• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.31-54
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• 2007

The exchange between buyers and sellers in the industrial market is changing from short-term to long-term relationships. Long-term relationships are governed mainly by formal contracts or informal agreements, but many scholars are now asserting that controlling relationship by using formal contracts under environmental dynamism is inappropriate. In this case, partners will depend on each other's flexibility or interdependence. The former, flexibility, provides a general frame of reference, order, and standards against which to guide and assess appropriate behavior in dynamic and ambiguous situations, thus motivating the value-oriented performance goals shared between partners. It is based on social sacrifices, which can potentially minimize any opportunistic behaviors. The later, interdependence, means that each firm possesses a high level of dependence in an dynamic channel relationship. When interdependence is high in magnitude and symmetric, each firm enjoys a high level of power and the bonds between the firms should be reasonably strong. Strong shared power is likely to promote commitment because of the common interests, attention, and support found in such channel relationships. This study deals with environmental dynamism in high-tech industry. Firms in the high-tech industry regard it as a key success factor to successfully cope with environmental changes. However, due to the lack of studies dealing with environmental dynamism and supply chain commitment in the high-tech industry, it is very difficult to find effective strategies to cope with them. This paper presents the results of an empirical study on the relationship between environmental dynamism and supply chain commitment in the high-tech industry. We examined the effects of consumer, competitor, and technological dynamism on supply chain commitment. Additionally, we examined the moderating effects of flexibility and dependence of supply chains. This study was confined to the type of high-tech industry which has the characteristics of rapid technology change and short product lifecycle. Flexibility among the firms of this industry, having the characteristic of hard and fast growth, is more important here than among any other industry. Thus, a variety of environmental dynamism can affect a supply chain relationship. The industries targeted industries were electronic parts, metal product, computer, electric machine, automobile, and medical precision manufacturing industries. Data was collected as follows. During the survey, the researchers managed to obtain the list of parts suppliers of 2 companies, N and L, with an international competitiveness in the mobile phone manufacturing industry; and of the suppliers in a business relationship with S company, a semiconductor manufacturing company. They were asked to respond to the survey via telephone and e-mail. During the two month period of February-April 2006, we were able to collect data from 44 companies. The respondents were restricted to direct dealing authorities and subcontractor company (the supplier) staff with at least three months of dealing experience with a manufacture (an industrial material buyer). The measurement validation procedures included scale reliability; discriminant and convergent validity were used to validate measures. Also, the reliability measurements traditionally employed, such as the Cronbach's alpha, were used. All the reliabilities were greater than.70. A series of exploratory factor analyses was conducted. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses to assess the validity of our measurements. A series of chi-square difference tests were conducted so that the discriminant validity could be ensured. For each pair, we estimated two models-an unconstrained model and a constrained model-and compared the two model fits. All these tests supported discriminant validity. Also, all items loaded significantly on their respective constructs, providing support for convergent validity. We then examined composite reliability and average variance extracted (AVE). The composite reliability of each construct was greater than.70. The AVE of each construct was greater than.50. According to the multiple regression analysis, customer dynamism had a negative effect and competitor dynamism had a positive effect on a supplier's commitment. In addition, flexibility and dependence had significant moderating effects on customer and competitor dynamism. On the other hand, all hypotheses about technological dynamism had no significant effects on commitment. In other words, technological dynamism had no direct effect on supplier's commitment and was not moderated by the flexibility and dependence of the supply chain. This study makes its contribution in the point of view that this is a rare study on environmental dynamism and supply chain commitment in the field of high-tech industry. Especially, this study verified the effects of three sectors of environmental dynamism on supplier's commitment. Also, it empirically tested how the effects were moderated by flexibility and dependence. The results showed that flexibility and interdependence had a role to strengthen supplier's commitment under environmental dynamism in high-tech industry. Thus relationship managers in high-tech industry should make supply chain relationship flexible and interdependent. The limitations of the study are as follows; First, about the research setting, the study was conducted with high-tech industry, in which the direction of the change in the power balance of supply chain dyads is usually determined by manufacturers. So we have a difficulty with generalization. We need to control the power structure between partners in a future study. Secondly, about flexibility, we treated it throughout the paper as positive, but it can also be negative, i.e. violating an agreement or moving, but in the wrong direction, etc. Therefore we need to investigate the multi-dimensionality of flexibility in future research.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.137-143
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to examine the evaluation of texture image and preference according to the structural characteristics of silk fabric, and to analyze the effects of texture image and sensibility on the preference. 53 female subjects evaluated fabric image and sensibility of 17 specimens of white silk fabrics sold on the market with semantic differential scale. The data were analyzed through factor analysis, Pearson correlational coefficient and t-test using SPSS win 13.0. For the evaluation, structural characteristics such as fiber contents, weave type, weight and thickness were analyzed. Factor analysis showed that sensibilities were classified into 3 categories; 'surface property', 'weight', 'flexibility'. Fabric images were classified into 2 categories; 'elegance' and 'naturalness'. Statistically significant differences of structural characteristics on the texture image were observed. Weave type affected 'surface property' and fiber contents affected' flexibility'. Weight and weave type affected' elegance', too. The significant factors affecting preference were fabric image of 'elegance' and structural characteristics of 'weave type'. The results of this study showed that the most preferred silk fabric is smooth and soft satin weaved fabric with texture image of 'elegance'.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 2012

