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Pairs trading is an instance of statistical arbitrage that relies on heavy quantitative data analysis to profit by capitalising low-risk trading opportunities provided by anomalies of related assets. A key element in pairs trading is the rule by which open and close trading triggers are defined. This paper investigates the use of time series regression to define the rule which has previously been identified with fixed threshold-based approaches. Empirical results indicate that our approach may yield significantly increased excess returns compared to ones obtained by previous approaches on large capitalisation stocks in the Korean equities market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper illustrates a methodology called choice modeling (CM) that allows a comparison between beef quality preference profiles of three different merchandising groups in South Korea. The CM data was collected from three equally proportioned retailer, wholesaler and importer groups in South Korea by a mail survey. Multinomial logit model (MNL) estimation of the CM data showed that all three merchandising groups currently define preferences for imported beef cut with narrow range and specificity. The choice modeling (CM) technique that was applied in this study is found to be effective in eliciting product profile of a beef cut that is preferred specifically by a particular merchandising group. Construction of a preferred product profile of a beef cut for each merchandising group provides a basis for marginal analysis of factor level changes on buyers' purchasing choices. Information on preferred product profiles and marginal analysis of three merchandising groups' beef purchasing behavior can facilitate differentiated product development and marketing programs at different stages of the beef sup- ply chain in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand users’ technology utilisation behaviour, a construct named technology dependence is suggested; as well a technology dependence model is proposed and empirically tested. Based on the literature on marketing, information systems’ utilisation, and psychology, a comprehensive set of constructs and hypotheses are compiled with a methodology for testing them in this paper. A questionnaire was designed and data were collected from 255 users of smartphones in Korea, mainly consisting of students and academics. Structural equation modelling was then applied to analyse the data. The result indicated that engagement is the strongest indicator of technology dependence along with user satisfaction. User satisfaction is affected by engagement and responsiveness of the technology. And all three dimensions of interactivity, namely, control, communication, and responsiveness, are revealed to be significant indicators of engagement. Based on the findings, the model develops useful insights into the factors that influence technology dependence and provides new ideas in understanding technology utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper argues that in the case of Korea, cultural diplomacy (CD) has been explicitly implemented in a top-down and unilateral approach by government to enhance national prestige abroad, underpinned by the institutional legacy of a ‘developmental state’ model of governance. Yet, an implicit approach has also emerged, associated with capacity building of the domestic cultural industries through promoting ‘international cultural exchange’. Whilst the top-down unilateral approach has persisted, a disarray of policy rhetoric and institutional fragmentation surrounding CD, as well as the blurring of cultural industries development policy with the CD agenda has led to gradual convergence of both explicit and implicit approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While e-commerce has proliferated with the growth of the Internet, there have been insufficient research efforts concerning its status in Korea. The United States, in contrast, has made significant efforts in making empirical research on the consumer's adoption of e-commerce. This paper validates the e-Commerce Adoption Model (eCAM) on the two countries. E-CAM integrates the technology acceptance model with the theories of perceived risk to explain the e-commerce adoption. The study findings not only provide interim support for the generalizability of e-CAM, but also suggest that online firms should consider these contextual factors in order to facilitate consumers' adoption behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elder suicide is a serious concern in many countries, including South Korea. Various policies and programs to prevent elder suicide are essential; however, further understanding of this phenomenon is necessary. The current study, therefore, developed a model for understanding the underlying mechanism of suicidal ideation in older adults in South Korea. The model was based on Andersen's theory (2021), which explains the path from social relationships to mental health. This study was conducted utilizing meta-analytic structural equation modeling in accordance with a pooled correlation matrix. We used data from 93 existing studies systematically identified in nine academic databases. The fit statistics show that our model fits the data well. The results demonstrated that suicidal ideation was directly affected by abuse, depression, and self-esteem but not by family relationships. Depression significantly mediated the relationship between abuse and suicidal ideation and between family relationships and suicidal ideation. Social relationships play an important role in determining mental health among Korean older adults, consistent with Andersen's theory. Prevention of elder abuse and depression is essential in preventing suicide among older adults in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online sexism against female gamers is reportedly common and pervasive, causing serious problems. To help solve these problems, the study identified various predictors of online game sexism, which is hypothesised to predict actual in-game harassment. Different from previous studies, the study approaches the problems from the perspective of perpetrators rather than victims. We proposed a theoretical model that include three groups of predictors: offline sexist beliefs (masculine norms and hostile sexism), game-related factors (perceived