This study identifies the structure of perceived barriers to exporting, particularly the barriers associated with initiating and expanding exports among a group of exporting and nonexporting firms. The data from a sample survey of 623 small to medium-sized manufacturing firms in the state of Texas shows the presence of four types of export barrier dimensions-inadequacy of export market knowledge, resource constraints, export procedure uncertainties and exogenous environmental uncertainties. Three groups of firms-current exporters, interested and uninterested nonexporters-show significant differences in absolute and relative importance perceptions of these barrier dimensions.

Method 9 is a reference method established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to quantify plume opacity by the certified observer. Later, digital Optical Method (DOM) was developed to quantify plume opacity from digital photographs for bright and dim conditions. However, there is a limitation for the use of Method 9 and DOM to quantify the plume opacity especially for dim condition. In this paper, DIM-DOM system was used instead of DOM to quantify plume opacity during dim condition. Opacity readings provided by DIM-DOM were compared with the opacity values obtained with the reference in-stack transmissometer of the smoke generator. The individual opacity error results demonstrated that DIM-DOM met Method 9’s requirements. The individual opacity values ranging from 0 to 100% compare well to the corresponding opacity results from the in-stack transmissometer results meeting USEPA’s Method 9 IOE requirement of ≤15%. These results are encouraging and indicate that DIM-DOM has the potential to quantify plume opacity during dim condition.

The occurrence of major pest infestation was compared between conventional tea plantation and organic tea plantation at Sulloc tea garden in Dosun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do from 2002 to 2009. Tetranychus kanzawai was observed a lot in the second year, but it waned from late June. There was not much difference between conventional farming and organic farming in terms of pest density. Empoasca onukii was infested in the second year of organic farming compared with conventional farming, which highlighted the fact that second year of organic farming requires a special care. Scirotothrips dorsalis was highly dense in the second and third year of conventional farming, but its occurrence was lowered when the farming technique was shifted to organic farming. The number of Homona magnanima peaked 4 times each year. In 2008, the first year of organic farming, saw high occurrence of 771.2 per trap per year. In 2009, the second year, the population per trap dropped to 80, showing a great variance depending on year. The occurrence of Caloptilia theivora peaked 5 times annually. In 2008, the first year of organic farming, an average of 2,779 pests per trap was found, and in the following year, 4,143 pests were observed. It showed that density rose in organic growing period.