• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.799-805
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• 2016

Background: There is no standard treatment for patients with platinum-resistant or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Single agent chemotherapies have evidence of more efficacy and less toxicity than combination therapy. Most are very expensive, with appreciable toxicity and minimal survival. Since it is difficult to make comparison between outcomes, economic analysis of single-agent chemotherapy regimens and best supportive care may help to make decisions about an appropriate management for the affected patients. Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of second-line chemotherapy compared with best supportive care for patients with platinum-resistant or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: A Markov model was used to estimate the effectiveness and total costs associated with treatments. The hypothetical patient population comprised women aged 55 with platinum-resistant or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Four types of alternative treatment options were evaluated: 1) gemcitabine followed by BSC; 2) pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) followed by BSC; 3) gemcitabine followed by topotecan; and 4) PLD followed by topotecan. Baseline comparator of alternative treatments was BSC. Time horizon of the analysis was 2 years. Health care provider perspective and 3% discount rate were used to determine the costs of medical treatment in this study. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) were used to measure the treatment effectiveness. Treatment effectiveness data were derived from the literature. Costs were calculated from unit cost treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer patients at various stages of disease in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) in the year 2011. Parameter uncertainty was tested in probabilistic sensitivity analysis by using Monte Carlo simulation. One-way sensitivity analysis was used to explore each variable's impact on the uncertainty of the results. Results: Approximated life expectancy of best supportive care was 0.182 years and its total cost was 26,862 Baht. All four alternative treatments increased life expectancy. Life expectancy of gemcitabine followed by BSC, PLD followed by BSC, gemcitabine followed by topotecan and PLD followed by topotecan was 0.510, 0.513, 0.566, and 0.570 years, respectively. The total cost of gemcitabine followed by BSC, PLD followed by BSC, gemcitabine followed by topotecan and PLD followed by topotecan was 113,000, 124,302, 139,788 and 151,135 Baht, respectively. PLD followed by topotecan had the highest expected quality-adjusted life-years but was the most expensive of all the above strategies. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) of gemcitabine followed by BSC, PLD followed by BSC, gemcitabine followed by topotecan and PLD followed by topotecan was 344,643, 385,322, 385,856, and 420,299 Baht, respectively. Conclusions: All of the second-line chemotherapy strategies showed certain benefits due to an increased life-year gained compared with best supportive care. Moreover, gemcitabine as second-line chemotherapy followed by best supportive care in progressive disease case was likely to be more effective strategy with less cost from health care provider perspective. Gemcitabine was the most cost-effective treatment among all four alternative treatments. ICER is only an economic factor. Treatment decisions should be based on the patient benefit.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.53-74
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• 2010

The creation and acceptance of new technologies has been speeding up dramatically in modern times. There are also significant uncertainties about the future shape of markets, governance and social values that will have an important impact on organizations and their capacity to meet their objectives. These rapid technological and social change and uncertainties make the upsurge of interest in technology foresight, giving rise to its emergence as a global concept and policy tool. A wide range of future methods are available for technology foresight. Selection of methods will depend upon several factors, most notably available and the time financial resources, and the objectives of the exercise. Although Delphi has been widely used for many years, scenario becomes very popular in recent years. The use of scenarios can take better account of the complexity and unpredictability of the economic, social and political environments. Scenarios tell the stories describing paths to different futures, which help organizations make better decisions today. In this study, the scenario method was employed to draw the images of the future of renewable energy. Renewable energy grows dramatically in recent years. However, there is still considerable uncertainty with regard to the potential of renewable energy due to environment regulation, energy costs, and political and economic developments in the main supplier countries for oil and natural gas. Scenario can help us to identify the risks and opportunities when we develop the renewable energy, and to prepare for them. The scenario method is expected to be more utilized in the national technology foresight.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.55-75
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• 1986

