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Neuroscientific Challenges to deontological theory: Implications to Moral Education (의무론에 대한 신경과학의 도전: 도덕교육에의 시사)

  • Park, Jang-Ho
    • Journal of Ethics
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    • no.82
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    • pp.73-125
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    • 2011
  • This article aims to search for moral educational implication of J. D. Greene's recent neuro-scientific approaches to deontological ethics. Recently new technique in neuroscience such as fMRI is applied to moral and social psychological concepts or terms, and 'affective primacy' and 'automaticity' principles are highlighted as basic concepts of the new paradigm. When these principles are introduced to ethical theories, it makes rooms of new and different interpretations of them. J. D. Greene et al. claim that deontological moral judgments or theories are just a kind of post hoc rationalization for intuitions or emotions by ways of neuroscientific findings and evolutionary interpretation. For example, Kant's categorical imperative in which a maxim should be universalizable to be as a principle, might be a product of moral intuition. Firstly this article tries to search for intellectual backgrounds of the social intuitionalism where Greens' thought originates. Secondly, this article tries to collect and summarize his arguments about moral dilemma responses, personal-impersonal dilemma catergorizing hypothesis, fMRI data interpretations by ways of evolutionary theory, cultural and social psychological theories, application to deontological and consequential theories, and his suggestion that deontological ethics shoud be rejected as a normative ethical thought and consequentialism be a promising theory etc. Thirdly, this tries to analyse and critically exam those aspects and argumentation, especially from viewpoints of the ethicists whose various strategies seek to defeat Greene's claims. Fourthly, this article criticizes that his arguments make a few critical mistakes in methodology and data interpretation. Last, this article seeks to find its implications for moral education in korea, in which in spite of incomplete argumentation of his neuroscientific approach to morality, neuroethics needs to be introduced as a new approach and educational content, and critical materials as well.

A Study on Case for Localization of Korean Enterprises in India (인도 진출 한국기업의 현지화에 관한 사례 연구)

  • Seo, Min-Kyo;Kim, Hee-Jun
    • International Commerce and Information Review
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.409-437
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    • 2014
  • The purpose of this study is to present the specific ways of successful localization by analyzing the success and failures case for localization within the framework of the strategic models through a theoretical background and strategic models of localization. The strategic models of localization are divided by management aspects such as the localization of product and sourcing, the localization of human resources, the localization of marketing, the localization of R&D, harmony with a local community and delegation of authority between headquarters and local subsidiaries. The results, by comparing and analyzing the success and failures case for localization of individual companies operating in India, indicate that in terms of localization of product and sourcing, there are successful companies which procure a components locally and produce a suitable model which local consumers prefer and the failed companies which can not meet local consumers' needs. In case of localization of human resources, most companies recognize the importance of this portion and make use of superior human resource aggressively through a related education. In case of localization of marketing, It is found that the successful companies perform pre-market research & management and build a effective marketing skills & after service network and select local business partner which has a technical skills and carry out a business activities, customer support, complaint handling with their own organization. In terms of localization of R&D, the successful major companies establish and operate R&D center to promote a suitable model for local customers. In part of harmony with a local community, it shows that companies which made a successful localization understand the cultural environment and contribute to the community through CSR. In aspect of delegation of authority between headquarters and local subsidiaries, it is found that most of Korean companies are very weak for this part. there is a tendency to be determined by the head office rather than local subsidiaries. Implication of this thesis is that Korean enterprises in India should carry forward localization of products and components, foster of local human resource who recognize management and system of company and take part in voluntary market strategy decision, wholly owned subsidiary, establishment and operation of R & D center, understanding of local culture and system, corporate social responsibility, autonomy in management.