territoriality, advancement, and competition), and environmental factors (peer harassment and play time). The model was tested against online survey data collected from a sample of 528 male gamers in South Korea with age range of 14–64 years (M = 34.70, SD = 12.81). The results showed that all the predictors, except competition and play time, were significantly associated with online game sexism, which mediated the relationships between the predictors and online sexual harassment. Perceived territoriality and peer harassment were found to have direct and positive effects on harassment. The findings are expected to contribute to developing more effective measures for preventing the hostility and aggression against female gamers by providing a new and more thorough diagnosis of the underlying causes of the problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have estimated vector autoregression (VAR), Bayesian vector autoregression (BVAR) and vector error-correction models (VECMs) using annual time-series data of South Korea for 1950-94. We find evidence supporting the view that growth of real per-capita income has been aided by income, investment and export growth, as well as government spending and exchange rate policies. The VECMs provide better forecasts of growth than do the VAR and BVAR models for both short-term and long-term predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the Austrian health care system using the ecology of care model. Our secondary aim was to compare data from Austria with those available from other countries. Design: 3508 interviews employing a 30-item questionnaire related to the utilization of the health care system including demographic factors were conducted. Participants were chosen by a Random Digital Dialing procedure. Further, a literature review of studies of other countries use of the ecology of care model was conducted. Main outcome measures: Austria has one of the highest utilization of health care services in any of the assessed categories. The comparison with the literature review shows that Austria has the highest utilization of specialists working in the outpatient sector as well as the highest hospitalization rates. Taiwan and Korea have comparable utilization patterns. Canada, Sweden, and Norway are countries with lower utilization patterns, and the U.S. and Japan are intermediate. Conclusion: In Austria and similarly organized countries, high utilization of all health care services can be observed, in particular, the utilization of specialists and hospitalizations. The over-utilization of all levels of health care in Austria may be due to the lack of a clear demarcation line between the primary and secondary levels of care, and the presence of universal health coverage, which also allows for unrestricted and undirected access to all levels of care. Previous studies have shown that comparable countries lack the health benefits of a strong primary care system with its coordination function. In Austria and similarly organized countries, there appears to be high utilization of health care in general, as well as with particular utilization of specialists and hospitalizations. The high utilization of all levels of care in Austria may be the result of competition, lack of a clear demarcation line between the primary and secondary level of care, and the presence of universal health coverage. Pathways between primary and secondary care should be strengthened as previous studies have shown that comparable countries lack the health benefits of strong primary care and its function for health care coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to answer questions about the similarities and differences in the prevalence and distribution of psychological distress across these populations. Methods: Survey data from older Koreans between the ages 60 and 79 from the two countries (n = 480) was analyzed descriptively and in hierarchical multiple regressions. The stress coping framework was used as a conceptual model Results: This study found significantly different prevalence of psychological distress in both countries. About 13% of older Korean immigrants(US) experienced 'severe' psychological distress versus 21% of their counterparts (Korea). Health status and overall financial status were significantly associated with the experience of psychological distress in both countries, while income was not significantly associated with psychological distress. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed significant associations between family relationships and help-seeking behavior among older Korean immigrants in the United States while there were significant associations between social support, social networks and psychological distress among older Koreans in South Korea. Conclusion: This is the first time that a comparative study has been used to understand psychological distress among older Koreans in both countries. The findings build on prior research on social support and social networks as stress coping buffers, adding a much-needed understanding of how stressors and different types of resources influence psychological distress outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses an endogenous Markov-switching framework to examine the interrelatedness of the volatility dynamics of the US and Korean markets. Previous literature assumes that the US market implied volatility index is exogenous to the Korean implied volatility index. Here, we allow for correlations between the US and Korean variables and suggest two types of endogeneity, namely endogeneity in the regressors and in the regime-switching probabilities. The estimation results show that both types of endogeneity are present in the US variables and that the parameter estimates are quite different when endogeneity is considered, indicating a serious endogeneity bias in the parameter estimates. The results of the endogeneity test for the regressors show that the effects of global shocks are often persistent and may last for as long as six periods. Sub-period analyses indicate that the degrees of endogeneity were especially strong during the global financial crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to analyze factors affecting the severity of mild whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) and to develop a predictive model to evaluate the presence of mild WAD in minor motor vehicle crashes (MVCs).Methods: