Journal of Global and Area Studies Vol. 8 No. 2
Table of Contents
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Contents |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
Articles
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Special issue: Social Capital, Trust(s), Corruption, and Public Attitudes toward Immigrants: Evidence from East and Southeast Asia |
p.1+21 |
| Author |
Alan Dixon Brown , Woo-Jin Shin |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- Asia is both the largest source of, and a growing destination for, international
migrants. A mounting body of research links social capital with attitudes toward
immigration. Based on the above context, the objectives of the study are as follows:
First, to validate a model of the effect of trust on attitudes toward immigration, which
has been tested predominantly in a Western context,by analyzing a multi-country
Asian dataset. Second, to further clarify the inconsistent findings in previous research
by including a broad spectrum of types of trust as well as country-level civil society
participation. Third, to make a novel contribution by investigating whether corruption
(individual and country-level) affects attitudes toward immigration.
The results demonstrate that only certain forms of trust, in particular social trust,
administrative trust, media trust, and civil society trust, had a significant positive
impact on attitudes toward immigrants. Furthermore, country-level civil society
participation had a significant effect on attitudes toward immigrants. Regarding
corruption, both individual perceptions of corruption as well as country-level political
corruption were negatively associated with attitudes toward immigrants.
The study arrived at the following implications. First, the study confirmed that a social
capital model is applicable not only to a Western context but also an East and
Southeast Asian context. However, a regional difference exists between East Asia and
Southeast Asia. Second, it is necessary to clearly define and disentangle the notion
of trust and its relationship with attitudes toward immigrants. Third, not only
individual social capital but also country-level social capital is important. In particular,
the role of civil society participation could be reinforced through political openness
and support for civil society. Fourth, reducing corruption is a likely to improve
attitudes toward immigrants.
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Special issue: Re-Negotiating Multiple Identities: How Indonesian Chinese Mothers Define Their Identity in Taiwan Society |
p.23-37 |
| Author |
Yufita Ng |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This research focuses on how Indonesian Chinese mothers define their layered identity
as new residents in Taiwan where they practice their citizenship. In Taiwanese
multicultural society, an enormous number of Indonesian Chinese women migrated
to the country through marriage. Using the concept of "self definition," this research
examines how Indonesian Chinese mothers recollect their multiple identities after
migrating to Taiwan and interacting with Taiwanese society. Interviews were
employed to identify and interpret Indonesian Chinese mothers' identities. This
research finds that Indonesian Chinese mothers had to contend with their identity
when they began to integrate into Taiwanese society, which is referred to as Chinese
society. The contradictory identities they faced in their native country brought up
recollections of the ambiguous identities they encountered while they were
threatened as a foreigner in a place where they ought to be accepted as members
of society.
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Special issue: Ethnic Foods and Immigrant Entrepreneurship: The Production and Marketing of Korean Foods in Toronto, Canada |
p.39-61 |
| Author |
Jin Suk Bae |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This study uses an oral life history perspective to examine Mr. Jasun (Jason) Koo’s
entrepreneurial activities in Canada’s ethnic food manufacturing industry. He is a
Korean immigrant entrepreneur who co-founded and runs the Toronto-based PH Food
Company, which has produced tofu, dumplings, rice cakes, and noodles since 1976.
Previous studies demonstrated that Korean restaurants and grocery businesses have
been closely associated with forming and developing Korean communities in North
America. However, studies on local production and marketing of Korean food items
in Canadian society are rare. The main research findings are as follows: Mr. Koo has
utilized various ethnic and transnational resources to start and operate a Korean food
manufacturing business. Furthermore, he has grown and diversified the company’s
customer base, from Korean to multiethnic consumers over the years, thanks to
awareness of tofu as a health food product, commonality among Asian food culture,
growing popularity of Korean culture and food among Canadian consumers, and his
son joining the business. This study is expected to contribute to elucidating the history
of Korean immigration to Canada, Korean entrepreneurs’ involvement in Canada’s food
industry, and the spread and significance of Korean food culture overseas.
