• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.483-492
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• 2020

In this study, we compared and analyzed the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Trade Specialization Index (TSI) based on ballast water management systems (BWMS) trade data, which are related to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention to suggest the current status of Korea's industrial competitiveness and suggest future development directions for the BWMS industry. As international interest in eco-friendly vessels is expanding, the IMO is engaged in dramatic discussions and agreement-making related to marine emissions of pollutants from ships. IMO member states that must implement this convention are striving to develop technology and secure industrial competitiveness as major industries in the eco-friendly shipping sector, with the BWMS industry experiencing a high market entry barrier and the possibility of the leading market entrants gaining leadership. The Republic of Korea accounts for 17 (approximately 38 %) of the 45 BWMS that received final approval as of October 2019. Based on trade data relating to product codes HS842219, HS84212, and HS89, the RCA index and TSI were calculated and compared. The findings revealed that the Republic of Korea has relative inferiority compared to countries such as Germany and Denmark. Despite this, Korea's favorable industrial environment, which includes several IMO-approved BWMS technologies and the possession of domestic certification institutions, is likely to strengthen its competitiveness in the BWMS market.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.189-204
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• 2009

Our study aims to investigate the determinants of international competitiveness and international specialization in services, using OECD service trade data. Real exchange rates, world demand, economies of scale, diffusion of IT, human capital, R&D expenditure and institutional variables are introduced as explanatory variables in regressions for 29 OECO countries over $1996{\sim}2003$. Some of major findings from the study can be summarized as follows. First, economies of scale play important role in transport and business services. Second, the index of freedom to trade measured by Faster Institute has a positive and significant impact on international competitiveness in telecommunication, finance and insurance and business services. Third, IT provides favorable condition to build international competitiveness in finance and insurance and business services. Fourth, R&D expenditure contributes to the amelioration of international competitiveness in transport services, while investment in new equipments contributes to increasing the competitiveness in telecommunication services. Thus, our results show the importance of the industrial base for developing a competitive service economy.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.155-183
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• 2011

The purpose of this paper is to analyze competition status of Korean and Chinese vessels in the EU market. To achieve this purpose, this study uses Market Share Index, Export Bias Index, Trade Specialization Index, Export Similarity Index, and Market Share Expansion Ratio-Export Similarity Deepening Ratio as analyzing method. The statistical data used in this study are obtained from the trade statistics for 5 years(2005-2009) produced by Korean International Trade Association. The results of this study show that Korean ships are less competitive than Chinese ones in the EU export market in that Korea does not export various kinds of ships but export some restricted kinds of vessels even in the competitive ship, implying that Korea has been gradually losing its competitiveness. These results suggest that Korea should improve the competitiveness of shipbuilding industry by pursuing such differentiated strategies as exporting high value-added vessels while keeping on maintaining Korea's dominance over its competitive ships to overcome China's competitive advantage in the EU region.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.3
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• pp.231-241
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• 2009

Trade specialization index, import market share, unit value index, market comparative advantage index have been applied to compare the competitiveness of forest products in Korean and European markets for the case of Korea-EU FTA. The results say that no items of non-timber products would show a surge of imports as a result of FTA. Timber products, however, such as non-coniferous plywood, continuously shaped wood (non-coniferous), densified wood, wood wool and flour, other (plywood), other (particle board, 441039)), other (fiberboard), oriented strand board (other), other (particle board, 441090), other (particle board, 441031), Prefabricated buildings of wood, fibreboard (of a density exceeding $0.5g/cm^3$ but not exceeding $0.8g/cm^3$), wooden frames (for paintings, photographs, mirrors or similar objects) and wood marquetry and inlaid wood are expected to increase of their imports by eliminating tariffs. For Korean exports no items of non-timber products have competitiveness in European market. For Korean pyroligneous liquid, which is the only competitive timber product in EU market in terms of MCA and TSI, it is difficult to decide whether it has competitiveness, since the actual exports have taken place occasionally during a period of last five years.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.281-305
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to empirically analyze the status and the trends in the international competitiveness of Korean export products against MINTs. For the study, the data were collected from the trade statistics for the period 2009-2012 produced by KITA and UN comtrade, and trade specialization index and market comparative advantage index were selected as index analysis methods. The findings from this study are as follows: First, Korea maintains a continuous increase of trade volume and trade balance in trade with MINTs, and exports finished goods, auto parts, etc. to MINTs, whlie mainly imports primary products such as energy fuels from MINTs. Second, Korea remains competitive in both product groups and individual products over MINTs. Third, even though Korean exports obtain a high competitiveness against MINTs, its competitiveness shows the differences by country. Several implications of this study are as follows: First, we need to take full advantage of energy resource-rich MINTs in securing stable energy fuels. Second, we should prepare response plans for the economic conditions which can have a negative impact on trade with MINTs, Third, we need to build strategies for maintaining the competitiveness of Korean exports over MINTs. Fourth, The differentiated export strategies should be established by country by considering differences in Korean exports' competitiveness which exist among the four countries of MINTs. Fifth, we need to prepare for such a situation which MINTs attempt to expand its influence by forming a collective economic cooperation.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.175-191
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• 2008

