• Title/Summary/Keyword: turnover rate

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The Job Stress and Mental Health of the Insurance Reviewer (보험심사 근무직의 직무스트레스와 정신건강)

  • Kyoungjin Song;Jeongwon Lee
    • Journal of Service Research and Studies
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.31-44
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    • 2021
  • The net function of the domestic medical insurance system is highly regarded, but due to the problem of incomplete coverage, the public wants to secure coverage through private medical insurance subscription. As a result, the subscription rate of private medical insurance has recently increased, and the billing rate has also increased. As the number of people seeking private medical insurance increased, workers at private medical insurance companies are experiencing increased job stress and side effects, especially for insurance reviewers who are in charge of paying insurance, such as communicating with customers who claimed insurance and contributing to the company's profit. In response, this study analyzed the effects of job stress on mental health of insurance reviewers and conducted a descriptive survey study to reduce job stress of insurance reviewers and promote mental health. The analysis shows that job stress for insurance reviewers has a significant impact on mental health (+). In detail, job stress has a significant impact on all four factors: social performance and self-confidence, depression, sleeping disturbance and anxiety, and general well-being and vitality. This study showed that job stress in insurance reviewers has a significant (+) impact on mental health. Job stress can cause side effects in organizational aspects, such as reducing enthusiasm for job performance and increasing turnover and resignation rates, but it can also worsen individual physical health and cause diseases such as depression and anxiety, causing mental health to be impoverished. Therefore, in order to prevent this, appropriate work stress prevention methods and countermeasures should be provided to help reduce work stress and improve mental health.

A Study on Non-financial Factors Affecting the Insolvency of Social Enterprises (사회적기업의 부실에 영향을 미치는 비재무요인에 관한 연구 )

  • Yong-Chan, Chun;Hyeok, Kim;Dong-Myung, Lee
    • Journal of Industrial Convergence
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    • v.21 no.11
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    • pp.13-27
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    • 2023
  • This study aims to contribute to the reduction of the failure rate and social costs resulting from business failures by analyzing factors that affect the insolvency of social enterprises, as the role of social enterprises is increasing in our economy. The data used in this study were classified as normal and insolvent companies among social enterprises (including prospective social enterprises) that were established between 2009 and 2018 and received credit guarantees from credit guarantee institutions as of the end of June 2022. Among the collected data, 439 social enterprises with available financial information were targeted; 406 (92.5%) were normal enterprises, and 33 (7.5%) were insolvent enterprises. Through a literature review, eight non-financial factors commonly used for insolvency prediction were selected. The cross-analysis results showed that four of these factors were significant. Logistic regression analysis revealed that two variables, including corporate credit rating and the personal credit rating of the representative, were significant. Financial factors such as debt ratio, sales operating profit rate, and total asset turnover were used as control variables. The empirical analysis confirmed that the two independent variables maintained their influence even after controlling for financial factors. Given that government-led support and development policies have limitations, there is a need to shift policy direction so that various companies aspiring to create social value can enter the social enterprise sector through private and regional initiatives. This would enable the social economy to create an environment where local residents can collaborate to realize social value, and the government should actively support this.

A Study on Effective Management & Administration System for Deluxe Hotel Kitchen in Seoul Area. (관공호텔 조리직무의 분업과 통합에 따른 문제점과 개선방안에 관한 연구)

