Download Free Fta Utilization Of Korean Smes Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online Fta Utilization Of Korean Smes and write the review.

Many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are taking place in almost every corner of the world, and Korea is no exception. Korea notified over 50 FTAs to the WTO and has taken significant steps to reduce trade barriers through free trade agreements with major trade partners such as the USA, EU, China, ASEAN, and EFTA, etc. Korea also concluded FTAs with small developing countries like Vietnam, Chile and Singapore.SMEs comprise 99% of Korean firms while large firms make up just 1% of the total number of Korean firms. The future of the Korean economy depends on global competitiveness of SMEs. Going global is inevitable for global firms. FTAs can provide SMEs with various opportunities for global business. New foreign markets and global partners are available to SMEs for their products, and they can potentially increase their output by using FTAs. The Korean government has tried to assist SMEs to penetrate the foreign market by utilizing FTA opportunities.Contrary to expectations, some evidence indicated that SMEs are not taking full advantage of FTA opportunities. Survey results indicated that the FTA utilization rate of SMEs was much lower than that of large firms as well. There are many reasons for the low usage of FTAs, but they have not been explained fully.Some researchers have explained that large corporations have enough resources to construct FTA utilization strategies, pointing out key reasons for non-use of FTAs by SMEs as a lack of information on the implications, poor understanding, and the absence of FTAs with major trading partners. But it is still hard to discern which reasons are the major factors for low utilization of FTAs in Korean SMEs.Though SME are known to be unfriendly to FTA policy, they are eager to become global firms through FTA utilization. The proper answer can be closed out by analyzing the FTA utilization structure and export properties of SMEs.This article aims to suggest implications to enhance FTA utilization of SMEs strategically by examining the structure of FTA utilization and export activities on Korean SMEs. It also investigates various FTA utilization issues and suggests policy implications for Korean SMEs.
Despite the proliferation of free trade agreements (FTAs), many exporting firms are still confronted with several challenges in utilizing the FTA preferential tariffs. Based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, this study empirically examines the factors affecting the utilization of FTA schemes by exporting firms. To clarify the key factors influencing FTA utilization, this study develops a conceptual model from the perspective of the adoption of information technology innovations. Eight factors derived from the TOE framework are proposed to explore the determinants of FTA utilization in export. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is employed to analyze the data collected from 162 exporting small- and medium-sized enterprises in the South Korean textile industry. The findings reveal that compatibility and trading partner influence are positively associated with FTA utilization, while complexity is negatively related. Factors of organizational context do not show any relationship with FTA utilization. This study is the first to theoretically analyze and empirically test the determinants of FTA utilization from the perspective of technological innovation adoptions. By examining the relative importance of TOE factors in the utilization of FTA schemes, this study expects to advance a holistic understanding on the perceived factors that could potentially affect the utilization of FTA schemes.
I. The Decade-Long Journey of Korea’s FTAs 1. Historical rogress 2. FTA trategies 3. Development of FTA Procedures 4. Communication between Government and Industries 5. FTA Utilization 6. Domestic Compensatory Measures II. Conclusion and Implications 1. Conclusion 2. Implications
Since the signing of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), China has become the biggest trade partner of Korea. With a transaction volume that is 2.5 times greater than the trade with the US, it is not an exaggeration to say that Korean economy is sustained by China. However, in 2013, only 15% of Korea's total export is from the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Approximately 85% of Korea's total export was made by large and medium corporations. The FTA with China expanded the trade possibilities for large corporations but it made trade more difficult for SMEs. The FTA with China is anticipated to bring an economic growth of 1.7 to 2.1% and add 40.3 billion dollars to Korea's GDP by the year 2025. Based on the result of the international input-output analysis, the most vulnerable industries of SMEs are electric and electronics, machinery, chemical, steel and metals, construction and transport equipment.
