독도는 러․일 전쟁 중에 일본에 의해 침탈당했다가 광복 후 다시 되찾은 우리 고유의 영토이다. 그러나 일본은 ‘다케시마의 날’ 제정, 독도를 일본 영토로 표기한 ‘학습 지도 요령’과 그에 따른 교과서 등을 발간하며 독도에 대한 영유권을 계속 주장하고 있다. 뿐만 아니라 최근에는 우리나라 안에서도 유명한 대학의 교수들이 중심이 된 소위 <반일종족주의> 저자들이 노골적으로 독도는 일본 땅이라고 주장하는 일까지 벌어지고 있다. 이러한 일본의 노골적인 독도영유권 주장과 일본 우익들의 논리를 그대로 수용하고 있는 한국의 일부 지식인들의 그릇된 역사인식에 적극적으로 대응하기 위해서라도 학교현장의 독도교육은 매우 중요하다. 특히 미래 사회를 이끌어갈 청소년들에게 독도가 단순히 영유권 문제가 아니라 한ㆍ일간의 과거사 문제라는 점을 분명히 가르쳐 과거사 극복 과정에서 독도문제를 인식할 수 있도록 다각적인 측면에서 교육이 필요하다. 이러한 의미에서 현재 학교현장에서 독도를 어떻게 가르치고 배우고 있는가를 되짚어보는 작업은 독도를 둘러싼 일본과의 갈등 해결과 국제사회의 일원으로 살아가야 하는 우리 학생들이 길러야할 민주시민으로서의 역량을 기르는데 의미가 있다고 생각한다. 이러한 문제인식에 바탕하여 중학교 교육과정과 교과서의 독도 관련 내용구성과 체계를 살펴보고, 이어서 교육부와 시ㆍ도교육청의 독도교육 정책에 따라 실제 중학교에서 독도교육이 어떻게 이루어지고 있는지를 검토한 후 독도교육의 과제와 몇 가지 제언을 하고자 한다. 그러나 학교현장에서의 독도교육 활동이 학생들의 역사관과 영토관에 구체적으로 어떤 변화를 주었는지, 그리고 과연 일본의 독도 침략 야욕에 효과적으로 대응할 수 있는지 까지는 나아가지 못하였다. 이 부분은 앞으로 연구과제로 남기고자 한다.

This research analyses the challenges facing SMEs in Oman in their quest for internationalization. The study is based on the OECD Model of Internationalization put forward in the report titled “How to Foster the Internationalization of SMEs through the Pacific Alliance Integration Process” which focuses on four factors namely finance, business environment, firm capabilities and market access, which are appropriate for an emerging economy like Oman. This study used a descriptive and quantitative research design in attempting to analyze the challenges being faced by Omani SMEs in their endeavors to internationalize. The research investigates causal relationship between variables using positivist and deductive approach. Data collected from 102 respondents was analysed by Structural Equation Modeling(SEM) using AMOS. It was found that finance availability was the most significant predictor of internationalization challenges followed by market access and business environment, while firm capabilities had no impact. Thus SMEs need easier access to credit and have to develop their international business networks and their marketing capabilities in order to grow internationally. Keeping in mind the contribution made by SMEs the government has to intervene by opening up easy lines of credit to SME exporters and allowing them relaxations in customs and other duties.

This study argues that expanding the multifunctionality of agriculture (MFA) may mitigate existing agricultural problems. To do that this study redefines the concept and scope of the MFA and presents practical tasks to achieve it. Theorizing the MFA begins with the theory of sustainability and first identifies the link between sustainability and MFA. Later, considering the limitations of the existing sustainability theories, we examined where the false linkages leading to the destruction of environmental and social relations originated, and employed the (Re)productivity [(Re)produktivitat] theory in order to obtain alternatives. Research shows that welfare effects of the MFA on humans and the environment are not less than those derived from the agricultural products supplied to the real market, but the values are not recognized. The absence of proper care and compensation is the basis of agricultural problems in Korea. Therefore, this study acknowledges that the MFA is as much worthy as real agricultural production, and insists that appropriate compensation and care should be given to humans (farmers) and nature (agricultural ecosystem) in order to maintain and expand the MFA. In other words, a virtuous cycle between sustainability and the MFA means that the process spreads sustainable farming methods to expand the MFA, forms social consensus on it, and pays fair remuneration for agriculture from the public sector. Transition to such a virtuous cycle requires re-establishing the definition and scope of the MFA, implementing targeting policy, motivating policy targets, strengthening human capacity, and arranging maturity time.

