• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.57
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• pp.283-303
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• 2013

When a trade conflict arises related to an officially supported export credit programme, The World Trade Organization(WTO), decides on whether the programme is a forbidden subsidy stipulated in the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures(the ASCM Agreement). Korea was taken to the WTO panel two times for the export credit programme. One is the semiconductor case in 2002 and the other was the shipbuilding disputes in 2004. And, In 2012, the U.S. Commerce Department ruled K-SURE's export insurance for Korean refrigerator manufacturers as a forbidden subsidy even if the case was not taken to the WTO. This paper examines the significance of export credit programmes on the WTO ASCM Agreement and discusses how to operate these programmes so they would not infringe upon the Agreement by analyzing the actual cases of WTO subsidy conflicts that involved Korean enterprises in relation to export credit programmes for the purpose of determining the related issues and impacts. From this research the results were as follows: First, on whether export credit is a prohibited subsidy, the deciding factor was whether a benefit has been conferred to the beneficiary. On the presence of a benefit, the WTO panel used market benchmarks as the main criteria. Thus, official export credit agencies(ECAs) should be careful not to provide export credit support which had been granted to the beneficiary at better than market terms. Second, in the case of export credit, the special status of ECA as a public body receiving government support itself does not constitute a subsidy. However, caution must be taken not to provide export credit that may lead to WTO ASCM subsidy conflicts involving a certain exporter or industry by setting up clear and valid regulations and fair work processes in the operation of export credit programmes. Third, item (j) of Annex I cannot be interpreted reversely as this item is for interpreting the presence of a prohibited subsidy, not the presence of a benefit. Thus, an export credit program that confers a financial contribution, a benefit and specificity, could qualify as a prohibited subsidy. Fourth, ECAs not only have to maintain long-term account balance but also introduce additional measures to meet this long-term balance such as a clear and systematic premium system. Finally, export credit programmes that are not defined in item (j) of Annex I of the ASCM Agreement would not deemed as an prohibited export subsidy as long as the continued support of the programmes are not being forced.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.411-435
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• 2013

Since catastrophe from explosion of Hukushima nuclear power plant, concerns over possibility of exposure to radioactive matter has been disseminating all over the world and frequent accidents of domestic nuclear power plants also has been amplifying throughout the nation. In the past, major focus was made on compensation for local residents who live nearby nuclear power plants, but focal point of this study is on wage premium of workers who are employed in R&D of nuclear power plants. It is difficult to derive socially desirable result if private sectors are responsible for compensation on workers who suffer from physical damages due to the exposure to radioactive matter. Because victims should verify the damages that occur in the working places. This study conducted a survey on which job would prefer the respondents who are engaged with the nuclear R&D projects as exposure levels to radioactive matter, security of job, location of firms, and work intensity differ. As a result, exposure to radioactive matter was the most important attribute in choosing alternative jobs followed by job security, work intensity and job location. Annual willingness to pay for reduction of exposure to radioactive matter was estimated as 7730~7770 thousand KRW depending on different econometric models. Therefore, Korean government should prepare institutional foundation in order that appropriate compensation should be made on workers who are engaged in R&D projects on nuclear power plants if they have damages from the exposure to radioactive matter.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.59-70
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• 2016

