• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2022

Background: In the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, small- and midsized enterprises (SMEs) may be an important transmission consideration. The study aimed to identify the pattern of COVID-19 prevention measures during the outbreaks in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do at the early stage of COVID-19. Moreover, we investigated whether SME size and past experiences affected the preventive measures implemented in the region. Methods: A survey detailing the general characteristics and implementation of 12 preventive activities was conducted in 122 SMEs in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do. The survey was analyzed by size and operation period. Results: The study subjects consisted of 53 (43.4%) workplaces with 1-5 employees, 50 (40.9%) workplaces with 6-30 employees, and 19 (15.6%) workplaces with 31-49 employees. The lowest three items among those surveyed were 'symptomatic workers to stay home for 3-4 days' (17.2%), 'work remotely' (18.9%), and 'video meetings' (20.5%). There were significant differences in the rate of several preventive measures implemented. The larger sized SMEs, the higher the number of implementations (p < 0.01). The operation period had no significant relationship with the implementation of preventive measures. The same pattern was observed in multiple generalized linear regression with covariate adjustment. Conclusion: Preventive measures among SMEs with fewer than 50 employees were identified. Even within SMEs, a gap in preventive measures according to size was confirmed. To prevent the spread of infection and protect workers' right to health, different support for different sized SMEs is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to ascertain the important factors for SMEs in managing the risks of chemicals and to suggest a government role in strengthening the responsibility of small and medium enterprises(SMEs) as employers. Methods: About 100 enterprises were surveyed in Incheon. A questionnaire for employers and walk-through surveys by occupational hygienists were performed at each enterprise. Results: The results showed that most employers thought chemicals were not hazardous but chemical management was needed. When employers determine how to manage chemicals, they rely heavily on personal experience and rather less on information from the government or experts. However, if employers think the chemicals are hazardous, they do more to manage the chemicals. Conclusions: When employers think chemicals are hazardous, risk assessment would be an effective tool to control chemical hazards in SMEs. Employers' position on chemical hazards is very important. Since the government is the initiator, it is the government who develops messages for SMEs, such as "Chemicals are hazardous and management can reduce the risk of chemicals." Governmental messages can play an invaluable role in strengthening the responsibility of SME employers to manage chemical hazards.

• World Technopolis Review
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.82-96
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• 2018

This paper discussed the application process of the Dot Idea program. The Dot Idea program is an incubation and open innovation program co-created by Unitec, an incubator at Tecnosinos Tech Park, and an SAP innovation team. The main objective of this study was to cover an existing gap in the literature regarding the practical application of an open innovation methodology. Many companies seek interaction with external parties to enable advancement toward identified innovation opportunities. Technology clusters, parks, and incubators have played an important role in promoting connections and interaction. Consequently, the Dot Idea program emerged as a result of a joint effort to create a program using a design science research methodology aiming to foster new businesses and strengthen Brazil and Latin America as a hub to develop new solutions for traditional organizations. In regards to lessons learned, the Dot.health trial had some success but also experienced difficulties; these related to the relationships between startups and a hospital's internal teams, and startups' needs to be funded from the beginning in order to be fully dedicated to a project.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.18 no.5_1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2018

As industries converge in recent years, the impact of the use of convergence tools among industries on the security of the organization is increasing. However, organizational members lack the ability to adapt to introduction of new system because they are operating business around existing systems, and thus, security considerations are an environment that will inevitably emerge as a follow-up priority. In this study, we studied cost-effective options for factors that should be considered first in order to establish a security system for small and medium-sized healthcare institutions in the healthcare convergence industry. Specifically, the current legal system was considered and the security status was analyzed through prior research, and the necessary security solution/system was derived from small and medium-sized healthcare institutions. In addition, it analyzed relative priorities for cost-efficient deployment of security systems to those involved in small and medium-sized healthcare institutions in actual business environments and presented measures to establish a overall security.