• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.53-74
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• 2012

A challenge in fostering virtual communities is the continuous supply of knowledge, namely members' willingness to contribute knowledge to their communities. Previous research argues that giving away knowledge eventually causes the possessors of that knowledge to lose their unique value to others, benefiting all except the contributor. Furthermore, communication within virtual communities involves a large number of participants with different social backgrounds and perspectives. The establishment of mutual understanding to comprehend conversations and foster knowledge contribution in virtual communities is inevitably more difficult than face-to-face communication in a small group. In spite of these arguments, evidence suggests that individuals in virtual communities do engage in social behaviors such as knowledge contribution. It is important to understand why individuals provide their valuable knowledge to other community members without a guarantee of returns. In virtual communities, knowledge is inherently rooted in individual members' experiences and expertise. This personal nature of knowledge requires social interactions between virtual community members for knowledge transfer. This study employs the social capital theory in order to account for interpersonal relationship factors and identity theory for individual and group factors that may affect knowledge contribution. First, social capital is the relationship capital which is embedded within the relationships among the participants in a network and available for use when it is needed. Social capital is a productive resource, facilitating individuals' actions for attainment. Nahapiet and Ghoshal (1997) identify three dimensions of social capital and explain theoretically how these dimensions affect the exchange of knowledge. Thus, social capital would be relevant to knowledge contribution in virtual communities. Second, existing research has addressed the importance of identity in facilitating knowledge contribution in a virtual context. Identity in virtual communities has been described as playing a vital role in the establishment of personal reputations and in the recognition of others. For instance, reputation systems that rate participants in terms of the quality of their contributions provide a readily available inventory of experts to knowledge seekers. Despite the growing interest in identities, however, there is little empirical research about how identities in the communities influence knowledge contribution. Therefore, the goal of this study is to better understand knowledge contribution by examining the roles of social capital and identity in virtual communities. Based on a theoretical framework of social capital and identity theory, we develop and test a theoretical model and evaluate our hypotheses. Specifically, we propose three variables such as cohesiveness, reciprocity, and commitment, referring to the social capital theory, as antecedents of knowledge contribution in virtual communities. We further posit that members with a strong identity (self-presentation and group identification) contribute more knowledge to virtual communities. We conducted a field study in order to validate our research model. We collected data from 192 members of virtual communities and used the PLS method to analyse the data. The tests of the measurement model confirm that our data set has appropriate discriminant and convergent validity. The results of testing the structural model show that cohesion, reciprocity, and self-presentation significantly influence knowledge contribution, while commitment and group identification do not significantly influence knowledge contribution. Our findings on cohesion and reciprocity are consistent with the previous literature. Contrary to our expectations, commitment did not significantly affect knowledge contribution in virtual communities. This result may be due to the fact that knowledge contribution was voluntary in the virtual communities in our sample. Another plausible explanation for this result may be the self-selection bias for the survey respondents, who are more likely to contribute their knowledge to virtual communities. The relationship between self-presentation and knowledge contribution was found to be significant in virtual communities, supporting the results of prior literature. Group identification did not significantly affect knowledge contribution in this study, inconsistent with the wealth of research that identifies group identification as an important factor for knowledge sharing. This conflicting result calls for future research that examines the role of group identification in knowledge contribution in virtual communities. This study makes a contribution to theory development in the area of knowledge management in general and virtual communities in particular. For practice, the results of this study identify the circumstances under which individual factors would be effective for motivating knowledge contribution to virtual communities.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.95-119
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• 2013

Although merger and acquisition (M&A) has been considered as an important means to improve firm performance, most prior empirical research have failed to prove the relationship between M&A and firm performance. In order to fill this gap, this study attempts to identify the effect of M&A on firm performance based on knowledge resources relatedness and complementarity theory. For this purpose, this study examines complementarity patterns of knowledge resources and their impacts on acquirer's performance using M&A announcements of electronic commerce industry from 2001 to 2007. The results of this study indicate complementarity among knowledge resources are positively related with acquirer's market value. This study contributes to expand knowledge management research by identifying the relationship among knowledge resources and their impacts on firm performance.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1345-1355
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• 2012

In this study, 15 evaluation questions about light were developed and presented to 30 middle school students, and then the theory of knowledge space was used to analyze the status of the middle school students' knowledge about light. Not only was the state of the students' knowledge about light intended to be measured by schematizing the knowledge hierarchy obtained; the data obtained were also intended to be used as basic materials to improve the teaching methods used. To achieve the purpose of this study, the evaluation results, the individual knowledge state, and the hierarchy of questions were analyzed. As a result, different knowledge structures were found in the individuals and groups, and it was determined that individuals and groups should be diagnosed differently. In addition, the implication that there is a connection between each question and the individual knowledge state was drawn.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2014

Professionalization of Korean interior design is not completed, considering the fact that accreditation and registration systems cannot be found in it. This study, initiated with this concern, analyzed the knowledge area of interior design and architecture in the United States while utilizing accreditation standards of CIDA and NAAB. The purpose of this study is to provide reference to consult for the professionalization of Korean interior design by showing the effects of standardized professional knowledge on professionalization. The utilized research method is a multiple case study, analyzing cases of interior design and architecture in the United States. The unit of analysis is accrediting criteria, including present and revised versions. Content analysis was conducted to interpretate qualitative data collected. The research results include that knowledge differences between interior design and architecture are not clear. This study concludes that standardized professional knowledge emphasizes the technicality elements of knowledge to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public instead of indeterminacy elements. The research results imply that knowledge standardization concerning HSW can be a critical step to professionalization because it can show a jurisdictional boundary as a unique profession.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.102-115
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• 2015