Purpose - The objectives of this study are described as following. First, the study will establish the concept of Brand Values of Environmentally-friendly agricultural product through theoretical discussion. Second, it shows the effects of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products brand value on Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust and Brand Loyalty by empirical investigation. Third, in order to provide the methodology of brand development, literature regarding and questionnaire survey were used such as Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products Brand Value, Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust and Brand Loyalty. Based up on the results, the research estimates consumers' relative priorities of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products Brand Value factors in purchase. This research also suggests the consumer oriented new brand development and the progressive direction for the successful launching of Korean Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products Brand. Research design, data, and methodology - Because the relative literatures reviewed regarding not only each factor but also the relationships among them, Brand Value was categorized into 4 dimensions: Emotional, Social, Functional, and Epistemic Value. Then, Brand Loyalty was added as an outcome variable and Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust were also added as mediators. The proposed research model and 13 hypotheses were created and 23 measurement items were developed. A face-to-face questionnaire survey with items concerning the Brand Value of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products is conducted to housewives in metropolitan area in May 2016. Respondent answered about Brand Value, Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust and Brand Loyalty in preferred Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products. 333 copies of the questionnaire were collected and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 20.0 to determine the reliability and validity of the measurements. Results - From the confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation modeling, the outcomes of these studies were as follows; (1) Three Brand value dimensions, i.e. Emotional Value, Social Value, and Epistemic Value had a significant and positive impact on Brand Satisfaction, but Functional Value did not. (2) Social Value also had an impact on Brand Trust, (3) Brand Satisfaction significantly affected Brand Trust, and Brand Trust influenced on Brand Loyalty, and (4) Brand Satisfaction were perfectly effective in mediation between Emotional Value, Epistemic Value and Brand Trust, and it also partially mediated between Social Value and Brand Trust. Conclusions - According to the result of consumer research on Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Product brand, 3 dimensions of brand value affected brand satisfaction, and especially Social Value was a significant positive dimension. So, marketers should concern about value proposition of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Product to consumers by using premium package design, store identity, and distinctive product. Consumers wanted to get self-esteem, self-regard, and high social position by purchasing it. This study has academic and practical significance, so the findings can be applied to a wide range of brand management strategies. However, there are some limitations; 1) limitation about development of new brand value dimensions, 2) limitation about gender in the area of respondents. Future research should be done with wide range of respondents.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.42
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• pp.275-305
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• 2009

Marine insurance contracts, which intended to provide indemnity against marine risks upon the payment of price, known as a premium, originated in Northern Italy in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The law and practice were later introduced into England through the Continent. It is, therefore, quite exact that English and European marine insurance law have common roots. Nevertheless, significant divergences between English and European insurance systems occurred since the late 17th century, mainly due to different approaches adopted by English courts. The rule of warranty in English marine insurance was developed and clarified in the second part of the 18th century by Lord Mansfield, who laid the foundations of the modern English law of marine insurance, and developed different approaches, especially in the field of warranty in marine insurance law. Since the age of Lord Mansfield, English marine insurance law has a unique rule on warranty. This article is, therefore, designed to analyse the overall rule of the rule of warranty in English marine insurance law. The result of analysis are as following. First, warranties are incorporated to serve a very significant function in the law of insurance, that is, confining or determining the scope of the cover agreed by the insurer. From the insurer's point of view, such the function of warranties is crucial, because his liability, agreed on the contract of insurance, largely depend on in, and the warranties, incorporated in the contract play an essential role in assessing the risk. If the warranty is breached, the risk initially agreed is altered and that serves the reason why the insurer is allowed to discharge automatically further liability from the date of breach. Secondly, the term 'warranty' is used to describe a term of the contract in general and insurance contract law, but the breach of which affords different remedies between general contract law and insurance contract law. Thirdly, a express warranty may be in any form of words from which the intention to warrant is to be inferred. An express warranty must be included in, or written upon, the policy, or must be contained in some document incorporated by reference into the policy. It does not matter how this is done. Fourthly, a warranty is a condition precedent to the insurer's liability on the contract, and, therefore, once broken, the insurer automatically ceases to be liable. If the breach pre-dates the attachment of risk, the insurer will never put on risk, whereas if the breach occurs after inception of risk, the insurer remains liable for any losses within the scope of the policy, but has no liability for any subsequent losses. Finally, the requirements on the warranty must be determined in according to the rule of strict construction. As results, it is irrelevant: the reason that a certain warranty is introduced into the contract, whether the warranty is material to the insurer's decision to accept the contract, whether or not the warranty is irrelevant to the risk or a loss, the extent of compliance, that is, whether the requirements on the warranty is complied exactly or substantially, the unreasonableness or hardship of the rule of strict construction, and whether a breach of warranty has been remedied, and the warranty complied with, before loss.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.7-16
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• 2014

