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This study analyzes the competitiveness of the electric vehicle (EV) industry in five major countries— China, the United States, Japan, Germany, and Korea—through trade, technology, and market perspectives. Global EV exports grew from USD 40.6 billion in 2017 to USD 325.2 billion in 2024, with Germany leading (21.8%), China rising rapidly to second place (13.7%), Japan falling to third (13.0%), the U.S. declining to seventh (4.1%), and Korea maintaining fourth. Patent analysis across batteries, drive systems, charging, hybrids, and control systems was combined with the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework. Results show China’s dominance in batteries and charging, Japan’s strength in stabilization and control, Germany’s edge in hybrids, the U.S. in software and autonomous driving, and Korea’s focus on battery R&D. This multidimensional approach highlights national strengths and suggests further research on supply chains, convergence technologies, and policy support.

This study analyzes the Xinjiang case to propose high–value-added strategies for advancing Korea’s Equine industry special zones. Xinjiang expanded the industry’s scope into biopharmaceuticals by extracting and commercializing conjugated estrogens from pregnant mares’ urine, while establishing central breeding and aseptic collection bases, standardizing raw materials, and securing regulatory approvals that enabled domestic commercialization and exports. A virtuous cycle linking seed stock, breeding, and distribution through regional cooperatives has increased herders’ income and revitalized the local economy. In contrast, Korea’s zones have focused on infrastructure-driven quantitative growth, with insufficient policy and regulatory support for leveraging equine by-products in pharma and healthcare models. Building on Korea’s strengths in breeds, training, and veterinary ecosystems—particularly in Jeju —this study recommends positioning the pharmaceuticalization and global commercialization of equine by-products as a strategic pillar. Key steps include phased raw-material collection and quality standardization, an integrated R&D–clinical–approval pipeline, public–private–producer collaboration, and export-oriented regulatory alignment. The Xinjiang case indicates that Korea can move beyond consumption- and tourism-centric models and upgrade its industrial structure toward biopharma.

This paper investigates the inter-industry interconnectedness between Korea and Vietnam by applying the average propagation length method to the Asian Development Bank’s Multiregional Input–Output Tables for the period 2007–2023. It introduces a new classification that consolidates 16 manufacturing sectors into 9 industries, reflecting the technological characteristics employed in each industry. Based on the calculation of inter-industry average propagation lengths over 15 years, the analysis reveals that the interconnectedness between the two countries has evolved from weak and indirect linkages to stronger and more direct connections.

This study analyzes the impact of Japan’s 2019 export restrictions on South Korea’s semiconductor imports, focusing on three critical materials essential for semiconductor manufacturing: hydrogen fluoride, fluorinated polyimide, and photoresist. Using panel data from UN Comtrade (2012-2022) and CEPII’s BACI dataset, the research employs a Difference-in- Differences (DID) methodology and an event-study framework to assess the effects of these restrictions on Japan’s exports to South Korea. The findings reveal a significant reduction in South Korea’s imports of these restricted materials, as well as spillover effects on adjacent industries. In particular, the study identifies a 35.1 percent decrease in the import value of the directly affected products, alongside observable shifts in South Korea’s sourcing strategies toward alternative countries. This research provides valuable insights not only into the direct effects of export restrictions, but also into the dynamic responses they trigger—such as the substitution of imports from third countries—highlighting the broader long-term implications for global supply chains and international trade.

In this study, aims to analyze and present the impact of entertainment and infrastructure, cabin service, onboard facilities, and safety factors on international cruise tourism satisfaction of tourists who actually boarded international cruises between Pohang and Japan through demographic characteristics and selective importance-satisfaction analysis. Through this, the purpose is to analyze the impact on cruise tourism reuse by using it as basic data for attracting cruise tourism, continuously promoting cruise tourism, popularizing and revitalizing cruise tourism. In order to achieve the research objectives, we will derive international cruise tourist selection attributes and measurement variables, review previous studies, and review the flow of research through these. The factor analysis results were obtained with a KMO= 0.830, a Bartlett sphericity test result, Approzimate Chi-Square=418.675, DF=6, and p<**0.001, and it was analyzed that the factor analysis results secured the appropriateness. It is meaningful to use it as basic data for attracting cruise tourism, continuously promoting cruise tourism, popularizing and revitalizing cruise tourism, and analyzing the impact on the reuse of international cruise tourists.

