9papers in this issue.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to study promotion strategies so that the research results of national strategic technologies can lead to technology commercialization. National strategic technology is being promoted in various fields, but the reality is that review of the commercialization aspect is lacking. In order to lead to commercialization, the strategic goals and direction of the promotion process must be consistent, and a strategic review must be conducted in terms of technology commercialization. Research design, data and methodology: In this study, the direction of strategic technology was analyzed and commercialization problems and solutions were presented based on case studies and existing literature research. Although technology commercialization methods have been discussed, research on specific strategies is lacking. Results: It is necessary to pursue full-cycle technology commercialization to solve various problems for commercialization of cutting-edge science and technology and advance to the commercialization stage. We will cover topics such as understanding successful commercialization of special strategic technology fields, establishing appropriate commercialization strategies, government-wide cooperation, and investment support. Conclusions: Research results showed that discovery of excellent technologies, investment support, and multi-ministerial cooperation support are necessary to commercialize strategic technologies based on cutting-edge science and technology. This study should discuss various promotion strategies for strategic technologies to improve the efficiency of research and development investment.
Purpose: This study aims to analyze the application of Industry 5.0 technologies to improve residential welfare, focusing on vulnerable groups such as the elderly and one-person households. Research design, data, and methodology: Through a literature review and SWOT analysis, it examines both the strengths and challenges of these technologies, which include AI, IoT, energy management solutions, and personalized systems. Results: The application of Industry 5.0 technologies in residential welfare offers opportunities for enhanced personalization, energy efficiency, and security, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and one-person households. However, challenges such as high costs, data privacy, infrastructure limitations, and technological inequality must be addressed to ensure equitable access and widespread adoption. Conclusions: The research identifies key areas for improvement, including data privacy, infrastructure limitations, and the need for equitable access to advanced housing solutions. By addressing these areas, the adoption of Industry 5.0 technologies can help create a more resilient, inclusive, and efficient residential welfare system for future generations.
Purpose: As competition in the online platform market heats up due to the growing online presence, there is a growing interest in consumer protection legislation to protect consumers. The current online platform law has been criticized for its limitations in regulating the rapidly evolving platform economy. In particular, there is an ongoing need to regulate 'dark patterns' that deceive and mislead consumers. Research Design and Methods: This trend has been recognized not only in Korea, but also in Europe and the United States, which have enacted related regulatory bills, making some types of dark patterns illegal. It is necessary to protect consumers from dark patterns. However, there are some opinions that legal regulations do not protect consumers, but reduce consumer choice, as there is no specific definition of 'dark patterns' or analysis of the damage status. It has also been argued that extensive regulations could shrink the online platform market. Results: Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the areas that can resolve consumers' complaints about dark patterns before the revised law is implemented. In addition, it should be a rational and efficient system so that the continuously growing online platform market does not shrink due to excessive regulations and can develop healthily through the prevention of dark patterns. Conclusions: Here, it is also extremely important to specifically present the scope and standards of regulations and reduce the scope for unnecessary legal interpretation. It can also be a good idea to strengthen the education of consumers and businesses on dark pattern problems and their solutions, and to create a foundation that allows them to solve problems autonomously.
Purpose: This study analyzes the factors influencing the housing preferences of elderly individuals when choosing residential areas in Hwaseong, a typical urban-rural complex city. Understanding these preferences is vital for formulating effective housing policies that enhance the quality of older people’s life. Research design, data, and methodology: The survey conducted from March 10 to April 10, 2024, targeted 299 pre-retirees aged 50-64 living in Hwaseong. Using ANOVA and logistic regression analysis, the study examined essential factors affecting post-retirement residential decisions. Survey questions addressed essential considerations. Results: The results indicated that suburban housing was the most preferred option among pre-retirees in Hwaseong. The most critical factor that influences the choice of the home is ensuring convenience and relaxed in retirement. Significant differences emerged between housing type preferences, particularly in the importance of public transportation, cultural facilities, and housing prices. Conclusions: The study suggests several policy implications for urban-rural complex cities like Hwaseong. To meet the diverse needs of older people, urban housing should focus on improving accessibility, while rural housing should emphasize enhancing natural environments. Expanding rental housing options for older people and providing financial support for housing prices are recommended to promote housing stability for the aging population.