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to target Chinese consumers of Korean agri-food through the analysis of agri-food brand identity images to set future directions for proposed agri-food exports to China. Since negotiations began for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and China, some Koreans have worried about the Korean agriculture sector. The world trading system has undergone many changes in recent years. Since the start of FTA negotiations on agriculture, China and Korea have faced a heightened sense of crisis. China is trying to export agricultural products so actively that its agricultural exports could increase by more than 7% annually. China exported about one-tenth of its agricultural products to Korea in the period 2002-2010. Recently, the importance of brand identity has tended to increase, as the world becomes one unified market. In this situation, we should try to promote agri-food exports to China. It is very important to understand consumers' recognition of Korean food and the image of the Korean agri-food industry, to establish an export strategy. Research design, data, and methodology - This study targeted 2,800 adult men and women aged 25-59 years living in four major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Qingdao) with a household income within the top 10% level in the China, using the one-to-one interview survey method. In addition, four groups by region (eight people per group) for a total of 32 groups were surveyed by using the focus group interview (FGI) research method, and impressions of imported agri-food were surveyed using 17 questions about fresh agri-food and 22 questions on processed agri-food. Factor analysis, brand positioning, biplot analysis, and so on, were carried out based on the results of these surveys. This research presents the brand identity of Korean food; according to the analyses, the brand identity is based on trust, safety, and attractiveness. Result - Factor analysis results showed that Chinese consumers expect four major qualities in imported fresh agri-food: freshness/safety, attractive appearance, premium branding, and excellent taste/quality. In the case of processed agri-food, it turned out that Chinese consumers are focused on safety/hygiene/freshness, health, and taste. In addition, in the fresh agri-food analysis by country, American foods had the upper hand; the image of American foods was also recognized as the most positive for processed agri-food. Meanwhile, according to the biplot analysis, Korean agri-food is strongly preferred for its appearance, but no country is strongly preferred as regards the level of freshness/safety that is expected by Chinese consumers. Conclusions - In this study, we analyzed the image of imported agri-food expected by Chinese consumers by reconstructing agri-food characteristics from the brand perspective. The research result shows that a Korean brand identity must be the ultimate goal for activities undertaken to enhance the image of Korean agri-food in the future. Additional research is needed because brand image can be formed through various channels.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.123-128
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• 2014

Purpose - The purpose of the study is to reexamine the price fairness as practiced by low cost airlines, as a consumer has to experience such inconveniences as inferior airport transportation, extra fees on in-flight meals, and non-negotiable seats, and consumers evaluate such experiences keeping in mind their total costs. This evaluation includes price fairness and allows a reasonable and overall consideration of factors of low cost airlines. It tries to set up a measurement of the indicators consumers' perceptions of price fairness academically as it adapts price fairness to airline services which are renowned for price volatility. Research design, data, and methodology - The research proposes an alternative pricing strategy for the long term profit of low cost airlines after going over conflicts between the traditional theory of consumers' price perception mechanism and flexible fair policy of low cost airlines. It was meaningful when it relates to the early stage of the business, while it enhances the risks relating to the long term survival of low cost airlines. In addition, it is significant as it highlights the negative influences on consumers' perceptions of price fairness, as low cost airlines run on extremely low cost perspectives. Results - The results of the research provide insight into four perspectives, as consumers' perceptions of price fairness are influenced by the frequency and range of price changes and services. The first perspective is that it would lead to positive price evaluation when a low cost airline cuts prices frequently with little changes than one big change. It also would lead to the same result when it comes to necessary services. The second perspective is that one big increase of price would rather undermine the negative aspects of price changes than those of several smaller ones. The third perspective is that additional services would be good to consumers' perceptions of price fairness as compared to discount benefits with respect to the cost. Finally, a low cost airline should consider that consumers will change airlines or defer their flight schedule if the flight fares increase beyond their limits. Conclusions - Low cost airlines should reconsider their pricing policies for services that were provided free earlier. A consumer would not like discount benefits when made to pay for services that were, for long, free of charge. If a low cost airline can provide services with no charge, it should improve volumes if the costs are standardized and, moreover, should consider the charging fees. Alternatively, a consumer can choose between services and fair discount. Low cost airlines are implementing sales promotion strategies, as the competition is more intense than it used to be. In these days, they should regard services over sales promotion, as consumers may prefer to spend money on good premium services. Some differentiation in services could create a good market position for the airlines and, hence, good financial performance.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.27-35
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• 2017

