HUMAN BEHAVIOR, DEVELOPMENT and SOCIETY

Human Behavior, Development and Society

Chomphunut Phutikettrkit — 2024-08-13

Editorial Note

Chomphunut Phutikettrkit — 2024-08-13

A Meta-Synthesis of Effective Practices and Outcomes in the Use of Manipulatives for Teaching Mathematics

Robert Jay Angco — 2024-07-30

Use of manipulatives in mathematics classes has yielded compelling evidence of their value in improving several aspects of mathematics education. This report endeavored to gain a clearer picture of their benefits by using a meta-synthesis technique by integrating findings from 12 previous qualitative or mixed methods studies. They were evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and summarized using a PRISMA diagram. Content analysis identified five main themes: (a) activation of classroom engagement and participation, (b) building of confidence and motivation, (c) enhancement of mathematical proficiency, (d) availability and accessibility of varied resources as manipulative, and (e) teachers’ competency and careful planning. A meta-theme that emerged was Optimizing Mathematics Learning with Effective Classroom Resources through Manipulatives. Thematic study revealed that strategically integrating manipulatives into classroom instruction has a favorable influence on student engagement, confidence, motivation, and mathematical ability. By incorporating manipulatives into mathematics instruction, educators may create inclusive, engaging, and dynamic learning environments that encourage deeper conceptual comprehension.

The Relationship between Awareness and Implementation of Environmental Management Accounting–Evidence from Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Thailand

Sakaya Klongyut — 2024-07-26

In this study the relationship between awareness and implementation of Environmental Management Accounting within small and medium-sized enterprises listed in Market for Alternative Investment in Thailand was explored. A descriptive and correlational study design was adopted, and questionnaires were used to collect data from 57 small- and medium-sized Thai enterprises. The results provided empirical evidence that these firms had a moderate to high level of awareness of some aspects of environmental management accounting, and were practicing it to a certain extent. Furthermore, a positive correlation (.500, p < .01) between environmental accounting awareness and accounting practice was found. Hence, this implied that when firms were aware of the impact of environmental disclosures on their operations and had access to environmental management accounting knowledge, they were more likely to adopt appropriate accounting practices. The implementation of environmental accounting among small to medium enterprises in Thailand is still in the early stages. Further support and development are required to foster implementation. Further studies are encouraged–both qualitative studies to gain deeper insights into challenges of implementing environmental management accounting, and quantitative studies about factors that would better enable its practice.

The Impact of Digital Content Quality and Network Externalities on the Development of Young Consumers’ Online Brand Trust and Loyalty

Khomson Tunsakul — 2024-07-26

Studies have shown that young consumers continue to be the target of digital marketing communications. They are also a source of revenues from online platforms that provide digital content. This research aimed to investigate whether young consumers’ online brand trust and online brand loyalty would be significantly influenced by such independent variables as creators’ digital content quality and network externalities. The study employed purposive sampling of 402 Thai undergraduate respondents who regularly view contents from their followed or subscribed channels. The research results were statistically analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The analysis revealed that creators’ digital content quality (.745, p < .001) and network externalities (.152, p < .001) had a significant impact on online brand trust. Furthermore, online brand trust (.960, p < .001) also had a significant impact on online brand loyalty. The findings provide empirical evidence for social media and digital marketing communications. In addition, the findings reveal that enhancing trust is still crucial to branding.

Effects of the Pandemic on the Financial Performance of Listed Readymade Garment Firms in Bangladesh

Flowrence Murmu — 2024-07-26

This study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the financial performance of listed firms in the readymade garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. Out of 56 RMG companies listed in the Bangladesh Stock Exchange, 33 firms whose complete financial data from 2016-2021 was publicly available were selected as the sample. Through the use of descriptive, correlation, and regression analysis, the study explored the sector's financial well-being both before and during the pandemic, including the relationship between the pandemic and financial metrics, the extent of its impact, and other factors that influenced financial performance. The findings revealed a significant negative impact on RMG profitability indicators such as Return on Assets (–.032, p < .01) and Return on Equity (–.067, p < .05). Factors such as firm size, debt ratio, growth rate, and accounts receivable turnover were also identified as significant influencers of financial performance during the pandemic period. These findings underscored the pandemic-related challenges that RMG companies in Bangladesh faced, and emphasize the importance of proactive strategies for risk mitigation. They also highlight practical implications for strategic financial management and resilience-building measures within the sector.

