• Health Policy and Management
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.191-210
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• 1996

This study purported to acquire information necessary to improve the operational efficiency of general hospitals. It tried to determine major indices which represent managerial performance of general hospitals and to identify the managerial characteristics of general hospital which affect the major financial indices. 201 hospitals which were subject to standardization audit by the Korean Hospital Association were investigated and 80 hospitals were finally chosen for this study. Their financial and managerial data during the period between January 1991 and December 1991 were collected. Considering financial indices in this study were the ration of net income to total asset, income growth rate, and quick ration. The results of study are summarized as followings. First. The ration of net income to total assets and quick ration were highly related to managerial characteristics of general hospitals. Therefore, the standardization of three financial indices should be needed to systematically check the operational efficiency of general hospitals. Second, the sample hospitals can be classified as four groups on the basis of their financial indices' level. 4 of those hospitals(5.0%) showed high level of performance in terms of three financial indices and 27 of them(33.7%) showed that they are highly related to only two financial indices. 34 hospitals(42.5%) showed they have high level of relationship with only one indices and 15 hospitals(18.8%) showed very weak performance level with three indices. In addition, there is no hospitals to show mid-range level of managerial performance in relation to all three financial indices. Third, there is no significant relationship between three financial indices and the managerial characteristics of hospitals such as the number of beds, type of operation, location of hospitals, and etc. However, in the case of hospitals which have high level of managerial performance, they have more specialists and medical support personnel in comparison to low performance hospitals. They also have high level of bed occupancy rate and average length of stay(ALOS). In conclusion, the study showed the standardization of 3 financial indices are necessary to systematically evaluate the managerial performance of general hospitals and provide more accurate operational information for each hospital. To do so, it is necessary to focus on management side of hospital such as the effective human resource management and quality enhancement of medical treatment.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2017

Korean solar energy companies are currently suffering bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation of operation, lay-off or other similar event and most of the conglomerate are also downsized or discontinued operations in the industry. This study aims to assist Korean solar energy companies in making decision to overcome the current industrial crisis through looking into the Korean companies' growth, encounter with the crisis and strategies to survive. The main research topic in this study is a comparison between respective effect of M&A and restructuring on corporate value to understand such effects on solar energy companies. In this study, we utilized a variety of research methodologies, including dummy regression analysis, binary analysis of variance, analysis of cross addition to T-test was carried out empirical analysis. As a result, it seems that the companies who chose an M&A are facing a better situation in terms of survival and market share despite the ongoing crisis. Through this study, it could be found that, for a technology company, an M&A would be a better option than restructuring to grow and overcome a crisis.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-88
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• 2021

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the determinants of SWFs' investment in Asian countries and to identify consistent investment patterns of SWFs in specific target firms from Asia, particularly China and South Korea. Design/methodology - This study extends the Tobin's Q model to examine the relationship between SWF investments in target firms and their returns with other firm-level control variables. We collect consistent data on SWF investments and the matched firm-level data on target firms, which of observation is 1,512 firms (333 in South Korea and 1,179 in China) targeted by 20 SWF sources during 1997-2017. The panel random effect model is used to estimate the extended Tobin's Q model. The robustness of the estimations is tested by the simultaneous equation models and the panel GEE model. Findings - The evidence shows that sovereign wealth funds are more inclined to invest in the financial sector with a monopoly position and in large firms with higher growth opportunity and superior cash asset ratios in China. In contrast to their investments in China, sovereign wealth funds in South Korea prefer to invest in strategic sectors, such as energy and information technology, and in large firms with high performance and low leverage. Sovereign wealth funds' investments tend to significantly improve the target firm's performance measured by sales growth and returns in both Korea and China. Originality/value - The existing literature focuses on examining the determination of SWFs investment in the developed countries, such as Europe and the United States. Our paper contributes to the literature in three ways; first, we analyzes case studies of SWF investments in Asian markets, which are less developed and riskier. Second, we examine whether the determination of SWF investment in Asian target firms depends on the different time periods, on types of sources of SWFs, and on acquiring countries. Third, our research uses vast sample data on target firms in longer time periods (1997-2017) than other previous studies on the SWFs for Asian markets.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.659-666
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• 2023

