• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.151-171
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• 2015

Recent companies have introduced AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) system for a smooth and fast customs clearance to meet the conflicting objectives of trade security and trade facilitation in international trades. The present study was to verify 150 companies that have acquired Korea's AEO certification and its impact from the government and financial support, the effects of AEO certification post management, and the AEO system's utilization satisfaction to seek ways to further activate the AEO system. The research hypothesis and model was derived on the basis of existing theory and empirical research, and obtain the following results. First, government policy supporting the AEO system after certification post management showed positive (+) effect for the AEO satisfaction. Second, AEO certification post management showed positive (+) effect for AEO satisfaction. Third, government funded factor showed negative (-) effect for AEO certification post management. The present study is differentiated from previous research information. The study evaluated the company's satisfaction with the AEO certification, and the government support has empirically evaluated the relationship between the post management and the satisfaction. Academic contribution was conducted for Korea's AEO system's post follow-up research while a practical contribution suggested the direction for our country's organization to take advantage of the AEO system.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.91-110
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• 2016

AEO certification has a positive effect on firm's performance. Therefore, this study analyzed the effect of AEO certification on firm's performance using panel data analysis for firm to have international competitiveness. It uses the Hausman-Taylor test for effective solutions of endogenous matter. In terms of the result of analysis, AEO certification has a positive effect on domestic and foreign sales, especially direct benefit and business process improvement of AEO certification have a positive effect on domestic and foreign sales through the improvement of international logistics flow. In conclusion, this study proposes the policy of AEO certification by analyzing the effect of AEO certification on firm's performance by using the panel data analysis.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.5-12
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• 2014

Purpose - This study identified internationalization factors forKorean SMEs and explored factor differences between AEO and non-AEO authorized companies. Research design, data, and methodology - The study was designed to assess internationalization factors for AEO authorization in Korea through a questionnaire survey and an empirical analysis. The questionnaires were conducted for AEO and Non-AEO authorized companies that were undergoing AEO authorization. The study was conducted through e-mail and AEO manager education classes. Ninety-five questionnaires were collected. We employed the exploratory factor analysis methodology to derive internationalization factors for KoreanSMEs, and explored the factor differences between AEO and Non-AEO authorized companies. Results - AEO authorized companies outperformed Non-AEO authorized companies in R&D and technology. This indicated that AEO authorized companies were recognized as reliable and safe companies by the Korea Customs Service and other Customs services in trade facilitation and customs clearance processes. Conclusions - This study has some implications for AEO authorization and internationalization processes, and involved the empirical analysis of SMEs and the exploratory factor analysis in the internationalization process.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2020

Purpose: The AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) program, created in 2001 in the United States due to 9.11 terrorist's attack, fundamentally changed the trade environment. Korea, which introduced AEO program in 2009, has become one of the world's top countries in the program by ranking 6th in the number of AEO certified companies and the world's No. 1 in MRA (Mutual Recognition Agreement) conclusions. In this paper, we examined what trade-economic and non-economic effects the AEO program and its MRA have in Korea. Research design, data and methodology: In this study we developed a model to verify the impact between utilization of AEO and trade-economic effects of the AEO and its MRA. After analyzing the validity and reliability of the model through Structural Equation Model we conducted a survey to request AEO companies to respond their experience on the effects of AEO program and MRA. As a result, 196 responses were received from 176 AEO companies and utilized in the analysis. Results: With regard to economic effects, the AEO program and the MRA have not been directly linked to financial performance, such as increased sales, increased export and import volumes, reduced management costs, and increased operating profit margins. However, it was analyzed that the positive effects of supply chain management were evident, such as strengthening self-security, monitoring and evaluating risks regularly, strengthening cooperation with trading companies, enhancing cargo tracking capabilities, and reducing the time required for export and import. Conclusions: When it comes to the trade-economic effects of AEO program and its MRA, AEO companies did not satisfy with direct effects, such as increased sales and volume of imports and exports, reduced logistics costs. However, non-economic effects, such as reduced time in customs clearance, freight tracking capability, enhanced security in supply chain are still appears to be big for them. In a rapidly changing trade environment the AEO and MRA are still useful. Therefore the government needs to encourage non-AEO companies to join the AEO program, expand MRA conclusion with AEO adopted countries especially developing ones and help AEO companies make good use of AEO and MRA.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.52-67
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• 2019