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East Asian Middle Powers Meeting Regional Dynamics: Comparing Indonesia and South Korea’s Strategy in the Indo-Pacific |
p.63-95 |
| Author |
Tonny Dian Effendi , Doojoo Baek |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- Indonesia and South Korea project their regional middle-power status. Indonesia
projects its status through its position as a regional leader in Southeast Asia, while
South Korea is a regional bridge builder in Northeast Asia. In the context of a single
Indo-Pacific, they take different approaches to regional partnership. Indonesia
emphasized ASEAN centrality in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in 2019,
while in 2022, South Korea released its Indo-Pacific Strategy (SK-IPS), foregrounding
regional freedom, peace, and prosperity. This study compares Indonesia and South
Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategies based on their understandings of middle-power identity.
Both have shaped their middle-power identities with diplomatic engagement and
advocacy, regional leadership, economic diplomacy and trade, soft-power projection,
and security roles. They similarly recognize ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led
mechanisms in a vision for regional openness, peace, and prosperity. However, the
two have different orientations. Indonesia takes the role of a regional power with
a global role, while South Korea emphasizes economic development and bridge
building as a pivotal global state. Indonesia’s regional approach is based on
non-intervention and neutrality, while South Korea takes an individual-country
approach, focusing on freedom and human rights. They have the potential to
cooperate through their shared identity as middle-power countries, which can
contribute to prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
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The Opening of Large Commercial Facilities and Urban Formation in the Kyushu region of Japan |
p.97-111 |
| Author |
Keita Shiba , Hiroshi Inoue |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This study investigates the impact on land prices of the opening of large commercial
facilities operated by Aeon (AEON Co., Ltd). As of November 2023, Aeon had 167
commercial complexes in Japan and 35 overseas. Aeon Mall Fukutsu (located in
Fukutsu City, Fukuoka Prefecture), the focus of this study, boasts an area of
approximately 61,000 m2, 180 stores, and 3,520 parking spaces. We analyze prefectural
land prices using time-series clustering. Our focus is on three municipalities in the
Kyushu region of Japan, where several Aeon retail complexes have opened since 2000. The results show the following two points. (i) Land prices in three municipalities
increased following the opening of Aeon retail complexes. (ii) The land surrounding
Aeon retail complexes developed for approximately 10 years after the opening of
Aeon retail complexes, and land prices in those areas have remained high. This result
implies that people’s preference for land in the same municipality increased after
the opening of the Aeon retail complexes
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A Critical Review of the New Theory of Consumer Society in Japan |
p.113-127 |
| Author |
J. Moonwon Kang , Young Jin Ryu , Hyeonil Jeong |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This study presents a critical review of the new theory of consumer society in Japan
(Mamada, 2016, and others). The theory claims that dematerialism is starting to
dominate consumption behaviors in Japan and Japanese consumers strongly demand
spiritual value from consumption. This new theory is important because the optimistic
view of green consumerism is spreading widely in Japan (Nomura, 2023). Our analysis
reveals limitations in the practical application and theoretical foundation of this theory.
In this study, based on Inglehart’s post-materialism 4- and 12-index analyses, we prove
that it is wrong to claim that dematerialism dominates a significant part of consumer
behaviors in Japan now. Furthermore, the theory conflates cultural consumption with
the consumption of cultural goods, overlooks the material basis of information, and
exhibits limitations in agent-based modeling. We further identify several illogical leaps
and exaggerations in the new theory, which highlights that environmental
sustainability is a research agenda that requires interdisciplinary approaches.
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The Relevance of Structural Realist Analysis in Deconstructing Anarchy in the South China Sea Conflict |
p.129-153 |
| Author |
Maulana Amrullah |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- Anarchy is a fundamental principle in structural realism but is challenged by other
prevalent theories in the discipline of International Relations. Althoughsome scholars
argue that anarchy is no longer relevant inthe post-Cold War era, citing a shift toward
inclusive cooperation under international regimes, the decades-long South China Sea
conflict involving multiple states exemplifies persisting anarchy. This article examines
the applicability of two main cohorts of structural realism, namely, offensive and
defensive realism, to explain both claimant and non-claimant states’ actions in the
South China Sea. Both perspectives explore the intrinsic nature of these states’ stances
and analyze ASEAN’s constrained capacity to manage the conflict while highlighting
its significant role in preventing escalation and maintaining stability. This article argues
that, while structural realism has limited explanatory power for the South China Sea
conflict, it remains the most appropriate theoretical framework for the behavior of
states in an anarchic system.
