Measuring the Operational Efficiency of State-Owned Commercial Banks in Vietnam: An Input-Oriented DEA Approach Original Research Article Country Vietnam
This paper evaluates the operational efficiency of state-owned commercial banks in Vietnam during the period 2020–2023 using the input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. The study focuses on three major banks—Vietcombank, Vietinbank, and BIDV—by analyzing their labor, fixed assets, and customer deposits as input variables, and net interest income as the output. The findings show that while Vietcombank consistently operates at optimal efficiency, the other two banks demonstrate significant potential for improving input utilization. Overall efficiency scores remain above 0.80, indicating relatively sound performance, yet the results suggest that cost savings of up to 20% could be achieved without reducing output. The study highlights that pure technical efficiency contributes more to overall efficiency than scale efficiency, indicating the need for improved resource management rather than merely expanding size. This research offers valuable insights for bank managers and policymakers in enhancing strategic decisions, especially in the post-pandemic recovery context. It also demonstrates the usefulness of DEA in assessing banking performance and identifying areas for operational improvement.
Human Resource Management and Sensible Decision-Making: What Does Organizational Growth Have to Do With It? Original Research Article Country Philippines
This study explores the relationship between Human Resource Management and the Decision-Making process asan indicator of organizational growth. Human resource management and organizational decision-making in the context of organizational growth. Using Human Resource Management and the Decision-Making process as the independent variables that will assess the overall organizational growth, while the dependent variable, organizational growth is the result of management of human resources and better decision-making to measure the growing organization within the coming future. While human resource management and decision-making vary from one organization, employees, and even the organization itself, it is important to understand them in all aspects of the organization. Organizational growth can also influence the decision making of the organization and the management of its human resource. High performance of employees has also been shown to produce excellent results, motivate, and increase the retention of the members in the organization and adapt readily to changes in the environment and the organization itself. Decision-making is also inversely related to organizational growth and the increase of organizational productivity and performance. These findings have significant implications for the changing composition of the workforce due to the aging population.
Implications of Alternative Payment Methods in the Philippine Financial Technology Ecosystem: A Research Note Original Research Article Country Philippines
This conceptual research note provides a concise overview of alternative payment methods (APMs) and their crucial role in the continued popularity and patronage of financial technology in business transactions in the Philippines. It explains the concept of APMs, describes theirfeatures, lists its various categories, provides examplesthat enjoy mainstream usage in the Philippines, and itssignificant role on financial inclusion.It likewisetackles the eventual rise of APMsespecially during the global pandemic. Emerging themes observed from academic literature include the rise of digital finance, shifts in financial behavior, market expansion and competition, informal sector inclusion, consumer protection, and regulatory oversight. More importantly, this paper highlights the significant implications of APMs in the field of financial technology thru the four pillars of disruption, automation, digitization, and simplification.It also provides implications for significant stakeholders such as consumers, financial institutions, service providers, and policy makers on how to strategically utilize, operationalize, and regulate the use of APMs as part of the digital economy. Finally, for its research outcomes and contributions, this paper enumerates suggestions for future research that are deemed to yield timely insights into the emerging challenges and opportunities of APMs in the current digital finance era.
The Role of Halal Labeling, Consumer Experience and Product Knowledge in Increasing Satisfaction and Repurchase Intention Original Research Article Country Indonesia
Pages 25-32
Muhammad Zainut Tholibin || Usep Suhud || Setyo Ferry Wibowo
This study aims to analyze the effect of halal labeling, consumer experience, and product knowledge on consumer satisfaction and repurchase intention of Jenang Mubarok Kudus. Using a quantitative approach with the AMOS-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique, data were collected from 200 Muslim respondents who had purchased the product in the past year. The results showed that product knowledge had a significant effect on satisfaction and repurchase intention, while halal labeling and consumer experience did not have a significant direct effect. In addition, satisfaction was proven to be an important mediator in forming repurchase intention. This finding confirms that in the context of traditional products that are known for their halalness, the halal label is considered an attribute that should be there and is no longer the main differentiating factor. This study provides strategic implications for manufacturers to place more emphasis on product education, strengthening cultural values, and improving the quality of consumption experiences in order to maintain consumer loyalty.
