The Impact of Outsourcing Strategy on a Firm's Innovation and Internationalization

SAMSON, Kouame Kouakou,LEE, Youngwoo East Asia Business Economics Association 2019 East asian journal of business management Vol.7 No.4

Purpose - Based on transaction cost perspective and institution-based perspective, this research attempts to investigate the effect of outsourcing on a firm's performance and how it interacts with institutional context in which the firms operate. Research design, data, and methodology -With a sample of 164 manufacturing firms form South Korea, we examine the direct effects of outsourcing on the a firm's level of product innovation and internationalization and the moderating effects of competitive pressure and property right protection as important external factors that could affect the effectiveness of outsourcing decision. Result - The findings show that outsourcing not only enhance a firm's capability to concentrate on its core competencies, but also to increase a firm's combinative capacity to acquire external knowledge. Furthermore, we finds that in a highly competitive environment, potential knowledge spillovers to other competitors may attenuate the potential benefits of outsourcing. Conclusion - Outsourcing can enhance a firm's innovation activities by providing valuable access to external knowledge and also to complementary resources from the external partners, which in turn enables firms to focus on core competences.

Resource Price, Macroeconomic Distortions, and Public Outlay: Evidence from Oil-Exporting Countries

Samson Adeniyi Aladejare 한국국제경제학회 2018 International Economic Journal Vol.32 No.2

This study examines the repercussions of oil price and macroeconomic distortions on government expenditure in 15 oil-exporting countries. Adapting the Pooled Mean Group analytical approach, the long-run findings are indicative of a blend of the Dutch disease and rent-seeking hypothesis of the resource curse theory in oil-exporting countries. These effects crucially impact on the poor growth of the real sector in these countries, needed for diversification of their revenue base. Furthermore, both resource curses account for one of the reasonswhyfiscal deficits in oil-exporting countries have been on the rise. The country short-run coefficient for the balance of payment, economic growth, and exchange rate also supports the Dutch disease and rent-seeking hypothesis mix found in the long run. Also, the significant negative impact of oil rents in most countries shows that oil-exporting countries have been making attempts at diversifying their income sources; this is because proceeds from oil cannot be relied upon to adequately finance growing government expenditure, due to the volatile nature of oil prices, thus suggesting also that the volatility hypothesis is valid for most oil-exporting countries in the short run.

Rethinking 2 Samuel 12:15–23: A Case against “the Death Positivity Bias” Phenomenon in Africa

( Samson D Dakio ) 삼육대학교 선교와사회문제연구소 2020 Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry(AAMM) Vol.22 No.-

A penchant for the dead occupies a preeminent place in the belief systems of Africans. Though the phenomenon seems to be a worldwide challenge to the equilibrium of societies, the situation in Africa has become more critical, probably due to the general belief that the dead still have the potential to harm the living when the latter mishandle them. As a result of this, an inordinate attention has been given to the dead, through exorbitant funeral rites, at the expense of the living. In the attempt to change the status quo, this study has examined King David’s attitude in 2 Sam 12:15–23 and ascertained that his behavior towards the sickness and ensuing death of his son is antagonistic to the prevailing phenomenon of “the Death Positivity Bias.” Through a phenomenological approach to the passage under study, I argue that David’s attitude before and after the child’s demise must be the way forward. The focus must be on the living, especially those in dire straits. The study concludes, therefore, that David’s posture stands as a clear case against “the Death Positivity Bias” phenomenon in Africa.

Testing the Robustness of Public Spending Determinants on Public Spending Decisions in Nigeria

Samson Adeniyi Aladejare 한국국제경제학회 2019 International Economic Journal Vol.33 No.1

