ASEAN Journal of Management & Innovation (AJMI)

Editorial Board Team

2024-10-03T15:05:30+07:00

Editorial Board Team

Bridging Cultures, Enhancing Performance: Intercultural Communication Challenges of Thai SMEs in the Special Economic Zones

2024-08-21T14:47:43+07:00

This exploratory study investigates Thai SME employees’ perceptions on intercultural communicative challenges and gain insights on what they justly need in order to perform effectively when engaging with foreign clientele. Data were collected from SMEs in the north-eastern region of Thailand via interviews and survey questionnaire. The study found that there were certain issues regarding intercultural communication that drove the employees to shy away from communicating with foreign clientele. Adding to that, lack of effective programs, unmotivated employees due to little or no incentives, and negative perceptions toward time-consuming training courses all hindered employees in this particular region from gaining practical knowledge on intercultural communication. Strongly supported by the Thai government, businesses in the special economic zones are growing domestically and internationally; thus, it is crucial for the employees to be armed with intercultural competency. This study adds to the discussion on intercultural trainings employees justly need as well as how to implement a positive learning culture when stakeholders are demotivated.

Community Needs and Participation to Nature-Based Tourism Development in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines

2024-08-27T14:40:11+07:00

This research explored the relationship between community needs, participation, and challenges in nature-based tourism development. The study focused on understanding how infrastructure, livelihood opportunities, services, and environmental conservation impact community participation in tourism planning, decision-making, and implementation. Using a researcher-made survey instrument, a total of 115 respondents from community members, leaders, and tourism operators participated in the study. The results showed that addressing community needs significantly enhances nature-based tourism development. Significant challenges such as limited financial resources, insufficient training, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of stakeholders’ collaboration were also highlighted in the results. A positive relationship between community needs and participation was computed. This indicates that addressing the needs of the community can enhance their participation in nature-based tourism development. Likewise, a positive correlation was observed between community needs and challenges in participating in nature-based tourism development suggesting that addressing these needs can lessen communities’ challenges in participating in nature-based tourism. Theoretically, the study emphasizes community empowerment as a tool for sustainable tourism practices. This ensures that tourism development aligns with local priorities, leading to a more sustainable and equitable outcome. By adopting these strategies policymakers, and tour operators, site developers can foster sustainable and inclusive nature-based tourism development that will not only benefit the tourism sector but the community in general.

Employee Engagement as a Mediator between Employee Experience and Perceived Organizational Performance for Sustainable Airport Operations after the Covid-19 Crisis: A Multigroup Analysis

2024-09-02T09:47:38+07:00

This study examines the mediating role of employee engagement on the relationship between employee experience and perceived organizational performance for sustainable airport operations after the COVID-19 crisis. Multigroup analysis was utilized to explore possible differences in this relationship between managers and employees. Stratified random sampling was used to select samples from six airports in Thailand. Data were collected via questionnaire from 552 participants, divided into 276 managers and 276 employees. A measurement invariance approach was implemented to verify that the measurement used in this study works the same for both groups. Multigroup structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the hypotheses. Results revealed that employee experience had a significantly positive and direct effect on organizational performance and employee engagement. However, employee engagement did not have significantly direct and indirect effects on organizational performance. Therefore, employee engagement did not perform as a mediator in this relationship. In addition, no significant differences were found between the groups of managers and employees under this relationship. These findings are noteworthy for airports to focus on employee experience across groups to redesign and continuously transform airports into sustainable airport operations after the COVID-19 crisis in the right direction.

Work Engagement, Motivation, and Performance of Employees of the Davao de Oro State College during COVID-19 Pandemic

2024-09-18T14:49:03+07:00

The study determined the level of work engagement, motivation, performance of the Davao de Oro State College employees during COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive-correlational approach was used in the study. Through complete enumeration, the 396 Davao de Oro State College employees served as respondents. An adapted set of questionnaires were used in obtaining the data. The study revealed that the work engagement and motivation among the Davao de Oro State College employees was oftentimes observed and evident. Also, it was revealed that the performance of the Davao de Oro State College employees always met the expectations. A significant relationship was seen between the motivation and performance and motivation and performance among the Davao de Oro State College employees. Further, it could be noted that among the indicators of the work engagement, only the dedication had a significant relationship to the performance of the Davao de Oro State College employees. Furthermore, it could be noted that among the indicators of the motivation, work itself, relationship with peers and supervisors and money had a significant relationship to the performance of the Davao de Oro State College employees.

Navigating Human Resource Dynamics in Construction Industry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2024-08-28T14:07:42+07:00

Human resource management played a crucial role in addressing the abrupt changes in the construction industry caused by lockdown procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of human resource management practitioners and construction workers in Cebu, Philippines, capturing both human resource practices and construction workers' real-world experiences. Through in-depth interviews, the study provided valuable insights into the challenges and resilience demonstrated by those in the construction sector during an unprecedented global crisis. Using purposive sampling, seven human resource practitioners and twelve construction workers were interviewed, and their responses were analyzed using the Collaizzi method. The study identified four key themes for human resource practitioners: work downbeat to the stoppage, inadequate income resources to support human resource operations, rationalized workforce distribution, and adherence to health norms. Construction workers reported experiencing fear and doubt, income loss, resourcefulness, and strength and resolve. The study's findings emphasized the importance of robust Human Resource Management strategies for addressing the distinctive hurdles faced by human resource practitioners and construction workers during the crisis. Consequently, the study recommended the creation of a Human Resource Crisis Management Model to enhance understanding and guide effective crisis management in the construction industry. By tackling these challenges directly, organizations could build resilience and sustainability within the construction industry, promoting adaptability and advancing human resource management practices.

Factors Impacting New Energy Vehicles’ Purchase Intention in Chengdu, China

2024-10-11T14:35:31+07:00

Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, among other ASEAN nations, have actively promoted the advancement and growth of electric vehicle technology. This has resulted in a significant influx of Chinese firms specializing in new energy vehicles, who are establishing factories and expanding their operations in the ASEAN area. The increase in China's new energy vehicle sales will have a significant impact on their development. Chengdu is one of the top three cities among the 43 cities in China that have more than 2 million automobiles. The purchase intention of new energy cars in Chengdu provides valuable insights for assessing the new energy vehicle industry in China. This study aims to explore the factors impacting the purchase intention of new energy vehicles in Chengdu, China. This article adopts quantitative methods and uses questionnaires as a tool to collect data from permanent adult residents in Chengdu. Analyzed by SPSS tools, a total of 500 valid questionnaires were examined using the approach of multiple linear regression. The study revealed that consumer innovativeness has a significant role in impacting purchase intention, both directly and indirectly. Additionally, perceived quality was found to have a highly positive effect on purchase intention. Attitudes and subjective norms have a beneficial impact on new energy vehicle purchase intentions. New energy vehicle production and sales managers should prioritize enhancing the quality of new energy vehicles and cultivating consumers' awareness of innovation. The implications of this research could benefit companies that develop and sell new energy vehicles.