• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.561-572
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• 1997

This paper attempts to analyze the changes of the contents in foreign area research carried out by Korean geographers, and discuss the task of the new regional geography in a global-local context. As compared with domestic area research, only a scant of foreign area research has been carried out. In the 1990's, the research interests are paid to how an open economy affects the regional economy, especialy the production technique, division of labor, industrial mix, market strategy, industrial location and organization, and so on. Unfortunately, however, the boundaries between economic geography and regional economy are gradully disappearing.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.89-97
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• 2016

Purpose - In the major global markets, such as US and China, consumer ethnocentrism has been strengtened and there is a growing need for related study. This research aims to investigate the effects of national pride and national attachment on consumer ethnocentrism, using a nationally representative dataset from 2013 Korean General Social Survey. Based on the reviews of literature in social and political sciences, two dimensions of national pride were considered: national society pride which is based on positive evaluations on the nation's democracy condition or social security system, and national achievement pride which is based on positive evaluations regarding the country's achievements in the areas of technology, art, sports, and so on. Research design, data, and methodology - The authors developed a structural model in which two types of national pride, national society and achievement pride, are proposed to affect national attachment, thus influencing consumer ethnocentrism. 1,294 surveys were used for empirical analysis. The hypotheses were tested by utilizing SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 21.0. The unidimensionality of each construct and the nomological validity were supported from the results of factor analyses and correlation analysis. Results - It was found that both national society pride and national achievement pride have significant and positive effects on national attachment. Consumers who show stronger pride on the social systems or the global achievements of Korea are more likely to remain being a citizen of the country and support the country even in wrong. Also, there was a significant and positive relationship between national attachment and consumer ethnocentrism. Korean consumers who have stronger attachment to Korea tend to express higher ethnocentrism to protect Korean labor market and to promote economic development of the country. Conclusions - The findings of this study showed that companies and government need to emphasize the country's advanced social environments or global competitiveness in technology, sports, art, and so on, to boost national attachment. With a deeper understanding on the relationships among national pride, national attachment, and consumer ethnocentrism, the authors expect that both local and foreign companies in Korea will be able to develop more effective marketing strategies and to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.19-65
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• 2000

This study analyzes the development of technological infrastructure(TI) and technological infrastructure policy(TIP) to enhance the technological capabilities of small and mid-sized manufacturing enterprises(SMEs) in the U.S. and Korea in terms of the technological system(TS) concept, which is composed of technological infrastructure, industrial organization, and institutional infrastructure. In order to analyze the internal dynamics of the system, such as incentive mechanisms, the interaction among economic actors, and the policy implementation process, we compare the MEP(Manufacturing Extension Partnership) system of the U.S. and the Joong-Jin-Gong system of Korea. Among many similarities, contrasts, and insights from each country's effort to construct TI and TS, the main findings are as follows. (1) Both the MEP system and the Joong-Jin-Cong system are TI-led or government-led type TS. However, the nation-wide picture is different: in the U.S., most TSs including the MEP system., are classified as TI-led type; in Korea, many TI-assisted or private sector-led TSs have been developed since the early 1960s. (2) the MEP system, as a representative case of the U.S., is less stable than the Joong-Jin-Gong system of Korea in terms of financing and political cycle. (3) The MEP system is a more complex and cooperative network than the Joong-Jin-Gong system. NIST, as a critical mass, generates the system, bridges various institutions, and influences the development of the system by providing funding. (4) Regarding TI components, TSs in both countries focus on utilizing off-the-shelf technologies rather than advanced technologies. However, the direction of movement is different: in the U.S., TSs have come to emphasize existing technologies to counterbalance an innovation system that has been highly focused toward new technologies; in Korea, TSs have been moving from focusing on a higher diffusion rate of imported process technologies to stressing new technology development. (5) Personnel and staffing, embodying technological capability, is an important concern in both countries. But the human capital infrastructure of the U.S. system is more efficient and industry-oriented than that of the Korean system due to a more flexible labor market. (6) While the U.S. has a strong tradition of state and local autonomy in constructing TI and TS to fit SMEs's specific need, Korea has a centralized and bureaucratically-led policy implementation process.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1081-1089
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• 2013