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Analyzing integrative and instrumental motivation in Taiwanese university students' usage of English as a Foreign Language: A descriptive examination of emerging trends in the context of the Bilingual Nation 2030 Policy |
p.155-174 |
| Author |
Rohaiba B. Radiamoda |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This study emphasized the importance of motivation in language learning, particularly
in contexts where new educational policies might lead to changes in learner behavior.
It first explored the instrumental and integrative motivation towards English as a
foreign language among Taiwanese university students, particularly in the context
of the introduction of Taiwan’s Bilingual Nation 2030 policy. This study also aimed
to understand the relationship between self-reported English proficiency, confidence,
and frequency of using English as a Foreign Language, and factors such as gender,
level of education, year of study, and the number of English courses taken in relation
to these motivational types. Using T-tests and correlational analyses, the findings
revealed that instrumental motivation was predominant among Taiwanese students,
though there wasevidence suggesting a gradual shift toward integrative motivation.
The study also revealed that students’ self-reported English proficiency, confidence
and frequency of using English as a foreign language (EFL), and the number of English
courses taken were positively correlated only with integrative motivation. The
preliminary findings of this assessment provided initial empirical validation for the
Taiwanese government’s top-down approach to implementing its Bilingual Education
policy, as well as for its efforts to bolster internationalization programs. The paper
delved into the implications and contributions of these results in greater detail.
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Economic Crisis and Its Impact on the International Agricultural Trade And Tourism in Sri Lanka |
p.175-192 |
| Author |
Godamullalage Achini Shashikala Kulathunga |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- Sri Lanka is a low-income nation that is dependent on foreign remittance. Tourism,
labor remittances, and commodity exports are the major sources of foreign income.
In the 1970s, Sri Lanka experienced development success; currently, however, it faces
the worst economic disasters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Easter bombings
in 2019, low government revenues, tax cuts, national policies to switch to organic
or biological farming, climate changes, and the Russia–Ukraine War. These factors
influenced the decrease the international agricultural trade and tourism in Sri Lankan.
This study examines the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and its major causes and potential
impact on the international agricultural trade and tourism of the country. The study
uses secondary data derived from various government institutions and concludes that
the majority of educated people in Sri Lanka migrate to other countries for better
opportunities. This brain drain, coupled with the scarcity of workforce, further
exacerbated the challenges faced by the economy in the country, particularly in
sectors reliant on skilled labor.
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Whale Worship of Fishermen in Central Vietnam: Case Study From Some Coastal Villages in Thua Thien Hue Province |
p.193-207 |
| Author |
Nguyen Thang Long |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- Whale worship is common in coastal villages in the central and southern regions
of Vietnam, including Thừa Thiên Huế. This belief system incorporates traditional
customs that are imbued with humanistic values appreciated by the fishing village
community, reflecting community cohesion in facing difficulties and challenges during
fishing voyages across vast seas, such as encounters with great storms or going too
far beyond the scope of navigation. This article introduces the characteristics and
values of the belief of whale worship as practiced by the residents who live in coastal
Central Vietnam, focusing in particular on the villages of Thai Dương Hạ, An Bằng,
Mỹ Lợi, and Diêm Trường in Thừa Thiên Huế Province. The tangible and intangible
cultural heritages that are associated with this custom, including the architecture of
whale temples/shrines (Lăng Ông), chests used to preserve whale bones, performances
of Hò bả trạo, Hò đưa linh singing, ceremonies, rituals, and festivals, etc. represent
traditional cultural values that are deeply imbued with the essence of coastal residents.
Therefore, these beliefs and traditions should be preserved and promoted by local
authorities in the given context.