Characterized by boom-and-bust cycles, low entry barriers, and an almost perfectly competitive structure, the construction industry presents a unique challenge for the survival and growth of its constituent companies. A crucial aspect of this challenge is the ongoing monitoring of their financial health and business performance. To understand the typical financial and operational status of construction companies, this study analyzes the financial statements of 6,252 such companies, all of which have undergone at least one external audit between 2000 and 2019. These statements were used to develop combined financial profiles and derive industry averages. The findings indicate that the construction industry experiences limited growth in sales and profitability. High leverage ratios can jeopardize financial stability, pushing companies to seek production efficiency, such as enhancing gross asset turnover. This tendency has been particularly noticeable in the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-48
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• 2018

SK group has been a pioneer in overall brand management and, more recently, in CSR-imbedded brand management. SK vision of "improving itself to give greater happiness to all of its customers" and the symbol mark of "Wings of Happiness" are some good examples of integrating distinct brand identities of various member companies. After impressive growth and expansions into diverse business areas, SK group is ranked as the third largest company based on asset amounts according to the Fair Trade Commission of Korea, only after Samsung and Hyundai Motor groups. SK brand management can be analyzed, using the framework of 4 stages - 'infrastructure', 'planning', 'doing', and 'seeing' stages. In order to secure 'infrastructure' of brand management system, SK has invested huge resources to the 'SK BMS' (SK Brand Management System). At the 'planning' stage, the most important task of SK like other Korean business groups is perhaps to adopt a well-organized 'brand identity (BI) system' which may consolidate brand values of individual member companies. In actuality, SK BI consists of Customer Happiness located at the center and 3 other elements of Pride, Professionalism, and Customer-orientation. At the 'doing' stage, the slogan of 'OK! SK' and the logo of 'Wings of Happiness' have been placed at the core of the SK group brand building programs. SK adopts the principle of 'independent yet united', pinpointing that each member company independently works for its business performance but it is, at the same time, encouraged to integrate its capabilities for the SK group brand. In addition, SK has sought 'shared growth' with business partners for happiness for all the members in the society. 'Social Contribution Philosophy' based on SK value of 'creation of greater happiness' is again one of the most important guidelines for CSR (corporate social responsibility) at the doing stage. At the seeing stage, SK regularly evaluates its branding programs. SK has shown some very impressive achievements in brand management: (1) a core identity of 'Customer Happiness' participating member companies may share, (2) harmonious relationships between the group brand management office and brand management divisions of member companies, and (3) consistency-keeping in brand management over time. However, there remain two major challenges: (1) globalization of SK and (2) reinforcing sustainable superiority over not only Korean rivals but also global ones.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.229-262
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• 2020

The price-to-earnings ratio (PER) is an important indicator to measure the stock price and profitability of a firm; it is also the most used valuation indicator among investors. When using the PER to compare the investment values of different stocks, these stocks must come from the same sector. This study mainly focuses on the China's listed manufacturing firms. By learning from previous research results and analyzing the current situation, we studied the correlation between the manufacturing sector's PER and its influencing factors from both macro and micro perspectives, the combination of which eventually sheds light on such correlation. Analyzing GDP growth rate data, Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, and other macroeconomic variables from 2008 to 2018, we conclude that these variables jointly have a certain impact on the average PER of the manufacturing sector. We then form panel data based on relevant (2014-2018) data gathered from 317 of China's A-listed manufacturing firms to study the impact of micro-variables on PER. By using Stata and other software to analyze the panel data, we reach the conclusion that the Debt to Asset Ratio, Return on Equity, EPS growth rate, Operating Profit Ratio, Dividend Payout Ratio, and firm size have a significant impact on PER. The Current Ratio, Treasury Stock ratio and Ownership Concentration have no distinct effect on PER. Based on our empirical findings, we design a theoretical model that affects the PER.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.299-303
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• 2011