We used the Korean In-Depth Accident Study (KIDAS) database, which collects data from 4 regional emergency centers, to obtain data from 2011 to 2017. The Collision Deformation Classification code was obtained as vehicle's damage information, and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS), and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were used as occupant's injury information. The degree of WAD was determined using the Quebec Task Force (QTF) classification, comprised of 5 stages (QTF 0-4), depending on the occupant's pain and the physician's findings. QTF 1 was defined as mild WAD, and we used QTF 0 to define those who were uninjured. For KIDAS data between 2011 and 2016, a logistic regression model was used to identify factors affecting the occurrence of mild WAD and a predictive model was constructed. Internal validity was estimated using random bootstrapping, and external validity was evaluated by applying 2017 KIDAS data. Of the 2,629 occupants in the KIDAS database from 2011 to 2016, after applying several exclusion conditions, 459 occupants were used to develop the predictive model. The external validity of the derived predictive model was assessed using the 13 MVC occupants from the 2017 KIDAS database meeting our inclusion criteria. Among the 137 MVC occupants from the 2017 KIDAS database for analysis of the external validity of the derived predictive model, the predictive model was verified for 13 MVC occupants.Results: Logistic regression analysis was used to derive a predictive model based on sex, age, body mass index, type of vehicle, belt status, seating row, crush type, and crush extent. This predictive model had an explanatory power of 65.5% to determine an actual QTF of 0 and 1 (c-statistics: 0.655). As a result of the external validity analysis of the predictive model using data from the 2017 KIDAS database (N = 13), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.500, 0.857, and 0.692, respectively.Conclusions: Using the predictive model, the results of the external validity analysis showed low sensitivity but high specificity. This predictive model provided meaningful results, with a high success rate for determining no injury to an occupant. Given our study results, future research is needed to create a more accurate predictive model that includes relevant technical and sociological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physically active leisure plays a key role in successful aging. Exercise beliefs are one of the key predictors of exercise behavior. We used structural equation modeling to assess the plausibility of a conceptual model specifying hypothesized linkages among middle-aged adults' perceptions of (a) exercise beliefs, (b) physical exercise behavior, and (c) subjective well-being. Four hundred two adults in South Korea responded to survey questions designed to capture the above constructs. We found that physically active leisure participation leads to subjective well-being for both middle-aged men and women. However, men and women exercised for different reasons. Women exercised for the sake of their physical appearance and mental and emotional functioning, whereas men exercised for the sake of their social desirability and vulnerability to disease and aging. Based on our results, we suggest that men tend to show higher social face sensitivity, while women show more appearance management behavior. Based on these findings, we discussed the implications and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), we explored the nationally-bounded roles of four predictors (subjective norms, entertainment, recordability, and networkability) in determining the TAM variables of perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and behavioral intention (BI) to use diet/fitness apps on smartphones. Participants/methods: College students in the US and South Korea were invited to participate in a survey. We obtained 508 questionnaires (304 from the US and 204 from Korea). Data were analyzed mainly through path analysis. Results: The four factors positively predicted the PU and PEOU of diet/fitness apps. While the effects of the predictors on the three TAM components were generally stronger among the US students than Korean students, the effect of subjective norms on the BI of diet/fitness apps was weaker among Korean students. Conclusion: Findings from the cross-national comparisons were helpful for thoroughly understanding the contextualized mechanisms involved in the adoption of diet/fitness apps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:Although research supports family–professional collaboration, challenges to implementation have been reported. The case reports describe the implementation of a 4-step practice model that incorporates specific strategies to facilitate family–professional collaboration. Method:The participants were two mothers of children with physical disabilities and two physical therapists. Therapists received instruction in the strategies for collaboration including client-centred interview, visualising a preferred future, scaling questions, and family routine and activity matrix. The intervention was implemented during 6-weekly sessions. The 2nd and 5th sessions were videotaped to analyse the interactions between the parent and therapist using Response Class Matrix. Telephone interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences. Results:Therapists were able to implement all strategies following 6 h of instruction. Analysis of the videotapes indicated that mother–therapist interactions were characterised by sharing information and open communication in a mutually supportive manner. Interviews with the mothers and therapists indicated that the therapists engaged the mothers in the intervention process and tailored interventions to child and family needs. The scaling questions were difficult to implement (therapists) and answer (parents). Conclusion:The findings suggest that the strategies can be used by therapists to promote collaboration and involve parents in setting goals and the intervention process.Implications for RehabilitationStrategies to promote parent–therapist collaboration include client-centred interview, visualising a preferred future, scaling questions, and family routine and activity matrix.Therapists with no previous instruction or training on family-centred services successfully implemented the strategies following 6 h of instruction.Interactions between two parent–physical therapist dyads were characterised by sharing information and open communication in a mutually supportive manner following therapist instruction in strategies for parent–therapist collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of an integrated psychiatric nursing curriculum in Seoul, Korea. Thirteen college students from the nursing school participated in focus-group interviews; the data were analyzed using content analysis. Four themes were derived: being confused by uncertainty, struggling to gain confidence, realizing humanity from stigma, and being motivated by role models. A conceptual model of psychiatric nursing education was developed based on these themes to explain the students’ developmental process from student nurse to psychiatric nurse. Psychiatric nurse educators must understand students’ learning process to facilitate their professional role identification. