Asian Nations Research Articles

Strategic leadership and organisational change in distance and e-learning contexts

The rapid expansion of e-learning, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has reshaped the educational landscape, necessitating strategic leadership and organisational change. This study examines the pivotal role of strategic leadership in navigating the complexities of digital learning environments and driving successful e-learning initiatives. A comprehensive literature review and data analysis were conducted, utilising sources from the US, West African countries, China and other Asian and European nations. The findings highlight the importance of digital competence, visionary leadership and effective change management strategies in implementing e-learning. Challenges such as technology access disparities, digital fluency and integrating interactive learning tools were identified. The emergence of e-leadership, emphasising adaptability and fostering positive digital learning environments, was also noted. Strategic leadership and organisational change are critical in successfully adopting and managing distance and e-learning. Therefore, policy makers should prioritise addressing technology access gaps, enhancing digital literacy and supporting educators and students. Visionary leadership must be cultivated to steer educational institutions through the evolving demands of the 21st century. The study needs longitudinal data on the long-term impact of e-learning on student outcomes to deal with its limitations and thoroughly examine the financial implications of transitioning to e-learning for educational institutions.

ASEAN Financing Climate Policy: The Effect of Fossil Fuel Subsidies on CPI and GHGs

Abstract The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) employs fossil fuel subsidies to promote economic development, although such action may have a negative effect on the environment. This study employs panel data analysis to examine whether ASEAN’s fossil fuel (oil, gas, coal, and electricity) subsidies decrease the consumer price index (CPI; Model 1) and, on the other hand, increase greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs; Model 2) from energy levels, using yearly data of five ASEAN countries from 2010 to 2021. The findings demonstrate that ASEAN’s fossil fuel subsidies for oil, gas, coal and electricity do not reduce the CPI and, therefore, cannot be interpreted as reducing inflation. In addition, there is no effect of gas and coal subsidies on GHGs. This might be due to the small average of the five ASEAN countries from 2010 to 2021 in terms of gas and coal subsidies. Following the expectation, oil subsidy, which is the highest amount on average (4,635.44 real 2021 million USD), has a strong positive effect on GHGs. However, electricity subsidy, which is the second highest amount on average (1,963.22 real 2021 million USD), has a significant negative effect on GHGs.

Accelerating power grid interconnectivity in Southeast Asia: a private sector perspective

Abstract Integrating the power systems between member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can facilitate economic growth for the region and enable businesses to cost-effectively procure reliable, clean electricity. As corporations strengthen their clean energy commitments, the grid becomes an important enabler of power sector emissions reductions as well as economic development. This paper offers perspectives from the Asia Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC) on the importance of renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the ASEAN Power Grid, focusing on accelerated implementation to expand multilateral power trade and cross-border grid interconnections. ACEC consists of clean energy buyers, sellers, and financiers that can drive economic growth. It supports strengthening the ASEAN Power Grid MOU to recognise the importance of holistic regional grid planning, prioritising interconnectors that scale up clean energy, harmonising regulatory and technical frameworks, and making data accessible to facilitate multilateral power trade and clean energy tracking.

Transparency in Central Bank and Credit Expansion: Empirical Evidence from Asian Countries

Abstract This research investigated the influence of central bank transparency on credit expansion in 15 Asian nations (both advanced and emerging) during the period from 2000 to 2019. Panel OLS and Dynamic GMM estimation are used to identify the impact of central bank transparency on the credit spread. The findings indicate that central bank transparency plays a crucial role in lowering credit spreads and facilitating credit expansion. In addition, the influence of central bank transparency on credit spreads has a greater effect in emerging economies than in developed economies, highlighting the significance of transparency for tackling information asymmetry within the credit system. Overall, the research highlights the significance of central bank independence in reducing knowledge disparities and promoting a more transparent credit environment.

Implementation of the World Health Organization Minimum Dataset for Emergency Medical Teams to Create Disaster Profiles for the Indonesian SATUSEHAT Platform Using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources: Development and Validation Study.

