The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual academic conferences (VACs), yet limited research sheds light on the effects of speaker quality and congruency on the outcomes of virtual academic conferences. This exploratory study investigates how speaker quality, speaker quality congruency, and participant motivations influence satisfaction and behavioral outcomes in VACs. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we analyzed data from 282 participants (academics and students) who attended virtual conferences. The study examined relationships among peer motivation, recognition motivation, speaker quality levels, speaker quality congruency, participant satisfaction, willingness to revisit, and word of mouth intentions. Results revealed that participant satisfaction serves as a critical mediator, with speaker quality congruency—the consistency of speaker performance across sessions—emerging as the strongest predictor of satisfaction (β = 0.888, p < 0.001), whereas individual speaker excellence showed no significant effect (β = 0.101, p = 0.279). Peer motivation significantly influenced both speaker quality constructs, and satisfied participants demonstrated high willingness to revisit (R2 = 0.887) and positive word-of-mouth (R2 = 0.964). In addition, mediation analysis revealed that satisfaction fully mediated the effects of speaker quality congruency on willingness to revisit (β = 0.836, VAF = 94.2%) and word of mouth (β = 0.867, VAF = 97.6%), but not for speaker quality level. Unlike previous studies that primarily examine physical conferences, the novelty of this paper lies in exploring speaker congruency within the virtual academic conference context. Moreover, the key contribution of this study to the literature is centered on the essential congruency element in sustaining virtual events by demonstrating consistent quality across sessions that matters more than securing high-profile keynote speakers, challenging traditional conference management approaches. The findings extend social influence theory to virtual contexts, thereby providing practical guidance for organizers on prioritizing consistent speaker quality across sessions rather than focusing solely on individual high-profile speakers. This study further unveils the subsequent role of peer motivation affecting speaker quality congruency that determines the participant’s satisfaction. This satisfaction subsequently leads to positive virtual academic conference outcomes such as positive word of mouth and willingness to revisit conferences. Future research should validate findings across diverse academic contexts and explore hybrid conference models.
Public consultation is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of democratic governance, yet its institutionalization in middle-income democracies such as Thailand remains uneven. Although the 2017 Constitution and the 2019 Act on Legislative Drafting and Legal Evaluation mandate participatory processes through Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS), implementation has often remained procedural rather than substantive. This study examines how consultation practices operate within Thailand’s public health legislation, a policy domain characterized by significant distributive and ethical implications. Using a qualitative comparative case study design, the research analyzes three legislative processes: the National Health Security Act B.E. 2545 (2002), the Draft Act on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, and the Emergency Medical Services Act B.E. 2551 (2008). Documentary evidence was analyzed using four analytical dimensions: process design, stakeholder inclusion, feedback and responsiveness, and contextual fit. The findings reveal substantial variation across cases. The National Health Security Act demonstrates relatively inclusive and iterative consultation supported by transparent feedback mechanisms, whereas the organ donation draft law relies primarily on expert-centered consultation with limited public engagement. The Emergency Medical Services Act incorporates operational stakeholders but provides few opportunities for citizen participation or systematic feedback. These patterns suggest that consultation in Thailand often functions as a procedural requirement rather than a deliberative governance mechanism. Strengthening consultation across the regulatory lifecycle, broadening stakeholder inclusion, and institutionalizing transparent feedback mechanisms are, therefore, critical to enhancing the democratic legitimacy and policy effectiveness of health legislation.
The persistence of poverty in the Philippines is linked in the literature to the prevalence of political dynasties, yet the precise mechanisms of this relationship remain underexplored. This study sought to disentangle two distinct phenomena: the effect of long-term dynastic entrenchment (structural, between-province differences) from that of dynamic dynastic expansion (changes within a province over time). To do so, this paper employed a within-between panel data model on a unique dataset covering 80 provinces from 2004 to 2021, with the Political Concentration Index (Political HHI) as the primary measure of dynastic power. The results showed that while dynastic entrenchment and expansion are both linked to higher poverty at the national level, the within-effect was about 1.5 times the between-effect, suggesting that the process of a dynasty consolidating its power has a stronger adverse association with poverty. This effect was also highly contingent on regional context. The finding was driven almost entirely by provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. In Luzon, the relationship was statistically insignificant, suggesting that local institutional and economic factors may mitigate the effects of political dynasties. This study concludes that the dynasty-poverty link is not uniform and that policy interventions must be tailored to the specific regions where dynastic capture most negatively impacts development.