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Effect of Drying Methods and Gamma Irradiation on the Color Changes and Antioxidant Activity of Grape By-Products (건조방법과 감마선 조사에 따른 포도가공부산물의 색상 변화 및 항산화활성)

  • Jo, Ji-Eun;Yook, Hong-Sun;Kim, Kyoung-Hee;Baek, Jong-Yeon;Moon, Young-Ja;Park, Sung-Jin;Jang, Soon-Ae
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.39 no.12
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    • pp.1826-1831
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    • 2010
  • This study was carried out to examine the changes of the quality feature and antioxidant activity of grape by-products. This experiment was to arrange the basic data for developing a functional material using grape by-products which were useless resources. Hot-air and freeze drying were followed by the gamma irradiation of 1~20 kGy. Hunter's color value, in case of hot-air drying, showed the highest L and a value in the 3 kGy, and it decreased according to the increase of the exposure dose. In the case of fre ze drying it showed the highest L and b value at the highest exposure, 20 kGy. It was considered that the breakdown of the pigment through high temperature processing was launched and the influence according to the gamma irradiation was not shown. The gamma irradiation of 3 kGy appeared to have a good influence on the color of the grape by-products which went through hot-air drying. The contents of the total phenolic compounds, in case of hot-air drying, showed the highest total polyphenol contents in the 3 kGy irradiation and it decreased according to the increase of the exposure dose; in contrast, the higher phenolic contents showed in the irradiated group than in the control. In case of freeze drying, the highest phenolic contents appeared in the control but 3 kGy showed the highest one in the irradiated group. Results of radical scavenging activity using DPPH and ABTS indicated that 3 kGy showed the highest radical scavenging activity in hot-air and freeze drying. Therefore, it was found that gamma irradiation of 3 kGy could improve the color and antioxidant activity of grape by-products, but an antioxidant activity of grape by-product due to the gamma irradiation was a little affected in the aspects of by-product utilization.

A Study on University Students' Business Planning and Starting up a Business in Korea (우리나라 대학생들의 창업 및 사업계획에 대한 연구)

  • Koh, In-Kon
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2012
  • Recently the youth starting up a business has become a buzzword. Business plan is a fundamentals in starting up a business. Therefore, in this study, I investigated the business planning behavior of university students in Korea. Especially, I investigated whether university students in Korea dealt with business plan inside and outside or not, and examined university students' thought whether corporate performance is related to business plan or not, and if any, how closely they are. Meanwhile, existing studies and books are arguing that there is a high correlation between business plan and corporate performance, however, there are not many domestic and/or foreign studies that analyzed it empirically. In order to find an answer to this problem, this study was approached empirically. First, the components of business plan were selected through an extensive literature review including existing researches and through factor analysis, I classified them into the five factors of product management, product development, management support system building, organizational management and macro planning. Also, I classified corporate performance into quantitative and qualitative performance, and investigated the influences of business plan factors on those performances. As a result, I found belows. First, university students in Korea thought that the business plan components affected the quantitative and qualitative performances of corporate positively. Second, Korean students had high interests in starting up a business and wanted to run a service business but had almost no experience of business planning. Whilst, Foreign students had relatively high interests in starting up a business and experiences of business planning. They wanted starting up in various industry also. Meanwhile, I did't find the gender differences in those aspects. In this study, I empirically investigated the relation between business plan components and corporate performances in the university students' view, not that of company. So I believe that this study can shed lights on the direction of effective starting up education for increasing the success rate of youth starting up a business.

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A Study on the Service Quality Improvement by Kano Model & Weighted Potential Customer Satisfaction Index (Kano 모델 및 가중 PCSI를 통한 서비스품질 개선에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Sang-Cheol
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.8 no.4
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    • pp.17-23
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    • 2010
  • The Banking industry is expanding rapidly. To keep the competitive advantages, participating companies concentrate their resource to provide the distinguishable services by increasing the service quality. This study is to find that how three kinds of service quality(process, output, and service environment) affect on the customer satisfaction. In this paper, WPCSI (Weighted Potential Customer Satisfaction Index) was developed using Kano model and PCSI. Kano's model of service quality classification was used to improve customer satisfaction, customer satisfaction index was calculated. Customer satisfaction index was calculated using the existing potential for improving customer satisfaction index (PCSI Index) to complement the limitations of the weighted potential improve customer satisfaction index (WPCSI) were used. Analysis using PCSI improve the quality of service levels may be useful in assessing. However, this figure is a marginal degree of importance on customers and quality characteristics have been overlooked but has its problems. A service provided to customers with some important differences depending on the interpretation of the scope for improvement is to be classified. In other words, the level of customer satisfaction and the satisfaction of the current difference between the comparison factor for the company to provide information about the priority of the improvement was not significant. Companies are also considered important that the customer does not consider the uniform quality of service provided can be fallible. In this study, the weighted potential to improve it improve customer satisfaction index (WPCSI) proposed a new customer satisfaction index. This is for customers to recognize the importance of quality characteristics by weighting factors, to identify practical and improved priority to provide more useful information than has been. Weighted potentially improve customer satisfaction index (WPCSI) presented in this study by the customers aware of the importance of considering the quality factor is an exponent. The results, 'Employees' working ability', 'provided the desired service level', 'staff to handle this task quickly enough' to the customer of the factors had significant effects on satisfaction are met. On the other hand 'aggressiveness on the product description of employees', 'service environment as a whole, beautiful enough to' meet and shows no significant difference between satisfaction. But 'aggressiveness on the product description of employees' and reverse (逆) were attributable to the quality. Small dogs and overly aggressive products that encourage the customer dissatisfaction that can result in widening should be careful because the quality factor can be said. As a result, WPCSI is more effect to find critical factors which can affect customer satisfaction than PCSI. After that, we discuss effects and advantages of customer satisfaction using WPCSI. This study, along with these positive aspects, the limitations are implied. First, this study directly to the bank so that I could visit any other way for customers, utilizing the Internet or mobile to take advantage of the respondents were excluded from the analysis. Second, in survey questionnaires can help improve understanding of the measures will be taken. In addition to the survey targeted mainly focused on Seoul, according to a sample, so sampling can cause problems is the viscosity revealed intends.

