• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.133-144
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• 2007

Quality management has been applied to the industry for strengthening the competitiveness regardless of the size of company. However, it has been argued that the operational models for quality management used in the large-sized enterprise could not be applied to the small & medium-sized enterprise (SME) directly. This paper analyzes the states and outcomes of movements for quality innovation in the SME and tries to give some suggestions for improving and spreading the movements within the framework of the cooperation with the large sized company. Survey results show that the preferable quality movements depends on the size of company. Especially, the Single PPM movement is most preferable in the SME. It contributes th decreasing the fraction defective and to vitalizing the communication and cooperation between large-sized company and SME.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.97-110
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• 2013

In this paper, we propose policy implications for Korean SMEs to enhance informatization level, which thereby leads to better competitiveness. Our approach begins with organizing the firm's informatization attributes from SME perspective. Next, we adopted AHP method to quantify the relative importance of each informatization attributes. Then, we assess the criticalness of each informatization attributes with reference to the empirical statistics for the current status of informatization level of Korean SMEs. The analysis distinguishes manufacturing versus service industries, and informatization attributes importance versus as-is informatization level, each respectively. Based on empirical analysis, policy implications are proposed for more effective government SME informatization support policy.

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.104-108
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• 2011

Technology is one of the major competitive advantages for small and medium enterprises (SME), especially ones operating in the manufacturing sector. Increasing technological capabilities is the basis for SME's business performance improvement. The main problem of SME's is a limitation in the areas of production facilities, technology, and human resources. Some of these constraints cause a decline in business performance and competitiveness of SME's. In this case analysis of technology components has to be carried out to determine the effect of technology on SME's business performance improvement. This study aims to measure the components of technology and to analyze the influence of each technology component on business performance of rattan processing SME's in South Kalimantan. The assessment is carried out on the technoware, humanware, inforware, and orgaware components using the technometric method (UNESCAP). Business performance is measured through a combination of financial and non-financial aspects deducted from financial and marketing figures. Analysis of the influence of technology components on business performance of SME's is done using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) with Partial Least Square software (PLS). Data is collected through interviews and questionnaires from 21 rattan processing SME's in South Kalimantan that produce rattan furnitures. The results show that the value of the contribution of technology (TCC) to the performance of rattan processing SME's in South Kalimantan is still quite low. Analysis of the results shows a direct influence of technoware and humanware on business performance, while orgaware influences business performance indirectly through humanware.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.205-224
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• 2015

Information System is a critical success factor for overcoming the limitations of asset and capacity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), and for acquiring competitiveness. Although, the rate of adopting information system by SME has grown, the rate of its utilization has been stagnant. The purpose of this study is to identify the influencing factors that increase SME's information system utilization. We identify perception of strategic value, supplier's support capacity, and organizational characteristic by examining previous researches on information system utilization by SMEs, and verify their the influencing relationship with the information system utilization. This study verifies the research model and hypothesis using structural model. A date-set of 1209 samples from a survey on employees in charge of information system of SME was applied in verifying the research hypothesis. The result of this study shows that the information system utilization influences perception of strategic value and support of supply company, and partly, the structural characteristics. This study presents directions to establish strategy and policy making, and theoretically presents core factors of SME's information system utilization.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.345-352
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• 2021

Guided by a resource-based theory, this study is the first one that takes a quantitative approach to identify determinants of competitiveness of women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. The study employs time series data of Vietnamese SMEs extracted from the Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprises Survey conducted biennially from 2005 to 2015 in ten Vietnamese provinces. Firm competitiveness hereby is indicated by revenue, market share, profitability, and export volume. The research reveals a number of determining factors, of all, research and development, labor skills, business environment, technology investment are the most important factors, followed by capital and headcount. It is indicated that the determining factors have different influences on competitiveness obtained by different measurements. Therefore, it is based on specific targets and situations to make wise business decisions. The authors also make comparisons among groups of women-owned enterprises divided by their firm age, location, ownership, export, age, and educational background of business owners. The findings serve as critical empirical evidence and provide policy recommendations for improving the competitiveness of women-owned SMEs in Vietnam. The recommendations range from technology support, education and professional support for female entrepreneurs, access to capital and human resources to business environment improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Systems Engineering
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2019