The National Disaster Management Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana) handles disaster management in Indonesia as a health cluster by collecting, storing, and reporting information on the state of survivors and their health from various sources during disasters. Data were collected on paper and transferred to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. These activities are challenging because there are no standards for data collection. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a standard for health data collection during disasters for emergency medical teams (EMTs) in the form of a minimum dataset (MDS). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health of Indonesia launched the SATUSEHAT platform to integrate all electronic medical records in Indonesia based on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). This study aims to implement the WHO EMT MDS to create a disaster profile for the SATUSEHAT platform using FHIR. We extracted variables from 2 EMT MDS medical records-the WHO and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) versions-and the daily reporting form. We then performed a mapping process to match these variables with the FHIR resources and analyzed the gaps between the variables and base resources. Next, we conducted profiling to see if there were any changes in the selected resources and created extensions to fill the gap using the Forge application. Subsequently, the profile was implemented using an open-source FHIR server. The total numbers of variables extracted from the WHO EMT MDS, ASEAN EMT MDS, and daily reporting forms were 30, 32, and 46, with the percentage of variables matching FHIR resources being 100% (30/30), 97% (31/32), and 85% (39/46), respectively. From the 40 resources available in the FHIR ID core, we used 10, 14, and 9 for the WHO EMT MDS, ASEAN EMT MDS, and daily reporting form, respectively. Based on the gap analysis, we found 4 variables in the daily reporting form that were not covered by the resources. Thus, we created extensions to address this gap. We successfully created a disaster profile that can be used as a disaster case for the SATUSEHAT platform. This profile may standardize health data collection during disasters.

Bilateral investment treaties and investors’ social accountability: the law and praxis in South Asia

Purpose International investment law governs matters related to transnational investments. The extensive reach of transnational corporations (TNCs) has granted them substantial economic, political and social influence, often intertwining them with public interest issues and implications in human rights violations. This paper aims to explore the profound influence exerted by TNCs in today’s globalized world and its implications for human rights and social responsibility within the framework of international investment law. Particularly, it acknowledges the vulnerability of economically weak South Asian states and cites past instances such as the Bhopal gas tragedy in India and the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh as egregious violations of human rights. Focusing on South Asian bilateral investment treaties (BITs), this paper aims to examine the scope of investors’ social accountability. Design/methodology/approach This research engages with doctrinal and analytical methods in traversing through primary and secondary sources. It would parse the arbitral tribunals’ jurisprudence for their discussion on the inclusion of social accountability obligations within international investment agreements (IIAs). Further, it engages in a quantitative analysis related to the nature of the social accountability-related obligation of the corporation within South Asian BITs. Findings The findings reveal a glaring absence of the law on investors’ social accountability and the need for enhanced regulatory mechanisms to address the escalating influence of TNCs on human and social rights. The absence of a robust legal framework, coupled with the asymmetric nature of international investment law, granting investors greater rights and leverage compared to states, exacerbates this challenge. The phenomenon of “regulatory chill” inhibits states from effectively enforcing regulatory measures aimed at protecting human rights and the environment. Furthermore, the broad interpretation of clauses such as “fair and equitable treatment” by investment tribunals often undermines states’ ability to implement measures in the public interest. While international organizations such as the UNCTAD and the UNCITRAL Working Group III are actively discussing reforms to IIAs, the existing guidelines addressing investors’ social accountability are woefully lacking in the content as well as the method of their integration with international human rights law. The findings underscore the imperative for South Asian nations, the subject of this research’s empirical analysis, to adopt a comprehensive approach involving both domestic law reforms to promote corporate social accountability and active pursuit of negotiations for the inclusion of binding social obligations for investors within IIAs. Practical Implications This research, drawing upon international law developments, offers suggestions for incorporation of social accountability provisions via relevant domestic law reform. The research could be viewed as a prelude for mapping the legal developments in the area of investors’ social accountability within investment agreements, as well as investment contracts, drawing guidance from international law instruments. Originality/Value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study analysed the scope of investors’ social accountability in South Asian BITs.

Does Industrial Structure Upgrading Promote China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) in ASEAN Countries? Evidence from Provincial Panels

Numerous studies have explored the impact of Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) on upgrading industrial structures in home countries. However, a notable gap exists in the literature regarding the reverse relationship. Based on the cross-border greenfield investment data of Chinese provinces in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries from 2003 to 2021, this study employed the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model to evaluate the impact of industrial upgrading in each province on OFDI to address this gap. The findings suggest that China’s industrial structure upgrading significantly promotes OFDI toward ASEAN countries, though the effect varies by region within China and by the income levels of host countries. Regionally, industrial upgrading in eastern China notably stimulates OFDI growth, while the effect is not significant in the central and western regions, reflecting inconsistent evolution of industrial structures in various regions. Regarding host country income levels, the promotion effect of industrial structure upgrading on OFDI is influenced by the economic development level of the host country. Furthermore, we find that R&D intensity acts as a moderator that links industrial structural upgrading to OFDI responses. These findings withstand robustness checks, including tests for endogeneity. Ultimately, this study provides policy insights for strengthening the virtuous cycle between industrial upgrading and OFDI.

