• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2023

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study how flexibility and mutuality in determining trade terms impact logistics efficiency in the context of relational theory. Additionally, the effect of relational contracts on logistical efficiency relative to the value of the goods being traded is investigated. Design/methodology - According to the relational contract theory, we developed 17 factors utilizing a 7-point Likert scale to measure variables related to flexibility, mutuality, logistics efficiency, and the added value of goods. The survey occurred over four months, and was distributed directly, and via email, phone, and online Google surveys. A total of 403 surveys were collected out of 1,800 distributed, and 380 were analyzed. The principal respondents were import/export companies and members of the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Small and Medium Business Export-Import Association. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and correlation analysis using SPSS ver. 26.0 statistical software, and hypothesis test results were derived using Process Macro ver. 3.5. Findings - This study provides evidence that negotiation flexibility for trade terms affects the efficiency of the logistics process, and the mutuality of such arrangements is shown to be associated with the flexibility and efficiency of logistics processes. Additionally, it has been established that companies whose trade goods possess a low degree of added value may experience increased efficiency in logistics operations if they agree to trade terms that are both flexible and mutually beneficial with their counterparts. Originality/value - This study suggests that in an environment of rapidly shifting global logistics and unpredictable related costs, trade companies may be able to improve logistics efficiency by establishing flexible, mutually beneficial trade terms when entering into contracts. Furthermore, it is suggested that companies dealing in low-value-added products may improve the logistical performance of approaching trade from a perspective of relational contracts.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.239-258
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• 1996

This study deals with the measurement of relational norms, a safeguard for sustained exchange relationshipsim marketing channel systems. Here, the relational norm items are hypothesized to have a second-order factor model, in which mine observed items originate from the three first-order factors and the first order factors in turn originate from a second-order factor. The three first order construe comprising a higher order norm are mutuality(equity in the distribution of benefits and burdens over the course of the exchange on a long term basis), flexibility(expectation of friendly adaption for possible circumstance changes), and solidarity (the degree to which the preservation of the unique and continuing relationship is internalized by the exchange partners as being important in and of itself). 113 research questionnaires are obtained from four industries such as construction, telecommunication, iron, and electric ＆ electronic industries, Reliability and nomological. discriminant validity are tested, and in using the confirmatory factor analysis of Lisrel 7.16, and the chi-square difference test it is tested which has a better satisfactory fit to the data, the first-order model or the second-order one. The results of this study indicates that relational norms have a second order construct. In the electric and electronic industry the model as a while has a satisfactory fit to the data and the relevant first- and second-order factor loading to the mutuality is not significant. Same Results are happened to the flexibility in the telecommunication industry and to the mutuality and flexibility in the inn industry. In sum, the model lends support to our construct, but it is difficult to apply the measurement model to all kinds of industries.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.14-32
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• 2019

Purpose - This study is designed to provide new insights on trade claim management by typifying trade claims from a relational perspective, which defines trade as an organic combination that exchanges relationships based on a mutual goal instead of conflicts between obligations and rights of the contracting parties. Design/methodology - This is a phenomenological study that aims to typify trade claims based on a relational perspective and extract implications for trade claim management. The research procedures of this study are as follows. First, international commercial dispute cases applying the CISG are collected. Second, the cases collected are quantified through content analysis. The variables for quantification are developed based on a relationship perspective. Third, cluster analysis is conducted on coded data to typify cases. And finally, this study compares the characteristics of each type using analysis of variance and suggests implications for the strategic management of trade claims from a relational perspective. Findings - Results show that trade claims are divided into four clusters, depending on whether flexibility is accepted or not and which party violates mutuality. There is also a difference between the claimant and the cause of the claim, according to the cluster. Based on the results, this study suggests that the buyer and the seller should employ different strategies depending on the type of trade claim and presents proposals for strategic claim management. Originality/value - Firstly, this study extends the theoretical discussion on trade claims by applying relational contract theory. Prior studies on trade claims have been primarily based on traditional contract theory. The second is to analyze trade claims quantitatively. Prior case studies on trade claims have mainly relied on qualitative research. Finally, the study contributes to international commercial practice by typifying trade claims and presenting options for strategic management.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.197-222
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• 1996