Objectives: A learning organization was designed and implemented on the basis of the selection criteria and essential elements of knowledge translation theory. Methods: The learning organization was designed on the basis of biosafety harmonization criteria and risk management strategy and was implemented as the learning organization for biosafety management by the National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The effect of knowledge translation in the research institutions by evidence-based policy was verified. Results: The result of applying the knowledge translation theory involving all stakeholders showed a positive reaction in establishing and implementing biosafety management strategy and embodied risk assessment criteria and evoked sympathy with the necessity of learning and using of expert knowledge about risk assessment and risk management. All stakeholders initiated voluntarily action toward new human-network construction and communication between similar organizations. The learning organization's capability expanded the base of knowledge translation. Conclusion: These results showed that a learning organization could enhance the autonomous safety management system by diffusion of knowledge translation.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was done to identify the level of knowledge and practice of self-management on asthma of school-aged children and to provide data for the development of an intervention program to improve self-management on asthma Methods: The participants were 100 school-aged children who were treated currently for asthma in J city located in G province. Data were collected from 25th August to 30th October 2014. Results: The mean scores were 14.37 of 20 for self-management knowledge (percentage of correct answer 71.9%), 21.65 of 30 for self-management practice. There were significant differences in knowledge according to grade, diagnosed age, food allergy, education on asthma and hardship in school life, and in practice according to gender and economic status, hardship in school life and experience of first-aid on asthma. There were positive correlations between knowledge and practice. Conclusion: Results indicate that school-aged children' knowledge and practice in self-management of asthma were not sufficient enough to perform accurate management of asthma. Therefore, to improve self-management ability of school-aged children to manage effectively asthma, educational strategies that focus on increasing knowledge need to be developed.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status associated with HPV health belief and knowledge between male and female highschool students. Methods: In the winter of 2012, 183 students responded to self-administered questionnaires, and t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test, and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results: There were significant differences in the experiences of hearing about HPV vaccination, source of HPV information, experience of being vaccinated with HPV vaccination, reason for HPV unvaccination and vaccination intention by gender. The mean scores for health belief of HPV vaccination were 1.72 (total score: 4) in men and 2.31 in women. There were significant differences in HPV health belief (t=-5.14, p<.001). The mean scores for knowledge of HPV vaccination were 0.08 (total score: 1) in men and 0.12 in women, but there were no significant differences in HPV knowledge (t=-1.62, p=.108). There were positive associations between HPV health belief and knowledge in women (p=.02). Conclusion: This study showed different HPV vaccination status, health belief and knowledge in gender. The results indicate a need to consider levels of health belief and knowledge of HPV vaccination in target populations of highschool students when planning a HPV related education program.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.383-392
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess critical care nurses' perception, knowledge, and nursing practices regarding enteral nutrition. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with 187 nurse participants who worked in one of the eight medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) from four hospitals in Korea. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Although critical care nurses' perception toward enteral nutrition was high, knowledge was relatively low. The overall perception and knowledge of the nurses did not differ significantly between medical ICU and surgical ICU nurses. Perception of their own knowledge, in particular, 'nutritional goal' was lower for medical ICU nurses compared to surgical ICU nurses. Nurses also had limited knowledge about the significance of enteral nutrition, confirmation of feeding tube location, and nutritional requirements for ICU patients. They inadequately performed the following: changing the feeding tube every 24 hours, inspecting nostrils daily, and adjusting feeding schedule if feeding was stopped. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ICU nurses need up-to-date information about enteral nutrition. Based on the improved perception and knowledge, nursing practice activities with regard to enteral nutrition should be emphasized to enable nurses to provide optimal nutrition for ICU patients.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.64-74
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was done to develop and implement the Nursing KMS (knowledge management system) in order to improve knowledge sharing and creation among clinical nurses in outpatient departments. Methods: This study was a methodological research using the 'System Development Life Cycle': consisting of planning, analyzing, design, implementation, and evaluation. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was applied to establish nurse requirements and to identify important design requirements. Participants were 32 nurses and for evaluation data were collected pre and post intervention at K Hospital in Seoul, a tertiary hospital with over 1,000 beds. Results: The Nursing KMS was built using a Linux-based operating system, Oracle DBMS, and Java 1.6 web programming tools. The system was implemented as a sub-system of the hospital information system. There was statistically significant differences in the sharing of knowledge but creating of knowledge was no statistically meaningful difference observed. In terms of satisfaction with the system, system efficiency ranked first followed by system convenience, information suitability and information usefulness. Conclusion: The results indicate that the use of Nursing KMS increases nurses' knowledge sharing and can contribute to increased quality of nursing knowledge and provide more opportunities for nurses to gain expertise from knowledge shared among nurses.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.8 no.2 s.16
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• pp.97-113
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to develop instructional methods for the formalized algorithm through informal knowledge in teaching division of fractions. The following results have been drawn from this study: First, before students learn formal knowledge about division of fractions, they knowledge or strategies to solve problems such as direct modeling strategies, languages to reason mathematically, and using operational expressions. Second, students could solve problems using informal knowledge which is based on partitioning. But they could not solve problems as the numbers involved in problems became complex. In the beginning, they could not reinvent invert-and-multiply rule only by concrete models. However, with the researcher's guidance, they can understand the meaning of a reciprocal number by using concrete models. Moreover, they had an ability to apply the pattern of solving problems when dividend is 1 into division problems of fractions when dividend is fraction. Third, instructional activities were developed by using the results of the teaching experiment performed in the second research step. They consist of student's worksheets and teachers' guides. In conclusion, formalizing students' informal knowledge can make students understand formal knowledge meaningfully and it has a potential that promote mathematical thinking. The teaching-learning activities developed in this study can be an example to help teachers formalize students' informal knowledge.