This article is to analyse the economic efficiency of capital market, which plays a role of resource allocation in terms of financial claims such as stock and bond. It provides various contributions to the welfare theoretical aspects of modern capital market theory. The key feature that distinguishes the theory described here from traditional welfare theory is the presence of uncertainty. Securities has time dimensions and the state and outcome of the future are really uncertain. This problem resulting from this uncertainty can be solved by complete market, but it has a weak power to explain real stock market. Capital Market is faced with the uncertainity because it is a kind of incomplete market. Individuals and firms in capital market made their consumption-investment decision by their own criteria, i. e. the maximization of expected utility form intertemporal consumption and the maximization of the market value of firm. We noted that allocative decisions that had to be made in the economy could be naturally subdivided into two groups. One set of decisions concerned the allocation of first-period resources among consumption $C_i$, investment in risky firms $I_j$, and riskless investment M. The other decisions concern the distribution among individuals of income available in the second period $Y_i(\theta)$. Corresponing to this grouping, the theoretical analysis of efficiency has also been dichotomized. The optimality of the distribution of output in the second period is distributive efficiency" and the optimality of the allocation of first-period resources is 'the efficiency of investment'. We have found in the distributive efficiency that the conditions for attainability is the same as the conditions for market optimality. The necessary and sufficient conditions for attainability or market optimality is that (1) all utility functions are such that -$\frac{{U_i}^'(Y_i)}{{U_i}^"(Y_i)}={\mu}_i+{\lambda}Y_i$-linear risk tolerance function where the coefficients ${\mu}_i$ and $\lambda$ are independent of $Y_i$, and (2) there are homogeneous expectations, i. e. ${\Large f}_i(\theta)={\Large f}(\theta)$ for every i. On the other hand, the efficiency of investment has disagreement about optimal investment level. The investment level for market rule will not generally lead to Pareto-optimal allocation of investment. This suboptimality is caused by (1)the difference of Diamond's decomposable production function and mean-variance valuation model and (2) the selection of exelusive investment or competitive investment. In conclusion, this article has made an analysis of conditions and processes of Pareto-optimal allocation of resources in capital marker and tried to connect with significant issues in modern finance.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.43-50
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• 2020

This study reviewed the examples on analyses of the potential impacts to waste management, due to the recent trends of waste trade regulation, and summarized an analysis strategy of the impacts. As a result, a desirable analysis may begin with reasonable estimation of recent waste amounts and flows, and reasonable prediction of the future trends of waste amounts. Then, it is effective to list various key factors and derive future scenarios of the impacts, as well as employ the traditional viewpoints focusing on waste material flow or environmental regulations. The applicable analyses for each scenario can be largely divided into qualitative and quantitative methods. Due to a high uncertainty in the recent international situations with entailing possible innovative economic changes, qualitative methods may be considered in advance, and then quantitative techniques may be utilized to predict gradual changes at relieved uncertainty of the situations. Based on this review so far, proper methodology and procedures for the impact analysis were suggested on recent waste trade conditions in Korea. Given existence of the recent uncertainties such as the health and economic crises, the analysis preferably focused on deriving strategic scenarios with respect to various aspects, and suggested analysis methods applicable to each scenario.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.113-133
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• 2024

Variable renewable energy (VRE) such as solar and wind power is the main sources of achieving carbon net zero, but it undermines the stability of power supply due to high variability and uncertainty. Energy storage system (ESS) can not only reduce the curtailment of VRE by load shifting but also contribute to stable power system operation by providing ancillary services. This study analyzes how the allocation of ESS resources between load shifting and ancillary service can contribute to maximizing the efficiency of power supply in a situation where the problems caused by VRE are becoming more and more serious. A stochastic power system optimization model that can realistically simulate the variability and uncertainty of VRE was applied. The analysis time point was set to 2023 and 2036, and the optimal resource allocation strategy and benefits of ESS by varying VRE penetration levels were analyzed. The analysis results can be largely summarized into the following three. First, ESS provides excellent functions for both load shifting and ancillary service, and it was confirmed that the higher the reserve price, the more limited the load shifting and focused on providing reserve. Second, the curtailment of VRE can be a effective substitute for the required reserve, and the higher the reserve price level, the higher the curtailment of VRE and the lower the required amount of reserve. Third, if a reasonable reserve offer price reflecting the opportunity cost is applied, ESS can secure economic feasibility in the near future, and the higher the proportion of VRE, the greater the economic feasibility of ESS. This study suggests that cost-effective low-carbon transition in the power system is possible when the price signal is correctly designed so that power supply resources can be efficiently utilized.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2020

Currently, life-cycle cost analysis methods are introduced to maintain large infrastructure facilities in Korea. However, there are not many cases in which maintenance models are applied that reflect conditions such as the location of a facility and its surroundings. In order to establish an appropriate maintenance strategy, a cost prediction, deterioration model, and a decision model reflecting uncertainty should be established. In this study, an economic analysis model was developed for long-term cost planning and management based on user decisions based on maintenance methods and judgment criteria for painting specifications applied to power generation structures. The performance of the paintwork was assessed through the paint deterioration test for the application of the economic analysis model, and the results of the economic analysis according to the applied paint specifications (Urethan, polysiloxane, fluorine) were verified by applying the proposed economic analysis model. In this study, it is believed that the selection of the repair cycle and evaluation methods applied with the development model rather than the performance of the painting can be expected to be used as basic data for the maintenance cycle, even if it is not limited to the painting.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-60
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• 2003