The purpose of this paper is to suggest the formation plan of green cluster for the enhancement of green industry competitiveness in Korea. For this reason, this paper has the analysis to find out regional competitiveness and effective factors in the green industry. The major findings are as follows. First, the renewable energy industry was competitive at Gyeonggi, Gyeongnam, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Ulsan, Jeonnam, and the carbon reduction industry was competitive at Ulsan, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk,, Chungnam, Seoul, Chungbuk, Inchon. Second, the most important factors of the renewable energy industry was factor condition, such as business, labor, research and development; while in the carbon reduction industry was sector of structure and rivalry, such as performance, policy and institution, market share, industry specialization. Third, it showed that the green industry was more competitive at the local area with the better industrial infrastructure. So, we need to focus on the green of existing industry-infrastructure, and the strategy of selection and concentration, for the enhancement of green industry competitiveness in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.273-284
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• 2024

This study investigates the impact of international oil price fluctuations on overseas construction orders secured by domestic and foreign companies. The analysis employs statistical data spanning the past 20 years, encompassing international oil prices, overseas construction orders from domestic firms, and new overseas construction orders from the top 250 global construction companies. The correlation between these variables is assessed using correlation coefficients(R), determination coefficients(R²), and p-values. The results indicate a strong positive correlation between international oil prices and overseas construction orders. The correlation coefficient between domestic overseas construction orders and oil prices is found to be 0.8 or higher, signifying a significant influence. Similarly, a high correlation coefficient of 0.76 is observed between oil prices and new orders from leading global construction companies. Further analysis reveals a particularly strong correlation between oil prices and overseas construction orders in Asia and the Middle East, potentially due to the prevalence of oil-related projects in these regions. Additionally, a high correlation is observed between oil prices and orders for industrial facilities compared to architectural projects. This suggests an increase in plant construction volumes driven by fluctuations in oil prices. Based on these findings, the study proposes an entry strategy for navigating oil price volatility and maintaining competitiveness in the overseas construction market. Key recommendations include diversifying project locations and supplier bases; utilizing hedging techniques for exchange rate risk management, adapting to local infrastructure and market conditions, establishing local partnerships and securing skilled local labor, implementing technological innovations and digitization at construction sites to enhance productivity and cost reduction The insights gained from this study, coupled with the proposed overseas expansion strategies, offer valuable guidance for mitigating risks in the global construction market and fostering resilience in response to international oil price fluctuations. This approach is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic and foreign construction firms seeking success in the international arena.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.85-111
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• 2016

Global semiconductor companies is investing enormous capital worldwide. And direct investment in China is increasing greatly these days, Especially, global semiconductor companies are setting up a factory in China due to expanding market rather than utilizing low labor cost. Therefore, this study is trying to analyze the background and process of direct investment from global Korean and Taiwanese semiconductor companies in China. Firstly, In 1996, Samsung semiconductor established a back end process factory in Suzhou. And in 2014, Samsung semiconductor set up a front and back end factory in Xian. Secondly, In 2006, SK Hynix built a front and back end factory in Wuxi. and SK Hynix set up a back end factory named Hitech semiconductor with Chinese company in 2009. Later in 2015, SK Hynix established a back end factory in Chongqing. Thirdly, In 2004, TSMC started to operate a factory in Shanghai, and in 2018, TSMC is going to establish a factory in Nanjing. Lastly, UMC bought a stock to produce product in Chinese local company named HJT, and at the end of 2016, UMC is going to finish building a factory in Xiamen. As a result, it was proved that most companies hoped to expand the chinese market by setting up a factory in china. In addition, Samsung expected to avoid a risk by setting up a factory in china, and SK Hynix wanted to avoid a countervailing duty by setting up a factory in china. Based on the result of this study, this study indicates some implications for other semiconductor companies which are very helpful for their future foreign direct investment.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.55
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• pp.103-130
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• 2003

This study examined resettlement and adaptation condition of North Korean(NK) refugees resettling in local areas and compared the results of the examination to the life conditions for those who are living in Seoul and its vicinities. As the result indicates, the first cohort is currently inferior to their counterpart in labor market activities, life satisfaction, and quantity and quality of resettlement assistance implemented by private voluntary agencies. The reason of selecting Busan as a specific case for this study is that: 1) Busan is the largest city in the number of NK refugees residence except for Seoul, 2) Busan has a couple of community welfare centers which are involved in the work of NK refugee resettlement as well as the reason that Busan provides convenience of conducting a survey to the researcher. The most significant contribution of this study to social work research and practice is that it applied the existing theoretical and practical approach of community resources development and networking of social supports to the field of NK refugee resettlement assistance. Based on the research findings, this study suggests that the roles and functions of Community Associations of NK Refugee Assistance should be more activating and that a community welfare center should a take critical role in organizing and activating the Community Associations. This paper also suggests specific ways of enhancing the role of community welfare centers in NK refugee assistance.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.372-388
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• 2013