Purpose: This study explores the distinctive characteristics of virtual influencers compared to human influencers and examines how parasocial relationships with human consumers affect brand attitude. The hypothesis suggests that virtual influencers can overcome social distance barriers, emphasizing their role in fostering engagement. Research design, data and methodology: A structural model based on the source credibility model and unique traits of virtual influencers analyzes these dynamics. An online survey conducted in April 2024 garnered responses from 286 participants. Results: Findings reveal that virtual influencers positively impact parasocial interactions, which in turn enhance parasocial relationships and brand attitudes. However, the proposed effect of novelty on brand attitude through parasocial interaction was not statistically supported. Conclusions: This study highlights the unique attributes of virtual influencers, such as anthropomorphism, empathy, and novelty, which enhance consumer engagement through parasocial interactions and influence brand attitude. It provides a comprehensive framework for leveraging virtual influencers in marketing, offering significant advantages in maintaining consistent brand messaging and reducing risks associated with human influencers.
Purpose: As globalization continues to advance, China's trade cooperation with foreign countries has become increasingly close, and its outward-oriented economy has entered a rapid development stage. With the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, favorable conditions for China's overseas direct investment have been created. This paper is based on the financial development in Belt and Road countries. Research design, data and methodology: Using panel data from 2006 to 2020 covering 64 countries along the Belt and Road, the paper classifies regions and compares regions with higher levels of financial development. It provides descriptive statistics and employs the Fixed Effects Model (FEM) for regression analysis to thoroughly study the factors affecting China's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Results: The research results indicate that the size, efficiency, and structure of financial development all have a significant positive impact on China's FDI. Conclusions: However, factors such as trade openness (OPEN) and per capita disposable income (LnAGDP) did not pass the significance test, possibly because the level of openness of a country for outward foreign direct investment is not a significant factor to consider. Finally, based on the empirical findings, a series of policy recommendations are proposed to enhance China's FDI levels.
Purpose: Changes in energy prices can be considered as one of the factors of macroeconomic uncertainty. This study examines the impact of coal price shocks on Indonesian macroeconomic variables. Research design, data and methodology: The structural vector autoregressive model is used on monthly data from January 2010 to June 2023. Results: The impulse response functions indicate that coal price shocks have a negative impact on output and a positive impact on CPI (Consumer Price Index) and the effective real exchange rate. Following a shock in coal price growth, output growth takes twelve months, CPI growth takes fifteen months, and the effective real exchange rate takes seventeen months to reach equilibrium. Coal price growth shocks generally do not have a significant contribution to the variation in output, CPI growth and effective real exchange rate. On average over a twelve-month simulation, coal price growth shocks contribute 2.06 percent to output growth variation, 0.0042 percent to CPI growth variation, and 0.0046 percent to effective real exchange rate growth variation. Conclusions: This study finds that the impact of rising coal prices, as an energy source in Indonesia, can be offset by coal export revenues. This is possible considering that 70-80% of Indonesia's coal is exported.
Purpose: This study applies the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to explore the impact of ChatGPT users' technology acceptance (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence) on WOM. Research design, data, and methodology: A survey was conducted targeting ChatGPT users in their 20s or older in Korea and used for analysis. Testing of research hypotheses is performed using SPPS and AMOS. Results: First, ChatGPT users' technology acceptance (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence) was found to have a positive effect on continuous use intention. Second, ChatGPT users' continuous use intention was found to have a positive effect on WOM. Third, ChatGPT users' continuous use intention ChatGPT was found to have a full or partial mediation effect on the relationship between technology acceptance and WOM. Conclusions: These results mean that ChatGPT's outstanding functional utility, convenience of use, and recommendations from people around them have a significant impact on the continuous use intention ChatGPT and WOM. As Generative AI becomes routine, disruptive innovation through Retailtech is expected to promote changes in distribution. This study confirmed the relationship between continuance use/WOM and technology acceptance. Distribution companies need to improve efficiency/convenience using Generative AI and implement various WOM marketing.
Purpose: This study analyses the key variables that influence tourists’ intention to re-participate in wellness tourism. To this end, a theoretical model is developed that is grounded in the theories of perceived value and perceived risk. Additionally, this study segments the market based on tourists’ health consciousness and health status, examining the differences in the process of forming re-participation intentions. Research Design, Data, and Methodology: An online survey of 305 Japanese respondents was conducted, and the research model and hypotheses were validated using SmartPLS 4 and SPSS. Results: The findings illustrate that perceived functional, social, emotional, and epistemic values from previous wellness tourism experiences positively influence tourists’ attitudes, whereas time risk negatively affects them. Furthermore, functional value and attitudes enhance re-participation intentions, whereas financial risk decrease them. Cluster analysis identified three groups: ‘Health-Conscious but Unwell’; ‘Not Health-Conscious and Unwell’; and ‘Health-Conscious and Well’. Those who are ‘Health-Conscious and Well’ are more likely to re-participate if they are satisfied with the functional value of their wellness tourism experience. Conclusions: The findings of this study offer destination marketers and service providers valuable insights into how tourists form behavioural intentions and how to strategically allocate resources to maximise the potential of wellness tourism.