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The European Union and Africa: A Study on the EU’s Foreign Policy Towards the Region and the Challenges Ahead |
p.209-237 |
| Author |
Andrew S. Millard |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- The relationship between Africa and Europe is complicated. Geographical neighbours,
the two continents share many resources and trade has flourished for centuries. On
the other hand, the lasting effects of colonialism still remain and the
underdevelopment caused by European states has lead to many African states not
fulfilling their potential for economic growth and prosperity, until now. This uneasy
history has meant that the EU has been less active in Africa than it could have been
and this presents a challenge, especially when it comes to negotiating new trade
agreements. China, amongs others, has been very pro-active in pursuing links with
African states and it is now developing quite a presence in the region. Based on
this increasing competition, over the past few years, the EU has pushed to develop
stronger links with African states by signing multiple Economic Partnership
Agreements and Association Agreements. However, it appears that these efforts have
come a little too late and Africa is positioning itself to move away from European
influence.
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The EU as Geopolitical Actor in the Arctic: A Perspective of EU’s Arctic Policy EuiChan Shin* |
p.239-255 |
| Author |
EuiChan Shin |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- As worldwide geopolitical and geographical interest in the Arctic intensifies, Europe
also actively supports Arctic cooperation in the international arena and plays a direct
role in addressing the challenges faced by the Arctic. Internally, the EU has addressed
Arctic issues within the framework of its common policies and strategies since the
establishment of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2004, designating the region
as the ‘Northern Dimension.’ Meanwhile, the ‘New Arctic Strategy’ announced by the
EU on October 13, 2021, goes beyond the previous strategic and policy approaches
in that it highlights the need to approach the Arctic geopolitically. The EU now views
the Arctic not only as a subject of international cooperation but also as a region
where Europe must intervene geopolitically and take responsibility. In a global context
where competition and conflicts, such as the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and the
Russia-Ukraine war, are becoming fierce, the world is striving to secure interests amidst
conflicts and cooperation. In this scenario, a new approach to the Arctic, which
traditionally has been perceived more as a space for cooperation than conflict, is
currently in demand. With major powers like the United States, China, and Russia
actively engaging in Arctic activities for resource and route utilization, it remains to
be seen whether the EU’s new Arctic strategy will be an opportunity or a challenge.
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A Comprehensive Analysis of Public Discourse and Content Trends in Turkish Reddit Posts Related to Deepfake |
p.257-276 |
| Author |
Ahmet Yiğitalp Tulga |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This study investigates the content and changes in deepfakes-related discussions on
5,220 Turkish Reddit posts from October 2019 to August 2023. Although the academic
community has shown an increasing interest in deepfakes since 2017, focusing on
detection methods and the technology itself, scant attention has been paid to public
perceptions and online debate. The analysis reveals that 69.4% of the examined posts
feature deepfake content with sexual themes, with celebrity women being the primary
targets in 60.2% of cases. In contrast, 22% of the content is about politics and political
figures, while 8.6% provides technical guidance on creating deepfakes. The study also
observes content changes over time, noticing a rise in sexually explicit deepfake posts,
particularly involving celebrities. However, in May 2023, coinciding with the
presidential and general elections in Türkiye, discussions about politics and political
figures have significantly increased. This study sheds light on the changing landscape
of discussions, emphasizing the predominant presence of sexual content and the
increasing prevalence of political content, particularly during election seasons.
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Korean Perspectives: Institutional Mechanisms of Soft Power Effectiveness: A Study of South Korea’s Global, International, and Cultural Centers |
p.277-297 |
| Author |
Scott Evans , Dongsoo Kim |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- South Korea’s International, Global and Cultural centers, are soft power institutions.
Phenomenon of social practice, cultural interaction and exchange, exemplifying soft
power at work. Korea has been building soft power assets for well over a decade,
making this research relevant, with the lack of focused research on domestic soft
power institutions, and on the effectiveness and utilization of soft power institutional
mechanisms. This research aims to determine if identities generate and shape
Interests? and are global and international centers in Korea, successful models of soft
power effectiveness?
This research uses quantitative analysis methodology. First, a quantitative study was
used to analyze the independent survey data, obtained from the 5- point Likert scale,
questionnaire. Respondents were Korean employees of nine Global, International and
Cultural centers across South Korea. An AMOS, CFA was applied to verify the
constructivist relationship of identity driving interest, by measuring the causal
pathways between these independent variables and the dependent variable, soft
power effectiveness.