  • 라영선
    • Culinary science and hospitality research
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    • v.1
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    • pp.57-89
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    • 1995
  • Despite prologed business stagnation of both international and domestic economy, hotel business as well as tourist industry has continuously been keeping growing, owing to increase of surplus income and world flowing population. During recent 4 years, growth rate of yearly mean in domestic hotels reached 9.9% and especially that of the superior class hotels 15.2%. In the composition of domestic tourist hotel's revenue, the earnings of guest rooms form 37.4%, on the other hand those of food & beverage 39.9%. This result is that our hotel business is concentrated on its interest in FOOD & BEVERAGE of which productivity per unit dimension can be increased to an unlimited extent and extent and superior class hotels strengthened in F&B are increasing in comparison with European or American hotels which are focused on guest rooms in their management. For value added rate of F&B is low as compared with increase of their earnings, they are interested in the management techniques which focus on rising the rate. As for the cost of Food & Beverage, personnel expenditure forms 36.5% and the direct materials 31.5%. Therefore how to manage personnel and materials costs which compose as much as 68% of total revenue will greatly affect net profit. We can say that an effective management technique in cost of Food & Beverage is one of the most important know-hows in hotel management. Especially management know-how for the Kitchen Department where the most of foods come out makes a great effects on various expenses, productivity and it is the achievement from hotel management. For the most of the hotel's top managers, they don't seriously take the fact that KITCHEN SYSTEM affects greatly total expenditure. This study starts from the point of recognizing the question of fundamental cause affecting tow largest cost elements incurred in Food & Beverage and trying to present an effective kitchen system. To settle the questions raised, I compared and analyzed productivity and cost of food & beverage and unit kitchen centered around superior class hotels in Seoul, which vary in Kitchen Systems. In order to attain the aforementioned study effectively purpose of this study, I compared Room-Service and Coffee-Shop Menu, flow of basic food in the kitchen, extent and result of division of labor and integration in the kitchen, scale of outlet kitchen, productivity, the turnover rate of food in store, food cost rate one another which all vary in Kitchen Systems. All these elements are compared and analyzed each other being divided into two main groups such as①. Main Production kitchen and Banquet Kitchen, and ②. coffee-shop kitchen and Room-service Kitchen. Therefore this study is to point out the problems in managing kitchens of superior class hotels which are different in systems. An effort was made to find out the better Kitchen System for superior deluxe hotels. I emphasize the followings on the proper scale of division of labor and integration of unit kitchen and a disposition plan for outlet kitchens of restaurant. First, KITCHEN SYSTEM as a sub-system of Hotel Management System is composed of sub-systems of outlet unit kitchen. Basic food materials are cooked and served for the guests while support kitchen and out restaurant kitchen interact organically each other. So Kitchen should be considered as a system composed of integrated sub-systems. Second, support and banquet kitchens should be integrated to be managed. And these unit kitchens have to be designed to be placed in the back of banquet rooms area. Third, coffee-shop kitchen and room-service kitchen should be integrated to be managed. Fourth, several unit business kitchens should be place on the same floor. Fifth, main production kitchens ought to be located near the loading duck, food store and large refrigerator. Sixth, considering the limits of supervision, duties should be adjusted as 12-20 cooks in two shifts a day for a sub-kitchen, and 18-30 cooks in three shifts a day so that labor division can be made. Last, I would like to two points for direction and task of future study. Firstly, I compare the effective income and increasing costs each other, which are incurred by increasing the use rate of the second processing materials for foods perched outside and through the results. I can find out the better points of the processing production and circulation system, and then I study this effects made on hotel kitchen system. Secondly, I can point out that more efficient kitchen system shall be established through comparing and analyzing the matter of amount of indirect costs and flow of food in different kitchen systems.

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The study on the entry of dental technicians in the public health center for a manpower supply and demand plane (Centering around a denture insurance policy in 2012) (인력수급 대책을 위한 치과기공사의 보건지소 진출에 관한 연구 - 2012년 틀니보험화 정책을 중심으로 -)