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A Study on the Applicability of Chinese Steamed Dumpling with Korean Food Stuffing - Focusing on Jiangsu Residents - (중국 만두소의 한국음식 적용가능성 연구 - 중국 강소성 지역 주민을 대상으로 -)

  • Wu, Di;Joo, Nami
    • Korean journal of food and cookery science
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.344-351
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    • 2015
  • The purpose of this study is to improve Korean food market competitiveness in China, and to develop product diversity. Therefore, the paper will discuss and analyze the feasibility of combining Korean and Chinese cuisines. The paper is based on a SPSS-analyzed survey of 255 Jiangsu residents focusing on the concept of breakfast, and the recognition of and preference for Korean food. The result showed a high level of eating out for breakfast in Jiangsu province and the expectation of many options. The respondents generally preferred porridge, steamed stuffed dumplings, noodles and other options that are relatively convenient. Korean foods such as bulgogi, samgyeopsal, tteokbokki and bibimbap generally enjoyed a high degree of recognition and preference. This study selected bulgogi, jeyukbokkeum, dakgalbi and japchae as the stuffings for steamed dumplings and an evaluation of sensory attributes including saltiness, sweetness, spiciness, and gravy was conducted using 30 professionals. Relatively high scores were recorded in all aspects. Compared with the reference product, the dumplings with Korean food stuffing achieved higher scores. As a new development and attempt, the steamed dumplings with Korean food filling evaluated during this test demonstrated feasibility and enormous market potential. The study provides a new direction and reference value for the Chinese breakfast market and for the penetration of Korean food into the Chinese market.

An Exploratory Study on Measuring Brand Image from a Network Perspective (네트워크 관점에서 바라본 브랜드 이미지 측정에 대한 탐색적 연구)

  • Jung, Sangyoon;Chang, Jung Ah;Rho, Sangkyu
    • The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.33-60
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    • 2020
  • Along with the rapid advance in internet technologies, ubiquitous mobile device usage has enabled consumers to access real-time information and increased interaction with others through various social media. Consumers can now get information more easily when making purchase decisions, and these changes are affecting the brand landscape. In a digitally connected world, brand image is not communicated to the consumers one-sidedly. Rather, with consumers' growing influence, it is a result of co-creation where consumers have an active role in building brand image. This explains a reality where people no longer purchase products just because they know the brand or because it is a famous brand. However, there has been little discussion on the matter, and many practitioners still rely on the traditional measures of brand indicators. The goal of this research is to present the limitations of traditional definition and measurement of brand and brand image, and propose a more direct and adequate measure that reflects the nature of a connected world. Inspired by the proverb, "A man is known by the company he keeps," the proposed measurement offers insight to the position of brand (or brand image) through co-purchased product networks. This paper suggests a framework of network analysis that clusters brands of cosmetics by the frequency of other products purchased together. This is done by analyzing product networks of a brand extracted from actual purchase data on Amazon.com. This is a more direct approach, compared to past measures where consumers' intention or cognitive aspects are examined through survey. The practical implication is that our research attempts to close the gap between brand indicators and actual purchase behavior. From a theoretical standpoint, this paper extends the traditional conceptualization of brand image to a network perspective that reflects the nature of a digitally connected society.

