• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.2394-2398
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• 2013

Nicotine is the main component of environmental tobacco smoke, and its presence in indoor air is widely used as a secondhand-smoke indicator. Environmental tobacco smoke is a major source of indoor air pollution, but sufficient investigation of the uncertainty of its measurement, which mirrors the reliability of nicotine measurement, has not been performed. We calculated the uncertainty of measurement of indoor air nicotine concentration at low, medium, and high concentrations of 11.3798, 10.1977, $98.3768{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, and we employed the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurements (GUM), proposed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The factors considered in determining the uncertainty were uncertainty of the calibration curve (calibration curve and repeated measurements), desorption efficiency, extraction volume, and sampling airflow (accuracy and acceptable limits of flowmeter). The measurement uncertainty was highest at low concentrations; the expanded measurement uncertainty is $0.9435{\mu}g/m^3$ and is represented as a relative uncertainty of 63.38%. At medium and high (concentrations, the relative uncertainty was 13.1% and 9.1%, respectively. The uncertainty of the calibration curve was largest for low indoor nicotine concentrations. To increase reliability of measurement in assessing the effect of secondhand smoke, measures such as increasing the sample injection rate ($1{\mu}L$ or more), increasing sampling volume to increase collected nicotine, and using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or GC/MS/MS, which has a lower quantitation threshold, rather than gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorous detector, should be considered.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.425-437
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• 2015

Objectives: Risk assessment is a tool for predicting and reducing uncertainty related to the effects of future activities. Probability approaches are the main elements in risk assessment, but confusion about the interpretation and use of assessment factors often undermines the message of the analyses. The aim of this study is to provide a guideline for systematic reduction plans regarding uncertainty in risk assessment. Methods: Articles and reports were collected online using the key words "uncertainty analysis" on risk assessment. Uncertainty analysis was conducted based on reports focusing on procedures for analysis methods by the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In addition, case studies were performed in order to verify suggested methods qualitatively and quantitatively with exposure data, including measured data on toluene and styrene in residential spaces and multi-use facilities. Results: Based on an analysis of the data on uncertainty, three major factors including scenario, model, and parameters were identified as the main sources of uncertainty, and tiered approaches were determined. In the case study, the risk of toluene and styrene was evaluated and the most influential factors were also determined. Five reduction plans were presented: providing standard guidelines, using reliable exposure factors, possessing quality controls for analysis and scientific expertise, and introducing a peer review system. Conclusion: In this study, we established a method for reducing uncertainty by taking into account the major factors. Also, we showed a method for uncertainty analysis with tiered approaches. However, uncertainties are difficult to define because they are generated by many factors. Therefore, further studies are needed for the development of technical guidelines based on the representative scenario, model, and parameters developed in this study.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.617-632
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationship between the focal firm's interdepartmental cooperation and new product development (NPD) performance with focus on the moderating effect of environmental uncertainty. The basic hypothesized model is that there are positively associated relationships. Methods: The proposed research model was tested using structural equation modeling with 601 responses from multi-functional and multiple respondents in Korean manufacturing firms. Multi-group SEM analyses were conducted to explore the degree to which the hypothesized model was equivalent for different levels of environmental uncertainty. Results: Interdepartmental cooperation between R&D and production is positively associated with NPD performance under both higher and lower environmental uncertainties, while one between R&D and marketing is positively associated under only higher environmental uncertainty. Conclusion: This paper determined that NPD performance is positively correlated with R&D-production cooperation in a focal firm, and the relationship between R&D-marketing cooperation and NPD performance is positively moderated by level of environmental uncertainty. Consequently, this study suggests that it is always important for firms to put much effort on R&D-production cooperation for a better NPD performance, while R&D-marketing cooperation should be enhanced especially under higher environmental uncertainty than lower.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2004

The concectration and distribution of contaminants obtained from a contaminated land investigation or an environmental geochemistry survey constitutes the basis of a decision-making process on environmental policies or of scientific researches. As the quality of data determines the reliability of the result, the investigation plan should be adjusted according to the purpose of the investigation. In general, the effort to improve the data quality had been focused mainly on the QA/QC procedures in laboratories. The rapid progress of analytical instrument has also contributed toward improving the analytical precision to a sacrificable degree. Nevertheless, in many cases, it is not the analytical precision that needs improvement for the better precision of overall measurement process: it is rather during the sampling process in the field that is responsible for the poor precision. To assess the data quality on a measured value, ISO recommends to provide information on "measurement uncertainty" along with the measured value. The measurement uncertainty in an environmental measurement context can be explained as the statistical number that expresses the degree of the uncertainty stemming from the sampling and analytical procedures. There is a cost involved in order to improve the precision of sampling and analytical methods so as to decrease the degree of measurement uncertainty. The economical point of compromise in an investigation planning can be achieved when the allowable degree of uncertainty has been set before-hand. The investigation can then be planned accordingly not to exceed the uncertainty limit. Furthermore, if the measurement uncertainty estimated from the preliminary investigation can be separated into sampling and analytical uncertainties, it can be used as a criterion where the resources for the investigation should be allotted cost-effectively to reinforce the weakest link of the whole investigation process. This paper aims to present a method of estimating the level of measurement uncertainty of a measured contamination concentration at a site used as an example and to show how the estimated uncertainty can be applied to serve the particular purpose of an investigation.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.11-26
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• 2022