  • Lee, Jong-Do;Kim, Jeong-Sook;Park, Kwang-Sig
    • Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.417-433
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: This study evaluated the manpower planning of dental technicians. Methods: Methods : Survey was conducted regarding subject's general characteristics, characteristics of dental technician's occupational view and working conditions, and reason to enter into branches of the public health enter. The survey sample consisted of 323 dental technicians (221 male/ 102 female). Survey was conducted for one month from August 1 to September 1 in 2010. Following results were obtained. Results: 1. Regarding general characteristics of the subjects, there was a slight male predilection with 68.4%. Subjects in their 40s occupied the highest proportion of 32.2%. Majority of subjects worked in the big cities (71.5%). Favored working places were dental laboratory (57.6%) and dental hospital or dental clinic (19.5%). Although no position is available in the public sector such as public health center or health care civil servant, 9.3% preferred working in the public health center. Public sector is more favored than 2-year technical colleges or dental supply and equipment companies. In respect to education, 57% of the subjects graduated college. 67.8% were married. Subjects who specialize in the porcelain or all-ceramic were 57.9%. With regard to current position, head of the dental laboratory was most common. 2. Following occupation characteristics were found. Economic reason took the highest proportion when deciding their occupation (39.9%) followed by gaining social experience (36.5%). Majority of the subjects (76.5%) wanted to work as dental technicians until their retirement. 71.5% pursuit to become a manager of the dental laboratory. 76.1% agreed on opening a dental technician position in the public health center. Regarding an authority to lead developing the dental technician position in the public sector, majority of the subject chose ministry of health and welfare (35.6%) and Korean dental technologist association (34.7%). Employment (average, 30%) and turnover rate (average, 36.5%) of dental technology college graduates ranged from 40% to 60%. Most important factors for the employment were practical experience (41.2%) and competency (34.4%). With regard to job satisfaction, so-so as 46.7% and satisfactory was 42.7% 3. In respect to the reason for opening a position in the public health center, 'It is needed to continue denture rogram for elderly patients' obtained the highest score (4.14 point). 'Institutional devices are required to open a position for dental technicians as a public healthcare provider' received high score (4.11 point). 4. Concerning the working conditions, 'professional knowledge is required' received the highest score (4.23) followed by 'too short maternity and parental leave' (4.21). 5. Relationship between general characteristics of the subjects and favor of working in the public health center was investigated. Significant differences were found according to the current and favored working area, favored occupation, education level, marital status, and specialty. Working in the public health center was favored by following subjects: working in mid- or small-sized cities (4.16 point, p<0.05); PhD degree-holder (4.59 point, p<0.01). 6. Among general characteristics of the subjects, significant difference of working conditions was found in the following factors: gender; working areas; favored working areas; favored working positions, and education level. Majority of subjects favored working in big cities and currently work in big cities although satisfaction was comparatively low (3.75 score). 7. Future plan to work in public health center was evaluated according to occupational characteristics. Subject's intention to work in the public healthcare center was significantly affected by opening of dental technician position, leading authority, average turnover rate, and factors affecting employment. Working in the public health care center was favored by the following subjects: Dental technicians who actively supported opening of the dental technician position (4.34 point, p<0.001); subjects who thought the Korean dental technologist association is responsible for the opening of positions in the public sector (4.26 point, p<0.001); and subjects who thought that attitude and character are important for the employment (p<0.001). 8. Concerning difference of working conditions according to the occupational characteristics, significant difference was demonstrated by factors such as a reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, pursuing position, responsible authority, average employment rate, and job satisfaction. High standard of working conditions was required in subjects who selected to be a dental technician for the leisure time after work (s.05 point, p<0.01), who planted to work until their marriage (4.25 point, p<0.001), and who pursuit to be a manager (3.98, p<0.05). 9. In respect to influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.068 and age affected the working condition with significant difference according to the pvalue. 10. Regarding influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.335 and work plan, opening of dental technician position in the public sector, and responsible authority had significant influence over the subject's intention to work in the public health center according to the p-value. 11. With regard to the influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.091 and reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, and responsible authority significantly affected subject's working conditions. Conclusion: Korean society is becoming a super-aged society according to several statistics. As aged population is rapidly increasing, national health insurance plans to cover denture for senior citizen over 75 years old from 2012. Therefore, dental technicians are urgently needed in the public health centers all over the nation. Many subjects in this study planed to work until their retirement and recognized dental technician's expertise. Ministry of health and welfare and Korean dental technologist association should co-operate each other to prepare foundation and institutional devices for dental technicians to advance into the public health center. This will improve oral health of the population. This study showed urgency of medical facilities and services which meets increasing number of aged population and welfare of the population.