The contribution of macroeconomic indicators to the attainment of economic development objectives in some western ASIAN countries

This study looks at how macroeconomic variables affect poverty, unemployment, and economic growth in seven Western Asian nations. We used 18 years of data (2003-2020) using a generalized moment analysis method, although experience has varied significantly in different countries as well as between different regions. The development and effective implementation of policies to accelerate employment growth are essential to success on a continent that still has an exceptionally high rate of poverty. These policies will allow us to address the persistent problems of unemployment and poverty. In developing an appropriate policy, countries need to take into account the universal acceleration of trends towards closer integration of the world economy and the rapid pace of liberalization as national economies move increasingly towards a market economy. According to our findings, poverty, unemployment, and economic growth are all significantly impacted by sustainable development indices. During the study period, investment and the activity rate were two of the primary factors influencing economic growth. Western Asian countries should improve the quality of their institutions and their capacity to adapt and acquire new skills. Trade and globalization should not be considered in isolation. Additional policies are needed to reinforce its impact on economic growth.

Moving Forward With Pride: LGBTQ+ Health and Contemporary Rights Movements in Asia.

As Pride marches are celebrated globally in June, stigma and discriminatory laws against LGBTQ+ individuals remain prevalent in over a third of countries, potentially worsening health disparities among this population. Despite these challenges, notable progress has been made in Asia. Several countries have seen court rulings favoring LGBTQ+ rights, while the National Medical Commission of India has committed to ending conversion therapy, a harmful healthcare practice. As Asian nations advance and draw inspiration from their neighbors' successes, health practitioners, researchers, organizations, and institutions in the region can advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, offer targeted health services, and promote inclusive healthcare practices.

Assessing the spatial-temporal environmental efficiency of global construction sector

The extensive waste emissions and energy consumption in the construction industry has spurred calls for sustainable development reform. Identifying valuable development paradigms through evaluating the spatial-temporal environmental efficiency (EE) of the construction sector offers an effective avenue for practice guidance. However, a comprehensive and detailed global analysis of the construction sector's EE remains lacking. This study applies the super-slack-based measure (Super-SBM) model to assess EE of the construction sector across 112 countries from 2006 to 2016. The results reveal relatively low overall EE performance of global construction sector, with notable disparities among countries and improvements were observed in certain years. Singapore, Malta, and Paraguay emerge as top performers, while Moldova, Swaziland, and Iceland rank at the bottom. The findings highlight significantly better EE in European and coastal Asian countries compared to inland Asian and African nations. Using the Tobit model, we identify that industrial structure, trade dependency, international cooperation, energy intensity, and geographic factors significantly influence EE, with varying impacts across countries of different income levels. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the global construction sector's environmental efficiency, emphasizing the urgent need for increased awareness and the adoption of sustainable practices. The study offers practical policy implications, advocating for targeted strategies to balance economic development with environmental protection.

Strategic Dynamics of India-Myanmar Relations: An Assessment

Relationships between India and Myanmar are based on common historical, ethnic, cultural, and religious experiences. The relationship between Myanmar and India has been cordial over time. The two nations' proximity has also promoted and maintained friendly relations and allowed for more interpersonal interaction. However, in the existing situation, relations seem to be hampered due to changes in geopolitical and geostrategic aspects. The Government of India (GOI) decided to end the Free Regime Movement (FMR) between India and Myanmar on February 08, 2024, to preserve the demographic makeup of the Northeastern states and to safeguard national security. Since New Delhi decided to fence the 1,643 km long border between India and Myanmar, the basic cause behind this decision is to prevent external aggression that may prove detrimental to the regional stability of the region. Myanmar is important to India both strategically and economically given its location. The nation is essential to India's ambitions to use its Act East Policy (AEP) to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, particularly among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). However, since the military took over in February 2021, political unrest has been present in Myanmar. The Arakan Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar National Democratic Army launched "Operation 1027" on October 27, 2023, against the military Junta, which further intensified the unrest and hampered India's AEP's main goals.