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This research explores how expert knowledge is created in the process of women-friendly policy making, based on actor network theory (ANT). To address this purpose, this study uses the “Women’s Happiness in the City of Seoul” policy initiated by the local government of Seoul as one example of policy development. Research findings demonstrate that knowledge creation in expert groups followed the four stages suggested by ANT. In addition, this study found that various types of knowledge emerged from individual experts. This research elucidates the process of knowledge creation and its meanings for women-friendly policy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Individuals are increasingly subjected to flaming or negative behaviours as society becomes digitally adept. Existing research on flaming is largely fragmented and insufficient to understand what induces individuals to engage in flaming actions online. Neutralisation theory, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and motivational theory are integrated to develop a theoretical model to better understand flaming in virtual communities. A large-scale online questionnaire targeting individuals who had experience with flaming in a virtual community was employed to analyse the research model. The results indicate that neutralisation techniques acceptability, enjoyment, subjective norms, and low self-control significantly influence flaming. Enjoyment, low moral beliefs, subjective norms, and low self-control influence neutralisation techniques acceptability, or efforts made by individuals to rationalise their deviant behaviour. Neutralisation techniques acceptability is highly correlated with flaming in virtual communities, which has not previously been examined. Intrinsic motivation or enjoyment influences flaming, which is important because neutralisation theory and the TPB do not account for motivation. Virtual communities have a tremendous amount of influence towards an individual's rationalisation of and repeated engagement in flaming. The government, Internet service providers, the media, virtual communities, and Internet activists have an opportunity to define appropriate online behavioural standards that diminish the prevalence of flaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared conventional and satellite-based drought indices from drought vulnerable sites in South Korea during 2004–2013. Satellite-based drought indices, the energy-based water deficit index (EWDI), and the standalone Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-based evaporative stress index (stMOD_ESI) were evaluated using MODIS imagery to assess its capability to analyse the complex topography of the Korean peninsula. Of the drought indices examined, the EWDI and stMOD_ESI were accurate when capturing moderate drought conditions, compared to the observed precipitation-based conventional drought indices (standardized precipitation index (SPI-3) and Palmer drought severity index (PDSI)). In addition, the satellite-basedsoil moisture index (SSMI) developed from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) and Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) soil moisture products were reasonably correlated with the EWDI and stMOD_ESI. These results suggest that the satellite-based drought indices (EWDI and stMOD_ESI) may be applicable on a regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Travel patterns have gradually changed from group travel to individual travel. An increasing number of people acquire travel information through various types of media. One of the alternative information sources is social media, which enables users to exchange information among members. However, one of the characteristics of social media is information sharing, not information search, which involves both giving (i.e. posting) and taking (i.e. selective reading, forwarding, replying, linking, and liking) information. Compared to the ‘giving’ side of information-sharing research, less effort has been spent on the ‘taking’ side of information research. Therefore, we investigate travel information adoption in social media as well as how individuals communicate with each other. We use the elaboration likelihood model, which measures the impact of central (e.g. argument quality) and peripheral (e.g. credibility) cues on traveller information-sharing behaviour corresponding with social presence on social media. The results of an empirical analysis of 527 respondents, who were experienced in travel information adoption via social media, were examined. Our findings revealed that argument quality had a positive effect on perceived usefulness and source credibility positively affected perceived usefulness and social relationships. Perceived usefulness had a significant positive effect on social relationships. Both perceived usefulness and social relationships affected travel information adoption. Lastly, the levels of argument quality and source credibility perceived by social media members were found to differ according to the level of social presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to explain the information-sharing process and investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that may induce information sharing on Facebook. Using the theory of planned behaviour, this research distinguishes between information-sharing intention and information-sharing behaviour. Based on