The objective of this study is to investigate the determinants of trust between the producer and the distributor, focusing on relational norms (mutuality, flexibility, and solidarity) and environmental munificence, in agricultural marketing channels. More specifically, followings are investigated in cucumber marketing channels ; (a) the effects of environmental munificence on relational norms, and (b) tile effects of relational norms on trust. The major findings of this study are as follows ; (1) The cucumber producers' perceived output sector munificience positively affected the mutuality and solidarity of the relational norms. (2) The mutuality and solidarity of the relational norms positively affected the trust. Therefore, the efficient marketing transaction system, mutual efforts for a fair regard between producers and middlemen, and the development of sound moral and trading custom are required in the Korean agricultural market. And also the active roles of government to develop the infrastructure of agricultural marketing and the proper roles of agricultural cooperatives to keep transaction activity fair should be clarified and proactively conducted.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.13-39
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• 2006

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the interaction effects of organizational characteristics as contextual variables on the relationship between relational exchange characteristics and ASP service performance. The effect of relational exchange characteristics on ASP service performance has been also investigated. For this purposes, we developed a research model based on the literature reviews of ASP services, relational exchange theory, and contingency theory. A total of 106 usable survey responses from companies using ASP services has been analyzed in the study. The findings indicate that (1) flexibility and partnership had a positive influence upon noneconomic profit, (2) information sharing had a positive influence upon economic profit, (3) organizational size and IS maturity had a partial moderating effect on the relationship between relational exchange characteristics and ASP service performance, and (4) the subgroup analysis, conducted to determine the exact nature of interaction effect, reveals that the relationship between relational exchange characteristics and noneconomic profit is significantly stronger with a high level of organizational size than with a low level, and that the relationship between relational exchange characteristics and economic profit is significantly stronger with a low level of IS maturity than with a high level.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.165-171
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of human resource flexibility on organizational commitment and to verify the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the relationship between human resource flexibility and organizational commitment. In order to achieve this research purpose, a survey was conducted on employees working in the service industry in China, and the results of the analysis are as follows. First, it was found that technological flexibility, behavioral flexibility, and relationship flexibility, which are sub-factors of human resource flexibility, all had a significant positive effect on organizational commitment. Second, as a result of verifying the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the relationship between human resource flexibility and organizational commitment, it was verified that self-efficacy has a partial mediating effect in the relationship between technological flexibility, behavioral flexibility, relationship flexibility, and organizational commitment. Finally, the implications of this study were presented and the future research direction was discussed.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.509-514
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• 2005

In recent years, use of the web technologies and on-line process has immensely swapped single-user platform practice. This study attempted to develop preliminary cost estimating program by means of Web technologies based on statistical modeling results. A prototype Web-based Preliminary Item-Level Cost Estimating System (WBPILCES) using open source software was developed as an on-line estimating tool in this research. The primary objective is to study the possible flexibility of implementing a centralized information system that will be maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) IT division. The full-scale deployment of proposed information architecture is expected to seamlessly integrate with legacy database system currently used by TxDOT so as to streamline data storage, cost growth tracking and estimates documentation.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.105-132
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• 2006

The major purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of environmental uncertainties and logistics resources capabilities mediated by relational norms and logistics services on logistics performance in the industrial products. The 272 data were collected from the key informants who were working at the logistics-related departments in the H Heavy Industries & Construction and HSD Engine. The following results were verified using structural equation modeling. First, environmental uncertainties such as dynamism and heterogeneity unexpectedly had insignificant effects on relational norms such as information exchange and flexibility and logistics services such as product availability and on-time delivery. Second, logistics resource capabilities showed unique effects based upon its component's characteristics. For example, Logistics Information Systems did not have direct impact on logistics services but had indirect effect on logistics services via relational norms. On the other hand, logistics resources such as logistics specific assets and transportation service competencies had direct impact on logistics services but not on relational norms. Third, relational norms between transaction partners significantly affected logistics services but had insignificant effects on logistics performance such as logistics costs reduction and delivery qualities. Fourth, consistent with several studies, excellent logistics services between industrial purchaser and suppliers based upon relational norms did have significant effect on logistics performance such as delivery consistency and delivery qualities. Finally, the empirical results in this study could be strategic logistics management guidelines based upon the theoretical relationships among the environmental uncertainties, logistics information systems, logistics resources, relational norms, logistics services, and logistics performance.