Influence of the Technology Acceptance Model on Customer Engagement

Yue Huang — 2024-07-26

This study based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) investigated the influence of mobile application attributes on customer engagement with travel booking apps in China. Data were collected from 453 Chinese users of travel booking apps through an online questionnaire; descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. The results showed that mobile app attributes such as perceived usefulness (β = .193, p < .001), relative price advantage (β = .253, p < .001) and interface design (β = .225, p < .001) had a positive influence on consumer engagement with the travel app. Furthermore, app attributes including perceived usefulness (β = .246, p < .001), perceived ease of use (β = .245, p < .001), relative price advantage (β = .281, p < .001) and interface design (β = .209, p < .001) were positively and significantly associated with satisfaction. In addition, satisfaction (β = .204, p < .001) was found to positively influence customer engagement with the travel booking app. Finally, satisfaction played a mediating role in the relationship between app attributes and customer engagement. This study contributes to the TAM and travel booking application literature.

Exploring the Potential of k^n-Tree for Efficient Representation of n-ary Relations

Sebastián Alexis Moraga — 2024-07-26

The objective of this experimental study was to investigate the scalability of -trees, a compact data structure designed for representing -ary relations, compared to a baseline based on a plain representation of adjacency lists. A literature review of compact data structures was conducted, focusing on -trees and their potential for efficient -ary data representation. To assess scalability, experiments comparing -tree performance against the baseline using set intersection as a benchmark were conducted. Results demonstrated superior -tree scalability in terms of time and memory, especially for high-dimensional and clustered datasets. On average, -trees were eight times faster and consumed times less memory than the baseline. The study also analyzed the impact of the order parameter on performance, revealing a trade-off between space efficiency and query time. This study provides valuable insights into the practical applicability of -trees for managing and querying high-dimensional data.

Roles of NGOs and Local Government Units

Gilfer Mae Lisao — 2024-07-26

This research delved into the critical roles played by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in supporting anti-poverty programs of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City. It involved three NGOs that were selected based on their experience, collaboration agreements, and poverty-fighting program designs. Employing a qualitative approach, the experiences and perspectives of the participating NGOs were examined through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was then utilized to extract key themes from the rich qualitative data. The NGOs' profiles, programs, and strategies were explored, revealing their crucial roles in tackling the complex issues of poverty. The findings revealed that these NGOs provide significant contributions to community development, and were strongly dedicated to enhancing marginalized communities' well-being through varied missions, funding sources, and innovative programs. Furthermore, collaboration between the NGOs and LGUs supported governmental efforts, shaped local policies, and improved service provision, underscoring the value of strategic partnerships for sustainable development. The strategic sharing of resources underscored the importance of a unified approach in effectively addressing multifaceted community needs. Persistent collaboration and joint endeavors between NGOs and LGUs can help establish resilient, empowered communities, promoting inclusive development and a promising future for Pasil, Cebu City residents.

Physical Activity and Sleep Lessons Learned from Disruptions at a Residential University in Thailand

Serah Carolyn Clarence Gladstone Solomans — 2024-07-30

Existing research shows COVID-19 pandemic restrictions led to widespread disruptions in health-related behaviors, including physical activity (PA) and sleep patterns among university students, faculty and staff. The specific impact of pandemic restrictions and the lack of crisis preparedness at educational institutions are not well documented. This cross-sectional pilot study (n=48) used a self-administered questionnaire to investigate the impact of restrictions on PA and sleep to identify the health impact, possible modifiable behaviors, and policies to target for change in future crises to improve health, academic, and work outcomes, especially for institutions with natural green spaces. It was hypothesized the restrictions reduced adults’ PA levels and negatively impacted sleep. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences (p < .05) in the time spent doing medium- and high-intensity PA, walking, length of time to fall asleep, and hours slept before and during the pandemic. Concentration on infection prevention and spread rather than on health maintenance for those not acutely ill inadvertently discouraged using outdoor spaces for exercise while gym and sports facilities remained closed. These findings indicate the negative impact lockdown restrictions may have on general health, and how organizations can promote behaviors to maintain basic physical and sleep health.

