Browsing by Subject "ABAC Journal -- 2018"
  • Item
    An application of berlin's concept of value pluralism to the Indian tradition
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) George, Darwin Joseph
    India has a long rich history tolerant coexistence and cultural interaction among its many diverse cultural and religious groups. But today, there is a promotion of a kind of nationalism which identifies with certain religions or cultural groups at the exclusion of others. The temptation is to try to strengthen India as a nation-state at the expense of its pluralistic past. The philosophy of Isaiah Berlin is valuable in this context, for it shows that value pluralism is not incommensurable with liberal democracy and that the two can support one another . He recognizes that an individual can pursue freedom, but that they also possess an innate ability to respect the freedom of others. In this regard, he develops the notion of fantasia or imagination as a faculty which is instrumental in creating understanding and tolerance of other cultural beliefs and practices. This essay will show how through these processes described by Berlin, a large democratic country like India can both create and national identity and preserve the rich heritage of its pluralistic past.
  • Item
    The effect of organization development intervention on structural and psychological empowerment to enhance innovative work behavior: an action research in a technical school in Thailand
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Tamonwan Somsriruen ; Chavez, Gloria S. ; Tayko, Perla Rizalina M.
    This research investigated the effect of organization development interventions (ODI) in improving structural and psychological empowerment, to promote innovative work behavior among organization members, in a technical school in Thailand. Using an action research design, the ODI activities were conducted for a six month period with 36 employees. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to explore and gather data at all levels (executives, heads of department, and employees). The action research was conducted in three phases: pre-ODI, ODI, and post-ODI. The findings revealed, that employees were able to generate new ideas through connecting with others, and were able to develop and implement ideas related to their own work.
  • Item
    The effectiveness of blended learning: a case study
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Anaraki, Firouz
    Recent policy announcements by the Thai government: Thailand 4.0, and its education component: Education 4.0, advocate the use of innovation and digital technology in schools and universities to improve the quality of education. We explore here the effectiveness of blended learning at an institute of higher education with a case study for one subject taught at the undergraduate level at Assumption University. Blended Learning in this study is defined as supplementing traditional classroom lectures with an online eLearning course in the same subject, using the same lecturers and course materials. Students had the opportunity to watch online video lectures before and/or after attending classes throughout the semester. At the end of the semester an online survey was conducted to determine the frequency of access to the online course, the level of student satisfaction, and the effectiveness of blended learning in terms of their understanding of the subject. Lecturers were interviewed to determine their view of the success or otherwise of the program and to inquire about exam results. Evaluation of survey questionnaires and lecturers’ opinions revealed that students were satisfied with the program because it had impacted positively on their understanding of the subject and had improved their exam results above prior expectations.
  • Item
    Language and attitudes of invisible minds: an appraisal analysis of cyber discourse
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Deocampo, Marilyn F.
    This study examines the interactions of different participants on Yahoo Singapore and Yahoo Philippines using the Martin and Rose (2011) Appraisal Theory, focusing on the interpersonal aspects of discourse, ATTITUDE is used as the framework for a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Blogging in the cyberworld, as a different channel of communication, allows the people of a society to discuss issues that matter most to them. The method used to foreground the underlying discourse is an attempt to understand the influence of various elements of the environment surrounding the respondents and participants. This study is an attempt to identify how the discourse employed in the cyber community is influenced by different elements in society, to provide some understanding of how blogging can be used as a potential tool for learning and education. Blogging, as part of social networking is not only about self expression but also provides a broader perspective in terms of teaching and learning that can be insightful. This is because understanding how choice shapes language, and how language shapes choice, is important in the learning process. Since education is regarded as one of the main phases for change, learning to be aware of what is going on in the world is just one of the aspects of the ‘cyber world’ that can be taught to students, and also can have a big part in changing how teachers and students view education, specifically regarding English Language Teaching (ELT).
  • Item
    Online impulse buying behavior amongst undergraduate students in Tianjin, the people's republic of China
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Zou, Tingting
    The aim of this study is to understand online business, regarding impulse buying behavior amongst undergraduate students in Tianjin, China. This study concentrated on the Taobao.com platform, and considered variables of website quality (security, navigability, and visual appeal), hedonic shopping value (product novelty, fun and escapism), and product knowledge (word of mouth and social norms), to learn how online shop owners increase their profits by encouraging impulse buying behavior. The results suggest that Taobao.com online shop owners manage their websites to be physically attractive; consider changing their products; and even improve shopping through word of mouth regarding the products they offer.