This research intends to analyze the relationships among distributed leadership, innovation, and organizational performance through knowledge management practices. A quantitative approach with an explanatory design was employed in this research. Data was collected through surveys involving middle management and faculty members in educational studies programs at private universities. Using the Multilevel Structural Equation Model (MSEM), data analysis was conducted with distributed leadership variables as individual variables and knowledge management practices, exploratory innovation, exploitation innovation, and organizational performance as team variables. This study involved 71 education study programs in 30 universities, with 71 heads of study programs and 158 lecturers, so that the total number of respondents was 229 people. The research findings indicate that knowledge management practices within educational programs at private universities are positively and significantly influenced by distributed leadership. Furthermore, knowledge management practices positively and significantly affect exploitation innovation in these programs. However, exploratory innovation has no impact on Knowledge Management Practices. Both the impact of exploratory innovation on Organizational Performance and the relationship between exploitation innovation and Organizational Performance of educational programs warrant attention. Interestingly, Knowledge Management Practices do not significantly affect Organizational Performance
This study explored how student leadership practices (SLP) are essential in shaping learners’ development and their continued engagement with higher education institutions. This research investigates the direct and indirect effects of SLP on affective commitment (AC), employing self-efficacy (SE), individualism (IND), and collectivism (COL) as mediating variables. Data were collected through a structured online survey administered to undergraduate students from 11 public universities in Guangxi, China. The study received 436 responses and 387 valid cases. The Student Leadership Practices Inventory, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Individualism–Collectivism Scale, and the Affective Commitment Scale were all used as standardized tools. The analysis used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the suggested relationship among variables. The results indicate that SLP is a robust predictor of AC, both directly and indirectly through SE, IND, and COL. Students who engaged in leadership practices reported increased self-efficacy and more clearly defined cultural orientations, which subsequently fortified their emotional attachment to their institutions. The results provide empirical evidence that psychological and cultural factors affect the relationship between leadership practices and affective commitment. This study clarifies the mechanisms linking leadership and commitment, offering practical insights for enhancing leadership initiatives that promote student engagement and institutional loyalty.
The issue of the Water Agreement between Johor and Singapore has been widely focused among scholars, both in the country and abroad. Various approaches have been used to analyze this issue, including historical perspectives, politics, international affairs, news, academic articles, government policies, and other documentation sources. However, the visual dimension that plays an important role in analyzing power tensions and diplomatic relations related to the 1961 and 1962 Water Treaty is often neglected, even though it has great potential to provide a deeper perspective on this issue. This research focuses on three main videos, namely Singapore lays pipes to draw water from Johor, Johor River Waterworks opens, and Lee Kuan Yew visits Johor water plant in 1963, which were produced in the 1960s. These videos were analyzed as important media, serving not only as historical documentation but also as tools of cultural diplomacy that shape national identity and cross-border relations. Although these videos were produced before the formation of Malaysia, the analysis shows that the visual narrative remains relevant to understanding diplomatic relations and the strategic management of water resources to this day. By using hydro-hegemony, soft power, and visual hermeneutics theory in visual analysis, this article examines how symbolic representation in these videos is used to build a narrative of technological progress, diplomacy, and sustainability. Clearly, these videos not only reflect the diplomatic relationship between Singapore and Johor, but also offer a new perspective on the role of media art in shaping Malaysia and Singapore’s wider diplomatic narrative. This article proposes a more balanced approach in the use of media arts to promote sustainable and inclusive regional cooperation in strategic resource management.
The concept of the double movement, as expounded by Polanyi (1944/2001), has been a focal point of interest for numerous scholars. However, it is evident that more concerted efforts are required to foster a substantive dialogue among these scholars. Goodwin (2018) took a significant step by initiating a constructive discussion aimed at revitalizing the double movement theory, with the intent of rendering it pertinent to addressing the socioeconomic challenges faced by societies in the Global South. Regrettably, Goodwin’s approach, which primarily leans towards a political system perspective, is not without its limitations. Therefore, this article proposes a societal approach that emphasizes bolstering society’s countermovements as a means of effecting change. To illuminate the factors contributing to the success of Polanyian countermovements in the past two decades, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review. Our methodology adhered to the PRISMA checklist and involved analyzing a vast corpus of articles from prominent databases, including Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Wiley. From the initial pool of 5,111 articles, we identified five that met the research’s specific criteria. Utilizing a narrative analysis approach, we identified five key determinants of countermovement success: the Mainstreaming Justice Claim, Master Frame, Individual Acts, Intervention of External Agents, and Slow Justice. These findings have significant implications for societies in the Global South in the Asia-Pacific region, offering potential strategies for self-preservation and empowerment. Moreover, they have the potential to enhance the applicability and relevance of the double movement theory in elucidating contemporary dynamics within capitalist societies.
