising in Korea. Based on a literature synthesis, we extract five constructs: managerial characteristics, support, fairness, trust, and satisfaction. We hypothesize that these factors influence the trust, satisfaction, and performance of franchisees. To examine these hypotheses empirically, we conducted a survey on the database of the Franchising Council of Korea. The study employs data from May to September 2014. In total, 135 completed questionnaires were received, of which 128 were usable. The data was analyzed with SPSS/PC 22.0. First, to test unidimensionality and nomological validity of the measures of each construct, we employed a scale refinement procedure. The result of a reliability test with Cronbach's α and factor analysis warranted unidimensionality of the measures for each construct. In addition, nomological validity of the measures was warranted from the result of the correlation and regression analysis. By analyzing the data, we can confirm most hypotheses. Results - Frist, franchisor characteristics have a positive effect on trust and satisfaction. Second, franchisor fairness has an effect on trust and satisfaction. Third, franchisor support has an effect on satisfaction. Further, the franchisee trust has an effect on satisfaction. Fourth, the satisfaction of a franchisee with a franchisor affects the performance of a franchisee. Finally, there is a possibility that not only franchisee performance but also increasing the credibility and improving the image of the franchisor through communication between franchisor and franchisee can improve franchisees' performance and satisfaction by motivating the franchisee for sustainable growth. Franchisers should endeavor for franchisees to obtain stable revenue with continuous and practical support. They should recognize that they can expand their business by supporting their franchisees. Franchisors should not only instantly respond to franchisees' troubles with interactive communications but also raise the ability of supervisors for better support. Franchisors should share their visions and goals with their franchisees and provide systematic and continuous support based on trust and clear company management. Franchisees should understand franchisors' position as well as participate in establishing the basic franchise system. Contributions - The paper contributes to understanding franchising in Korea. It offers insights and assistance to franchisors hoping to start franchises. This paper explores measurement issues related to franchisee performance by estimating its determinant factors (managerial characteristics, support, fairness, trust, and satisfaction). This study provides franchisors and practitioners planning to extend their franchising business with some practical knowledge.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.57-64
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• 2018

Purpose - With the rapid economic development, great changes have happened in the Chinese beer market. The scale of imported beer is increasing. However, the sales of native Chinese beer decrease in recent years. It is because more Chinese customers prefer beer with unique attributes than those with lower prices. In order to take an advantage in this market, practitioners should develop new products to satisfy Chinese customers. Scholars have also focused on beer characteristics to estimate consumers' behavior for improving the development of beer industry. However, most studies are theoretically centered on marketing strategy management or general understanding of the market. It is not enough for us to explain customers' consumption patterns. Some empirical research did attempt to find out beer attributes that may influence their choice behavior. However, they failed to verify what can increase customers' utility through a new product. More importantly, few evidences can be found in the literature. Therefore this study explores the major characteristics of imported beer which may associate with customers' preferences. Research design, data, and methodology - With the results of literature review and focus group interview, we found out four main imported beer attributes and the levels of each factor. A pre-test is constructed to check the problems in the questionnaire protocol. With the results of pre-test, the revised questionnaire is processed among customers who have purchased and had imported beer in China regions such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangdong and so on. The choice-based conjoint analysis is applied to analyze the useful data of 205. Results - Results indicate that choice-based conjoint analysis is the effective method to estimate customers' choice behavior. Results also indicate that country of origin, price, taste, and package affect customers' preference and the importances of imported beer attributes are significantly different. Conclusions - Country of origin, price, taste, and package are important for customers to make an imported beer choice decision. Marketers should consider these determinants and their importance to develop new products. Moreover, choice-based conjoint analysis should be the useful method for practitioners to develop a new product of imported beer for sustainable business in the competitive industry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.155-161
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• 2016

This research is to explore resident's assessment of the Automated Vacuum Waste Collection System (AVWCS), which is devised to attain sustainability of residential environment. A number of AVWCS has been installed in Gyeonggi Province, so 283 households in 11 new public housing estates of 5 cities participated in a self-administered questionnaire survey. The data collected from 133 respondents in for-sale housing estates and 150 participants in rental housing estates, and the primary findings were as follows: a vast majority of both owners and renters had neither been aware of nor used the system before moving to their current housing estate. Also, most of the respondents learned how to use the AVWCS from on-site housing management staff, and the learning among renters was greatly delayed. Renters were in stronger favor of the system than owners, and their satisfaction was greater than the counterpart. Although few items were unsatisfactory, many emphasized that AVWCS should be augmented with user-centered, environmentally friendly features, and also they viewed that the system would substantially contribute to sustainable urban environment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.191-201
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• 2015

Measuring and mapping connectivity among habitats is a key component of sustainable urban planning and design process. In this study, we examined how functional corridors connect forest bird habitats in a metropolitan area of Korea using graph theory-based techniques. High-quality forest habitat was defined as a function of forest cover, presence of residential areas, and road networks. We then constructed a network of high-quality forest habitats using the FunConn (functional connectivity) tools, and computed metrics ($T_i$) of patch importance based on the minimum ($Q_1$) and the 25th percentile ($Q_{25}$) rank least-cost distance values. We investigated the relative influence of two values of patch importance on forest bird species richness. As a result, the patch importance index based on the $Q_{25}$ effective distance threshold was most positively correlated with species richness (P < 0.001) after controlling for the area effect. Thus, using the $Q_{25}$ effective distance threshold, we mapped not only the locations of important habitat patches and functional corridors, but also the network backbone of forest bird habitats. The network developed in this study can help guide urban planning for biodiversity conservation.