From “Suem Sao” to “Rok Suem Sao” and After

Bandhukavi Palakawongsa na Ayudhya — 2024-08-13

This ethnographic study explored the subjectification and psychiatrization journeys of Bangkok youths who went from realizing they were suffering from Suem Sao (Depression) to being diagnosed with Rok Suem Sao (Major Depressive Disorder). Through ethnographic interviews, the research examined how cultural perceptions and societal stigma influenced the acceptance and internalization of their depression diagnosis and its social and personal consequences. Focusing on seven young adults, a complex interplay between culture and medical diagnosis was revealed. Firstly, pre-psychiatrization, participants generally accepted their psychiatric labels, often due to the perceived authority and credibility of professionals. Secondly, during psychiatrization, some participants felt dissatisfied with the treatment as doctors strongly relied on prescriptions and lacked communication skills, particularly incorporating inappropriate scenarios of Dhamma into the treatment or unintentionally gaslighting conversation. Thirdly, post-psychiatrization, this study documented the pervasive stigma associated with depression, which significantly impacts an individual’s willingness to seek help, tell others, and their subsequent treatment experiences, such as discrimination, feelings of hiding, and burden from having depression, particularly in academic environments. Participants reported a range of responses to their diagnoses, from relief at having their feelings validated by doctors to continued struggles with accepting their condition amidst ongoing stigmatizations.

What is Intercultural Communicative Competence in English Language Teaching? Examining the Discourse of Thai Pre-Service English Teachers

Jariya Sairattanain — 2024-08-13

Due to globalization, intercultural communicative competence (ICC) has become important. To integrate ICC into the classroom, appropriate perceptions towards this construct are needed. To know and understand what these perceptions might be, this study examined pre-service English teachers’ views collected through an online open-ended survey; a total of 53 respondents completed the survey. Analysis of the data was done through a corpus approach; specifically, keywords were derived from comparison with a benchmark corpus. Subsequently, the contexts of occurrence of these keywords were analysed. This study the analysed the first five keywords, which were “we,” “language,” “different,” “culture,” and “students.” Based on the contexts of occurrence, this study found that the pre-service teachers perceived ICC as a notion that can be taught through specific pedagogical practices; that ICC is driven by differences in language and culture; and that students have the role of enhancing their ICC knowledge and skills. The findings present a contextual understanding of ICC, which may not necessarily be aligned with other cultural settings.

Impact of Remote Work on Work-Life Balance in the Southeastern Asia Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists

Moniroth Prim — 2024-08-13

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in remote work arrangements. While remote work has been praised for its flexibility, it is unclear how remote work affects work-life balance. This study examined the remote work practices and work-life balance of Southeastern Asia Union Mission (SEUM) Seventh-day Adventist employees, as well as those working in its subsidiary missions in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam before and during the pandemic. A quantitative survey was administered to all 121 and mission office employees of SEUM. The online survey questionnaire explored demographics, pre-pandemic work experiences, during pandemic work-life balance experiences, and remote work satisfaction.

The findings revealed a significant negative correlation (-.392, p < .01) between remote work and work-life balance for SEUM employees. Employees generally reported a decrease in work-life balance when working remotely as compared to their pre-pandemic work experiences. Interestingly, strong organizational communication regarding remote work policies was associated with higher remote work satisfaction. This study offers valuable insights about the need to create a supportive work environment for remote employees. Recommendations include prioritizing clear communication, investing in employee well-being initiatives, and conducting further research to inform long-term remote work strategies.

Google Gemini's Influence on Workplace Dynamics in Bangkok

Pongsakorn Limna — 2024-08-13

This research study delved into the intricacies surrounding adoption of Google's Gemini and its ramifications on employee interactions, daily operational tasks, and overall job satisfaction within organizational contexts. Employing qualitative methodology, the study utilized in-depth interviews as the primary data collection method. Employing a purposive sampling technique, the participant pool comprised a diverse array of eight individuals from various organizational departments of firms in Bangkok, Thailand to ensure inclusion of different perspectives and roles. Through content analysis, the study scrutinized the multifaceted impact of Gemini on the dynamics of organizational operations. The findings revealed that the introduction of Google's Gemini significantly reverberated across three dimensions of workplace dynamics: employee interactions, execution of daily operational tasks, and the overarching sentiment of job satisfaction among employees. While integration of Gemini promises to substantially augment productivity levels and elevate workforce morale, a nuanced and balanced approach is imperative to optimize its benefits while mitigating potential drawbacks. This necessitates a deliberate focus on preserving the human elements indispensable for fostering a dynamic, innovative, and harmonious team environment amidst the technological advancements facilitated by Gemini.