Mun-Jeong Kang ¹, Sae -Hong Cho ², Do-Sung Na ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Knowledge Service and Consulting, Hansung University, Seoul, Korea
2 Department of Computer Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Objectives: Professional consulting is highly influenced by personal capabilities of consultants rather than standardized consulting methodologies. This study aims to suggest a method of developing and designing methodologies in different situations. Methods/Statistical Analysis: After developing and applying a Rapid prototype-based consulting methodology, a survey was conducted in order to evaluate its effectiveness and based on the result of FGI (Focusing Group Interview), the effectiveness, practicality and roles of development participants were analyzed. Overall composition and goal of consulting methodology was confirmed by the firm and preliminary application was performed in the first prototype. Evaluation on the second prototype was subject to firm employees and firm experts and evaluation on the third prototype was conducted subject to firm experts. Findings: The Rapid prototype model which is a type of user based Instructional System Design (ISD) researched in educational technology was applied in consulting sites to investigate the effects. Through analysis, design, development and evaluation steps for 3 months, satisfaction and effectiveness could be increased compared to the control group. Moreover, the important fact is that satisfaction and acceptance have been improved together in the perspective of mutual application by each step through various types of communication and sharing between firms and consultants. Therefore, it could be confirmed that overall consulting quality could be improved when consulting methodology is constructed and applied with the firm instead of applying standardized consulting methodology to firms. Improvements: It was confirmed that the Rapid prototype model can be effectively applied in developing future consulting methodologies that can be applied in firms. Also, required future assignments could be deducted through empirical research. Following this, it is expected that various methodologies can be developed in the process of developing consulting methodologies in earnest based on this research.

Keywords

Consulting Engineering, Consulting Methodology, Consulting Quality, Methodology Design, Rapid Prototype.

Full Text

   

Mun-Jeong Kang ¹, Sae-Hong Cho ², Jung-Wan Hong ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Knowledge Service and Consulting, Hansung University, Seoul, KR
2 Department of Computer Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, KR
3 Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, KR

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The local small giant support project for cultivating Korean hidden champions is formal rather than bringing practical effect. This study aims to help companies practically by suggesting customized growth strategies for local small giants. Methods/Statistical Analysis: A growth strategy system for local small giants was presented and the effectiveness of the growth strategy presented was verified. Also, an interview for satisfaction research was conducted with 5 consultants and 14 company managers, who specialize in planning growth strategies for local small giants, using standardized questionnaires. The questionnaire consists of questions about satisfaction, work concentration and strategy compliance. Findings: The growth strategy system maintains the growth strategy systems of the world-class 300 enterprises and reinforces the key technology securing strategies for developing future growth engines, from the perspective of BSC (Balanced Score Card). According to the survey on the effectiveness of these customized growth strategies for local small giants, 94.7% of the subjects were satisfied with the growth strategy system suggested. 55.6% of them replied that it could provide practical help and 38. % of them replied that it lightened the burden of paperwork. All the consultants answered that they got time to concentrate on the companies and it would provide practical help by enabling them to present in-depth data. Application/ Improvements: Further researches for empirical studies to examine whether the growth strategy is connected to practical business performance and meet national competitiveness, is required.

Keywords

Growth Strategies, Hidden Champion, Local Small but Strong Businesses, Small and Medium-sized Businesses, World Class 300.

Full Text

   

Mun-Jeong Kang ¹, Jin-Taek Jung ², Jung-Wan Hong ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Knowledge Service and Consulting, Hansung University, Seoul, Korea
2 Department of Public Administration, Hansung University, Seoul, Korea
3 Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Background/Objectives: A variety of R&D policies for small businesses are being implemented, but R&D investment of small businesses is extremely weak. The aim of this study is to find the causes for this and to suggest effective policies. Methods/Statistical Analysis: To find the causes for weak R&D investment of small companies, a survey was conducted with 300 small companies, which had invested in R&D from 2012 to 2014. For this survey, structured questionnaires were distributed and there was an interview using telephone and fax from August 19th to September 22nd 2015. Also, a survey was conducted with 829 of 1,675 mid-sized companies that belong to the Association of High Potential Enterprises of Korea and 102 effective responses were analyzed. Findings: The rate of R&D success in the small companies that received government support was 59.2%, but it was mostly focused on performance or quality improvement. At every stage, the companies considered insufficiency of funds and complex administrative procedures as major failure factors. They preferred funding and prototype production support as the most required policies. On the contrary, the mid-sized companies showed a lot of demands for professional manpower, facilities and equipment purchase support. This demonstrates there is a need to offer opportunities for joint use of specialized test equipment’s. Application/Improvements: This study has big significance by studying the demands of the companies, but further research would need to observe if the policies suggested serve as continued growth engines.

Keywords

Mid-Sized Companies, Policies, R&D, Small and Medium-Sized Companies

Full Text