East Asia is the region of the world that is changing fastest in terms of trade arrangements. Dozens of free-trade agreements are signed every year, turning a complex situation into the East Asian noodle bowl of FTAs. This book addresses the crucial question posed by these new agreements how do they affect business? While many studies have focused on government-to-government issues, this book gets to the heart of the matter, studying what it means for the firms actually doing the trade and investment. I recommend this book to any serious student of trade, particularly those interested in understanding the rapidly evolving landscape in this most dynamic part of the world. Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics, Graduate Institute, Geneva, Switzerland The pursuit of more than one hundred Free Trade Agreements in East Asia is quietly producing a fundamental change in the global economic architecture. This path-breaking new volume provides an indispensable guide to the practical effect of such agreements on commercial transactions in the region. It is a must-read for businessmen and policymakers who seek to both understand the impact of FTAs in the real world and expand their contributions to economic growth and development. C. Fred Bergsten, Director, Peterson Institute for International Economics, US [East Asia] needs to think about appropriate measures to overcome the Asian FTA noodle bowl in the future. In this vein, the study suggests several practical measures including encouraging rationalization and flexibility of rules of origin, upgrading origin administration, improving business participation in FTA consultations, and strengthening institutional support systems for SMEs. . . It is hoped that this study will contribute to strengthening regional trade policies in Asia and compatibilities with global trade rules. Haruhiko Kuroda, President, Asian Development Bank This is a valuable contribution in a crowded field. Kawai and Wignaraja have gone beyond familiar arguments about the relative merits of regionalism and multilateralism to ask businesses what it all means to them. Policymakers should take note. Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO For policymakers in the region, the debate is no longer between regionalism and multilateralism. The real question is how we should create the model for regionalism that will become the building blocks to a multilateral trading system and avoid raising costs of doing business from the noodle bowl effect. Therefore the comparative and micro-level research found in this book provides valuable insights on the impact of FTAs on businesses. These insights will be relevant input as policymakers forge ahead in implementing regional FTAs, thinking of ways to amend and improve on them and, most importantly, harmonize or consolidate between existing regional FTAs in East Asia. Mari Pangestu, Minister of Trade, Indonesia The spread of Asia s free trade agreements (FTAs) has sparked an important debate on the impact of such agreements on business activity. This pioneering study uses new evidence from surveys of East Asian exporters including Japan, the People s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and three ASEAN economies of the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to shed light on the FTA debate. Critics are concerned that FTAs erode the multilateral trading process and foster an alarming noodle bowl of overlapping regulations and rules of origin requirements which may be costly to business. Asia s Free Trade Agreements makes key recommendations for improving business use of FTA preferences, reducing costs of FTAs and creating a region-wide FTA. This well-researched and documented book will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate students in international business, international economics, economic development, public administration and public policy. Academics, researchers and members of think-tanks around the world will also benefit from this book as will trad
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for about 97–99 per cent of total enterprises and 60–80 per cent of total employment in ASEAN countries. The participation of SMEs is thus crucial for achieving greater regional economic integration amongst ASEAN countries. SMEs are, however, often constrained by many disadvantages that limit their abilities to become importers and exporters. This is well documented in the research literature on trade and firm size. This volume contains selected ASEAN country studies on the participation of SMEs in regional economic integration based on primary microdata. This is supplemented by empirical studies on the role played by East Asian multinational enterprises in the region. "The editors and authors of SMEs and Economic Integration in Southeast Asia are to be congratulated for this major contribution to the scholarly and policy literature on a subject of much public discussion but limited analytical research. The emphasis on economic integration highlights the importance of these firms in Southeast Asia’s growing regional and global engagement. The thirteen chapters, by leading authors in the field, comprise both insightful country analyses and careful examination of the links between SMEs and foreign investment." Hal Hill, H.W. Arndt Professor Emeritus of Southeast Asian Economies, Australian National University
This book provides an overview of evolving patterns of trade partnership with historical perspective. It presents changing requirements of industry competitiveness and explains the vital relationships between trade partnerships and industry competitiveness. As well, it further examines the interactive relationships between trade partnerships and industry competitiveness. In recent years, with decreasing strategic alliances among nations and less visibility of international governance mechanisms (e.g., WTO) and counter to globalization, preferential trade agreements and free-trade agreements have proliferated among nations. At the same time, industrial competitiveness is becoming a serious strategic policy priority of nations—both advanced and emerging economies. Theoretical discussion focuses on the practices of global network capabilities for the top of the pyramid (ToP) and base of the pyramid (BoP). Special focus is on trade partnerships and industry competitiveness in the Asian economies (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia), three ASEAN nations (Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia), and Mexico. Extensive industry and firm-level case studies discuss ToP and BoP interface capabilities in the form of manufacturing and services life-cycle management, which extends value creation and delivery of manufacturing and services. This extension integrates the cloud ecosystem, such as timely data/information/knowledge flows via the virtual world; and ground value chains, such as the flow of complex real goods and services in the visible world.