Congestion is a growing concern of many global cities and the demands on Infrastructure services within a locale coupled by the rising expectations from the growing population places stress on these cities. This entails the ability to build a sustainable community that requires an understanding and recognition of Population growth, changing demographics and the ever changing urban development on both a macro and micro level. Infrastructure is an integral part of Australian economy, particularly the 'Infrastructure Assets Management' which highlights the importance towards the development of sustainable communities for Melbourne's future. Melbourne 2030 is a comprehensive representation of government's response to a wide-ranging population growth within Melbourne metropolitan and surrounding areas. Urban plan and specific Infrastructure Assets Planning needs not only to provide sufficient Infrastructure to a community, but it must also be efficient and innovative so that it produces an optimised management system. A system that incorporates engineering techniques that will be sustainable for decades to come by maintaining an acceptable level of services to its intended community in an effective manner, which also strengthens service delivery. The fundamental challenges for optimization of Infrastructure with the Melbourne urban plan is, the ability to manage and sustain maintenance of Infrastructure to provide the acceptable level of service required by the community in a most effective manner which also strengthens service delivery to contribute towards Melbourne 2030. This paper particularly investigates some of the fundamental issues within the Melbourne urban plan such as Infrastructure Asset Management, AusLink and the Australian Road Management Act 2004, which the Governments at all levels must deal with to provide an economically viable solution to the changing Infrastructure so it may suits the needs and services the strategies of a metropolis.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 2012

Nowadays, customer satisfaction has been one of company's major objectives, and the index to measure and communicate customer satisfaction has been generally accepted among business practices. The major issues of CSI(customer satisfaction index) are three questions, as follows: (a)what level of customer satisfaction is tolerable, (b)whether customer satisfaction and company performance has positive causality, and (c)what to do to improve customer satisfaction. Among these, the second issue is recently attracting academic research in several perspectives. On this study, the second issue will be addressed. Many researchers including Anderson have regarded customer satisfaction as core competencies, such as brand equity, customer equity. They want to verify following causality "customer satisfaction → market performance(market share, sales growth rate) → financial performance(operating margin, profitability) → corporate value performance(stock price, credit ratings)" based on the process model of marketing performance. On the other hand, Insoo Jeon and Aeju Jeong(2009) verified sequential causality based on the process model by the domestic data. According to the rejection of several hypotheses, they suggested the balance model of marketing performance as an alternative. The objective of this study, based on the existing process model, is to examine the causal relationship between customer satisfaction and corporate value performance. Anderson and Mansi(2009) proved the relationship between ACSI(American Customer Satisfaction Index) and credit ratings using 2,574 samples from 1994 to 2004 on the assumption that credit rating could be an indicator of a corporate value performance. The similar study(Sangwoon Yoon, 2010) was processed in Korean data, but it didn't confirm the relationship between KCSI(Korean CSI) and credit ratings, unlike the results of Anderson and Mansi(2009). The summary of these studies is in the Table 1. Two studies analyzing the relationship between customer satisfaction and credit ratings weren't consistent results. So, in this study we are to test the conflicting results of the relationship between customer satisfaction and credit ratings based on the research model considering Korean credit ratings. To prove the hypothesis, we suggest the research model as follows. Two important features of this model are the inclusion of important variables in the existing Korean credit rating system and government support. To control their influences on credit ratings, we included three important variables of Korean credit rating system and government support, in case of financial institutions including banks. ROA, ER, TA, these three variables are chosen among various kinds of financial indicators since they are the most frequent variables in many previous studies. The results of the research model are relatively favorable : R², F-value and p-value is .631, 233.15 and .000 respectively. Thus, the explanatory power of the research model as a whole is good and the model is statistically significant. The research model has good explanatory power, the regression coefficients of the KCSI is .096 as positive(+) and t-value and p-value is 2.220 and .0135 respectively. As a results, we can say the hypothesis is supported. Meanwhile, all other explanatory variables including ROA, ER, log(TA), GS_DV are identified as significant and each variables has a positive(+) relationship with CRS. In particular, the t-value of log(TA) is 23.557 and log(TA) as an explanatory variables of the corporate credit ratings shows very high level of statistical significance. Considering interrelationship between financial indicators such as ROA, ER which include total asset in their formula, we can expect multicollinearity problem. But indicators like VIF and tolerance limits that shows whether multicollinearity exists or not, say that there is no statistically significant multicollinearity in all the explanatory variables. KCSI, the main subject of this study, is a statistically significant level even though the standardized regression coefficients and t-value of KCSI is .055 and 2.220 respectively and a relatively low level among explanatory variables. Considering that we chose other explanatory variables based on the level of explanatory power out of many indicators in the previous studies, KCSI is validated as one of the most significant explanatory variables for credit rating score. And this result can provide new insights on the determinants of credit ratings. However, KCSI has relatively lower impact than main financial indicators like log(TA), ER. Therefore, KCSI is one of the determinants of credit ratings, but don't have an exceedingly significant influence. In addition, this study found that customer satisfaction had more meaningful impact on corporations of small asset size than those of big asset size, and on service companies than manufacturers. The findings of this study is consistent with Anderson and Mansi(2009), but different from Sangwoon Yoon(2010). Although research model of this study is a bit different from Anderson and Mansi(2009), we can conclude that customer satisfaction has a significant influence on company's credit ratings either Korea or the United State. In addition, this paper found that customer satisfaction had more meaningful impact on corporations of small asset size than those of big asset size and on service companies than manufacturers. Until now there are a few of researches about the relationship between customer satisfaction and various business performance, some of which were supported, some weren't. The contribution of this study is that credit rating is applied as a corporate value performance in addition to stock price. It is somewhat important, because credit ratings determine the cost of debt. But so far it doesn't get attention of marketing researches. Based on this study, we can say that customer satisfaction is partially related to all indicators of corporate business performances. Practical meanings for customer satisfaction department are that it needs to actively invest in the customer satisfaction, because active investment also contributes to higher credit ratings and other business performances. A suggestion for credit evaluators is that they need to design new credit rating model which reflect qualitative customer satisfaction as well as existing variables like ROA, ER, TA.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-40
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• 2007