The Cross-Cultural Study about Effects of Service Quality Dimensions on CS in Korea and China (할인점 서비스품질의 각 차원이 CS에 미치는 영향에 대한 한(韓).중(中)간 비교 문화적 연구)

  • Noh, Eun-Jeong;Seo, Yong-Goo
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.23-35
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    • 2009
  • A hypermarket as the one of the most globally standardized retailing format is also the type of store among various types of stores that the most active in expanding into other foreign markets. Recently, as several Korean retailing companies start to penetrate into Chinese market they differentiate themselves with modern facilities and customers service oriented high-end concept. China and Korea as Far East Asian countries share many common values, however precise and careful analysis should be carried out since there may also be critical differences in socio-economic aspects as well as in consumption patterns due to the level of development stages of retail industry among two countries. Even though precise and careful study is crucial on Chinese retailing market and consumers, none of researches and studies on 'how the quality of service dimensional structure is different between Korea and China', and 'what will be the most important and influential service dimensional factors for Chinese consuers compared to the hypermarkets customers in Korea' in order to improve the level of Chinese consumers satisfaction' have been fulfilled At this point of view, this study uses KD-SQS (Rho Eun Jung & Sir Yong Gu, 2008) which is a measure of Korean hypermarkets service quality to set up a hypothesis on Korean and Chinese consumers, and an empirical analysis is conducted. We try to get the answers about how the comparative importance of Service quality dimensions which decides the level of customer satisfaction is different depending on the cultural dimensions and socio-economic factors among two countries, Korea and China. Based upon the results, we try to give a valuable suggestion of what service dimensional factors should be reinforced to improve the level of CS in Chinese retailing market. Hypotheses for this study are as follows : H1. Each dimension of Service Quality significantly affects the level of CS H2. The effect of 'Basic Benefit' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in China than in Korea H3. The effect of 'Promotion' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in China than in Korea H4. The effect of 'Physical Aspects'in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in Korea than in China. H5. The effect of 'Personal Interaction' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in China than in Korea H6. The effect of 'Policy' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS will be greater in Korean than in China H7. The effect of additional convenience in service quality dimensions on the level of CS will be greater in Korean than in China. More than 1,100 data were collected directly from the surveys of Chinese and Korean consumers in order to verify the hypotheses above. In Korea, stores which have floor space of over $9,000m^2$and opened later than year 2000 were selected for the samples, and thus Gayang, Wolgye, Sangbong, Eunpyeong, Suh-Suwon, Gojan stores and their customers were surveyed. In China, notable differences in the income levels and consumer behaviors between cities and regions were considered, and thus the research area was limited to the stores only in Shanghai. 6 stores which have the size of over $6,000m^2$ and opened later than 2000, such as Ruihong, Intu, Mudanjang, Sanrin, Raosimon, and Ranchao stores were selected for the survey. SPSS 12.0 and AMOS 7.0 were used as statistical tools, and exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multi-group analysis were conducted. In order to carry out a multi group analysis that decides whether the structure variables which shows the different effects of 6 service dimensions in Korean and Chinese groups is statistically valid, configural invariance, metric invariance, and structural invariance are tested in order. At the results of the tests, 3 out of 7 hypotheses were supported and other 4 hypotheses were denied. According to the study, 4 dimensions (Basic Benefit, Physical Environment, Policy, and additional convenience) were positively correlated with CS in Korea, and 3 dimensions (i.e. basic benefit, policy, additional convenience) were significant in China. However, the significance of the service-dimensions was turned out to be partially different in Korea and China. The Basic Benefit is more influential in deciding the level of CS in china than Korea, however Physical Aspect is more important factor in Korea. 'Policy dimension' did not make significant difference between two countries. In the 'additional convenience dimension', the differences in 'socio-economic factors' than in'cultural background' were considered as more important in Chinese consumers than Korean. Overall, the improvement of Service quality will be crucial factors to increase the level of CS in Chinese market same as Korean market. In addition, more emphases need to be placed on the service qualities of 'Basic Benefit' and 'additional convenience' dimensions in China. In particular, 'low price' and 'product diversity' that constitute 'Basic Benefit' are proved to be comparatively disadvantageous and weak points of Korean companies compared to global players, and thus the prompt strengthening those dimensions would be urgent for Korean retailers. Moreover, additional conveniences such as various tenants and complex service and entertaining area will be more important in China than in Korea. Besides, Applying advanced Korean Hypermaret`s customer policy to Chinese consumers will help to get higher reliability and to differentiate themselves to other competitors. However, as personal interaction, physical aspect, promotions were proved as not significant for the level of CS in China, Korean companies need to reconsider the priority order of resource allocations when they tap into Chinese market.

