volume-16-number-1 - De La Salle University

APSSR Volume 16 Number 1

From the Editor

Author: Romeo B. Lee

Abstract

Author: Romeo B. Lee

Year: 2016, Volume 16 Number 1

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Indigenous Movements in Southeast Asia: An Analysis Based on the Concept of ‘Resonance’

Authors: Isabel Inguanzo and Claire Wright
Research Article

This paper analyses the different indigenous movements that have been active in Southeast Asia over the past 30 years. For that purpose, the concept of “resonance” is used, due to its versatility as a perspective for the study of social movements. The analysis is descriptive and longitudinal given that the resonance of indigenous mobilization is analyzed in each one of the seven Southeast Asian territories, from 1980 until 2010. It is worth highlighting that the information used in the analysis comes mainly from in-depth interviews with members of organizations advocating the rights of indigenous peoples in the region. Consequently, this paper aims to offer considerable, new first-hand evidence about indigenous movements in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: indigenous movements, Southeast Asia, resonance, frame analysis, credibility, salience, human rights,
environment.

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Social Capital in Thai Social Enterprises and Related Communities

Author: Thammarat Marohabutr
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 18-31

This study investigates elements of social capital in the Thai communities for social entrepreneurship and explores the characteristics and patterns of social capital mobilization through a survey of social enterprises. The study uses the qualitative approach based on cross-sectional data, non-participatory observation, focus group discussions, and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Representatives were taken from three social enterprises engaged in the business of hospitality, herbal products, and organic vegetables. The elements of social capital that emerged had two dimensions: the value-based and knowledge-based dimensions. The value-based dimension consisted of generosity, trust, harmony, industriousness, honesty, perseverance, and forgiveness, while the knowledge-based dimension involved learning ability, the ability to deliver knowledge, local wisdom, and the use of technology. The characteristics and patterns of social capital mobilization that emerged began from the categorization of related communities, the connection building through mediation, dialogue, trust in the social spirit of the communities, and the use of community capacity unto the generation of positive outcomes in those communities. All told, both social enterprises and the communities greatly benefited from the social capital generated.

Keywords: social capital, social enterprise, social capital mobilization, Thailand

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Testing the Portfolio Risk in Philippine Microfinance Institutions

Author: Nestor T. Necesito
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 32-45

The study assesses the portfolio risk of microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating in the Philippines, evaluates and determines the challenges and issues affecting portfolio risk of MFIs, explains the microfinance programs and policy environment in the country, and examines the impact of institutional variables, borrowers’ gender, and macroeconomic indicators from 1998 to 2014. Based on the Philippine MFI data of 119 institutions which are providing microfinance services at present, the study found that institutional variables, including number of active borrowers, gross loan portfolio, operating expense over loan portfolio, borrowers per staff member, return on equity, percent of women borrowers, regulation, and macroeconomic indicators including lending interest rate, GDP growth, and inflation were the factors that highly affected the portfolio risk in MFIs. Overall, outreach, cost efficiency, productivity, profitability, percent of women borrowers, and regulation alongside macroeconomic indicators appear to be more important features affecting portfolio risk of MFIs. The interest of the study is also to examine the impact of MFI lending to more women on portfolio quality. Further, we evaluate the relationship of MFI lending to more women on cost efficiency and financial sustainability. The study found that lending to women increases portfolio risk, is costly, and not financially sustainable. Although serving women has potential advantages in terms of reputation for better repayment, reliability, and greater ability to use the loan proceeds for economic development, the result is suggestive that the success of MFIs depends on the women borrowers’ access to capital and interest rates matched to gender differences. Increasing women’s access to basic financial services would better cope up with portfolio risk. The microfinance services are less efficient from its portfolio at risk point of view, thus, portfolio quality suffers. Certainly, it would be expected that microfinance industry in the Philippines not properly managed would incur losses in the long run. Overall, viability and long-term financial sustainability are important for the success of the MFIs. Unless microfinance operations become viable and sustainable, MFIs can never fully materialize their objective of reaching a greater number of active poor people and sustain the effort over the long term.

Keywords: MFIs, portfolio risk, portfolio at risk, gender, women, Philippines

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Assessment of Antecedents of Online Consumers’ Information Search Behavior

Authors: Jong Suk Ye, Renee B. Kim and Gyun Kim
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 46-60

Understanding consumers’ online information search behavior is of major importance in e-commerce for making appropriate strategic, technological, and marketing decisions to increase customer satisfaction and to obtain competitive advantage in the era of digitalized economy. The purpose of this paper is to compare information search behavior of both online and offline consumers in order to understand the characteristics of online consumers and their information search behavior, and to explore prospects of the Internet as a medium to reach consumers. Assessment of the difference between these two consumer groups provides insights to change the paradigm of consumer behavior in terms of information search and choice making process. Findings suggest significant managerial implications for advanced marketing activities and firms’ strategy in response to the emergence of online consumers who appear to have significantly different information search behavior compared to offline consumers.

Keywords: consumer behavior, market mavenism, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, consideration set

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Global Reproductive Health: Perspectives, Challenges, and Future Directions

Author: Dennis V. Blanco
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 61-79

The paper conducts a synthesis integrative review of the existing literatures about the various local perspectives on contemporary issues, challenges, lessons and opportunities that several countries around the world confront with regards to reproductive health program and services. Using the public policy approach, the paper seeks to create a global perspective synthesis on reproductive health experiences in the context of policy issues, policy opportunities, and policy-making dimension. In the end, the paper found out that global reproductive health programs and services issues included an interplay of culture and ethnicity, socio-economic status, tradition, religion, language research, education, and equity and quality challenges while policy-direction challenges and opportunities encompasses a more devolved primary health clinics and hospitals, funding for research on sexual and reproductive health, developing a framework for indicators on health care, civil society engagement, reproductive health education , reproductive health as a matter of human right as well training and professionalization of reproductive health service providers.

Keywords: global, health care, program, public policy, reproductive health

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Neoliberal Restructuring of Education in the Philippines: Dependency, Labor, Privatization, Critical Pedagogy, and the K to 12 System

Author: David Michael M. San Juan
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 80-110

The neoliberal onslaught on the peripheries shows no sign of abating even as neoliberalism’s tenets—privatization, deregulation, corporatization, exploitation, austerity, destruction of labor power, developed countries’ dominance, developing countries’ dependence—are increasingly becoming unpopular or at least exposed as bankrupt by their clear failure to resolve the 2008 crisis. In the Philippines, the K to 12 scheme represents a clear neoliberal restructuring of the education system attuned to the core countries’ attempt to manage the crisis. Using Dependency Theory and critical discourses on neoliberalism as tools of analysis, this research is aimed at mapping the contours of this restructuring through contextualizing its link to dependency, privatization, contractualization, technicalization of education, and other aspects of the neoliberal agenda. Furthermore, the current study will shed light on how K to 12 complements the Philippines’ 30-year old Labor Export Policy.

Keywords: Critical Pedagogy, Dependency, ASEAN, K to 12, Neoliberalism, Labor Export Policy

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