Materials Industry has a very large ripple effect on national economic development. Nevertheless, Korea has been passing over importance of this Industry. So, this study examined competitiveness on ten chief exporting items to U.S.A market based on the understanding of vital role of materials industry in the national economy. Analyzing methods were Market Share, Trade Specialization Index(TSI), and Market Comparative Advantage(MCA) and the data were collected through parts and materials statistical data which produced by Korean Commerce and Industry Minister. From this study, following results were found. i) Highly ranked items of U.S.A market share were chemical fiber drapery weaving, synthetic fiber. These items commanded over 10% share of the same market and tire, steel wire occupied 9.05%, 8.65% respectively. ii) In searching trade balance aspects through TSI, tire and steel wire secured very powerful competitiveness among examined items in trading with U.S.A. while synthetic resins and other plastic material were very weak competitiveness in the same market. iii) Analysis results of market competitiveness by MCA, indicated that chemical fiber drapery weaving, synthetic fiber and tire ensured high-powered competitiveness in U.S.A Market. Therefore, these items would be positioned as main items in the market.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.107-120
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• 2020

This study analyzed the competitiveness of major export industries following the FTA between Korea and five Central American countries. Findings revealed that Korea mainly exports industrial products such as ships, automobiles and parts, steel, and electronic devices, and it imports raw materials and agricultural products such as coffee and copper, indicating a complementary trade structure. Similarly, the trade specialization index analysis revealed that Korea specialized in exporting industrial products such as ships, automobiles, steel, and machinery, and in importing primary products such as copper and coffee. Products such as ships, steel, and machinery, which are major export items to Central America, are expected to further strengthen their competitiveness due to tariff cuts. In addition, it is expected that the demand for medicines and medical supplies could increase in future due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study attempted to present implications for establishing export strategies by analyzing the competitiveness of Korea's major export industries in the Central American market, in accordance with the Korean-Central American FTA. These findings could be used as basic data for future entry into South America as a bridgehead in the Central American market.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.27-46
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to analyze the export performance of Korean eyewear products in China market, and derive some implications from the results of the analysis. For the analysis, the statistical data from 2003 to 2013 produced by Korea International Trade Association were used, and Market Share Index, Trade Specialization Index, and Revealed Comparative Advantage Index as an analyzing method were selected. According to the analysis, Korea's eyewear goods market share in China's glasses market was less than 5% on average during the analyzing period amid recording chronic deficits in Korea's eyewear commodities trade to China and by product, contact lenses were competitive, while eyeglass frames, eyeglasses, eyeglass lenses and sunglasses were not competitive. The suggestions for revitalizing Korea's eyewear products exports to the China market are as follows: First, Korea's glasses industry must enhance the ability to develop creative and distinctive product design to meet the needs of Chinese consumers. Second, to meet Chinese consumers preferences, Korea's glasses industry must actively produce new materials and functional products. Third, Korea's glasses industry must improve brand awareness through the continuous launch of new products for the Chinese market. Fourth, Korea's glasses industry must actively promote strategic alliances with domestic and foreign enterprises, and the Hallyu marketing. Fifth, Korea's glasses industry must reasonably improve the unusual products distribution system. Finally, The government must prepare a systematic support system for eyeglasses industry.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.205-234
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• 2011

The study analyzes the shifts of international competition in the digital products market between South Korea and major FTA partners. The analysis utilizes trade statistics to calculate changes in the volume of trade, and in competitiveness between FTA partners. The target countries for this analysis include USA and the European Union with whom Korea has made agreements recently, and the period is set for the decade from 2000 to 2009. The trade records of the UN are employed to investigate the indexes of each country: trade structure and market share of digital products, the trade specialization index (TSI), and annual change of revealed comparative advantage index (RCA) against global market and both the American and EU markets. This analysis shows clearly the status quo of the development and growth of the international competitiveness of South Korea. The study will improve the understanding of international competitiveness in digital products and contents industry, which is rapidly evolving, and of the resulting industrial structure.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.781-799
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• 2009

Korea and China should come up with a mutually beneficial FTA proposal at an early date and thus lead the way towards the FTA. An FTA with China is a key issue of economic cooperation in order to confront soaring Chinese competitiveness in international markets. The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the overall Busan regional economy impacts of the Korea-China FTA. We analyzed the quantitative effects of an FTA by using microeconomic concept. The Korea-China FTA will have positive effects on the overall industry in Busan. Therefore, Busan regional industries exports and imports are expected to grow. Busan is worried the deal would pave the way for imports of cheap Chinese agricultural products, hurting the nation's already fragile agricultural sector. In contrast, Busan's manufacturing sector is expected to see its surplus rise. In sum, we think the FTA will bring benefit to the whole industry in Busan Regional economy because it accelerates development of the industries by trade and investment along with comparative advantage.