Australia is well known as a ‘sporting nation’ with outstanding elite sporting achievements and grassroots-level sports participation. The reality for Australia’s First Nations people and those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, however, tends to differ from the mainstream Australian population. One of the contributing factors being argued within this paper is the prevalence of historical and contemporary racism in Australian sport. This study focuses on four of Australia’s most popular community-participation sports, including Australian Rules Football (ARF), Cricket, Netball, and Swimming. Using a Qualitative Document Analysis method, this research investigates both primary and secondary sources for instances of both historical and contemporary racism reported in these four sports, particularly at the elite professional level. This study revealed that racism is a key factor affecting participation and performance for Australian First Nations people and those from CALD backgrounds in the sports under examination. This study contributes to a stronger understanding of the institutional racism that exists in Australian sporting contexts and the need for more inclusive practices at both the grassroots and elite levels.
Smoking constitutes a significant issue in Indonesia, particularly among low-income forest farmers. Cigarettes are the second-highest household expenditure after rice, potentially comprising almost 40% of total annual income. In 2022, the prevalence of smokers aged 15 years and older was recorded at 28.26%, with West Nusa Tenggara ranking second (26.59%). This situation exacerbates poverty and reduces the quality of human resources. The study was conducted in 2023 in Ciamis Regency, Tasikmalaya (West Java), and Sumbawa (West Nusa Tenggara), areas with high cigarette consumption. The aim was to analyze the influence of demographic factors (income, age, and education) on smoking behavior at light, moderate, and heavy levels, and their implications for control strategies. This study introduces a novel categorization of three smoking levels and assesses the impact of demographic factors using quantile linear regression (QLR) to derive more effective solutions. A total of 90 farming households were selected through purposive sampling. The results showed that income significantly influenced all smoking levels (p < 0.01). Age was positively associated with cigarette consumption, especially at high levels (p = 0.049). Education generally had no effect, except in Labuhanbadas, where higher education reduced family cigarette spending because highly educated family members tended to live outside the village. Average daily consumption was recorded at nine cigarettes (Cukangkawung), 24 cigarettes (Labuhanbadas), and up to 44 cigarettes (Sukaharja). Women play a significant role in controlling cigarette spending because they are responsible for the family’s food needs. The smoking behavior of farmers is predominantly affected by income and age, with education playing a role only in particular contexts. Smoking control policies must account for economic, social, and cultural factors, engage partners, and implement income diversification strategies.
Following the new public management concept, public-private partnership has been instituted in the realm of public administration, transitioning the emphasis from primarily the public sector as the principal actor to encompass the private sector’s role in delivering public services. To enhance service inclusion, civil society has been incorporated as an additional social element to bolster public administration. This study aims to elucidate cultural heritage management in Thailand, focusing on regulations and action, including impediments through the public-private partnerships concept and the civil society concept. The qualitative approach included in-depth interviews and focus groups for data collection. The research revealed the absence of clear regulations or policies regarding public-private partnerships in cultural heritage management. The pertinent agency resolves this issue by instituting a novel methodology and implementing it in management by providing a Terms of Reference (TOR) and a consolidated framework of statutes, including the Cultural Heritage Act and the Public-Private Partnership Act. To enhance cultural heritage management, it is essential to implement clear, new regulations and integrate the public, private, and other sectors in management through a public-private partnership approach. Implementing the project using this strategy is essential for focusing on the benefits for investors, conservation efforts, and public engagement thereby preventing conflict and fostering understanding among all stakeholders. The public sector can no longer prioritize its interests above those of other sectors. The project contract provisions require modification and extension beyond 30 years. Although civil society is not explicitly mentioned in the laws, regulations, or policies of the cultural heritage management project, it plays a significant role during the implementation stage by participating in decision- making, empowerment, reflecting needs, negotiating, and promoting the concept of ownership, which helps reduce or solve various problems and promotes project sustainability.
Perceptions of justice have been widely discussed as an important lens through which individuals interpret social experiences and evaluate public policies. This exploratory qualitative study examines how perceived justice, particularly Belief in a Just World (BJW), is associated with attitudes toward support for environmental policy among undergraduate students aged 18 years or older recruited from higher education institutions (HEIs) in Bangkok, Thailand. An online screening survey was used to identify students with relatively high and low levels of Personal Belief in a Just World (PBJW) from four HEIs, followed by in-depth interviews with 21 participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to explore patterns in participants’ reasoning about environmental policies. The analysis suggests that students’ interpretations of environmental policy are shaped by their life experiences, levels of knowledge, \anticipated personal impacts of policy measures, and by broader socioeconomic contexts. Rather than establishing causal relationships, the findings provide insight into how perceptions of justice may inform policy evaluations within this specific group. These results point to the importance of policy framing and design that are sensitive to differences in perceived fairness and lived experiences, while recognizing the contextual and exploratory nature of the study.
