University of Santo Tomas Graduate School (USTGS) faculty member and two students presented papers during the 11thGlobal Conference on Business and Social Sciences (GCBSS) on Contemporary Issues in Management and Social Sciences Research (CIMSSR-2020). It was held at the Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam, Thailand, in-person and online, from December 11 to 12, 2020.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mary Caroline Castaño, former USTGS faculty secretary, presented the research paper titled “Benchmarking the Best Practices of Asian Universities In Increasing Student Mobility.” PhD Commerce candidate Ms. Lucille A. Abraham discussed her research titled “Ethical Standards/Issues: Are They Relevant to Quality Patient Care?” and MBA candidate Ms. Kristine L. Palmero presented her research study titled “An Analysis on the Factors Influencing Green Purchase Intention among Young Consumers in the Philippine BPO Industry.” The research studies have also been accepted for international publication.
The Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise, a registered research firm based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted the global conference. It had more than 200 participants from 34 different countries across the globe. The conference was attended by well-known speakers, such as Emeritus Professor Gabriël A. Moens of the University of Queensland, Australia, Professor Dr. Kamran Ahmed of La Trobe University, Australia, and Assistant Professor Dr. Kashan Pirzada of University Utara Malaysia, Malaysia.
The research study of Castaño focused on student mobility which is defined as a strategic way of enhancing students’ appreciation and understanding of different cultures, languages, origins, and learning approaches by giving a chance to all local students to engage with career opportunities around the globe.
With the rise of globalization, higher education institutions need to be more internationally inclined to operate effectively in the global market. The study showed that international students considered Social and Academic Reputation as the most important factor that affects their choice of University/College. Quality of Education & Academic Reputation of the University is the most important factor in choosing a current University. Seventy-nine percent of the total respondents stated that economic circumstances, including the cost of living, taxes and labor cost, were “Important to Most Important” macro-environmental factors that influenced their choice of country.
Castaño stated that institutions must focus more on “extensive and groundbreaking research so that Asian universities may be able to attract more students and faculty. This strategy will give way to the enhancement of international education and unique opportunities. Asian Universities must also invest aggressively in the digital landscape to be competitive both locally and globally”.
The study of Palmero used mixed method sequential explanatory and was able to ascertain the factors that influenced the purchase intention of young consumers toward green purchasing. In some parts of Asia, green purchasing is considered as an effective way to reduce environmental effects due to conventional practice of manufacturers and consumers.
As the fastest growing industry in the Philippines, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) comprised of young workers that are vulnerable in terms of health issues due to their shifting schedules. Findings in the study showed that the intention of young consumers were mostly linked to their motivation, environment, family, peers or personality. Finally, they viewed environmental concern, health and social responsibility as key points why it is essential to practice this mode of purchasing.