Purpose – The research aimed to reveal real decisional behavioral of management institutes in India for social media marketing usage, and analyses of empirical elements of social media consumption pattern. Research design, data, and methodology – The investigation was based around a research methodology using quantitative analysis with appropriate statistical techniques on random surveys of consumers, detailed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are applied to assess the empirical validity of the model and multiple regression employed using R studio edition to validate the reliability of the developed models. Results – A new conceptual framework is proposed – the management institutions decision model, providing a tool for effective and more focused decision-making strategies for developing better utilization techniques for social media. Management institutions have different requirements based upon objectives and resources available. The evidence suggests that the administrators need to be more aware of consumer indicators when targeting and designing social media marketing strategy. Conclusions – The research was based on samples and not the entire population of target consumers, providing limitations. As an inferential statistical method was chosen, the results might be susceptible to inaccuracy. The model developed from different age users, thereby providing rich perspectives into social media usage pattern.

Purpose – This case study is dedicated to the study of the presence of KIA Motors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and its market and entry strategies for strategic globalization that allowed the company to establish itself within a conservative and clustered marketplace dominated by American and Japanese international brands. Research Design, data, and methodology – The main information for the case was gathered through an interview and questionnaire from the executives of the KIA Al Jabr, which got the exclusive dealership in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, secondary data were obtained from reliable and authoritative sources such as the Saudi government agency publications, newspapers, international business journals. Other related periodicals based on the results from previous and current studies on similar topics were critically reviewed as well. Results – The findings of this paper show the different business environments of the Saudi market and the importance of various points regarding the company’s global entry strategy even if the host market culture is quite different in many ways from other international markets. Conclusions – This case can provide Korean companies interested in the Middle East with insight into market penetration and global strategy, and present various perspectives and implications for global market access as well.

This year, as Jeju 4.3 met its seventieth anniversary, a wide array of events and activities are designed to inform the general public of Jeju 4.3 on a national scale, finally transforming Jeju 4.3 into a historical narrative that must be remembered by all Korean people. Furthermore, empathy for amendments of the Special Act aimed at a just settlement and healing including damage compensation spread, and the US responsibilities for the massacres of Jeju residents entered the sphere of public opinion. Along with such advances, various attempts to liberate the 4.3 discourse were forwarded, in the form of re-situating the Jeju residents at the time of 4.3 from victims to sovereign subjects in their community as well as in history. Now, the movement for truth and justice of 4.3 must move forward, with the seventieth anniversary as its foundation, by meeting the following challenges: search for specific methods for just settlement and healing; continuation of the success of nationalization; establishment and propulsion of mid-to-long-term plans for addressing US responsibilities; establishment of a system and activities that will continue the 4.3 movement through the coming generations; and locating the relevance of the spirit of 4.3 vis-à-vis liaison between this spirit and key issues at the current historical juncture.

The objective of this research is to explore the diverse challenges faced by the customer as well transport providers through the selected modes of transportation of the second most populous country in the world – India. Two separate well-structured questionnaires administered to garner the opinions on different challenges. A random sample of 100 equally selected from the customers of 3 modes of transportation along with 30 transport providers. The collected data was analyzed in Microsoft Excel and R Studio platforms using Percentile Rank Tool and R Programming Language for Chi-square test respectively. Traffic congestion coupled with parking is the major problem in case of roadways while Safety and cleanliness in railways are the first amongst the problems to reckon with. High fares and lack of trained employees are the biggest challenges faced by aviation industry. The research is concentrated only in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in India with most widely used three modes of transportation viz., Road, Rail and Airways. This research paper is first of its kind which has collected the opinions of both customers as well transport providers on the problems faced. This research proffers information about the challenges faced by the customers which there will be an enormous possibility to review their strategies and plans.

This research aims to evaluate the current state of technology of enterprises in Vietnam in comparison with several countries in the AEC economic community, thereby to propose several recommendations to Vietnamese enterprises in order able to promote technology innovation activities, create competitiveness with enterprises in the region. Qualitative research methods are used through statistics and comparative descriptions from data collected from various sources: WEF, World Bank, CIEM, General Statistic Office. The study results show that Vietnamese enterprises still have many limitations in technology, originated from their small business scale (capital and labor), the current research capacity is still low, the funding for this activity is not high and the accessibility of the capital is still difficult. According to the Global Competitiveness Index, Vietnam's science and technology indexes are low compared to other AEC-developed countries including the availability of the latest technology; the acquisition of technology at the enterprise level; the capacity of improvement; quality of scientific research organizations..., which shall be a major barrier for Vietnamese enterprises to have to overcome to be able to create the competitiveness when entering the global market. From then on, the authors proposed solutions for two subjects, enterprises and government, to help Vietnamese enterprises to overcome this barrier.