A Study on Hoslital Nurses' Preferred Duty Shift and Duty Hours (병원 간호사의 선호근무시간대에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Gyeong-Sik;Jeong, Geum-Hui
    • The Korean Nurse
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.77-96
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    • 1997
  • The duty shifts of hospital nurses not only affect nurses' physical and mental health but also present various personnel management problems which often result in high turnover rates. In this context a study was carried out from October to November 1995 for a period of two months to find out the status of hospital nurses' duty shift patterns, and preferred duty hours and fixed duty shifts. The study population was 867 RNs working in five general hospitals located in Seoul and its vicinity. The questionnaire developed by the writer was used for data collection. The response rate was 85.9 percent or 745 returns. The SAS program was used for data analysis with the computation of frequencies, percentages and Chi square test. The findings of the study are as follows: 1. General characteristics of the study population: 56 percent of respondents was (25 years group and 76.5 percent were "single": the predominant proportion of respondents was junior nursing college graduates(92.2%) and have less than 5 years nursing experience in hospitals(65.5%). For their future working plan in nursing profession, nearly 50% responded as uncertain The reasons given for their career plan was predominantly 'personal growth and development' rather than financial reasons. 2. The interval for rotations of duty stations was found to be mostly irregular(56.4%) while others reported as weekly(16.1%), monthly(12.9%), and fixed terms(4.6%). 3. The main problems related to duty shifts particularly the evening and night duty nurses reported were "not enough time for the family, " "afraid of security problems after the work when returning home late at night." and "lack of leisure time". "problems in physical and physiological adjustment." "problems in family life." "lack of time for interactions with fellow nurses" etc. 4. The forty percent of respondents reported to have '1-2 times' of duty shift rotations while all others reported that '0 time'. '2-3 times'. 'more than 3 times' etc. which suggest the irregularity in duty shift rotations. 5. The majority(62.8%) of study population found to favor the rotating system of duty stations. The reasons for favoring the rotation system were: the opportunity for "learning new things and personal development." "better human relations are possible. "better understanding in various duty stations." "changes in monotonous routine job" etc. The proportion of those disfavor the rotating 'system was 34.7 percent. giving the reasons of"it impedes development of specialization." "poor job performances." "stress factors" etc. Furthermore. respondents made the following comments in relation to the rotation of duty stations: the nurses should be given the opportunity to participate in the. decision making process: personal interest and aptitudes should be considered: regular intervals for the rotations or it should be planned in advance. etc. 6. For the future career plan. the older. married group with longer nursing experiences appeared to think the nursing as their lifetime career more likely than the younger. single group with shorter nursing experiences ($x^2=61.19.{\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=41.55.{\;}p=.000$). The reason given for their future career plan regardless of length of future service, was predominantly "personal growth and development" rather than financial reasons. For further analysis, the group those with the shorter career plan appeared to claim "financial reasons" for their future career more readily than the group who consider the nursing job as their lifetime career$(x^2$= 11.73, p=.003) did. This finding suggests the need for careful .considerations in personnel management of nursing administration particularly when dealing with the nurses' career development. The majority of respondents preferred the fixed day shift. However, further analysis of those preferred evening shift by age and civil status, "< 25 years group"(15.1%) and "single group"(13.2) were more likely to favor the fixed evening shift than > 25 years(6.4%) and married(4.8%)groups. This differences were statistically significant ($x^2=14.54, {\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=8.75, {\;}p=.003$). 7. A great majority of respondents(86.9% or n=647) found to prefer the day shifts. When the four different types of duty shifts(Types A. B. C, D) were presented, 55.0 percent of total respondents preferred the A type or the existing one followed by D type(22.7%). B type(12.4%) and C type(8.2%). 8. When the condition of monetary incentives for the evening(20% of salary) and night shifts(40% of. salary) of the existing duty type was presented. again the day shift appeared to be the most preferred one although the rate was slightly lower(66.4% against 86.9%). In the case of evening shift, with the same incentive, the preference rates for evening and night shifts increased from 11.0 to 22.4 percent and from 0.5 to 3.0 percent respectively. When the age variable was controlled. < 25 yrs group showed higher rates(31.6%. 4.8%) than those of > 25 yrs group(15.5%. 1.3%) respectively preferring the evening and night shifts(p=.000). The civil status also seemed to operate on the preferences of the duty shifts as the single group showed lower rate(69.0%) for day duty against 83. 6% of the married group. and higher rates for evening and night duties(27.2%. 15.1%) respectively against those of the married group(3.8%. 1.8%) while a higher proportion of the married group(83. 6%) preferred the day duties than the single group(69.0%). These differences were found to be statistically all significant(p=.001). 9. The findings on preferences of three different types of fixed duty hours namely, B, C. and D(with additional monetary incentives) are as follows in order of preference: B type(12hrs a day, 3days a wk): day shift(64.1%), evening shift(26.1%). night shift(6.5%) C type(12hrs a day. 4days a wk) : evening shift(49.2%). day shift(32.8%), night shift(11.5%) D type(10hrs a day. 4days a wk): showed the similar trend as B type. The findings of higher preferences on the evening and night duties when the incentives are given. as shown above, suggest the need for the introductions of different patterns of duty hours and incentive measures in order to overcome the difficulties in rostering the nursing duties. However, the interpretation of the above data, particularly the C type, needs cautions as the total number of respondents is very small(n=61). It requires further in-depth study. In conclusion. it seemed to suggest that the patterns of nurses duty hours and shifts in the most hospitals in the country have neither been tried for different duty types nor been flexible. The stereotype rostering system of three shifts and insensitiveness for personal life aspect of nurses seemed to be prevailing. This study seems to support that irregular and frequent rotations of duty shifts may be contributing factors for most nurses' maladjustment problems in physical and mental health. personal and family life which eventually may result in high turnover rates. In order to overcome the increasing problems in personnel management of hospital nurses particularly in rostering of evening and night duty shifts, which may related to eventual high turnover rates, the findings of this study strongly suggest the need for an introduction of new rostering systems including fixed duties and appropriate incentive measures for evenings and nights which the most nurses want to avoid, In considering the nursing care of inpatients is the round-the clock business. the practice of the nursing duty shift system is inevitable. In this context, based on the findings of this study. the following are recommended: 1. The further in-depth studies on duty shifts and hours need to be undertaken for the development of appropriate and effective rostering systems for hospital nurses. 2. An introduction of appropriate incentive measures for evening and night duty shifts along with organizational considerations such as the trials for preferred duty time bands, duty hours, and fixed duty shifts should be considered if good quality of care for the patients be maintained for the round the clock. This may require an initiation of systematic research and development activities in the field of hospital nursing administration as a part of permanent system in the hospital. 3. Planned and regular intervals, orientation and training, and professional and personal growth should be considered for the rotation of different duty stations or units. 4. In considering the higher degree of preferences in the duty type of "10hours a day, 4days a week" shown in this study, it would be worthwhile to undertake the R&D type studies in large hospital settings.