The Impact of Regional Economic Integration on International Commercial Law: The Cases of the EU and ASEAN

This paper explores the profound impact of regional economic integration on international commercial law by analyzing the cases of the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The study first outlines the theoretical foundations and main types of regional economic integration. It then delves into the high degree of legal unification in the EU and the flexible legal coordination in ASEAN. By comparing their legal systems, corporate law, contract law, and dispute resolution mechanisms, the paper reveals how the EU plays a leading role in international commercial law through its strict legal framework, while ASEAN achieves regional cooperation through non-binding consensus mechanisms. The research finds that regional economic integration not only enhances legal standards and innovation in international commercial law but also significantly impacts the legal compliance and business operations of multinational enterprises. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen regional legal cooperation and further harmonize international commercial law, and it suggests future research directions, including the impact of other regional economic integration organizations and deeper studies into specific legal fields.

A Study on the Trade Efficiency and Potential of China’s Agricultural Products Export to Association of South East Asian Nations Countries: Empirical Analysis Based on Segmented Products

A Study on the Trade Efficiency and Potential of China’s Agricultural Products Export to Association of South East Asian Nations Countries: Empirical Analysis Based on Segmented Products

Research on the Competitiveness and Complementarity of Agricultural Trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Research on the Competitiveness and Complementarity of Agricultural Trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Bridging Real-World Data Gaps: Connecting Dots Across 10 Asian Countries.

The economic trend and the health care landscape are rapidly evolving across Asia. Effective real-world data (RWD) for regulatory and clinical decision-making is a crucial milestone associated with this evolution. This necessitates a critical evaluation of RWD generation within distinct nations for the use of various RWD warehouses in the generation of real-world evidence (RWE). In this article, we outline the RWD generation trends for 2 contrasting nation archetypes: "Solo Scholars"-nations with relatively self-sufficient RWD research systems-and "Global Collaborators"-countries largely reliant on international infrastructures for RWD generation. The key trends and patterns in RWD generation, country-specific insights into the predominant databases used in each country to produce RWE, and insights into the broader landscape of RWD database use across these countries are discussed. Conclusively, the data point out the heterogeneous nature of RWD generation practices across 10 different Asian nations and advocate for strategic enhancements in data harmonization. The evidence highlights the imperative for improved database integration and the establishment of standardized protocols and infrastructure for leveraging electronic medical records (EMR) in streamlining RWD acquisition. The clinical data analysis and reporting system of Hong Kong is an excellent example of a successful EMR system that showcases the capacity of integrated robust EMR platforms to consolidate and produce diverse RWE. This, in turn, can potentially reduce the necessity for reliance on numerous condition-specific local and global registries or limited and largely unavailable medical insurance or claims databases in most Asian nations. Linking health technology assessment processes with open data initiatives such as the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model and the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics could enable the leveraging of global data resources to inform local decision-making. Advancing such initiatives is crucial for reinforcing health care frameworks in resource-limited settings and advancing toward cohesive, evidence-driven health care policy and improved patient outcomes in the region.

Understanding customer’s intention to adopt metaverse banking services in Pakistan: a qualitative study

Purpose The emergence of metaverse banking services (MBS) enables customers to interact and socialise in a virtual environment. However, there is a lack of research on MBS adoption. This study aims to examine the key factors influencing customer behaviour in adopting MBS, with a specific focus on Pakistan as a developing country. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 Pakistani banking customers, and the resulting data were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis using NVivo software. Findings This qualitative investigation into the determinants of MBS adoption encompasses a wide range of facilitators, inhibitors and customer resources. These findings ultimately contribute fresh perspectives to the field, challenging prevailing beliefs and offering new insights into the complex dynamics driving customer behaviour in the MBS context. Research limitations/implications Since this study only focused on Pakistan with a limited scope, future studies on MBS adoption would benefit from a comparative analysis across several countries, especially in Asian nations. Practical implications This study advances our understanding of MBS adoption by revealing key determinants of customer intentions. Moreover, it offers actionable guidance for banking professionals, marketers and policymakers to navigate the implementation of MBS and unlock promising avenues for growth and innovation. Originality/value The first scholarly inquiry into MBS adoption seeks to expand extant knowledge by elucidating customers' viewpoints, thereby revealing novel insights into the key factors that influence customer behaviour within the MBS landscape.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Lecithin Content and Bioactive Chemical Compenents of Corn Oil From Dompu District

