Utilization of an Information System for the Efficient Implementation of the Integrated Environmental Permit System in South Korea

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Even though the title of the research sounds very challenging, since it is focused on Integrated Environmental Permit System – a very debated nowadays topic, the authors did not succeed to approach it in a manner that could offer valuable results.

First of all, the authors did not clearly mention the purpose of their research. The only paragraph that is referring to their research intentions is “This study introduces an IEPS and examines its implementation in South Korea” that appears both in the abstract and in the introductory part. However, this statement does not reflect the main goal of the research. With what purpose do they examine the implementation of the IEPS in South Korea?

Secondly, the theoretical background is almost inexistent. The authors presented in the introduction some regulatory frameworks and, afterword, in the results and discussions part they only describe the integrated environmental permit procedures.

Thirdly, they claim that they “demonstrate how the system is structured for each permit application procedure and the mechanisms by which permits are processed”, but the only “method” they deploy in this paper is “using operational cases from the IEPS”.

Considering all these aspects, the contribution of this paper to scholarship or practice is limited.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The paper needs proof-reading.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

please, see the attached file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

No comments.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have revised the paper taking into account most of the suggestions they received. However, they still did not develop the theoretical background.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English is fine, with minor errors.

Author Response

Considering your comment, the results of performance analysis using information systems for processing licensing in Korea were presented in the introduction to supplement the theoretical background of the necessity of introducing the Integrated Environmental Permit System.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have adequately considered the comments raised by this reviewer and the manuscript was significantly improved.

Concerning the comment that the authors did not understand, I am very sorry because it was a mistake on my part and should not be considered.

Final assessment: The manuscript should be accepted for publication in Sustainability.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

No further comments.

Author Response

Your comment helped us improve the completeness of our paper. 

Thank you for accepting our paper in the journal Sustainability