Purpose - This study analyzes the effect of the authorized economic operator-mutual recognition arrangement (AEO-MRA) on the performance of Korean exporters and importers. The effect of the import-export companies' characteristics, such as annual sales, the number of foreign markets, and overseas experience, on the AEO-MRA is deduced; the relationship between this effect and firm performance is analyzed. Design/methodology - An empirical research model was constructed and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The effect of AEO-MRA on logistics and operational performance was derived from the aforementioned characteristics as leading factors of the AEO-MRA. The regulatory influence of cooperation with logistics companies was analyzed in the AEO-MRA effect on logistics performance. Thus, 172 valid samples were obtained from import-export companies certified by the AEO-MRA. Findings - Among the aforementioned characteristics, only "annual sales" has a positive effect on the AEO-MRA, whose effect enhances logistics and operational performances. The AEO-MRA effect did not directly affect operational performance. Owing to the adjustment effect analysis, the AEO-MRA effect and logistics performance relationship is strengthened if the cooperative relationship with the logistics company is higher than a certain level. If this cooperation falls below a certain level, the AEO-MRA effect on logistics performance reduces. Thus, logistics cooperation is an important factor in the AEO-MRA effect and logistics performance relationship. Originality/value - Hinging on the resource-based theory and relational viewpoint, an empirical model that explains the relationship between the AEO-MRA effect and firm performance is established.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.79-83
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• 2010

수출입 물품이 제도와 운송 및 보관 또는 통관 등 무역과 관련된 자가 안전관리 기준을 충족하는 경우 세관이 AEO로 공인하고 통관절차상 우대하는 방안이 AEO제도이다. 이 연구에서는 국내 AEO 공인 제도와 AEO 인증 기준 및 절차에 따른 세부 가이드라인에 대해 분석한다.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.45-68
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• 2014

Since the introduction of AEO certification in South Korea in 2008, 516 areas have been AEO certified based on a report dated December 31st, 2013. The number is expected to increase drastically as more and more companies strive to obtain the AEO certification. In this regards, this study is designed to contribute to the further invigoration of the AEO certification system as well as to propose directions to improve companies' performance in a practical point of view. To do so, the writer reviewed the past studies done in the relevant subjects in order to 1) grasp the principal subject, 2) catch the areas with insufficient information/lacking points, and to 3) get a focus on future directions on how additional research should be conducted. An analysis of the past studies proved that prior to the introduction of the AEO certification, the focus of the studies were to present the reasons as to why AEO should be introduced, the benefits of AEO, and a comparative analysis of countries already in wide usage of the AEO system. Studies done after the introduction of AEO (that is, after 2008) focused mainly on invigorating the system into the market. Compared to the previous studies, this study will present a distinct conclusion by breaking down the major points of each study on a year-by-year basis and studying them in total in order to provide an even more practical direction in the future of AEO in South Korea.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.17-29
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• 2020

This study analyzed that the effects of AEO MRA benefit on decreasing of trade cost and the strategies for expanding of trade. It uses the system GMM for effective solutions of endogenous matter with lagged dependent variable. In terms of the result of analysis, AEO MRA has a positive effect on decreasing of trade cost, especially this study proved the result of previous study AEO MRA expanded the trade through improving the time required for customs clearance and deregulation of non-tariff barriers. In conclusion, this study proposes the policy fo AEO MRA by analyzing the trade cost of AEO MRA by using the system GMM.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.49
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• pp.167-188
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• 2011

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has designed standards to secure and to facilitate the ever-growing flow of goods in international commerce since 9.11 terrorism in U.S.A. These standards are set forth in the SAFE Framework of Standards, which was adopted by the WCO Council at its 2005 Sessions and the SAFE Framework incorporates the concept of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), and the Council directed the WCO to develop more detailed implementing provisions for the AEO concept. It is considered to be reliable in customs-related operations and ensures an equivalent level of protection in customs controls for goods brought into or out of the customs territory, whereas it is difficult for many Korean companies to make a decision of introducing the AEO certification programs because of a lack of cost and benefit information. In this article, We have reviewed the definition and the developing status of an AEO programmes and have studied the benefit and expected effect through documentary research methods. Therefore, it is essential for Korean companies to be certified the AEO programmes from Korea customs service for increasing security in international supply chains through risk management and customs compliance, in addition, the key-driver in the future will be expectations from the business community to work with AEO partners.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.47
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• pp.263-298
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• 2010

The global trading system is vulnerable to terrorist exploitation while the international trade is an essential element for the economic development. Customs has a unique role in the international trade to provide increased security while ensuring facilitation of the legitimate flow of goods and the role of Customs has become more and more indispensable these days. In response to this trend, the World Customs Organization(WCO), the organization of more than 170 Customs administrations all over the world, adopted an international framework("SAFE Framework") in 2005, which includes the Authorized Economic Operator(AEO) concept, whereby a party involved in the international movement of goods would be approved by Customs as complying with the supply chain security standards, and given benefits, such as simplified Customs procedure and less Customs intervention. In this stream, the Japanese government has developed and promoted AEO Program in close cooperation with the business sector, aiming at ensuring security while facilitating legitimate trade. For that purpose, Japan Customs, as a main entity in the field of international trade, has developed comprehensive AEO program with combination of programs for importers, exporters, warehouse operators, Customs brokers and logistics operators, such as forwarders and carriers, which are consistent with the "SAFE Framework" developed by the WCO. The purpose of this paper aims to analyse the introduction plans of AEO program for the trade security and trade facilitation with Japanese AEO system.