• Proceedings of the Korean DIstribution Association Conference
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• 2006.02a
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• pp.43-78
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• 2006

While trust and commitment, essential ingredients of the relationship quality variables, are core mediating variables for the purpose of maintaining the long-term relationship, in the context of the internal political economy of company and the relational performance of its members, there have been limited studies which explore as to how each of the dimensions have affect differently. The basic purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between an automobile manufacturer and its agencies. The main purpose of this study is to examine how each different dimension of trust and commitment on the automobile manufacturer have different mediating effects in the context of internal political economy variables and relational performance perceived by its agents. Another purpose is to investigate the mechanism by which the relational performance of the agencies is improved. An empirical study surveying 115 sales office managers at a leading automobile manufacturer in Korea was conducted. An analysis of the collected data indicates that while internal political economy variables have a positive influence on the agencies' relational performance through the mediating role of trust and commitment, agencies' benevolence on its headquarter has a different influence on the dimensions of commitment. Currently, an automobile manufacturer is advised to implement the relational management philosophy in dealing with its agencies with an hope of innovative orientation for customers. In this sense, this study is a big stride in providing ample implications for the automobile manufacturer in establishing trust and commitment, which are the prerequisite conditions in developing and maintaining a successful long-term relationship with its agencies, and in improving the agency's relational performance.

• Proceedings of the Korea Association of Information Systems Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.503-525
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• 1997

정보시스템 아웃소싱(outsourcing)의 적용 범위와 그 규모가 증대함에 따라, 아웃 소싱은 정보시스템의 관리에서 근본적인 이슈로 등장하게 되었다. 정보시스템 아웃소싱의 중요성이 인식되었으나, 그에 대한 실증적 연구는 매우 미흡한 설정이다. 본 연구의 주요 목적은 정보시스템 아웃소싱에 있어 고객회사(client firm)와 서비스 제공업자(vendor)간의 관계의 성공 및 실패에 영향을 미치는 요인을 조사하는 것이다. 본 연구의 연구 모델은 관 계적거래이론(relational exchange theory), 커뮤니케이션 행동(communication behavior), 거래비용분석(transaction cost analysis) 등의 조직간관계(interorganizational relationship) 이론에 기반을 두고 작성되었다. 미국의 207개 회사의 정보시스템 아웃소싱 설문조사에 의 하여 다음과 같은 연구결과가 도출되었다. (1) 서비스 제공업자의 능력(vendor capability), 관계결속성(solidarity), 관계지속성(continuity expectation), 유연성(flexibility), 서비스업자의 활동에 대한 모니터링(monitoring of the vendor), 참여도(participation) 등이 아웃소싱 관 계의 성공과 양의 상관관계를 가지고 있으며, (2) 역할연합도(role integrity), 자산특이성 (asset specificity) 등은 아웃소싱 관계의 성공과 음의 관계를 가지고 있는 것으로 나타났 다. 이 결과에 의하면, 비관계적 거래(discrete exchange) 보다는, 관계적 거래(relational exchange)에 기반을 두어 아웃소싱 관계를 운영하는 것이 아웃소싱의 성공적인 구현을 필 수적으로 보여진다. 이 연구 결과를 기초로 하여 아웃소싱 대상 업무의 선택, 서비스 제공 업자의 선택, 그리고 아웃소싱 관계의 지속적인 관리를 위한 지침을 제시하였다.