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Relationship of Early Lactation and Bovine Somatotropin to Water Metabolism and Mammary Circulation of Crossbred Holstein Cattle

  • Maksiri, W.;Chanpongsang, S.;Chaiyabutr, N.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.18 no.11
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    • pp.1600-1608
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    • 2005
  • The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of exogenous bovine somatotropin on water metabolism in relation to mammary function in early lactation of crossbred Holstein cattle. Ten, 87.5% crossbred Holstein cattle were divided into two groups of 5 animals each. At day 60 of lactation, the control group was given placebo while animals in the experimental group were given recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) by subcutaneous injection with 500 mg of rbST (14-days prolonged-release rbST). In rbSTtreated animals, milk yield increased 19.8%, which coincided with a significant increase in water intake (p<0.01), while DM daily intake was not different when compared to the control animals. Water turnover rate as absolute values significantly increased (p<0.05), while the biological half-life of water did not change in rbST-treated animals. Total body water (TBW) and total body water space (TOH) as absolute values significantly increased (p<0.01) in rbST-treated animals, while it was decreased in the control animals. Absolute values of empty body water (EBW) markedly increased (p<0.05), which was associated with an increase in the extracellular fluid (ECF) volume. Absolute values of plasma volume and blood volume were also significantly increased (p<0.05) in rbST-treated animals. The increase in mammary blood flow in rbST-treated animals was proportionally higher than an increase in milk production. The plasma IGF-1 concentration was significantly increased (p<0.01) in rbST-treated animals when compared with those of control animals during the treatment period. Milk fat concentration increased during rbST treatment, while the concentrations of both protein and lactose in milk were not affected. The present results indicate that rbST exerts its effect on an increase in both TBW and EBW. An increased ECF compartment in rbST-treated animals might partly result from the decrease in fat mass during early lactation. The action of rbST on mammary blood flow might not be mediated solely by the action of IGF-1 for increase in blood flow to mammary gland. An elevation of body fluid during rbST treatment in early lactation may be partly a result of an increase in mammary blood flow in distribution of milk precursors to the gland.

Wastepaper as a Bulking Agent for Butchery Wastes Composting (도축 폐기물의 퇴비화에 있어서 수분조절제로서 폐휴지 이용)

  • Lee, Suk-Young;You, Chang-Sung
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.183-188
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    • 1998
  • Changes of chemical and physical properties of the butchery waste compost were assessed when the wastepaper was used as a bulking agent (BP). Temperature of compost, with frequent turnover, was increased up to $83^{\circ}C$ even during the winter. Canon exchange capacity of the compost was increased with composting time, but pH, water content, total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio and salt concentration were decreased to the extents showing a convergency. Heavy metal contents of BP-192 were lower than the standard criteria. Germination rate of cucumber seed, when BP-34 and BP-96 composts were applied more than 15 g, was under 40%, but those of BP-143 and BP-192 were 100%, irrespective of the amounts of compost used. The C/N ratio of the matured compost was 8.6. Results indicated that wastepaper might be employed as a bulking agent for butchery wastes composting.