With recent increasing interest from both safe society expectation and technological advancement in fields of sensors, microelectonics, and wireless communication, nondestructive monitoring technologies based on wireless solutions have been researched in many structures for construction performance evaluation and infrastructure durability inspection. To support robust wireless monitoring system, there are still technical barriers to overcome, such as low power consumption, battery-less operation, robust wiress communication and small system size. In this paper, recent research trends and challenges in infrastructure durability monitoring technology with wireless communication will be reviewed.

Purpose - To control exorbitant interest rates, implementation of an interest rate ceiling is a standard practice in microfinance. However, there are pros and cons of such market intervention. Hence, the aim of this short note is to highlight issues and challenges regarding the interest rate cap in microfinance, both from the perspective of clients and institutions. Research design, data, and methodology - While the nature of this short note is explanatory and descriptive, the research methodology used relevant data from the MixMarket and Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) annual reports in Bangladesh. Results - We argue that an interest rate ceiling is detrimental both for the clients and microfinance institutions (MFIs). This market intervention substantially reduces the outreach of MFIs and clients are most likely to pay a higher price in the long-run. Additionally, an interest rate cap also puts severe pressure on new-born and high-cost MFIs to cope with the interest rate ceiling. Conclusions - Although market intervention may be necessary in the short-run, it should not be the ultimate solution to abate high interest in microfinance. Understanding the operational dynamics of MFIs, as well as promoting productivity, efficiency and competition could help to lower the interest rates.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze maritime piracy and its economic implications with particular attention to attacks registered in the Gulf of Aden, The paper also aims to investigate how the International community, along with Sovereign States, should allocate resources in order to make the seas a safer place and describe how closely inter-related maritime piracy, preventive and punitive measures put in place by Governments are. Elements of economics and ergonomics are taken into account in order to properly investigate the major legal issues relating to maritime security. The paper proposes a cost-benefit analysis in order to investigate in theory what is the rationale behind engaging in criminal behavior and recommend some solutions to the issue to be undertaken by the International community. It is concluded that in order to cost effectively fight piracy, a mix of more coordinated National and International laws, standardized and increased punishment levels among jurisdictions and extended patrol controls are needed.

As concerns have been raised about health effects of children's products containing hazardous chemicals on children, the Korea Ministry of Environment announced 135 environmental hazardous substances in children’s products (EHSCP) which were subject to risk assessment. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the current status of EHSCP for management due to their various exposure routes and types. In this study, we investigated the exposure assessment of EHSCP as well as relevant policies implemented in domestic and foreign countries. Domestic and foreign cases of detection of EHSCP were reviewed in the literature and websites of related agencies. Due to the lack of reference values for child-specific toxicity of EHSCP, those for adults and regulatory status of EHSCP were also investigated and reviewed with literature. The related agencies of foreign countries provided 13 child-specific reference doses (RfDs), 76 RfDs, and 42 reference concentrations as toxicity reference values of the EHSCP. Among substances investigated in the studies to assess exposure of hazardous substances in children’s products by the Korea Ministry of Environment, 23 substances were included in 135 EHSCP. The same studies identified 9 substances which were excluded from the 135 EHSCP. For regulatory status for hazardous substances in children’s products, 44 substances (32.6 %) and 84 substances (62.2 %) of 135 EHSCP were under regulation in Korea and foreign countries, respectively. In the present study, we found that a list of 135 EHSCP should be revised to ensure children’s safety.

The comprehensive review of the STCW 1978, as amended in 1995 and associated Code was carried out from 2006 to 2010. These amendments will have a certain degree of impact on Maritime Education and Training(MET) institutes in terms of education and training of seafarer worldwide. Particularly, the Far East region countries are effected more than other regions since they covered about 30% of officers and 37% ratings in the world. In view of these facts this dissertation conceived to analyze the problems in the Far East main seafarer supply countries faced the implementation of “STCW Manila Amendments” To analyze these problems, this dissertation carried out questionnaire research to 7 targeted main MET of major Far East seafarer supply countries. After research this dissertation suggests the possible solutions such as, Joint On-Board Training Center; Joint Asia Maritime E-learning Systems; methods to reducing work-load, ship inspection burden and determine mandatory minimum safety manning standards in a safe way; technical cooperation fund to installation of training equipment; and clarify vague terminology of STCW Manila Amendments, to solve problems identified through the questionnaires.