This study examines how smart tourism technology (STT) and user-generated content (UGC) influence tourist satisfaction and loyalty behaviors among online travel agency (OTA) users in Thailand. Data were collected from 277 travelers aged 18 and above who booked accommodations through OTAs across four destinations: Khao San Road, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Phuket. Grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM) and expectation confirmation theory (ECT), the study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the interrelationships among STT, UGC, satisfaction, destination image, revisit intention, and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Results indicate that STT has the strongest positive effect on satisfaction (β = .826, p < .001), whereas emotional UGC exerts the greatest impact on destination image (β = .885, p < .001). Environmental concern (β = .049, p < .05) and ecotourism experience (β = .063, p < .05) also influence revisit intention, though to a lesser extent. Satisfaction serves as a key mediator linking technological and content-driven experiences to eWOM and revisit intention. The model explains 92.5% of destination image, 79.3% of satisfaction, 73.2% of eWOM, and 6.5% of revisit intention, underscoring that technology and emotionally engaging content are pivotal in enhancing satisfaction, loyalty, and sustainable tourism competitiveness.
This study examines healthcare in Indonesia’s archipelagic region, using semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 informants, including island residents, medical professionals, and government officials. Findings reveal inadequate medical facilities on the islands, particularly for emergencies. For instance, there is only one hospital on Arajasa Island, established in 2023, while smaller, less populated islands rely solely on public health centers staffed by general practitioners, lacking specialists. Patients requiring specialized care must be referred to an off-island hospital, but transportation is limited and weather-dependent, leading to high personal costs if ships or boats are unavailable. In response, the Sumenep government has implemented initiatives, such as offering additional incentives for nurses since 2017, to boost the number of medical professionals. They also use a people-to-people approach to promote health awareness and encourage timely medical attention, fostering trust among island residents and preventing conditions from worsening. The study highlights the importance of community-based healthcare strategies tailored for geographically isolated populations, which would make the abstract more impactful.
Foreign professionals have been frequently viewed as a remedy for labor shortages and as catalysts for economic development, prompting many governments—including Hong Kong and Taiwan—to facilitate their immigration for education and employment. Consequently, this study endeavors to identify a general pattern and plausible conditions that underpin the promotion of school-to-work transition policy regimes in a migration context. Using case-based analysis and the Most Different Systems Design (MDSD), secondary data were collected for the analysis. The findings reveal that, despite markedly differing political systems, both jurisdictions adopted a school-to-work policy regime in response to comparable conditions: the demographic changes, the influx of international students, and stable labor participation rates. A counterintuitive pattern was also discerned, demonstrating that political liberalism does not necessarily produce more liberal immigration policy regimes. Although policy convergence was observed, Hong Kong’s policy regime appears comparatively more liberal in terms of labor mobility and quasi-citizenship, enabling foreign graduates greater flexibility in navigating employment and access to rights that closely approximate citizenship. Taken together, these dynamics challenge conventional assumptions linking democracy to liberal immigration policies, while allowing us to rethink the conditions that mediate the formation of immigration policy.
This paper examines how Asian serialized dramas, particularly Korean television dramas (K-Dramas) and Thai Lakorns, function as cultural texts that shape ecological imagination within the Philippine media environment. Using interpretive visual-textual analysis of Crash Landing on You, My Mister, 2gether: The Series, and Bad Genius: The Series, the study explores how visual aesthetics, emotional atmospheres, and narrative structures encode environmental values such as balance, restraint, and care. Rather than measuring audience impact, the paper interprets Filipino online audience commentary as illustrative reception discourse reflecting how viewers emotionally interpret these mediated landscapes. Anchored in theories of soft power, cultural proximity, and visual discourse, the analysis demonstrates how melodramatic storytelling communicates ecological ideals indirectly through spatial order, affective pacing, and moral narratives of repair. The paper argues that these dramas operate as informal channels of soft environmental diplomacy by circulating aesthetic imaginaries of sustainability across borders. It concludes by suggesting how Philippine media industries might adapt these narrative strategies to develop locally grounded environmental storytelling within regional creative collaborations.
This paper examines the case of the Philippines in formulating its sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) excise tax policy through the lens of the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF). This case study used qualitative techniques to establish the networks and analyze the dynamics and interactions between the local sugar industry leaders and beverage manufacturing companies, as well as their advocacy strategies that influenced policy brokers from the government. The paper also highlights the complexities and the delicate balance needed to reconcile the differing interests of well-established political and economic groups and their effects on policy formulation. Their interactions were examined through the ACF, a tool that has been used to study existing tensions between and among stakeholders in the policy arena.