  • Item
    Political security abstacles and challenges of Timor-Leste's ASEAN membership
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Soares, Deuladeu Elizabeth Florindo
    The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has implemented its foreign policy by participating in various international organizations. To enhance its relation with other countries, particularly at the regional level, Timor-Leste is working hard to achieve its full membership in ASEAN and has already shown its seriousness to do so, submitting a formal application in 2011. This research focuses on political-security, aiming to find and describe the obstacles and challenges to political security in Timor-Leste, in support of the country joining ASEAN in the near future. Obstacles that have already been resolved by Timor-Leste, include the political security crisis of 2006, a problem of displaced persons, reconciliation and issues regarding veterans. The issues that still need serious attention from the government, in order to be overcome, include unlawful martial arts groups, boundary issues, and comprehensive security. While, political security challenges for the country are good governance, democracy, human rights, the electoral system, and national security.
  • Item
    Strengthening employee's engagement in e-commerce business department through an ODI approach
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Narachai Treetipbut ; Aloni, Rita
    This action research dissertation is aimed to enhance the level of employees’ engagement in a flux business environment that deals with e-Commerce business operations. As a start-up firm; the focal organization often experiences certain unalignments between executives and employees or even among employees themselves. This study is expected to add extra knowledge to an academic body; while, also enhancing business results via improved employee engagement. The paper aims to determine whether an existing engagement model could be re-applied to ecommerce where operation is highly dependable on the talent, commitment and creativity of the business’ personel. The study also compares levels of significance between pre-ODI and post-ODI that are concerned with “employee efficiency” and “organization performance”. Furthermore, ODI papers studying “employee engagement” in relation to the digital industry are still considered rare and limited. In conclusion, there are 3-major phases in this action research study; namely pre-ODI, ODI and Post-ODI. The research results shall elaborate whether there are significant changes in participant quantitative responses in a comparison between pre-ODI and post-ODI.
  • Item
    A structural analysis of ten economies in ASEAN economic community
    (Assumption University, 2018) Thongdee Kijboonchoo ; Chaveporn Kulchanachutiporn ; Nattaporn Soralam
    This paper focuses on a structural analyses in agriculture, manufacturing, and the service sectors of ten ASEAN economies. Their relative importance is examined by using their output shares in GDP , shares of exports in total exports, labor employment shares in total employment, and labor productivity. The study founds Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos PDR as highly dependent on agriculture. Manufacturing is very important for all AEC economies, especially for Brunei. The service sector is important for all economies, especially for Singapore and Philippines. Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia have very low employment in agriculture. Manufacturing and the service sector provide more employment opportunities for all economies. All economies have high employment in agriculture, except Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia. Productivity is relatively low in agriculture for all economies, but higher in manufacturing, compared to the service sector for all economies. Generally, the export sector is crucial for all economies, especially for Singapore. Manufacturing exports in total exports are higher than agriculture and service exports, for all economies.
  • Item
    Tobacco smoking behaviors of baccalaureate students, Thailand
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Kanyaphat Setchoduk
    The smoking behaviors of youths and young adults have changed worldwide. This study aims to explore the tobacco smoking behaviors of a university students which includes the type, duration, amount, frequency, reason, addiction level, and family history of smoking. Descriptive cross-sectional study was used with the university students in Thailand. Proportional Random Sampling technique was used to recruit 440 participants from 10 faculties. Results revealed that 33% of participants were currently tobacco smokers. The types of tobacco smoking use among university students that were included in the study consisted of tobacco cigarettes (11.1%), electronic cigarettes (1.4%), water-pipes (0.9%), more than one type of tobacco smoking (20.7%), second hand smoking (61.8%), and never smoked and only exposed to second hand smoking (4.1%). The common duration of tobacco smoking among university students was less than 6 months. They usually smoke less than 3 rolls of cigarette per day. The main reason for smoking were to promote relaxation, to socialize with friends, and preference for tobacco products’ smell and taste. The key inducement in all types of tobacco smoking among this group was friends. Most traditional tobacco cigarette smokers reported that they were addicted to smoking but other participants who smoked other kinds of tobacco smoking rejected tobacco addiction. Moreover, most of the participants have no other tobacco smokers in their family. Strengthening campus tobacco free policies and effective smoking cessation programs for university students are crucial.
  • Item
    Using an interactive learning book based on interactive and discovery learning to enhance student interaction and achievement
    (Assumption University Press, 2018) Patchara Vanichvasin
    This research aimed 1) to develop an interactive learning book based on interactive learning and discovery learning and 2) to examine student interaction and achievement after using an interactive learning book. The purposive sample group was 20 undergraduate students. Instruments were an interactive learning book, a content-appropriateness questionnaire, an observation checklist, pre-test and post-test, and a satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using mean, standard deviation, t-test, and content analysis. The research results were 1) an interactive learning book was verified by experts as high quality at 4.33 and piloted with high satisfaction at 4.46. 2) The means of interactive learning observed by a teacher was high in interaction at 3.80. The mean of discovery learning was high at 4.26. The post-test scores were higher than before, significantly different at 0.05. The results indicate that an interactive learning book based on interactive learning and discovery learning can enhance student interaction and achievement with positive impact.