self-determination theory, this research selects the extrinsic and intrinsic motivations that influence intention. Based on a survey of 233 South Korean Facebook users in their 20s and 30s, this research applies a structural equation modelling approach to develop the research model. All the intrinsic motivations are found to have a significant positive influence on information sharing about products and services. However, among the extrinsic motivations, only expected reciprocal relationship is found to have a significant positive influence on information-sharing intention. This research approaches Facebook empirically from a marketing perspective and suggests a strategic direction for marketers and Facebook managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study challenges the conventional assumption that online customers with high purchase intention routinely move to the purchase stage. To this end, the process of how online customers form purchase intention and behaviour is examined. On the basis of product value distribution (PVD), we propose that thehypothetically expected product value(i.e. PVD average) determines purchase intention, whereas theactual probability of attaining the expected product value(i.e. PVD variance) moderates purchase behaviour. This proposal indicates that theexpected product valuehas significance only when repeated purchase is assumed given that most consumers do not repeatedly purchase the same product in reality. Thus, theactual probability of attaining the expected product valuemore critically affects customer behaviour than does itsexpected value. The effectiveness of the research model is verified by conducting a survey on 300 online mall shoppers in Korea. The results confirm model effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain management (SCM) is an important strategic tool that requires careful planning and management. While the availability of real-time information is a critical aspect of an SCM system, it possesses a potential to disrupt supply chain participants. Thus, the success of an SCM system hinges on how well participants deal with changes taking place in a real-time environment. This study adopts the concept of the real-time enterprise to understand the role of change management on SCM performance based on the concept of the information orientation. The study empirically validated the role of change management on SCM performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies on user aggression in virtual worlds have mainly focused on the causes of aggressive behaviour, but only a few have focused on the factors that relieve it. This study was conducted to determine the causes of aggression relaxation and aggravation in virtual worlds, using an approach that significantly differs from that used in previous research. We examined the mechanisms that affect aggravation and relaxation of virtual aggression, and suggested ways to resolve problems with aggression. A survey was conducted with 112 Second Life users to examine how commitment, belief, avatar attachment, desensitisation, and addiction were related to self-control and control disorder, and how the two latter factors affected virtual aggression. The survey also examined how virtual aggression influenced the intention for attacking behaviour in the real world. The results showed that (1) belief is a positive predictor of self-control, which has a negative impact on virtual aggression, (2) addiction is a positive predictor of control disorder, and (3) anger in virtual worlds is significantly connected to aggression in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the users' experiences with three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments to investigate the areas of development as a learning application. For the investigation, the modified technology acceptance model (TAM) is used with constructs from expectation-confirmation theory (ECT). Users' responses to questions about cognitive perceptions and continuous use were collected and analysed with factors that were modified from TAM and ECT. Whilst the findings confirm the significant roles by users' cognitive perceptions, the findings also shed light on the possibility of 3D application serving as an enabler of learning tools. In the extended model, the moderating effects of confirmation/satisfaction and demographics of the relationships amongst the variables were found to be significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the massive attention drawn to ‘missing girls,’ there has been no study that specifically focuses on the association between childlessness and the daughter deficit. Using a bivariate probit selection model, this article analysed the data for 6475 married women aged 15–49 years collected from the 2003 Korea National Fertility and Family Health Survey. The results showed that a couple's decision to have a child exerted a significant influence on its daughter deficit. This study also found that the effect of a woman's education on daughter deficit did not correspond to that of her husband's level of education. Additionally, a prediction was made that if a one child family norm were prevailing in South Korea, the probability of a couple's having a daughter deficit would increase by as much as 63.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article estimated a multinomial logit model to identify the factors determining the severity of pedestrian-vehicle crashes in South Korea. Our results showed that relative to minor crashes, fatal and serious crashes were associated with collisions involving heavy vehicles; drivers who were drunk, male or under the age of 65; pedestrians who were over the age of 65 or female; and pedestrians who were hit in the middle of the road, on high speed roads, in inclement weather conditions, at night, on road links, in tunnels, on bridges, or on wider roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An error-correction model is used to estimate the fraction of consumers who are liquidity-constrained in 10 Asian developing countries. Our estimates of the fraction of consumers who are liquidity-constrained range between 0.25 and 0.98. We further investigate whether financial liberalization has resulted in the reduction of liquidity constraints in these countries. However, the results find support for this only in the cases of South Korea, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]