This research investigates the effect of the antecedents (i.e. specific investment, opportunistic behavior, communications, uncertainty, interdependence, power imbalance, shared value, and flexibility) that influence the trust and commitment of domestic apparel manufacturers toward contractors as well as the effect of trust and commitment on firm performance and relationship satisfaction. A total of 128 apparel manufactures participated in this study. Factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and path analysis were conducted for the statistical analysis. Specific investment, communication, shared value, and flexibility had a positive effect on trust; however, opportunistic behavior had a negative effect. Interdependence, shared value, and flexibility had a positive effect on commitment; however, power imbalance and uncertainty had a negative effect. Trust did not exert an effect on commitment in this research; however, trust and commitment had a positive effect on firm performance; in addition, trust and commitment had a positive effect on relationship satisfaction. The findings offer insight on how to better manage apparel manufacturer-contractor relationships to ensure success.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2020

This study provides a simplified method for the evaluation of shear lag stress in rectangular box T-joints. The occurrence of shear lag phenomenon in the box T-joint generates stress concentration localized at both web-flange junctions of the beam, which leads to cracking or failure in the weld region of the joint. To prevent such critical circumstance, peak stress at the weld region is required to be checked during a preliminary design stage. In this paper, the shear lag stresses in the T-joints were evaluated using least-work solution in which the longitudinal displacements of the beam flange and web were presumed. The evaluation process considered particularly the effect of column flange flexibility, which was represented by an axial spring model, on the shear lag stress distribution. A simplified method for stress evaluation was provided to avoid solving complex mathematical problems using a stress modification factor β_s from a parametric study. The results showed that the proposed method was valid for predicting the shear lag stress in the box T-joints manually, as well compared with finite element results. The results are further summarized, discussed, and clarified that more flexible column flange caused higher stress concentration.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.478-489
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a Health Maintenance Program on physical functions and mental health of the elderly in nursing homes. Method: Sixty elderly(over 65 years old) in a randomized control study participated in a 16-week group-based intervention including functional exercises and health education. The participants were divided into 3 groups(Health Maintenance Program Group, Supportive Music Exercise Group, and Control Group) of 20 elderly each. Data was collected from Dec. 1st, 2005 to Mar, 30th, 2006. Physical function of lower body strength was assessed using a 30-second chair test, flexibility was assessed using a sit-and-reach test, and static balance was assessed by the ability to balance on one leg with open and closed eyes. Depression was assessed using the Korean Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and self esteem was assessed using Rosenberg's Self Esteem Questionnaire. Data was analyzed by Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA, and Repeated measure two factor analysis. Results: A Health Maintenance Program significantly increased muscle strength, flexibility and static balance, but depression and self-esteem scores were not significantly changed. Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that a Health Maintenance Program was more effective on physical function than mental health of the elderly in nursing homes.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2002

The isoflavone as a derivatives of flavone is colorless crystalline compounds. It acts on synthesis of fibronectine, collagen III, collagen I in human normal fibroblast by same biological activity to animal hormone. In this study, we tried to search and demonstrate system content rate of dermal translocation system for cosmetics using microemulsion containing isoflavone. The results of microemulsion stability test by centrifugation, storage in incubator and circulation chamber showed that separation of phase did not appear after 30 days. By the skin flexibility test, it has confirmed efficiency and effect as cosmetics materials. As the result, the microemulsion showed that skin flexibility factor improved up to 7.6%. We could confirm that O/W type microemulsion was stable system.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.555-561
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• 2003

An iterative modal analysis approach is developed to determine the effect of transverse open cracks on the dynamic behavior of simply supported Euler-Bernoulli beams with the moving masses. The influences of the velocities of moving masses, the distance between the moving masses and a crack have been studied on the dynamic behavior of a simply supported beam system by numerical method. The Presence of crack results In large deflection of beam. The crack section is represented by a local flexibility matrix connecting two undamaged beam segments i.e. the crack is modelled as a rotational spring. This flexibility matrix defines the relationship between the displacements and forces across the crack section and is derived by applying fundamental fracture mechanics theory. Totally, as the velocity of the moving masses and the distance between the moving masses are increased, the mid-span deflection of simply supported beam with the crack is decreased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.501-507
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• 2012

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the effects of trunk flexion on the kinetic characteristics of the lumbar according to the degree of hamstring flexibility. METHODS: This study has as its subjects 29 young adults and divides them into the group (NSRTG, n=15) with the normal length of hamstrings according to SRT and the group (SSRTG, n=14) tending to have shortened hamstrings. Sit and Reach Test was conducted to evaluate the degree of hamstring flexibility. And to examine the kinetic difference of the lumbar at the trunk flexion, it was compared and analyzed by using the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). RESULTS: SSRTG showed more significant difference than NSRTG in the analysis on the trunk flexion of NSRTG and SSRTG. CONCLUSION: According to the analysis, the shortening of hamstrings is the factor that affects the dynamic stability of the lower lumbar through the reduction of the pelvic anterior tilt at the trunk flexion.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.1085-1090
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• 2003

An iterative modal analysis approach is developed to determine the effect of transverse open cracks on the dynamic behavior of simply supported Euler-Bernoulli beams with the moving masses. The influences of the velocities of moving masses, the distance between the moving masses and a crack have been studied on the dynamic behavior or a simply supported beam system by numerical method. no presence or crack results in large deflection of beam. The crack section is represented by a local flexibility matrix connecting two undamaged beam segments i.e. the crack is modelled as a rotational spring. This flexibility matrix defines the relationship between the displacements and forces across the crack section and is derived by applying fundamental fracture mechanics theory. Totally, as the velocity of the moving masses and the distance between the moving masses are increased, the mid-span deflection of simply supported beam with the crack is decreased.