Indonesia is one of the Asian nations that has an abundance of vegetation that can be utilized as food yields and medication. One of the plants that can be utilized as neighborhood food is the Corn plant (Zea mays L.), corn is one kind of food crop that has for some time been known and developed. Dompu Regency, located in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, is one of the largest corn producers in Indonesia. From this statement, a revolution is needed for the development of the food industry sector, namely the development of processed products from corn raw materials, namely corn oil. Corn oil extraction is carried out by the Maceration Method, a simple extraction process carried out by soaking the simplicia in a solvent for a certain time at room temperature and protected from light. Development in finding the percentage level (%) of lecithin LC-HRMS (Liquid Choromatography High-Resulution Mass Spectrometry), Among the Compounds: Percentage level (%) of bioactive lecithin compounds from major (main) components: 1-[(11Z)-octadecenoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C26H52NO7P) = 8.882%, 1-Linoleoyl-2-Hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-PC (C26H50NO7P) = 6.874%, 1 Palmitoy-Phospadicholine (C24H50NO7P) = 1.898%, 1-Oleoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-PE (C23H46NO7P) = 1.161%, 2-monolinolenin (C21H36O4) = 0.577, (2R)-2-Hydroxy-3-(phosphonooxy)propyl (11Z,14E)-11,14-icosadienoate (C23H43O7P) = 0.386 %, 1-Stearoylglycerol (C21H42O4) = 0.072.

Does Income Tax Competition Remain Relevant In Attracting FDI? The Case of ASEAN Countries

This study evaluates the impact of corporate income tax on foreign direct investment (FDI) in 6 Southeast Asian countries from 1999 to 2022, under the context of the preparation for the Global minimum tax application in many countries in and outside the region. Using classical panel data models (Fixed Effects and Random Effects model), the findings show no significant impact of corporate income tax on FDI inflows to ASEAN nations. Observing the effects of other factors on foreign investments, the study discovers the significant role of infrastructure in attracting FDI for the entire sample. Additionally, we find significant positive impacts of trade openness and significant negative impacts of political stability on FDI inflows for the developing nations in the area. Interestingly, we find positive relationships between economic shocks and FDI and the region's quick recovery of foreign investment flows. Based on the results, we provide several valuable academic and policy suggestions.

Frequency domain cross-quantile coherency and connectedness network of exchange rates: Evidence from ASEAN+3 countries

This study examines the frequency domain connectedness and synchronization between the exchange rates of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and those of China, Japan, and South Korea across quantile levels. We propose a quantile cross-spectrum of exchange rates to establish the coherency of connectedness and synchronization measurements. Our empirical results are as follows: First, the return connectedness between the exchange rates is heterogeneous, being stronger in the long run than in the short run and more pronounced under normal market conditions than under extreme market conditions. Second, the dynamic return connectedness among the exchange rates follows a similar trend in the monthly and yearly cycles. Third, exchange rate returns and volatility exhibit long-term synchronization. However, short-term heterogeneity persists across market conditions and investment horizons. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights for monetary authorities in their efforts to maintain exchange rate stability and for investors in making informed portfolio decisions.

Strengthening transformative capacities for urban sustainability: a case study of waste reform in Battambang, Cambodia

Battambang has been identified as an exemplar for sustainability city development in Cambodia due to its success with the introduction of new programs and planning initiatives, which have led to recognition of its clean and green city status by the Cambodian Government and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Limited research has been done to date to investigate how Battambang has achieved these results, compared with other rapidly urbanising cities of Cambodia and Southeast Asia. Through the lens of urban sustainability transformations, our research identifies the capacity strengths and gaps of Battambang city in preparing for and initiating the city’s urban transformation of its waste sector, applying the transformative capacities framework of Wolfram (Cities 51:121-130, 2016). Through qualitative coding of semi-structured interviews and document analysis we found that (a) particular transformative capacities provided building blocks for the development of other capacities, (b) award and recognition processes can play a role in developing transformative capacities, and (c) that the city’s culture of innovation and relatively stable population and political-economy contributed to strengthening its capacities. This research contributes knowledge for policy and practice on urban transformative capacity strengthening, as it supports a phased ‘building blocks’ approach in resource-constrained contexts.