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The Effects of the Service Quality of the TSO(Trade Support Organization) on the Utilization, Satisfaction and Performance of the Exporting Firms (무역지원기관의 서비스품질과 기업특성이 수출기업의 무역지원기관 서비스 만족도, 활용도 및 수출성과에 미치는 영향)

  • Hwang, Kyung-Yun;Moon, Hee-Cheol;Bae, Myong-Ryeol
    • International Commerce and Information Review
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.275-298
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    • 2011
  • In 2010, it appears that Korean economic growth rate heavily depends on its international trade. Thus, a sustainable growth of the international trade is very important to Korea. To increase export, a continuous making profits is the most important to companies and TSO(Trade Support Organization) needs to provide a trade support services to the exporting firms. In this context, this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the correlation between company performance and service quality, utilization and customer satisfaction of TSO. Some implications from the results of this study are suggested. First, TSO needs to boost the utilization of its services by enhancing systemizing, reliability and empathy of its service qualities. And then, TSO needs to encourage companies to focus on export-oriented business mind, since these companies have tendency to show a better practical application and high degree of performance as well. Third, TSO needs to develop some exceptional services for the companies with the low weight of export in turnover since those groups tend to have higher customer satisfaction. Our major findings contribute to the trade support service planning of TSO.

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Rearing Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in a Water Reuse System with Mineral Particles and foam Fractionator (광물미립자와 포말분리장치를 이용한 사육수 재사용시스템에서의 넙치(Paralichthys olivaceus) 사육실험)

  • 민병서;강필애
    • Journal of Aquaculture
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.223-230
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    • 2000
  • A rearing experiment of the olive flounder was performed in a set of water-reuse system to test the reusability of the water in culture system with (i) a foam fractionator to separate particles from water and (ii) a culture tank contain mineral particles to filter the metabolic wastes by adsorption and/or decomposition. Two kinds of commercially processed loess particles and a dolomite particle (all 50 ${\mu}$diameter) were tested. The mineral particles were suspended in the culture tank and the water was pumped into the foam fractionator, where the particles were separated and drained out with foam from the system. In a circular culture tank of 4.8 m in diameter with 10 d water, the juvenile olive flounders (23.1 g/fish, 5,555 fish, 128 kg total body weight) were stocked. 90 % of the rearing water was reused and turnover rate of the water in the tank was two times per hour. Water temperature was maintained 17${\pm}$1$^{\circ}C$. At the end of 75 day-experimental rearing, 5,532 flounders, weighing 468 kg, were harvested. An individual flounder grew to 84.6 g of body weight. The final stocking density was 26.0 kg/$m^2$. No diseases were observed during the experiment.

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Matter dynamics with respect to influences of C3 and C4 plants in four subtropical grasslands of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, India

  • Paulsamy, Subramanium;Kil, Bong-Soup;Sivashanmugam, Munusamy
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.259-267
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    • 2012
  • Biomass changes, net primary production and transfer dynamics of dry matter in four subtropical humid montane grasslands at Ebbenadu, Korakundah, Thiashola and Wenlockdown in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), the Western Ghats, India, were investigated. Despite the early report of a higher density and dominance of $C_4$ species over $C_3$ species in these grasslands, no functional study of matter production had previously been carried out. Therefore, in order to determine the roles played by these two groups of species, the present study was attempted. The study revealed that the dry matter and net primary production contributed by $C_4$ species were much greater than those of its $C_3$ counterpart in all the grasslands. The turnover rate of aboveground dry matter for both $C_3$ and $C_4$ species was generally rapid, whereas it was slow for belowground parts, and litter components of $C_3$ and $C_4$ species together. In all grasslands, generally about 60% and 10% of the input were channeled to aboveground and belowground parts, respectively, by the $C_4$ species, whereas the $C_3$ species transferred only about 22% and 8% of dry matter to aboveground and belowground parts, respectively. The total disappearance of dry matter was 2.73, 2.10, 3.19, and $1.96\;g\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$ in Ebbenadu, Korakundah, Thiashola and Wenlockdown grasslands, which was 48.83%, 44.30%, 54.81%, and 41.09% of the total input, respectively, in these grasslands. This resulted in a considerable surplus dry matter production in all the grasslands studied. This balance sheet of dry matter in community function indicates that all the four studied grasslands were supporting the existing wild animals adequately in terms of pasture supply. The study further revealed that the stronger establishment of $C_4$ species rather than their $C_3$ counterparts, in terms of higher density and dominance, has driven them to play major roles in matter dynamics and system transfer functions in all the four grasslands studied. This fact evidenced that pasture from $C_4$ species for wild animals was determined to be higher in comparison to that of $C_3$ species.