As the process of economic globalization deepens market uncertainty and severe competition, modern companies are tend to rely on non-market, socio-economic mechanisms such as trust, collaboration, and interdependence, They are being more influenced by cultural economic mechanisms like networks, embeddedness, and placeness rather than explicit cost-reductions. This paper analyzes the characteristics of industrial clusters, the formation of social capital, and the process of institutionalization by comparing two distinctive types of clusters, say Teheran and East-Gate Valleys in Seoul, Korea. The one is mainly consisted of IT industries with increasing vertical integration supported by venture capitals and favorable business infrastructures. The other cluster has long been a traditional CBD frame of Seoul and has transformed to the most dynamic and productive area, characterized by one-stop 'R&D-production-distribution-consumption-after sales services'. The study of the developmental trajectory and key characteristics for these kinds of clusters can give us insight for the cluster theory. This paper firstly reviews the similarities and differences between the social capital in general and that of industrial clusters. It then profiles the growth of the two clusters over the past decade, and compares the current spatial and business structure of the two clusters, focusing on transactions costs, the creation and flow of information, and the local institutions. The paper concludes with some comments about the prospects and perils of the two types industrial clusters of Seoul.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 2018

In recent years, payability of shale gas production has worsened due to oil and gas price declines resulting from sharply increasing shale gas production. Reliable economic evaluation in shale gas development has become important. In this study, Monte Carlo simulation of probabilistic analysis technique was applied to analyze the economic feasibility considering the uncertainty involved in shale gas development. For this, the range of major variables is set and a random number is generated to derive the probability distribution of Net Present Value(NPV) and Internal Rate of Return(IRR). Consequently, we estimated the probability that the feasibility of the project is evaluated to be positive when developing shale gas in the study area. In addition, sensitivity analysis of major parameters affecting economic efficiency in shale gas development was carried out, and the effect of major variables in economic evaluation for commercial production was identified. In the future, this study could be used to make decision for shale gas production by presenting the range of variation of economic index and probability value.

• 사회경제평론
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.31-70
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• 2016

This study provides a comprehensive survey of Post Keynesian economics. The global financial crisis 2008-2009 has triggered an important debate concerning economic theory, policy and methodology. The most important thing that this economic crisis has done for economics is that it revealed mainstream economics was wrong. Mainstream economics has been unable to offer clear answers for the crisis. The economic crisis, at the same time, brought about a crisis in the field of economics. This study suggests that economics needs to be altered into a new form that can explain the real world economy. In this paper, it is argued that Post Keynesian economics can be understood as the alternative economics. The paper begins with the vision and the origins of several Post Keynesian ideas, leading to an examination of certain features of the various groups, including their methodology and their approaches to uncertainty, their pricing theories and their growth theories. The focus, however, is on the stage reflected in Post Keynesian economics which is concerned with the conception of Lakatos's 'Scientific Research Programmes'. It is recognized that more research is necessary in order to complete the post keynesian economics as a standard science or as a progressive Scientific Research Programmes in economics.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.116-138
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• 2024

This study presents a new tool and protocol to assess the impact of 'Marine Invasive and Harmful Species' (MIHS) on marine environments and socio-economic aspects. It addresses shortcomings in the Marine Ecosystems Conservation and Management Act in South Korea by proposing an impact assessment framework divided into marine environmental and socio-economic groups. Six distinct evaluation categories are included in each group, and a semi-quantitative five-step scale is utilized to provide a flexible approach, addressing a variety of issues from ecological disturbances to effects on health and property. The assessment tool is applied through a systematic five-stage process based on the Delphi method. This approach posters collaboration among a diverse sets of experts and stakeholders, enabling a comprehensive evaluation that incorporates various perspectives. The study also examines strategies to effectively manage uncertainties and improve the consistency of the outcomes. The application of this assessment protocol is expected to be crucial in quantifying the ecological damage caused by MIHS and in identifying management and prevention priorities. The ultimate aim of this evaluation process is to aid decision-makers in developing strategies to preserve the marine ecosystem and mitigate socio-economic impacts.