The aviation industry plays a significant role in the development of national and regional economies, but it also creates negative externalities through airport noise. For the aviation industry to grow, these social costs need to be internalized. This study empirically analyzes the impact of airport noise on housing prices, focusing on residential properties in Yangcheon-gu, a district near Gimpo Airport. The key findings are as follows: First, over the analysis period (2017-2022), it’s estimated that residential property values in airport noise zones were approximately 21.5% lower in area(61~66 LdenB) and 37.3% lower in area(66~70 LdenB) compared to those in non-airport noise zones. Second, airport noise acts as a factor that segments the housing market. Third, the social costs incurred in Yangcheon-gu due to air transport are estimated to be approximately 3.5281 trillion Korean won as of 2022. The results of this study are expected to serve as important reference material for future plans concerning the construction of new airports, expansion, or an increase in operations.

With the increasing prevalence and sophistication of non-tariff barriers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face structural challenges in establishing independent response systems. Guided by the resource-based view (RBV), this study empirically examines the determinants of SMEs’ trade barrier response capability (TBRC) and further interprets the construct through the lens of dynamic capability theory. Using survey data from 209 exporting SMEs in Korea, we conducted t-tests and multiple regression analyses. The results indicate that firms with an export-dedicated unit exhibit significantly higher TBRC compared to those without. Regression analyses show that product development capability (PDC), process improvement capability (PIC), top management capability (TMC), and training-based qualitative capability of the export unit (EDOCE) consistently enhance TBRC, while mere headcount expansion (EDOCN) does not. Notably, PIC and TMC exert the strongest effects, suggesting that effective responses to trade barriers are reinforced more by operational stability and leadership than by product innovation alone. Academically, this study extends RBV into the regulatory compliance context by conceptualizing TBRC as a dynamic capability that involves sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring in response to evolving trade barriers. It also highlights the theoretical value of qualitative resources and organizational learning. Practically, the findings underscore that SMEs should prioritize establishing export units, institutionalizing training, stabilizing processes, and strengthening managerial leadership as core strategies for coping with trade barriers. Limitations include the use of cross-sectional and self-reported data, a restricted sample scope, and constrained operationalization of variables. Future studies should employ panel data, objective indicators, and multidimensional measures to further refine the mechanisms underlying TBRC formation.

The main objective of this study is to measure the changes of technical efficiency and total factor productivity in the Korean fruit-juice export sector using the DEA and Malmquist index approach. This paper analyses the relative efficiency and total factor productivity growth of the regional fruit-juice exports in Korea by using the input-oriented Malmquist productivity index. The Malmquist index evaluates the total facor productivity change of decision-making units between two time periods, which can be decomposed into a catch-up effect and a frontier shift effect. The results showed that during the analysis period, total factor productivity (TFP) of fruit juice increased driven by greater efficiency gains despite technological regression, indicating that productivity increased due to efficiency improvements without technological progress. This efficiency growth, in turn, was largely driven by larger scale efficiency rather than operational management. This study also revealed that the changes in total factor productivity and efficiency varied by region. The TFP increased in Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Kyeongnam, and Jeju. Both efficiency gains and technological progress occurred For Gyeonggi, Chungnam, and Jeju, while the efficiency gains but technological regression occurred for Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and Kyeongnam.