This study tests the robustness of variables used in determining public spending in Nigeria from 1970 to 2016. This is achieved through the simultaneous use of a symmetric and asymmetric ARDL and Toda–Yamamoto causality procedures. The empirical findings reveal sufficient evidence of asymmetry in the behaviour of policy variables such as oil price, inflation rate, and the exchange rate. Hence, the conclusion that asymmetry significantly exists in key variables, used by Nigerian fiscal authorities for spending decision-making. Also, the asymmetric Toda–Yamamoto causality result reveals that increase in oil price, depreciation in the Naira value, and government revenue are the key determinants of public spending. Hence, the revenuespend hypothesis. It is recommended that the re-investment of surplus proceeds from oil receipts should be given much priority. Specifically, the re-investment of such revenues into sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and information technology, will speed-up the diversification process of the revenue base; and sufficiently reduce the negative effects a decline in the oil price, and the Naira exchange rate will have on public spending. The policy of inflation targeting by the monetary authority should be sustained to check unwarranted inflationary trajectory; which may have an adverse effect on public spending value.

A Study of Innovation and Internationalization Strategies by a Hidden Champion Firm in Korea: The Case of CAP Corporation

SAMSON, Kouame Kouakou,LEE, Youngwoo Korea Fourth Industrial Association 2021 Fourth industrial review Vol.1 No.1

Purpose - This case study analyzes the internationalization strategy and innovation strategy as key factors contributing to the business success of CAP, a small and medium-sized manufacturing company in Korea producing auto parts such as wipers. This study describes the diversification strategies conducted by CAP Corporation and highlights the company's core competencies that have largely contributed to their global competitive success. Research design, data, and methodology - This paper provides in-depth case study on how CAP was able to grow into a hidden champion company, focusing on their strategies since its establishment. In particular, by analyzing the success factors centering on CAP's aggressive innovation strategy and internationalization strategy, it presents guidelines for small and medium-sized enterprises in Asian countries to become a Hidden Champion company. Result - CAP's product technology has successfully established innovative system on their product called 'vertebra spring' to distribute uniform pressure to the rubber to ensure performance as well as durability of their products. In order to continue benefiting from utilizing core competence and to continue pursuing technological advancement in the wiper industry, CAP has launched a wide range of products (flat blade, conventional blade, hybrid blade) applicable to 95% of the vehicle in the market. Conclusion - Taken together, CAP has many aspects of a hidden champion company by investing in R&D up to 8% of its annual sales to R&D investment even during the crises situation. This number is about 3.36 times higher than the average ratio of listed companies in Korea. Furthermore, the leadership of the management team as well as their vision toward the global market and strong commitment to innovation enabled CAP to become the world's fifth-largest wiper and Asia's No. 1 wiper manufacturer.

Phylogeny, identification and nomenclature of the genus Aspergillus

Samson, R.A.,Visagie, C.M.,Houbraken, J.,Hong, S.B.,Hubka, V.,Klaassen, C.H.W.,Perrone, G.,Seifert, K.A.,Susca, A.,Tanney, J.B.,Varga, J.,Kocsube, S.,Szigeti, G.,Yaguchi, T.,Frisvad, J.C. Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures 2014 Studies in mycology Vol.78 No.-

Aspergillus comprises a diverse group of species based on morphological, physiological and phylogenetic characters, which significantly impact biotechnology, food production, indoor environments and human health. Aspergillus was traditionally associated with nine teleomorph genera, but phylogenetic data suggest that together with genera such as Polypaecilum, Phialosimplex, Dichotomomyces and Cristaspora, Aspergillus forms a monophyletic clade closely related to Penicillium. Changes in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants resulted in the move to one name per species, meaning that a decision had to be made whether to keep Aspergillus as one big genus or to split it into several smaller genera. The International Commission of Penicillium and Aspergillus decided to keep Aspergillus instead of using smaller genera. In this paper, we present the arguments for this decision. We introduce new combinations for accepted species presently lacking an Aspergillus name and provide an updated accepted species list for the genus, now containing 339 species. To add to the scientific value of the list, we include information about living ex-type culture collection numbers and GenBank accession numbers for available representative ITS, calmodulin, β-tubulin and RPB2 sequences. In addition, we recommend a standard working technique for Aspergillus and propose calmodulin as a secondary identification marker.

Can the addition of biochar improve the performance of biogas digesters operated at 45°C?