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Regional Development And Dam Construction in Korea (한국의 지역개발과 댐건설)

  • 안경모
    • Water for future
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.38-42
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    • 1976
  • Because of differences in thoughts and ideology, our country, Korea has been deprived of national unity for some thirty years of time and tide. To achieve peaceful unification, the cultivation of national strength is of paramount importance. This national strength is also essential if Korea is to take rightful place in the international societies and to have the confidence of these societies. However, national strength can never be achieved in a short time. The fundamental elements in economic development that are directly conducive to the cultivation of national strength can be said to lie in -a stable political system, -exertion of powerful leadership, -cultivation of a spirit of diligence, self-help and cooperation, -modernization of human brain power, and -establishment of a scientific and well planned economic policy and strong enforcement of this policy. Our country, Korea, has attained brilliant economic development in the past 15 years under the strong leadership of president Park Chung Hee. However, there are still many problems to be solved. A few of them are: -housing and home problems, -increasing demand for employment, -increasing demand for staple food and -the need to improve international balance of payment. Solution of the above mentioned problems requires step by step scientific development of each sector and region of our contry. As a spearhead project in regional development, the Saemaul Campaign or new village movement can be cited. The campaign is now spreading throughout the country like a grass fire. However, such campaigns need considerable encouragement and support and the means for the desired development must be provided if the regional and sectoral development program is to sucdceed. The construction of large multipurpose dams in major river basin plays significant role in all aspects of national, regional and sectoral development. It ensures that the water resource, for which there is no substitute, is retained and utilized for irrigation of agricultural areas, production of power for industry, provision of water for domestic and industrial uses and control of river water. Water is the very essence of life and we must conserve and utilize what we have for the betterment of our peoples and their heir. The regional and social impact of construction of a large dam is enormous. It is intended to, and does, dras tically improve the "without-project" socio-economic conditions. A good example of this is the Soyanggang multipurpose dam. This project will significantly contribute to our national strength by utilizing the stored water for the benefit of human life and relief of flood and drought damages. Annual average precipitation in Korea is 1160mm, a comparatively abundant amount. The catchment areas of the Han River, Keum River, and Youngsan River are $62,755\textrm{km}^2$, accounting for 64% of the national total. Approximately 62% of the national population inhabits in this area, and 67% of the national gross product comes from the area. The annual population growth rate of the country is currently estimated at 1.7%, and every year the population growth in urban area increases at a rising rate. The population of Seoul, Pusan, and Taegu, the three major cities in Korea, is equal to one third of our national total. According to the census conducted on October 1, 1975, the population in the urban areas has increased by 384,000, whereas that in rural areas has decreased by 59,000,000 in the past five years. The composition of population between urban and rural areas varied from 41%~59% in 1959 to 48%~52% in 1975. To mitigate this treand towards concentration of population in urban areas, employment opportunities must be provided in regional and rural areas. However, heavy and chemical industries, which mitigate production and employment problems at the same time, must have abundant water and energy. Also increase in staple food production cannot be attained without water. At this point in time, when water demand is rapidly growing, it is essential for the country to provide as much a reservoir capacity as possible to capture the monsoon rainfall, which concentarated in the rainy seaon from June to Septesmber, and conserve the water for year round use. The floods, which at one time we called "the devil" have now become a source of immense benefit to Korea. Let me explain the topographic condition in Korea. In northern and eastern areas we have high mountains and rugged country. Our rivers originate in these mountains and flow in a general southerly or westerly direction throught ancient plains. These plains were formed by progressive deposition of sediments from the mountains and provide our country with large areas of fertile land, emminently suited to settlement and irrigated agricultural development. It is, therefore, quite natural that these areas should become the polar point for our regional development program. Hower, we are fortunate in that we have an additional area or areas, which can be used for agricultural production and settlement of our peoples, particularly those peoples who may be displaced by the formation of our reservoirs. I am speaking of the tidelands along the western and southern coasts. The other day the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery informed the public of a tideland reclamation of which 400,000 hectares will be used for growing rice as part of our national food self-sufficiency programme. Now, again, we arrive at the need for water, as without it we cannot realize this ambitious programme. And again we need those dams to provide it. As I mentioned before, dams not only provide us with essential water for agriculture, domestic and industrial use, but provide us with electrical energy, as it is generally extremely economical to use the water being release for the former purposes to drive turbines and generators. At the present time we have 13 hydro-electric power plants with an installed capacity of 711,000 kilowatts equal to 16% of our national total. There are about 110 potential dams ites in the country, which could yield about 2,300,000 kilowatts of hydro-electric power. There are about 54 sites suitable for pumped storage which could produce a further 38,600,000 kilowatts of power. All available if we carefully develop our water resources. To summarize, water resource development is essential to the regional development program and the welfare of our people, it must proceed hand-in-hand with other aspects of regional development such as land impovement, high way extension, development of our forests, erosion control, and develop ment of heavy and chemical industries. Through the successful implementation of such an integrated regional development program, we can look forward to a period of national strength, and due recognition of our country by the worlds societies.

