volume-18-number-3 - De La Salle University

APSSR Volume 18 Number 3

From the Editor

Author: Romeo B. Lee
Preliminaries

Abstract

Author: Romeo B. Lee

Preliminaries

Year: 2018, Volume 18 Number 3

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Constructing Chinese Identity through Chinese Language: A Comparative Study of Two Different Secondary Education Systems in Malaysia

Authors: Pei Yao Ho, Fong Peng Chew, and Ker Pong Thock
Research Article

Chinese Malaysians retain a distinct Chinese identity in a multicultural nation and highly appraise the ethnic-based and cultural importance of Chinese language. Based on social psychological perspective, this study employs a survey method with multiple-choice and open-ended questions to examine Chinese identity and the issues of Chinese language from the micro and macro level in two different education systems. By comparing two contrasting educational systems of Independent Chinese Secondary Schools (ICSS) and National Secondary Schools (NSS), this paper with 890 respondents argues that Chinese identity is constructed through the different degree of learning, using and understanding of Chinese language in the students’ respective educational contexts. Results of statistical analysis reveal significant higher score in NSS sample with a more salient Chinese identity despite having a disadvantaged learning environment for Chinese language. The comparative analysis sought to provide significant justification and discussion of Chinese identity construction of Chinese secondary school students.

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Consumer Self-Engagement with Fast Moving Healthcare Brands in India: Ad Creativity and Attitude towards Ad and Brand as influencers

Authors: Anupama K. and Kalyani Suresh
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 17-29

With television still being the dominant avenue for advertising in India, the study seeks to enhance the understanding of consumer behavior underlying ad and brand attitude formation leading to the self-engagement with fast moving healthcare goods (FMHG). Data (n =100) was collected through online questionnaires using stratified sampling from respondents in two cities of Tamil Nadu, India. The analysis reveals an indirect effect of creative divergence on consumer self-engagement with functional foods and dietary supplements through attitude towards the ad and brand. Gender, age, and income are mediating variables, with the consumers typically belonging to the female gender, the lower age groups, and lower income groups.

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How Intellectual Capital, Knowledge Management, and the Business Environment affect Thailand’s Food Industry Innovation

Authors: Pimsara Yaklai, Opal Suwunnamek, and Chalita Srinuan
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 30-42

In 2015, Thailand employed nearly 11% of the population in agriculture, which has always been a stable and prosperous component of the economy. Having a rich natural abundance of resources, combined with significant investments in technology, food safety, and research and development (R&D), have helped contribute to Thailand being labeled as “Kitchen of the World.” Given these priorities, stratified sampling was employed to select 246 individuals from the target population. Therefore, the researchers used a confirmatory factor analysis followed by a structural equation model to analyze how intellectual capital, knowledge management, and the business environment affect innovation in Thailand’s entrepreneurial food industry. The research survey was conducted using a questionnaire which contained a 7-level Likert type agreement scale. Results from the study revealed that the food industry’s knowledge management capability was the most important factor (0.60), which was also influenced directly by the organization’s intellectual capital (0.44). Of lesser importance was intellectual capital (0.39) and the business environment (0.39).

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The Relationship between Good Governance Principles and Organizational Justice: A Case Study of Bangkok Government Officials

Author: Sukhumpong Channuwong
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 43-56

Modern organizations focus on improving organizations’ strategies to be relevant to good governance principles in order to create organizational justice, which is considered as one of the most important factors to increase harmony, unity, loyalty, employee satisfaction, employee commitment, and job satisfaction. This paper investigates a relationship between good governance principles and organizational justice. The study uses the quantitative approach and the research questionnaire is used as an instrument to collect the data. The samples used in this study were 392 participants who work as Bangkok government officials. The research findings revealed that good governance principles are positively related with and have an influence on organizational justice. In particular, rule of law is highly related with transparency, and has the highest influence on organizational justice. Moreover, it was found that Thai public agencies usually apply the principle of economy; however, this principle is not the factor than can create organizational justice. Details about an implementation of good governance principles and organizational justice are also presented in this paper.

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A Survey of Political Interference Patterns and Modalities in National Road Works in the Philippines

Authors: Eric Vincent Batalla, Francisco Magno, and Ador Torneo
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 57-71

This study surveys and describes the patterns or modalities of political interference in national road works in the Philippines based on an examination of the literature and interviews using process-level frameworks, specifically the project management cycle and the budget cycle framework. Political interference here refers to non-legitimate interventions by politicians in government processes and programs. We argue that it is a form of political corruption. Evidence suggests that this type of interference tends to be prominent in national road works. Executive interference occurs at various stages of the project management and budget processes. The abuse of executive discretion in national road development is observed from project selection and prioritization to project maintenance and evaluation. Legislator interference appears to occur at various stages of the project management cycle based on collusive and kickback arrangements. In the budget cycle, this is most notable during the budget legislation stage. Given these vulnerabilities, a comprehensive review of existing project and budget management systems is necessary with the view of reducing such abuse. Finally, understanding the historical and institutional (socio, economic, political, and cultural) context under which these systems operate is necessary in order to identify context-specific solutions.

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State Railway of Thailand Employee Performance: A Structural Equation Model Analysis

Authors: Tanin Sivalai and Nuttawut Rojniruttikul
Research Article

Abstract

Pages: 72-86

Dropping from a peak of 88 million riders in 1994, Thailand’s state railway system today is only transporting 35 million passengers annually. Operations run at a loss, with infrastructure and aged equipment contributing to significant delays, and a continuing loss of passengers. However, in September 2017, a new 20-year US$81.57 billion plan was introduced to save the State Railway of Thailand [SRT] from its death spiral. Given the magnitude of the problem, this study aims to analyze employee performance of SRT civil servants. Using multi-stage random sampling, 360 individuals were selected; through a five-level, Likert type agreement scale questionnaire, 54 items concerning their characteristics, their perspectives on SRT’s organizational culture, human resource management processes, the SRT’s total quality management program, and their effect on employee performance were analyzed. From the data, LISREL 9.1 was used to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model to analyze the results. The structural equation model [SEM] results showed that all the causal factors in the model were shown to have a positive influence on SRT employee performance, which is explained by the variance of factors influencing SRT employee performance (R2) by 92%. Ranked in importance, the results determined that human resources [HR=0.96], had the most significant impact on employee performance [EP], followed by total quality management [TQM=0.45], and finally, organizational culture [OC=0.37].

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