Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Financial Performance: Evidence from Korea

This paper studies the empirical relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance in Korea using a sample of 1122 firm-years during 2002-2008. We measure corporate social responsibility by both an equal-weighted CSR index and a stakeholder-weighted CSR index suggested by Akpinar et al. (2008). Corporate financial performance is measured by ROE, ROA and Tobin’s Q. We find a positive and significant relation between corporate financial performance and the stakeholder-weighted CSR index, but not the equal-weighted CSR index. This finding is robust to alternative model specifications and several additional tests, providing evidence in support of instrumental stakeholder theory.corporate social responsibility; corporate financial performance; KEJI index; instrumental stakeholder theory

De novo transcriptome analysis of high growth rate Pyropia yezoensis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) mutant with high utilization of nitrogen

Pyropia yezoensis (Ueda) M.S.Hwang et H.G.Choi (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) has potentially high economic value. P. yezoensis has been used as food in East Asian countries for a long time, and, in addition to that its consumption is increasing worldwide owing to the growing interest in healthy seaweed food. A mutant (Py2K) with a high growth rate was developed using gamma rays to increase the production of P. yezoensis. De novo transcriptome analysis was performed to determine the mechanism underlying the high growth rate of this mutant. The transcriptomes from wild-type (PyWT) and mutant (Py2K) strains were assembled, and 167,165 genes were analyzed. A total of 15,979 genes were differentially expressed. Transcriptome analysis of nitrogen pathway revealed the increase in nitrogen availability through the upregulation of nitrate transporter gene (nrt) expression. Activation of nitrogen assimilation and re-assimilation and upregulation in alternative oxidase (aox) gene contributed to the increase in cellular nitrogen availability, thereby affecting the synthesis of phycobiliprotein. As a consequence, the efficiency of photosynthesis and the subsequent growth rate increased, which contributed to the color differences in thalli between PyWT and Py2K

Mandatory audit firm rotation and Big4 effect on audit quality: evidence from South Korea

In South Korea, due to concurrent financial scandals, Korean legislators implemented two major audit policies in the 2000s; the mandatory audit “partner” rotation policy in 2000 and the mandatory audit “firm” rotation policy in 2006. The mandatory audit “firm” rotation policy was introduced as a mean to improve audit quality based on the auditor entrenchment hypothesis. In this paper, we compare the audit quality of firms subjected to mandatory audit “firm” rotation with two benchmark groups, a sample that adopted the policy voluntarily; the second group consists of the mandatory “firm” rotation sample in years prior, a period firms were subject to mandatory audit “partner” rotation. Using accrual-based measures as proxies for audit quality, we find evidence that audit quality of the mandatory rotation firm sample is lower compared to firms that voluntarily adopted the policy. Furthermore, we find evidence that audit quality of the mandatory rotation firm sample is lower compared to the mandatory audit partner firm sample. Additionally, we also find evidence that the mandatory audit firms rotation sample whose auditors were rotated from Non-Big4 to Big4 are generally associated with lower levels of abnormal accruals consistent with the argument that the audit quality of Big4 accounting firms is superior to Non-Big4 firms. Finally, longer audit tenure and switches to Big4 audit firms generally have a positive effect upon audit quality. These findings suggest that extended audit tenure improves audit quality due to accounting firm’s accumulated client specific knowledge. Thus, our evidence suggests that the mandatory audit firm rotation policy did not have the desired effect in a Korean context

Refining Historical earthquake Data Through Modeling and Scale Model Tests

This study was performed for the reevaluation of historical earthquake records which occurred in Korea through tests and numerical analyses. For the scale model tests, static and cyclic lateral load tests on wooden frames that constitute a Korean ancient commoner’s house were conducted. Full-scale models of two types of frames were used for testing. Two 1:4 scale models were tested for rock and soil foundation conditions. Scaled real earthquake time histories were inputted for the tests. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) at the collapse of the house at the soil site was 0.25g, whereas PGA for moderate damage at the rock site was 0.6g. The intensity of major historical earthquake records related with house collapses was reevaluated based on the results of these scale mode1 tests. The magnitudes of historical earthquake records related with house collapses were estimated considering the magnitude, epicentral distance, soil condition and aging of the house. Eighteen artificial time histories for magnitudes 6-8, epicentral distances 5 km - 350 km and hard and soft soil condition were generated. The aging effects of the house was modeled as the lateral loading capacity of wooden frames represented by hysteretic stiffness decreased linearly with time

Earnings management surrounding CEO turnover: evidence from Korea

This article examines the empirical relation between CEO turnover and earnings management in Korea using a sample of 317 CEO turnovers and 634 non-turnover control firms during the period of 2001-2008. We classify CEO turnovers into four types depending on whether the departure of outgoing CEO is peaceful or forced and the incoming CEO is promoted from within or recruited from outside the firm. We measure earnings management by both discretionary accruals and real activities management. We also control for the potential endogeneity of CEO turnover using Heckman’s two-stage approach. After controlling for corporate financial performance and governance structure, we find upward earnings management by the departing CEO only when the departure is forced and the new CEO is an insider. In this case, the new CEO also engages in downward earnings management using both discretionary accruals and real activities management. We also find some evidence that the new CEO recruited from outside the firm manages discretionary accruals upward following the peaceful departure of predecessor. In all other types of CEO turnover, we do not find evidence of significant earnings management by either CEO

Earnings management surrounding CEO turnover: evidence from Korea

This article examines the empirical relation between CEO turnover and earnings management in Korea using a sample of 317 CEO turnovers and 634 non-turnover control firms during the period of 2001-2008. We classify CEO turnovers into four types depending on whether the departure of outgoing CEO is peaceful or forced and the incoming CEO is promoted from within or recruited from outside the firm. We measure earnings management by both discretionary accruals and real activities management. We also control for the potential endogeneity of CEO turnover using Heckman’s two-stage approach. After controlling for corporate financial performance and governance structure, we find upward earnings management by the departing CEO only when the departure is forced and the new CEO is an insider. In this case, the new CEO also engages in downward earnings management using both discretionary accruals and real activities management. We also find some evidence that the new CEO recruited from outside the firm manages discretionary accruals upward following the peaceful departure of predecessor. In all other types of CEO turnover, we do not find evidence of significant earnings management by either CEO

Discovery of Maritrema obstipum (Digenea: Microphallidae) from Migratory Birds in Korea

Adults of Maritrema obstipum (Digenea: Microphallidae) were found in the intestines of 4 species of migratory birds, including the sanderling (Crocethia alba), Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrines), Mongolian plover (Charadrius mongolus), and red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), collected from Yubu Island, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. The worms of were 451×265 µm in size, and were easily identifiable as Maritrema species by the presence of the cirrus sac, and the ring-like distribution of the vitellaria. More specifically, the ejaculatory duct curved posteromedially, and the 2 parts of vitelline follicles were found to be distinct at the posterior end. The eggs were brown-colored, and 19.8×12.3 µm in size. All these findings implicated M. obstipum as the pertinent species of the worms. Beside these, adult worms of Gynaecotyla squatarolae, Parvatrema duboisi, and Acanthoparyphium sp. were also discovered. This is the first report establishing migratory birds as the natural definitive hosts for M. obstipum

Real-time data-driven and multi-scale model-guided system for bioproccess digital twin platform

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