Skill Profiling of Accounting Graduates in Pampanga: A Foundational Study Original Research Article Country Philippines
In this study, 368 accounting graduates were the respondents of this study. Data was collected using a descriptive quantitative design. It is based on validated international tools that measure competencies in a wide range of areas including communication, leadership, ethics, teamwork, and technical expertise such as financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and information systems. In terms of soft skills and technical skills, graduates rated themselves moderately high, with teamwork and information systems ranking highest. Meanwhile, entrepreneurial skills, auditing, and management accounting received low ratings, indicating that curricular improvements are needed. Results from this study confirm the effectiveness of existing educational programs while emphasizing the need for experiential learning and innovation-focused courses. Accounting curricula need to be aligned with industry requirements to enhance graduate employment prospects and prepare students for professional challenges. As a result of this research, academic institutions will be able to develop interventions that can strengthen graduate skill sets and facilitate successful career transitions into accounting.
Does Mandatory Csr Influence the Link between Board Gender Diversity and Firm Efficiency in an Emerging Economy? Original Research Article Country Vietnam
Despite the increasing emphasis on responsible corporate practices and governance mechanisms, research on the impact of board gender diversity on firm technical efficiency remains limited—particularly in the context of mandatory CSR regimes. This study seeks to address this gap by empirically analyzing the effect of board gender diversity on firm performance using a technical efficiency indicator, while also examining whether mandatory CSR moderates this relationship in a developing economy: Indonesia. The data, sourced from the Thomson Reuters Eikon database (2012–2021), reveal that board gender diversity positively influences firm efficiency. Moreover, mandatory CSR requirements strengthen this positive association. These findings offer valuable insights into the link between board gender diversity and firm efficiency, as well as the moderating role of regulatory frameworks. They also raise questions about policies aimed at promoting gender diversity on corporate boards. The study provides practical implications for managers seeking to improve efficiency and for policymakers designing regulations to enhance firm performance in developing countries.
Credit Portfolio Dynamics and Risk Exposure: A Panel Data Analysis of Lending Institutions in Palestine Original Research Article Country Palestine
This study examines the determinants of credit risk within Palestinian lending institutions using panel data from 2022 to 2024. Drawing on data from Qatan, Qudas, and Rief, the analysis combines fixed effects regression and structural equation modeling (SmartPLS) to assess the impact of inactive loans, credit scoring systems, macroeconomic indicators, and governance mechanisms on Portfolio at Risk (PAR). Regression results reveal that higher inactive loan ratios significantly increase PAR, while institutions adopting credit scoring report a notable reduction. SEM findings validate that internal governance explains 63% of the variance in credit risk. These results emphasize the need for enhanced institutional practices and regulatory infrastructure to sustain financial stability in fragile economic contexts like Palestine.
Construct Development and Validation of Service Quality in the Context of Private Hospitals in Region XII Original Research Article Country Philippines
This study developed and validated a context-specific scale to measure service quality in private hospitals in Region XII, Philippines. It addresses the limitations of existing models, such as SERVQUAL and SERVPERF, which do not account for the unique sociocultural and operational complexities of healthcare delivery in developing regions. Employing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach, the research unfolded in three phases. Phase 1 involved interviews with hospital staff and patients’ attendants, generating 60 items, which were refined to 51 after expert validation. In phase 2, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of 255 responses identified a six-factor structure—Service Reliability, Clinical Responsiveness, Personalized Care, Facility Accessibility, Patient Engagement, and Outcome-Centeredness—accounting for 74.92% of variance and resulting in 37 items. Phase 3 confirmed the model’s validity through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with 370 respondents, demonstrating strong fit indices (x2/df = 1.893; RMSEA = 0.049; CFI = 0.986; TLI = 0.978), affirming the scale’s construct validity and internal consistency. The resulting 37-item validated scale serves as a reliable measurement tool for service quality tailored to the private hospital context. It aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 8, and 11 by promoting evidence-based assessment and continuous improvement in healthcare service delivery.
Consumers' Attitudes toward the Use of Eco-Friendly Bags in Maragusan: A Green Marketing and Environmental Policy Perspective Original Research Article Country Philippines
Pages 79-100
APRIL KEY, AMOR DELAPOS || EBENMAR, D. OMEREZ || EDCEL JANE LEGARA || ELMIE, S. OGATIS || NIÑO, JR. B. ADRIAS
This study investigates consumer attitudes toward eco-friendly bags in Barangay. Poblacion, Maragusan, focusing on the influence of eco-friendly campaigns and environmental policies. The purpose is to understand how awareness, perceived benefits, price sensitivity, and demographic factors affect the adoption of eco-friendly bags in the community. A structured survey questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 250 respondents aged 18 to 65. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the data. The findings reveal high awareness of eco-friendly initiatives and government efforts, with price sensitivity being a significant barrier to adoption. While younger respondents showed greater acceptance, older age groups exhibited lower participation in eco-friendly campaigns. The study concludes that increased accessibility and affordability of eco-friendly bags, along with targeted campaigns aimed at younger populations, can enhance their adoption. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on sustainable consumer behavior and provide insights for policymakers and businesses aiming to promote environmentally friendly practices.
