As cryptocurrencies continue to gain viability as an asset class, institutional investors and publicly traded firms are beginning to enter into positions in digital currencies. While generating profits may be the primary purpose, corporations also wish to advertise to their stakeholders that they are keeping up-to-date with latest technological developments, trends, and cutting-edge investment opportunities in enhancing the wealth of the shareholders. The marketing and financial signals with the involvement in blockchain platforms and digital currencies intend to demonstrate the efficiency of corporate operations, and the agility in the utilization of the retained funds. What firms may not be considering however, is the effect these assets may have on their risk profiles. This paper aims at measuring the effect of digital currencies on the risk and returns of publicly traded companies, deciphering the motives behind holding a cryptocurrency as an asset, and determining whether one reason for holding is more impactful than another. Four largest publicly traded holders as well as four of the most prominent digital currencies are explored. The findings from the study contribute to the literature in corporate risk reporting, in marketing and financial motivations of digital currency holdings, and in digital currency risks. The conclusions of the study also make a case for firm transparency through detailed reports of the risk effects of digital currency holdings.

This study investigates the role of regionalisation in the endeavours of emerging economies to connect successfully to the global world economy. In the first part of the research, it summarizes connecting theories, using a multidisciplinary approach; International Relations, International Economics, Sociology (Granovetter, 1990; Li, 2003; Das, 2005; Yaquing, 2011) to discuss relationship-based versus rule-based governance as major characteristics of the ASEAN business environment. Descriptive statistical analysis is applied to identify the achievements of ASEAN-6 countries within global trade and FDI in 2000-2012. We suggest that the association examined in a broader context as ASEAN+3 (APT) did contribute to the greater integratedness of her member countries; and they have created a regional image with a common market, production base and exporting platform. Such achievements, however, can be in great part attributed to the micro-level activities of international and regional firms. In the second part of the study, marketing strategies of global companies are analysed based on empirical results in the literature to identify how they act in the ASEAN business environment when entering or expanding their presence. Two major manufacturing industries of the region, the household electrical appliances (characterised by fierce competition of Japanese and Korean manufacturers) and the Japanese dominated automobile industries are highlighted including the marketing mix elements of major market players. The Korean success can be attributed more to the relationship element, than the price factor. Upgrading of the maintenance service, sales and distribution network responding to local needs has been in focus. Rebuilding, restructuring of the entire ASEAN production/supply networks of corporations are expected to prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 environment. Localised products are designed for regional demand to obtain a competitive edge (Kabe, Ushiyama & Yamada, 2012). The first mover advantage of the Japanese car manufacturers has been kept since the 50’s through continuous product innovation with accelerated efforts into designing and manufacturing regional brands with cautious price-setting in recent years. There are important differences in marketing strategy of ASEAN-based companies investing abroad depending on the economic development level of their home country. Singaporean companies rely more on differentiation benefits, technology, product innovation, apply greater ODM/OBM (own design manufacturing, own brand manufacturing) than Malaysian ones (Sim, 2012). Movements in trade and FDI can also be observed in the evolving Asia-Europe interconnectedness with considerable scope for expansion. Our research identified promising examples of internationalizing SMEs beside the global players, which can be a further route to bridge Asia to the world. In order to investigate the role of the cultures (Hofstede, 2005), SMEs have been selected with presence both in the ASEAN and Visegrad four, the so called V4 countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland) for case studies. The still very few investment cases of the V4 countries in Southeast-Asia base their marketing strategy on product or service innovation using strongly relationship elements. The research intends to shed light on the marketing strategies of ASEAN and EU-based start-up and mid-size companies when they invest in each others’ region.

본 연구는 기업의 혁신전략이 특허생산 및 기업의 기술변화와 신제품개발에 미치는 영향을 분석함으로써 기업의 기술성과를 증대시키는 데 필요한 혁신전략을 도출하고자 하였다. 사용자료는 한국직업능력개발원의 「인적자본기업패널조사」(HCCP)의 1~4차년도 자료와 한국신용평가원의 기업재무자료, 특허청의 기업별 특허출원자료를 결합한 자료이다. 특허생산함수는 영과잉음이항회귀모형(ZINB)을 사용하여 추정하였다. 기업의 기술성과 결정요인은 특허의 내생성을 고려하여 2단계 추정방법을 사용하였고, 2단계 회귀식은 순위로짓모형을 사용하였다. 분석결과, 기업의 혁신전략이 특허생산 및 기업의 기술변화와 신제품개발에 중요한 영향을 미치는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 첫째, 특허생산에서는 기업의 연구개발투자와 인적자원이 중요한 투입요소로 나타났다. R&D집약도가 높을수록 특허생산이 활발하게 이루어지되 한계생산은 체감하였고, 기업이 보유하고 있는 특허스톡이 많을수록 신규특허의 생산이 활발하였다. 기업의 인적자원수준이 높고 인적자원투자가 많을수록 특허생산이 활발하였고, 기업이 시장선도전략이나 빠른 추종자전략을 추구할 때 안정형 전략을 구사하는 기업에 비해 특허생산이 많았다. 둘째, 기업의 기술성과 결정요인으로는 인적자원의 역할이 중요하였고, R&D집약도는 대기업의 신제품개발에 유의한 영향을 미쳤다. 시장선도전략이나 빠른 추종자전략을 택한 기업의 기술성과가 안정형 전략의 기업보다 높았다. 특허생산이 활발한 기업일수록 기술성과가 높으나, 이는 상당부분 특허의 내생성에 기인한다. 본 연구의 분석결과는 특허의 생산뿐 아니라 특허와 신제품개발과 같은 기술성과와의 연계성을 높이는 전략이 필요하며, 기업특성에 따른 차별화 전략이 필요하다는 것을 시사한다.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the introduction and activation of smart training for the effective training of vocational ability development of companies in the 4th industrial revolution era, we analyze the present status of smart training introduction and related difficulties and propose concrete activation plan. Research design, data, and methodology – Through the online survey, we tried to confirm the recognition of corporate about smart training. Questionnaires include what are the benefits, expectations, and difficulties of smart training, etc. The survey was conducted from August 21, 2017 to September 4, 2017. A total of 69 companies participated in the questionnaire. The questionnaire results were analyzed through frequency analysis and contents analysis. Based on the results of the questionnaire, we found out the cause of inhibition of smart training activation and suggested activation strategies. Results – The main reason for the provision of smart training is the expectation of the training performance and the recognition that it is possible to provide training in a flexible manner. The effectiveness of smart training operation was evaluated as a high level of contribution to the development of creative training course and the capacity of training institute. As a result of checking factors that hinders the activation of smart training, the most important reason is that the time and cost burden of the training institutes is excessive. The lack of expertise in the design of smart training courses and the burden of employers and trainees. Conclusions – In order to activate smart training, it is necessary to find solutions to the obstacles at the internal or external level of training institutions. The internal barriers to the training organization are lack of internal competence for preparation and course management. In this regard, we need to consider providing consulting, best practices or guidance in the process of designing and operating smart training. On the other hand, as an external obstacle factor, it is necessary to provide incentives to participate in smart training. In addition, further research is needed on strategies that can lead to participation in smart training from the viewpoint of employers and learners.