Purpose: Manufacturers rely on interfirm governance mechanisms to reduce the risks inherent in uncertain environments; however, it is unclear which governance mechanisms are developed to manage relationships with suppliers. This study sought to enhance knowledge of how environmental uncertainty affects interfirm governance mechanisms under conditions reflecting varying levels of structural holes. To this end, the study investigated the relationships between manufacturers and major first-tier and sub-suppliers. In particular, the moderating effect of structural holes is examined. Research design, data and methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted with a major first-tier supplier of a Korean engineering firm. Proposed hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Results: The results show that while the relationship between environmental uncertainty and unilateral governance is positive but statistically insignificant, with bilateral governance is negative and statistically significant. The study also demonstrates that when structural holes are considered, the effects between environmental uncertainty and governance mechanisms are attenuated. Conclusions: This study suggests some theoretical and managerial contributions between exchange partners, especially, the results suggest that structural holes have a critical competitive advantage in uncertain environments. Therefore, manufacturers should carefully consider how they deal with environmental uncertainty when they make a business decision under structural holes situations.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.63-86
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• 2021

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of the application of accounting conservatism on the investment efficiency of listed companies in China under the background of the current rising environmental uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach - This study collected 14,934 observations of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2013 to 2020, and analyzed the data by means of moderating effect test and multiple regression analysis. Findings - The results show that environmental uncertainty deteriorates the company's investment efficiency. The higher the level of environmental uncertainty, the more prone to over-investment and under-investment. Accounting conservatism plays moderating role between environmental uncertainty and investment efficiency. Among them, the moderating effect of conditional conservatism is to alleviate under-investment of the company under high financing constraints and the over-investment, while it intensifies the under-investment under low financing constraints. The moderating effect of unconditional conservatism is to alleviate the under-investment. Research implications or Originality - This study finds out the internal mechanism of accounting conservatism affecting investment efficiency, which not only helps to understand about the value of accounting conservatism standards, but also helps to improve the investment efficiency of listed companies.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2014

The uncertainty assessment is important to improve the reliability of emission inventory data. The DARS (Data Attribute Rating System) have recommended as the uncertainty assessment technic of emission inventory by U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) EIIP (Emission Inventory Improvement Program). The DARS score is based on the perceived quality of the emission factor and activity data. Scores are assigned to four attributes; measurement/method, source specificity, spatial congruity and temporal congruity. The resulting emission factor and activity rate scores are combined to arrive at an overall confidence rating for the inventory. So DARS is believed to be a useful tool and may provide more information about inventories than the usual qualitative grading procedures (e.g. A through E). In this study, the uncertainty assessment for 2009 CAPSS (Clean Air Policy Support System) emission inventory is conducted by DARS. According to the result of this uncertainty assessment, the uncertainty for fugitive dust emission data is higher than other sources, the uncertainty of emission factor for surface coating is the highest value, and the uncertainty of activity data for motor cycle is the highest value. Also it is analysed that the improvement of uncertainty for activity data is as much important as the improvement for emission factor to upgrade the reliability of CAPSS emission inventory.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.161-167
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• 2021

This paper presents the method to quantitatively evaluate the uncertainty of the semi-empirical Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) model for Himawari-8/AHI. The uncertainty of BRDF modeling was affected by various issues such as assumption of model and number of observations, thus, it is difficult that evaluating the performance of BRDF modeling using simple uncertainty equations. Therefore, in this paper, Monte-Carlo method, which is most dependable method to analyze dynamic complex systems through iterative simulation, was used. The 1,000 input datasets for analyzing the uncertainty of BRDF modeling were generated using the Second Simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S) Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) simulation with MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF product. Then, we randomly selected data according to the number of observations from 4 to 35 in the input dataset and performed BRDF modeling using them. Finally, the uncertainty was calculated by comparing reproduced surface reflectance through the BRDF model and simulated surface reflectance using 6S RTM and expressed as bias and root-mean-square-error (RMSE). The bias was negative for all observations and channels, but was very small within 0.01. RMSE showed a tendency to decrease as the number of observations increased, and showed a stable value within 0.05 in all channels. In addition, our results show that when the viewing zenith angle is 40° or more, the RMSE tends to increase slightly. This information can be utilized in the uncertainty analysis of subsequently retrieved geophysical variables.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.185-202
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• 2000

Uncertainty and variability in Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) have been significant key issues in LCA methodology with techniques in other research area such as social and political science. Variability is understood as stemming from inherent variations in the real world, while uncertainty comes from inaccurate measurements, lack of data, model assumptions, etc. Related articles in this issues were reviewed for classification, distinguish and elaboration of probabilistic/stochastic health risk analysis application in LCA. Concept of focal zone, streamlining technique, scenario modelling and Monte Carlo/Latin Hypercube risk analysis were applied to the uncertainty/variability analysis of health risk in LCA. These results show that this general framework of multi-disciplinary methodology between probabilistic health risk assessment and LCA was of benefit to decision making process by suppling information about input/output data sensitivity, health effect priority and health risk distribution. There should be further research needs for case study using this methodology.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.43-65
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• 2008

This study investigates the effects of business environment on the e-business strategy and performance of venture firms. The development of the research model is based on the empirical studies on the strategy literature. The data from the survey was analyzed using Partial Least Squares(PLS). For Daedeok Valley Venture Firms, product innovation differentiation strategy is affected by environmental uncertainty. And, cost leadership strategy tend to be influence by environmental uncertainty. Finally, venture firm's performance is effected by cost leadership strategy and marketing differentiation strategy. However, for in Hsinchu Science Park Venture Firms, product innovation differentiation strategy is affected by environmental uncertainty and heterogeneity. And, marketing differentiation strategy is enhanced by environment uncertainty and industry growth. In addition, cost leadership strategy tend to be influence by environmental uncertainty and heterogeneity. Finally, venture firm's performance is effected by cost leadership strategy and product innovation differentiation strategy.