ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study was to investigate the mediating effects of health concern and depression on the stress and fatigue of COVID-19 self-quarantine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 227 people with COVID-19 self-quarantine experience were recruited during May 2021. Participants were invited to complete self-reported questionnaires that measure stress, health concern, depression, fatigue and demographic information. The data obtained were analyzed using multiple regression and dual mediation model applying the PROCESS macro with 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence interval. Results: This study analyzed the direct effects of COVID-19 stress on the health concern, depression and fatigue. And COVID-19 stress had indirect effects on their fatigue via health concern and depression. Both health concern and depression had dual mediating effects in the influence of COVID-19 stress on fatigue. In the relationship between COVID-19 stress and fatigue, the mediating effect of depression was significant. Conclusion: Fatigue due to prolonged COVID-19 can be alleviated by managing stress and mediating health concern and depression, and so therefore active nursing intervention is required. © 2022
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions have been known as characteristic symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the study of the clinical features of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in COVID-19 is still insufficient. Subjects and Method Mild COVID-19 patients who complained of olfactory or gustatory dysfunctions in the telephone monitoring from March 8 to April 8, 2020 were included in this study. Patient information was collected using a Google questionnaire. COVID-19 symptoms, severity and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions of patients were investigated. Results A total of 228 patients participated in this study. The number of male and female were 76 and 152, and the average age was 32.1±11.5 years. There were 210 patients (92.1%) of olfactory dysfunction, 179 patients (78.5%) of gustatory dysfunction, and 165 patients (71.4%) who complained of both symptoms. The 18.4% of patients complained only olfactory or gustatory dysfunction without other symptoms of COVID-19, and 51.1% of patients presented olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions as the first symptoms. Most of the patients (95.6%) improved olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions within several months, but only 79.8% of patients were normalized. Conclusion Since olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are the first symptoms in the numerous COVID-19 patients, and continued research on these patients play an important role in the screening and prevention of COVID-19. Long-term observation and further studies of treatment are needed for 20.2% of patients who have not fully recovered. Copyright © 2021 Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
ABSTRACT
Global value changes continued to expand until the late 2000s. On the other hand, regional value chains have formed around major regional hubs due to the expansion of domestic demand in emerging economies, such as China, and strengthened trade protectionism since the global financial crisis. Such changes lead to the reorganisation of value chains, focusing on domestic markets (reshoring) or neighbouring countries (nearshoring). In particular, the importance of supply chain risk management has been highlighted following disruptions to the supply network due to the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019. In this regard, major countries such as the USA and the EU are rapidly shifting to regional value chains for stable and sustainable production, rather than primarily aiming for production efficiency targeted at reducing costs. Industries in particular are more exposed to such supply chain risks under the existing structure and it now has become extremely important for businesses to take reaction to such risks. This is especially important for major industries in a country such as automobile or semiconductor manufacturing industries in South Korea. The aim of this study, therefore, is to establish the basis for the simultaneous growth of ports and linked industries by examining the existing structure of the global value chain for the automotive industry, which has a strong presence in South Korea’s domestic economy. In this regard, this research carries out a supply chain analysis focusing on the imports and exports of automotive parts. It also analyses the current structural risks and suggests risk management measures to secure a stable supply chain. © 2021 Jungseok Research Institute of International Logistics and Trade.
ABSTRACT
Purpose - Semiconductors are a significant export item for Korea that is expected to continue to contribute significantly to the Korean economy in the future. Thus, the semiconductor industry is a critical component in the 4th Industrial Revolution and is expected to continue growing as the nonface-to-face economy expands as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, this paper aims to empirically investigate how semiconductors are imported and exported in Korea from a global supply chain perspective by analysing import and export data at the micro-level. Design/methodology - This study conducts a multifaceted analysis of the global supply chain for semiconductors and related equipment in Korea by examining semiconductor imports and exports by semiconductor type, year, target country, mode of transportation, airport/port, and domestic region, using import/export micro-data. The visualisation, flow analysis, and Bayesian Network methodologies were used to compensate for the limitations of each method. Findings - Korea is a major exporter of semiconductor memory and has the world's highest competitiveness but is relatively weak in the field of system semiconductors. The trade deficit in 'semiconductor equipment and parts' is clearly growing. As a result, continued investment in 'system semiconductors' and 'semiconductor equipment and parts' technology development is necessary to boost exports and ensure a stable supply chain. Originality/value - Few papers on semiconductor trade in Korea have been published from the perspective of the global supply chain or value chain. This study contributes to the literature in this area by focusing on import and export data for the global supply chain of the Korean semiconductor industry using a variety of approaches. It is our hope that the insights gained from this study will aid in the advancement of SCM research.