Based on Income-approach, this study develops the evaluation model which reflects construction industry's traits. Using Income approach, we derive future income's present value and evaluates the technological value by contribution to future income. As there exist more random variables in construction technology than in standardized manufactured products, we cannot help relying on not only quantitative estimation method but also qualitative evaluation by technology and market experts when we estimates construction technology value. Also, conservative estimation is needed for discount rate and cash-flow estimation, because of high uncertainty in sales and profits in construction industry. In empirical analysis, we applied economic periods of duration and cash-flow based on the standard guideline, and analyzed discount rate and technology factor based on characteristics of construction industry. The discount rate is estimated to 15% because of risk-premium increase by conservative evaluation. Technology factor is estimated to 46.7%, because technological intensity is estimated to 72% by technological superiority. Such implications can be inferred. Firstly, we need to build a database to diversify categories for division of sectors by activity or industrial classification which is now categorized only by two sectors in standard guideline. Secondly, the roles of experts who participate in technology evaluation are important because of volatility of construction technology.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.1-23
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• 2006

This study investigates the effects of inward foreign direct investment on local workers' wages by focusing on U.S. manufacturing industries for the period from 1987 to 1992. Contrary to public perception that foreign ownership is positively associated with higher wages, previous studies show mixed results. Since most of the previous studies used industry or firm level average wages, they can not control for the impact of individual characteristics on wages. I use two different approaches to control individual characteristics and to implement estimation in this study: (1) One-step estimation with industry-state level of inward foreign direct investments by using individual level data, and (2) Two-step industry characteristic regression approach. The higher presence of foreign firms is associated with higher local wages after workers' observable characteristics are controlled for in the first approach. This effect, however, disappears once workers' industry affiliations and regions are controlled for in cross-section analysis. In a panel data analysis, I did not find any statistically significant positive association between inward FDI activities and industry wage premiums within industry. Further, inward FDI activities appeared to be negatively associated with worker's industry wage premium for workers with more than high school education.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.113-122
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• 2010

Research and development related to advanced railway systems is currently underway presently to promote the maintenance and economic feasibility of subways, and the aim of such research and development is to enhance the functionality, passenger convenience, system safety and reliability assurance of the subway. In this situation, a study that predicts the effect that the development of such an advanced railway system would have on subway users is required. To this end, this study derived willingness to pay and decision factors with the introduction of an advanced railway system after surveying passengers who use subway lines 1~8. The Price Sensitivity Method (PSM) was applied to derive the willingness to pay in relation to user convenience (operating speed, ride comfort, safety, comfort, security and informativeness) with the introduction of an advanced railway system. In addition, willingness to pay and decision factors were examined after explaining the effects of introducing an advanced railway system in detail to subway users. Through the analysis, it was found that willingness to pay amounted to a premium of 148 won ~ 161 won with the introduction of an advanced railway system, and that this was affected by factors such as gender, frequency of use, satisfaction with comfort, and satisfaction with security.

• Management & Information Systems Review
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.195-212
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• 2016

Utilizing intra-day volume weighted average price (VWAP) based on 1 minute return data of stocks traded on the Korean Stock Exchange, this paper examines and analyzes abnormal returns in reaction to patent listing disclosures as well as the cumulative abnormal returns, traded volumes, the interaction of VWAP spreads, the reaction of volumes, the reaction of VWAP spreads and the realized returns obtained from trading using an event driven arbitrage strategy. The results of the aforementioned research topics are follows. First, our analysis suggests that on average, 0.92% positive cumulative returns arise 1 minute after the patent listing disclosure announcement with high statistical significance, thereby reconfirming that the Korean stock market is a semi-strong form of the efficient market. Employing 3 separate panel tests differentiated by the size factor, we find that the abnormal returns of small sized stocks were less than the returns of medium sized stocks, which goes to support recent research findings suggesting that the size premium is no longer existent in the Korean stock market. Secondly, we show that among the event driven type strategies, the most outstanding realized returns are from the market making strategies. Furthermore, placing market order trades only at the bid or ask price resulted in negative returns. This implies that strategies utilizing a combination of market orders and limit orders, order cancelations ratios and order flows can enhance realized returns.