This study explores the perceptions of aerospace industry employees regarding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) assessment metrics and develops a customized questionnaire. Using a mixed-methods design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 ESG experts to explore and refine aerospace-specific ESG metrics. In the quantitative phase, employee surveys were conducted, and importance-performance analysis (IPA) was applied to identify gaps between perception and implementation, as well as strategic priorities. The final instrument includes 16 environmental, 31 social, and 14 governance metrics. The IPA results reveal that greenhouse gas management, energy efficiency, and waste/resource circularity are considered critically essential but poorly implemented in the environmental (E) domain, suggesting a shift in focus from information disclosure to measurable outcomes. In the social (S) domain, gaps were identified in training, employee benefits, relationship management, and internal communication, highlighting the critical role that authentic internal CSR communication plays in strengthening employee commitment. In terms of governance (G), employees emphasized the importance of management trust and building long-term relationships for effective organizational governance. By focusing on internal stakeholder perceptions, this study enhances the contextual validity of ESG assessments for aerospace companies. It contributes to discussions on standardizing mandatory reporting, as well as separating disclosure and ratings. Overall, the findings provide a roadmap for capacity building and investment priorities.

This study examines how consumption values influence purchase intentions for Korean vegan cosmetics among consumers in Uzbekistan, where 88% of the population practices Islam. Drawing on Sheth et al.’s (1991) consumption value theory, we investigate the effects of functional, social, and ethical values on purchase intention. Data were collected from 100 consumers in Uzbekistan through an online survey conducted from October 2023 to April 2024. Multiple regression analysis reveals that functional consumption value (β=.281, p<0.01) and social consumption value (β=.240, p<0.05) significantly and positively influence purchase intention, while ethical consumption value shows no significant effect. These findings suggest that Uzbekistan consumers prioritize product quality, efficacy, and social image over ethical considerations when purchasing vegan cosmetics. This study extends consumption value research to Muslim cultural contexts and demonstrates that ethical consumption values operate differently across cultures. The findings provide practical insights for K-beauty companies entering Islamic markets, suggesting that marketing strategies should emphasize functional excellence and social value rather than ethical attributes alone. This research contributes to understanding consumer behavior in emerging Muslim markets and offers strategic guidance for global beauty brands.

This study analyzed the impact of institutions on FDI inflows using panel data for 192 countries from 2006 to 2023. The Worldwide Governance Indicators and Fragile State Index were used as variables representing institutions, and the fixed-effects model and system GMM were used as analytical methods. Furthermore, the principal components of the WGI and FSI were included in the analysis. The results were consistent with previous research showing that institutional improvements promote FDI inflows. This finding was confirmed in analyses that controlled for endogeneity using system GMM, and was also consistently confirmed in analyses that included the principal components of the WGI and FSI. Analysis using the 6 indicators in WGI representing institutions revealed different results between advanced and developing countries. In advanced countries, regulatory quality and the rule of law were significant variables for FDI inflows, whereas in developing countries, political stability, government effectiveness, the rule of law, and control of corruption significantly promoted FDI inflows.

Grounded in a “market–government–society” triadic framework, this study distills the core components of the entrepreneurial spirit embedded in the WENZHOU Model (温州模式) across four stages—incubation, formation, transformation, and upgrading—and, using the YUEQING Electrical Equipment Industrial Cluster as a case, elucidates the mechanism pathway linking quality, standards, branding, and policy. Our findings indicate that, under the joint influence of market competition and social capital, Wenzhou's entrepreneurial spirit underwent a gradual reconfiguration from opportunity orientation and risk bearing to norm acceptance and long-termism; critical events—such as quality rectification and the “Quality-based City” policy —catalyzed an institutional shift in governance and a functional leap of industry associations, which, through standardization and branding, further embedded norms into firms’ internal order, thereby updating the development trajectory from extensive expansion to high-quality growth. On this basis, we argue that, conditional on the coordination of an “effective market and committed/proactive government”, association-based governance, differentiated taxation, and calibrated competition intensity can jointly foster innovation and sustainable upgrading in private manufacturing clusters.