• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.25 no.2 s.86
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• pp.155-172
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• 2007

This study is a qualitative analysis aimed at facilitating a plan of social support for heavy debtors. for this purpose, the status of issues related to heavy debtors in Japan is considered, and more is revealed about the status of operation for non-profit organizations and groups of heavy debtor victims as counseling agencies for heavy debtors. In addition, through interviews conducted with the counselors of these organizations, a survey has been made on whether the credit counseling provides particular functions for and increases the satisfaction of debtors. The root of Japan's large number of heavy debtors lay in that country's excessive growth of consumer financing, the increase of its use, the structural problems on the lending system of consumer financing and legal insufficiency, to name of few fundamental problems. The interviews on debtor counseling in private organizations revealed that the debtors being counseled showed a great change, due primarily to group counseling and activities, in such aspects as psychological stability, learning and understanding about heavy debts and willingness to take action for solving their own problems. In addition, regarding the aspects of time and cost, specialty, mutual exchange of experienced persons, psychological care and educational functions, the importance of the debtor counseling group's role has been established. To improve the problems of heavy debtors in Korea, there is a need to promote the importance of debtor counseling increase the interest and support of the administration, create a sense of solidarity among related organizations and promote public education on consumer credit. The support of the consumer credit industry and the development of human resources are also badly needed.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.307-329
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• 2014

Medical tourism involves patients intentionally leaving their home country to access non-emergency health care services abroad. Growth in the popularity of this practice has resulted in a significant amount of attention being given to it from researchers, policy-makers, and the media. Yet, there has been little effort to systematically synthesize what is known about the effects of this phenomenon and key choice factors. This study seeks to figure out, using conjoint analysis, what factors Chinese medical tourists place importance on maximizing utility when selecting their destination and propose selection attributes that can lure medical tourists to Korea. Results showed that, of destination attributes, medical technology competitiveness proved be the most important and of lower levels, international accreditation proved to have the highest utility. This article presents the findings of valuable insights to medical institutions, travel agencies and related firms in their marketing activities.