Samson Oluwasegun Masebinu,Olufunto Tolulope Fanoro,Heribert Insam,Charles Mbohwa,Andreas Otto Wagner,Rudolf Markt,Sebastian Hupfauf 대한환경공학회 2022 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.27 No.2

Biogas from anaerobic digestion (AD) may contribute towards a green energy scene in the future. Despite many benefits, AD plant operators are still challenged by limitations of the technology. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of biochar addition to AD reactors operated at 45°C to optimize productivity, efficiency and stability of the process. Biochar is characterized by a large surface area and may therefore facilitate the creation of biofilms on the one hand and remove environmental contaminants on the other hand. Moreover, biochar may serve as pH control agent due to its alkaline properties, counteracting reactor acidification. Our results showed that the addition of biochar reduced efficiently the amount of H₂S that initially occurred in the headspace during reactor start-up. Nevertheless, no impact on biogas- and methane yields was observed. This might be explained with an already well-working AD system without any severe disturbances, where the balancing nature of biochar did hardly count. Future studies, however, need to evaluate the effect on stressed systems. The microbiome analysis provided a detailed view of the microbial dynamics during the start-up phase, revealing Methanosarcina as dominant methanogen in the end. The addition of biochar did not alter the microbial community composition.

AFRICAN IMAGES IN KITHAKA WA MBERIA’S POETRY

Samson Ontiri Ongarora,Janes Nyachae Michira,Rayya Timammy,Kineene wa Mutiso 한국외국어대학교 아프리카연구소 2020 Asian Journal of African Studies Vol.- No.49

Africa is a continent endowed with natural resources such as fertile land, minerals, forests, wildlife and a warm tropical climate. Besides, it has communities with diverse cultures which attract tourists from other parts of the world. However, for a long time, the continent has experienced social, political and environmental challenges like political instability, despotic leadership, civil wars, refugees, hunger, poverty and diseases among others. In this article, we apply key principles of postcolonial theory to analyse the various images of Africa as depicted by Kenyan poet Kithaka wa Mberia in his works. We argue that the poet as a committed and critical writer has depicted negative images about Africa as a challenge to Africans and its leadership to address those issues. For instance, he shows African leaders and governments as being corrupt and inept in their governance. As a result, there are rampant cases of corruption, tribalism and dictatorship which create little or no room for equality, democracy, freedom of speech and the rule of law. But on the other hand, the poet portrays some positive images of Africa including the beautiful natural sceneries, mountains, forests, wildlife, rivers, beaches and a conducive climate. We shall draw our examples from Kithaka wa Mberia’s five anthologies namely; Mchezo wa Karata (A Game of Cards), Bara Jingine (Another Continent), Msimu wa Tisa (The Ninth Season), Redio na Mwezi (Radio and the Moon) and Rangi ya Anga (Colour of the Sky).

The Concept of Innocent Suffering in the Ancient Near Eastern Culture: A Theological Reflection on the Case of Job

( Samson D. Dakio ) 삼육대학교 선교와사회문제연구소 2019 Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry(AAMM) Vol.19 No.-

The subject of human suffering in general and that of the innocent person in particular is one of the most enigmatic issues in Scripture. Yet the concept of suffering constitutes one of the fulcrums of the Christian faith. Throughout the history of humanity, the question of innocent suffering seems to have left no culture indifferent. This study theologically reflects on the suffering of the man Job whose experience epitomizes all innocent suffering ever endured by mortals. The investigation has revealed that the concept of innocent suffering was not widely accepted in the ancient Near East since suffering was generally imputed to an antecedent offence. Leaning on Job’s ordeal, it is argued that the roots of a believer’s suffering are not always to be found in some antecedent sins committed by the sufferer. Thus, innocent suffering as depicted in the life of Job should be understood in the context of the ongoing Great Controversy.

Liposomal co-delivery-based quantitative evaluation of chemosensitivity enhancement in breast cancer stem cells by knockdown of GRP78/CLU

Samson, Annie Agnes Suganya,Park, Solji,Kim, Sung-Yon,Min, Dal-Hee,Jeon, Noo Li,Song, Joon Myong Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2019 Journal of liposome research Vol.29 No.1