“

Innovations in Community Engagement: A Proposed Framework

Florenz C. Tugas / Read Full Journal

Keywords:

innovations; principles for responsible management education (PRME); business continuity planning; community engagement; service-learning;

Abstract

The directive to develop an institutionalized community engagement framework has been a concern for higher educational institutions. This mandate was heavily influenced by a number of internal and external factors which have been validated to be relevant as we bridge the gap between the conceptual formation in the academe and actual immersion in the workplace. Since the modern workplace is characterized by daily innovations that cater to discriminating preferences of stakeholders, the academe must also take an upper hand and be challenged to innovate the conduct of its community engagement undertakings. This research study focuses on innovating the previous community engagement framework the researcher developed for Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (RVR COB) in 2012 by incorporating business continuity and the principles for responsible management education (PRME). The addition of business continuity component is in response to the recent effects of climate change as characterized by unusual flooding not only in Metro Manila but also in urbanized rural areas in other regions of the Philippines. Moreover, the inclusion of the six principles for responsible management education, is in response to De La Salle University\’s (DLSU), through RVR COB, being signatory to PRME, a United Nations-backed initiative. To do this, the researcher conducted a literature review on business continuity planning and investigating how this informational technology framework has evolved into a business framework which can be applicable in strengthening community engagement frameworks. Similarly, the researcher conducted a review of available PRME documents and organized a PRME Regional Forum Asia, as one of its core organizers. From this, the previous community engagement framework which was anchored on the service-learning framework of Vickers et al. (2004) and community connectedness framework by Brown and Keast (2003) with two of the key dimensions of TQM (continuous improvem

“

Legal Issues on Change of Retirement Policies in Schools

Dr. Hilario S. Caraan / Read Full Journal

Keywords:

Retirement Policy in Schools; Diminution of Benefits; Autonomy of Contracts; Legality of Retirement Policy Changes; Lowering of Retirement Age;

Abstract

This legal brief raises a timely concern in the management and implementation of retirement policies in educational institutions in the Philippines. The current trend in many schools is to reduce the mandatory retirement age of teachers from what has been set by the Retirement Law as 65 years old to a lower age. The prevailing reasons given are to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of teachers in discharging their role as \“special parents\” to their students and to ensure that teachers would still have enough time to enjoy their life after retirement. However, many legal issues have been raised by some against the validity of these changes in retirement policies in schools, particularly during the course of their employment. The common legal issues raised includes the proper application of the principle of non-diminution of benefits, the validity of applying new retirement policies to teachers who were hired under a different retirement package, and the enforceability of retirement policies entered by the school with selected representatives of the faculty, not necessarily through a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The legal brief attempts to persuade the Supreme Court of the Philippines that the Court of Appeals was correct in affirming the validity of the changes made by the subject educational institution on its retirement policies.

“

A Study on Effect of Non-Financial Balanced Scorecard Perspectives on Financial Performance of Property Firms Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange

Joy Rabo / Read Full Journal

Keywords:

property firms; Balanced Scorecard; firm performance; non-financial perspectives; financial perspective;

Abstract

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) framework developed by Kaplan and Norton includes four perspectives, namely: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. This study aims to test if measures in the three non-financial BSC perspectives have an effect on the financial performance of property firms listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange. Ordinary least squares regression is used in this study. This study adds to the vast literature on BSC and finds that non-financial BSC perspectives have no significant positive effect on financial performance measured in terms of current ratio, debt-to-equity ratio, net profit margin, and return-on-asset.

“

Online Buying Behaviour of SMEs

Farida F. Tallud / Read Full Journal

Keywords:

SMEs online buying behaviour; experience in online buying; web site characteristics; product characteristics; suppliers’ characteristics;

Abstract

The attitude and behaviour of SMEs’ towards online buying are two main factors that affect e-buying potential. Based on several studies, the major reasons for buying online seem to include convenience, flexibility of opening hours, and saving money. Subsequently, firms buy online because they can get detailed product information, delivery, convenience, product quality and lower prices (Durmu, Y., et.al. 2011). The present study focused on the buying behaviour of SMEs who are purchasing online. It includes factors that affect their online buying behaviour such as the website characteristics, product characteristics, suppliers’ characteristics and their online buying experiences. Participants were the SMEs who are using the internet in browsing, reviewing and eventually purchasing products or services. The respondents of the study were the owners/managers of SMEs who are into service and trading businesses. SMEs purchased online but not too often. However, they believed that online buying will save their time, money and effort, thus, reduces their purchasing costs. They considered return policy, product specifications, and security of transactions as important parts of online buying because these will give them a feeling of security. Yet they have a little concern with the availability and variety of products for sale online. With the emergence of enabling technologies, SMEs today are facing challenges in their business strategies in order to remain competitive. Therefore, SMEs should continuously embrace online buying as a business tool to allow many opportunities in improving their services, which will eventually increase their sales and profits.

“

Asset Building of Youth Entrepreneurs in Manila

Edralin Lim / Read Full Journal

Keywords:

asset building; savings; youth entrepreneurship;

Abstract

It is typical nowadays for Filipinos starting their own businesses at an early age. It is their way of earning through business profits so as to save, invest and contribute financially to their families in order to combat poverty. The researcher wants to analyse the asset building of youth entrepreneurs and to evaluate if they are able to help their families financially and to save for their future. Youth refers to those belonging in the age bracket of 15-24 years old. One hundred youth entrepreneurs owning businesses in Manila are surveyed to show their personal and business profiles (frequency and percentage), assets invested and share in family expenses (frequency, minimum value and maximum value of investment). Majority of the respondents are single, aging 21 to 24 years old who engage in business after graduating from college. Moreover, most of the respondents venture in retailing that includes gadgets, clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, beauty products and perfume. From these, their earnings are said to range from Php30,000 to Php210,000 annually. Investments of youth entrepreneurs are undiversified. A huge number of the respondents place their money in savings and inventories for business use. They frequently invest in gadgets and home appliances for their personal use. Few of them invest in real property, furniture, vehicles and jewelry, since many of them are single and this type of investment is not their priority. Most of them give grocery items and money for food, tuition fees and school allowances to their families, while some of them pay the utilities and give out clothes. Assisting in family finances in order to provide basic needs, school and utilities expenses, parents are lightly dismissed from day-to-day needs. In addition, the business sector may help to educate the youth entrepreneurs about their options in investments to maximize their earnings.