We test a model of investment-cashflow-growth opportunities relationship in order to estimate the sensitivities to investments. In this study, we use a new proxy variable for the value of growth opportunities(hereafter "VGO"), which is based on the seminal papers of M&M(1958:1961:1963) and Lee(2006;2007). The empirical findings on the sensitivities of cashflow and growth opportunities are as follows. First, when the traditional proxy variables for the growth opportunities such as Tobin's Q, MBR and sales growth are included with the new proxy VGO in the estimation, their coefficients are turned out to be insignificant. Second, only the new proxy variable VGO shows a statistically significant positive sensitibity to investment, which can be regarded that the growth opportunities hold the positive influences to investments. Third, the Tobin's Q can be decomposed into three factors such as the value of growth opportunities(VGO), the value of asset-in-place and valuation errors. It turns out that only the VGO shows a statistically significant positive relationship with investment among others. This means that the new variable VGO is a good proxy variable for the growth opportunities in the investment-cashflow sensitivity analysis. In sum, thanks to the above findings in this study, we can say that it will not be proper to choose a proxy variable for the growth opportunities from the traditional set of proxies such as Tobin's Q, MBR, or sales growth rate.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.133-144
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• 2017

This study investigates firm-specific financial variables that determine investment or speculative grades from the viewpoint of firms, which are one of the major stakeholders related to the credit rating. We employ an ordered probit model for our analysis with the sample data from 1999 to 2015 for listed firms in the Korean stock markets. For investment grades, operating margin, sales, market-to-book, dividend payment, capital expenditure ratio, and tangible asset ratio have a significantly positive impact on credit ratings. In the subsample for speculative grades, the coefficients of the dividend payment, retained earnings ratio, and capital expenditure ratio are significantly positive while short-term debt ratio and R&D expenditures have a significantly negative impact on credit ratings. For the analysis before and after 2009, when the Credit Information Use and Protection Act was strengthened after the global financial crisis, the coefficients of the capital expenditure ratio, cash ratio, and tangible asset ratio are significantly positive in the subsample for investment grades before 2009, but not significant after 2010. The coefficient of the long-term debt ratio is more significantly negative than that of the short-term debt ratio before 2009, for speculative grades, but short-term debt ratio has a more negative effect on ratings than long-term debt ratio after 2010. Surprisingly, the coefficient of the R&D expenditures is significantly negative in both investment and speculative grades since 2010. Our findings are inconsistent with the conjecture that the increase in R&D expenditures enhances the possibility of creating cash-flow by raising the investment growth opportunity, and thus affects positively the credit rating.