Review of Cargo Localization Policy for Reviving Idle Ports in Nigeria: A Port Decongestion Strategy. Original Research Article Country Nigeria
This paper is an attempt to review the cargo localization policy in Nigeria by proffering new dimensions towards its achievement and implementation in the maritime sub-sector of the Nigerian economy. The numerous problems associated with port congestion were the influential factors necessitating the purpose of this research in a bid to provide policy solutions to the problems. Specific objectives were to propose a sustainable policy to decongest the Nigerian ports and to determine the direct, indirect and induced effects of EGTL Logistics towards the efficiency of the ports. A mixed method research was adopted for the policy objective and impacts. While qualitative data was used to arrive at a policy framework, quantitative data was used for the impact assessment using input- output analysis. Results reveal that the cargo localization policy implementation will significantly reduce congestion at the ports. Further analysis results show that the EGTL logistics operations at the ports gave value added worth of $103,169,587,160.50 as contribution to the maritime sub- sector of the economy. Hence effective policy implementation would significantly reduce congestion while increased logistics operations at the ports as that powered by EGTL project would boost the maritime gross domestic product contribution to the economy. Therefore, it is recommended that government and policy makers in the port sector should adopt the cargo localization policy for sustainable port efficiency.
Navigating the Future: the Role of Social Capital on Career Decisions of Overseas Filipino Workers (Ofws) Children Original Research Article Country Philippines
Navigating the Future: The Role of Social Capital on Career Decisions of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) Children”. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Bukidnon State University, Malaybalay City, June 2025.In a country where millions of families are shaped by labor migration, it is inevitable that the socio-economic (especially on career paths) lives of the children left behind will be affected. It is in this context that this study explores how social capital influences the career decisions of college students with Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) parents at Tagoloan Community College. Anchored in Bourdieu's Theory of Social Capital, the research examined how relationships within family, school, and community settings impact students' career decision-making processes. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data from 100 respondents revealed a significant positive relationship between social capital and career decisions. Despite physical separation from their OFW parents, students leaned on local support systems emotional encouragement, academic mentorship, and informational resources to guide their choices. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening family-school-community collaboration and enhancing digital and institutional support mechanisms. This study hopes to contribute to the growing discourse on transnational family dynamics and offer practical insights for educational institutions, policymakers, and communities working to empower the next generation of OFW children.
Leveraging Technology to Enhance Leadership Effectiveness in the Financial Services Sector Original Research Article Country Zimbabwe
Pages 127-136
Linda Brenda Midzi || Tafara Everisto Tandavara || Paul Nemashakwe
The study explored the strategies for leveraging technology to enhance leadership effectiveness in Zimbabwe’s financial services sector. With the rapid digital transformation of the industry, driven by mobile money platforms and digital financial services, leaders are increasingly required to navigate technological advancements while maintaining human-centered leadership. Using a qualitative research approach, the study examined the experiences of senior leaders in the financial services sector through semi-structured interviews, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities posed by digital leadership. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: Technology as a Decision-Making Enabler, Digital Communication and Leadership Adaptability, Automation and Efficiency in Leadership Practices, Building a Digital Leadership Culture, and Balancing Technology with Human-Centered Leadership. Findings indicated that AI, big data and automation significantly improve decision-making and operational efficiency; yet, ethical considerations, human oversight and the risk of depersonalised leadership remain major concerns. The study emphasised the need for leaders to cultivate a digital mindset, foster continuous learning and integrate ethical AI practices while ensuring a balance between technological efficiency and empathetic leadership. The research offers practical recommendations, including the development of digital fluency, the implementation of hybrid communication strategies, and the establishment of governance structures to manage AI integration responsibly. The study highlights that successful digital leadership in Zimbabwe’s financial services sector hinges on maintaining a human-centred approach that adapts to technological changes while ensuring fairness, inclusivity and organisational resilience.
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