Among the government-sponsored projects supported by Ministry of SMEs and Startups(MSS), the financial support of the Consulting Research Institutes of our university is scheduled to be ended this year. In this regard, this study is to develop a profit model for R&D center of Consulting Research Institute that can cultivate the financial independence of R&D center of Consulting Research Institutes and foster technology convergence consulting manpower to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The profit model were derived from the current status of consulting industry and similar organizations, the current status of consulting graduate R&D centers, case studies of other universities, and focus group interviews. In order to select three high profit models and commercialize them, BMC (Biz Model Canvas) was used and business feasibility was examined. Therefore, three profit model of R&D center of Consulting Research Institute are: First, SCB (SME's Consulting Business: Total Solution Provider for SMEs through Technology Convergence Consulting), Second, SNB (SME's Network Business: Experts connection in Consulting Graduate School for Solving Problems and Problems of SMEs / Industry Consolidation) And third, SM (Sustainable Management: Financial independence through structural improvement of Consulting Research Institute), and the road-map was established. As an implementation plan, the company intends to seek financial independence by developing a profit model for R&D center of Consulting Research Institutes and by establishing business goals and strategies, manpower operation plan, organization, and investment plan for three years.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

The 4th Industrial Revolution has been rapidly changing the environment of all industries and the new technologies as included in the 4th Industrial Revolution has taken the lead in this change. Domestic SME need to change according to the 4th Industrial Revolution. Specially, it is necessary to introduce smart factories to the SME. Thus, this study suggests strategies for successful introduction of smart factories to SME through SWOT analysis about the situation of the SME. As strategies for utilizing its strengths, first, it is an activation through superior competitiveness. Second, the utilization of excellent technology and information is considered. Third, it is suggested to utilize global network-based environment. The strategies for making up for weakness are provided as follows. First, it is suggested to raise awareness of information security. Second, it is considered to establish technical standardization for the construction of evaluation system. Third, the promotion of manpower to secure professional manpower is suggested. The implication of this study is that it suggests the necessity of smart factory to understand and prepare for effective strategies for SME and various external strategies for the fourth industrial revolution.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.57-66
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• 2019

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to elucidate the perception differences between CEOs and employees, and to derive a plan for improving performance by using theory of planned behavior (TPB) to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs exposed to various difficulties until recently. Research design, data and methodology - A total of 238 valid questionnaires were collected for CEOs and members of SMEs. In order to clarify the difference of perception, independent sample t-test and multi-group analysis using AMOS were conducted. Simple regression analysis and structural equation were used to confirm whether the theory of planned behavior was applied at the level of SME. Results - The CEO group is more aware of company's ethical responsibility activities and organizational support than the group of employees, and collectivism contributes more to organizational development than individualism tendency. Also, the theory of planned behavior is applied to the SME level as well. Conclusion - This study suggest that CEOs need to accept the pluralism of their members for the development of SMEs. In addition, it is necessary to form a consensus on ethical responsibility activities that corporations are performing by supporting diverse strategies and members' participation in management decision-making.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to verify the relationship between teamwork and job satisfaction in team leadership behavior of SMEs. For this study, the survey data of 158 SME employees in the Seoul metropolitan area were analyzed by structural equation modeling. The results of the study are as follows. Team leadership behavior had a significant effect on teamwork. Teamwork was found to have a positive effect on job satisfaction. Therefore, this study identified ways to enhance competitiveness and stimulate team leadership behavior by cultivating team leadership behavior and teamwork competencies in accordance with the strategies of SMEs. It can also contribute to the development and strategy formulation and management of team leadership competencies to improve performance in SMEs.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2013

A variety of SME ICT support programs has been very great significance and performance for Improving national competitiveness and constitution strengthening in Korea's industry. However, it could not solve ICT gap between each SMEs. In this qualitative study, we analyzed ICT support programs for SME and collected requirements from the perspective of the consumer. Then we designed ICT policy strategies and detailed support program for SME in Digital Economy.