A series of coffee middlemen has come to be regarded as an exploitative force in the lives of small and poor coffee farmers, which is called 'coyote', controlling production, paying unfair prices for labor and goods, and participating in fraudulent practices to maximize their own profits. However, the reality of gains captured by coffee middlemen in the value chain might be exaggerated and even unfair. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to reconsider the implication of coffee middlemen for the development of coffee value chain in Vietnam. It also attempts to identify their characteristics by investigating relations among coffee farmers, middlemen and processing/exporting firms. In terms of middlemen's margin in the coffee sub-sector, their margin is quite small when compared to other actors higher in the value chain. Rather, coffee middlemen in Vietnam have played a critical role as an intermediary of change in local economies. More specifically, coffee middlemen in Dak Lak has played a significant role as a market facilitator by stimulating the access of farmers to markets by providing buyers for farmers thanks to changes in institutional environment. Also, they have played a critical role as an agent of sustainable coffee production by encouraging sustainable coffee production in accordance with the demand of processing and exporting firms.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.287-300
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• 2005

The globalization of services is closely related to other economic problems facing the world today. These are: 1) the globalization of economic activities, 2) the servicization of economic activities. The world economy is now move interconnected than at any time in its history. Investment decisions, production processes, labor market regulations and even environmental legislation made by one country or company affect other economies, other companies and the lives of individuals. In fact, it is nearly impossible to think of a country that is not connected to the world economy in some form or another and it is no exaggeration to state that globalization is already an unassailable fact. The fabric of our economy and the way we do business are changing. This change is the transformation from a marketplace on goods to one focused on services. That is to say, we live and work in a service-centered, service-sensitive economy. As a result of the globalization an servicization of economic activities, services require the globalization, and services are increasing their international trade, foreign investment, agreements, alliances, mergers and collaboration networks. It is quite obvious that services are affected by globalization ; but raising the question by how much leads us to the paradox of service globalization, services represent 70% of the most advances economies but only account for less than 25% of international trade and almost half of direct investment; mergers and takeovers. These figures create a paradox that can be explained by two reasons. First; the natural(the service relationship) and artificial difficulties(barriers to trade) faced by the service sector that inhibits globalization. Second, the non-inclusion in official statistics of the share of internationalized goods that are due to services, for example intra-firm trade or the service value incorporated into exported goods. If these were taken into account the service trade figures would be extremely different. The first explanation can be subdivided into a number of elements. The OECD identifies six reasons:services cannot be stored; client-supplies interaction requires local presence; most service firms are SEMs; products are highly differentiated; cultural differences are especially important in this field; and, finally, trade barriers and restrictions on local operations exist. However, despite all of this, globalization produces clear advantages to suppliers. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the main forms of service globalization and differences between that of goods, and is to identify distinctive aspects of service globalization within the framework of the global economy.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 1974

This paper describes how location influences on the development of dairy farming. It compares Chuncheon, which in the mountains, Daejeon, which is a transportation center and on flat ground, and Incheon, which is the gate to Seoul and an industrial city. The results analyzed are summarized as follows : 1. Incheon, due to her vast market, influenced strongly on the development of management. But shortage of roughage for feeds is the critical problem there. 2. Owing to the side job of raising chicks, which involves 92% of dairy farmers there, Chuncheon does not make smooth utilization of vast grass pasture. 3. In Daejeon's case, running orchards concurrently is the problem. 4. There exists no gap in wages between the region. The labor supply is most affluent in Incheon and there is competition with other forms of agriculture in the mountainous area. 5. The full-time employee tends to be skillful in accordance with his career. Family labor has been skillful, but the full-time employee is very fluid and shows varieties of skill. 6. Because of the obscurity of the distribution of labor with other jobs in Chuncheon and Daejeon, many unspecialized men serve. 7. The prices of milk are different in each region. The income of dairy farmers is strongly influenced by the low purchasing price of milk plants, and this is one of the important factors hindering the development of dairy farm ing in Chuncheon.