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A Conceptual Review of the Transaction Costs within a Distribution Channel (유통경로내의 거래비용에 대한 개념적 고찰)

  • Kwon, Young-Sik;Mun, Jang-Sil
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.29-41
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    • 2012
  • This paper undertakes a conceptual review of transaction cost to broaden the understanding of the transaction cost analysis (TCA) approach. More than 40 years have passed since Coase's fundamental insight that transaction, coordination, and contracting costs must be considered explicitly in explaining the extent of vertical integration. Coase (1937) forced economists to identify previously neglected constraints on the trading process to foster efficient intrafirm, rather than interfirm, transactions. The transaction cost approach to economic organization study regards transactions as the basic units of analysis and holds that understanding transaction cost economy is central to organizational study. The approach applies to determining efficient boundaries, as between firms and markets, and to internal transaction organization, including employment relations design. TCA, developed principally by Oliver Williamson (1975,1979,1981a) blends institutional economics, organizational theory, and contract law. Further progress in transaction costs research awaits the identification of critical dimensions in which transaction costs differ and an examination of the economizing properties of alternative institutional modes for organizing transactions. The crucial investment distinction is: To what degree are transaction-specific (non-marketable) expenses incurred? Unspecialized items pose few hazards, since buyers can turn toalternative sources, and suppliers can sell output intended for one order to other buyers. Non-marketability problems arise when specific parties' identities have important cost-bearing consequences. Transactions of this kind are labeled idiosyncratic. The summarized results of the review are as follows. First, firms' distribution decisions often prompt examination of the make-or-buy question: Should a marketing activity be performed within the organization by company employees or contracted to an external agent? Second, manufacturers introducing an industrial product to a foreign market face a difficult decision. Should the product be marketed primarily by captive agents (the company sales force and distribution division) or independent intermediaries (outside sales agents and distribution)? Third, the authors develop a theoretical extension to the basic transaction cost model by combining insights from various theories with the TCA approach. Fourth, other such extensions are likely required for the general model to be applied to different channel situations. It is naive to assume the basic model appliesacross markedly different channel contexts without modifications and extensions. Although this study contributes to scholastic research, it is limited by several factors. First, the theoretical perspective of TCA has attracted considerable recent interest in the area of marketing channels. The analysis aims to match the properties of efficient governance structures with the attributes of the transaction. Second, empirical evidence about TCA's basic propositions is sketchy. Apart from Anderson's (1985) study of the vertical integration of the selling function and John's (1984) study of opportunism by franchised dealers, virtually no marketing studies involving the constructs implicated in the analysis have been reported. We hope, therefore, that further research will clarify distinctions between the different aspects of specific assets. Another important line of future research is the integration of efficiency-oriented TCA with organizational approaches that emphasize specific assets' conceptual definition and industry structure. Finally, research of transaction costs, uncertainty, opportunism, and switching costs is critical to future study.

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