Do identities generate and shape Interests? The results indicate that national identity
directly and positively affects national interest. Sixty-five percent of the variance of
national interest can be explained or accounted for through national identity. South
Korean Global, International and Cultural centers are successful models of soft power
effectiveness. This study patterns constructivist motivational factors; identity and
interest in association with soft power effectiveness, toward building an effective
agent focused research methodology. This research examines soft power effectiveness
of Global, International and Cultural centers across South Korea from a unique staff
(agent) perspective, providing a base methodology for agent focused studies of
quasi-governmental cultural institutions.
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Korean Perspectives: The Estimation of Spatial Heterogeneity Effects of the Determinants of Korea’s Official Development Assistance to Recipient Countries |
p.299-318 |
| Author |
Chae-Deug Yi* |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This study uses spatial heterogeneity regime models to analyze the allocation of
Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) as the international financial aid to 55
recipient countries, and examines whether recipient countries’ level of democracy,
distance from Korea, exports and imports, gross domestic product, global ODA, or
global foreign direct investment have the spatial heterogeneity effects on the
determinants of Korea’s ODAs to recipient countries. The empirical results show spatial
dependence effects, and spatial heterogeneity across four regimes. Thus, the
estimation of the determinants of Korea’s ODAs differs across Asia, Africa, Europe,
America, and Oceania. Among the independent variables, the democracy level of
recipient countries, distance from recipient countries, Korea’s export and import trade
with ODA recipient countries, recipient countries’ GDP, and global ODA exhibited
significant heterogeneity across regimes. Therefore, the spatial and spatial
heterogeneity effects of the determinants of Korea’s ODA models are needed for more
effective ODA policies.
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Korean Perspectives: Reorganization of Value Chains in the Post-pandemic Era: Empirical Analysis using Korean Small and Medium Enterprises |
p.319-334 |
| Author |
Kunhyui Kim |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- Along with the long-practiced appearance of global value chain (hereafter, GVC)
network, the significance of GVC has come to the fore with series of economic shocks.
Production networks for goods are often broken apart and assembled in another
country. The original production site for a good is no longer useful but rather the
efficiency of cost-reduction process of value chains are more important. China and
Viet Nam emerged as the world’s factory and majority of the trade process are now
fragmented. This research presents the current situation of GVCs after series of
economic shocks particularly for South Korean SMEs. We aim to answer the following
questions. First, the changes in Korea’s export and import. Second, how South Korean
firms, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)’s GVCs changed after the
pandemic. As the recent economic shocks such as COVID-19 and US-China trade war
severely influenced the international trade of Korea, we aim to evaluate the patterns
of Korean GVCs before and after the shocks. And Lastly, empirically evaluate the
impact of GVCs participation on firm status to determine the role of GVCs participation
of the firms. The results highlighted that GVCs participation was robust even during
the series of economic shock and positively impacted the status of Korean SMEs.
Also, Korea’s GVCs pattern did not change much throughout the years.
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Korean Perspectives: Hawks & Doves: U.S.-DPRK Foreign Policy Speech Analysis and the Perception of the Other |
p.335-358 |
| Author |
Kevin Tangonan |
| Released |
June 30, 2024 |
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- Abstract
- This study attempts to map whether U.S. presidents and Kim Jong Un are more
hawkish or dovish based on foreign policy statements towards the other. The author
looks at U.S. State of the Union Address and the public speeches of North Korea’s
Supreme Leader from the last 10 years, for the aforementioned foreign policy
statements towards their respective enemy. Following this review of speech
statements, the author created a new model based on this hawkish and dovish
mapping approach and fused it with Eysenck’s political spectrum model (1956).
Previous academic studies on the subject presents a scattered view of individual
leaders and their foreign policy, but never a comprehensive review of multiple leaders
during a much longer timespan (of a decade), nor have attempts looked at the North
Korean reactions (“actions” and “words”) to the U.S. speeches and vice-versa. Finally,
the author will conclude that the preferable political conditions necessary to make
U.S.-DPRK relations conducive is a conservative president over a liberal president in
the United States. Not only that, but it surprisingly categorizes presidents as more
or less hawkish or dovish than what is normally assumed of the party line.