Purpose - The objective of this paper is to explain how the Chinese distribution market will continue to bring tremendous business opportunities to commercial enterprises given the relatively strong economic fundamentals and substantial government-led measures for boosting domestic demand. Research design, data, and methodology - The study conducted a survey on China’s 2011 retail market data. After empirically analyzing the data on retail sales, online retail markets, and franchises, we believe that online retailing in China will maintain its growth momentum. Results - This study shows that 2012 is expected to be a challenging year for the retail sector, as both external and internal pressures are likely to persist. Some of the major challenges facing retailers in China are mentioned below. Conclusions - Retailers in China face several major challenges. First, the uncertain economic outlook is having a considerable impact on China’s retail market. Second, China’s retailers face an unfair competition environment. Third, they are suffering the impacts of product safety problems.

The production practices, productivity and economic performance of organic and nonchemical rice farming were compared in Jeonnam Province, Korea. Korean organic rice farming showed a lack of use of resistant varieties and rotational cropping systems as well as less use of farm wastes and a high dependency upon external inputs. When compared with no-chemical rice production practices very little differences were found. However, organic rice farming showed 15% to 18% higher profits than no-chemical farming even though the productivity was arguably similar between the two farming types. This may encourage more farmers to convert to organic production rather than non-chemical farming as the farming practices are very similar, thereby resulting in increased supply of organic products and decreased prices for organic rice near future. There is a need to more greatly differentiate organic farming practices and products from those of no-chemical farming.

이 연구는 이 연구는 다문화가정에서 실제로 일어나고 있는 자녀교육 현장에서 체감하는 다문화가정 자녀교육의 현실과 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위한 과제가 무엇인가를 심층적으로 탐색하기 위해서 시도되었다. 이 연구는 S시에 거주하는 6명의 국제결혼이주자를 대상으로 심층면접을 통해서 이루어졌다. 이들은 모두 출신국이 달랐으며, 연령 및 학력도 다양하였다. 이 연구의 결과를 주제별로 요약해서 제시하면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 다문화가족이 겪고 있는 자녀교육의 문제는 사례마다 다르다는 점이며, 다문화가정 지원정책은 획일적이 아니라 가족이 처한 상황에 따른 맞춤형 지원이 이루어져야 소기의 성과를 기대할 수 있다는 점이다. 둘째, 다문화가정 자녀교육의 성공을 위해서는 가정의 안정을 전제로 하며, 가정의 안정은 부부간의 사랑과 신뢰가 바탕이 된다는 점이다. 셋째, 다문화가정 어머니의 한국어 능력은 자녀교육의 성공을 위한 가장 기본적인 역량으로 다문화가정 어머니에 대한 한국어능력 향상을 위한 지원이 무엇보다도 선행되어야 한다는 점이다. 넷째, 다문화가정 자녀에 대한 적절한 학습지원이 요구된다는 점이다. 이를 위해서는 현재의 지원으로는 절대 부족하며, 다문화센터 뿐만 아니라 정규학교의 적극적인 참여와 자원봉사의 확대가 절실히 요청된다. 다섯째, 학교의 다문화 교육에 대한 이해와 다문화 자녀에 대한 배려와 지원이 절실하게 요구된다는 점이다. 그리고 마지막으로, 다문화가정 자녀교육이 성공적으로 이루어지기 위해서는 다문화가정 가족이나 다문화가정 지원 관계자뿐만 아니라, 교사와 학생, 이웃, 그리고 사회 전체의 변화를 동반해야 한다는 점이다. 이 연구에서 살펴본 다문화가정 어머니들이 겪은 경험에서 나타난 현실은 다문화가정의 문제를 심층적으로 이해하고 각 사례에 적합한 지원방안을 수립, 추진하는데 가장 생생한 기초자료가 될 수 있을 것이다. 또한 이 연구의 결과는 다문화가정 및 다문화가정 자녀교육의 문제를 심층적으로 이해를 바탕으로 실효성 있는 지원정책을 추진하는데 중요한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.