Selected Southeast Asian Countries Research Articles

Effect of economic growth and environmental quality on tourism in Southeast Asian Countries

The tourism is an important sector in generating income for a country, nevertheless, tourism is sensitive toward the changes in economy, as well as changes in environmental quality. By employing econometric models of error correction on annual data, this study examines the influence of environmental quality, domestic and global economic growth on foreign tourist arrivals in selected Southeast Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and Singapore. The findings of this study showed that all of countries long run model were proved statistically, indicated that world economic growth as well as environmental quality affect foreign tourism arrivals.

Sanitation situations in selected Southeast Asian countries and application of innovative technologies

Sanitation coverages in selected Southeast Asian countries, namely Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, were increased from 1990 to 2015. The toilet coverage of 96, 100 and 99% was reported in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, respectively. On contrary, incidences of waterborne disease and water pollution are still in existence. This situation is due mainly to poor design, performance and maintenance of the dominantly used on-site sanitation systems (OSS) such as septic tanks, cesspools. In addition, fecal sludge (FS), which has to be emptied from these OSS, is not properly managed. There are lacks in rules and regulation on FS management (FSM). Recent research conducted at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, involved the development of innovative OSS, namely solar septic tanks, Zyclone cube toilet and septic tank effluent treatment units. The operation of solar septic tanks with increased temperatures of 40–50 °C could inactive E. coli by 4–6 logs in the effluent. The solar septic tanks enhanced the microbial degradability with increased methane gas production and reducing fecal sludge accumulation by 50%. The Zyclone cube toilet separated the toilet wastewater into solid and liquid portions, which were treated by heating and electrochemical disinfection, respectively. The septic tank effluent was further treated by a unit consisting of granular activated carbon coated with nano-silver resulting in E. coli reduction of 5–6 logs. These technologies should be applied for OSS in Southeast Asian and other developing regions for environmental improvement and public health protection.

Foreign Direct Investment and Income Inequality in Southeast Asia: a Panel Unit Root and Panel Cointegration Analysis, 1990–2013

This paper examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and income distribution in the host country as measured by the Gini coefficient. After providing some background and reviewing the extant literature, it undertakes a panel unit root and cointegration analysis that tests whether FDI has a non-linear impact on income inequality in seven selected Southeast Asian countries over the period 1990 to 2013. The paper finds strong evidence for panel cointegration using the Pedroni Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron (PP) tests. Thus, it proceeds to utilize the group-mean fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) procedure to generate long-run estimates that are unbiased and consistent. The FMOLS estimator is also extremely accurate even in panels with very heterogeneous serial correlation dynamics, fixed effects, and endogenous regressors. The results confirm the hypothesis that FDI inflows tend to raise income inequality in the short run but reduce it in the long run. In this study, the Gini index starts decreasing after FDI inflows as a percentage of GDP reaches 5.6. The fact that the Gini coefficient reaches its maximum at a relatively low level of FDI inflows suggests that sample countries are endowed with substantial absorptive capacity. In other words, they will shift into the new technological paradigm quickly, thus supporting pro-globalization claims that, on balance, FDI is more beneficial than harmful.

Financial Deepening and Corruption in Selected Southeast Asian Countries

Since the 1980s, Southeast Asian countries have deregulated their financial market sector. Numerous studies on financial market deregulation and corruption levels have argued about positive and negative links between corruption and financial deregulation in many countries. These conflicting results have motivated us to examine the impact of financial market deregulation, which leads to financial deepening, on corruption in Southeast Asian countries. We employ panel data analysis to explore whether financial deepening has a positive impact on corruption levels. Using data for 17 years, we empirically tested the relationship between financial deepening and corruption levels and found a significantly negative relationship between these two factors. When comparing our results with the South Asian region where the level of corruption is higher, we do not find any significant differences.

Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study

Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study

Comparative practices of food label claims from US, EU and selected Southeast Asian countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to fulfil gaps in knowledge regarding food packaging practices in Southeast Asia by examining the informational content of food labels on a variety of packaged foods. Design/methodology/approach – Using local and imported food products found in supermarkets in Singapore, a quantitative content analysis of food label claims in a wide range of packaged food products was conducted. A codebook was developed to capture the attributes of the food labels and claims, content categories, product names, food categories, sources of manufacture and countries of brand origin. The three main regions of analysis of country of manufacture were the USA, European Union (EU) and Southeast Asia. Findings – Analysis of food products manufactured in five Southeast Asian countries revealed the presence of various claims in food products, and a number of specific claims exceeded the percentages found in products from the USA or EU. The results showed that a significant proportion of products from Southeast Asian countries display nutrient content and nutrient function claims, as well as general marketing claims and non-nutrient claims. However, there were variations in practice amongst the five Southeast Asian countries. Research limitations/implications – The sample was limited in being collected from one geographic location. Future research needs to expand data collection both geographically and longitudinally. Practical implications – The findings are valuable for the national health authorities in addressing policies on food package labelling, and homogenization efforts pertaining to regional/international labelling policies. These in turn could influence food marketing practices. Social implications – The findings are useful in crafting educational programming and guidelines for health and nutrition education. Originality/value – This research is the first to explore food labelling practices in multiple Southeast Asian countries and compare them cross-sectionally with EU and US practices.

Executive summary of “Comparative practices of food label claims from US, EU and selected Southeast Asian countries”

Executive summary of “Comparative practices of food label claims from US, EU and selected Southeast Asian countries”

Diseases and Economic Performance: Evidence from Panel Data

The current study aims to estimate to what extent economic performance is affected by different types ofdiseases. Particularly, we intend to examine the impact of diseases such as dengue, TB and HIV on GDP percapita in selected Southeast Asian countries. The panel data analysis and cointegration estimation technique areadopted to achieve the objectives of the study. The findings reveal that the variables move together in thelong-run, and the results confirmed by three cointegration tests: Johansen-Fisher, Kao and Pedroni. Additionally,the coefficients estimated using FMOLS and confirmed by DOLS. Most importantly, it has been shown thatshocks to human capital (diseases) have a large adverse impact on economic performance, especially; dengue,TB and HIV. The second major finding was that the role of human capital is found to be very crucial expressedby education and labor. The findings of this study suggest that reduction of diseases can lead to considerableimprovement in economic performance.

Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study

The study on the “Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: A Comparative Study” reveals the intent of the researcher to investigate on the commonalities of cultural values in the community life and lifestyles of some selected Southeast Asian countries based on selected short stories of ASEAN literature. These selections were all written during the period from 1950s – 1990s against a background of profound political, social, and psychological change.

Social Protection and Poverty Reduction in Four Selected Southeast Asian Countries: An Analysis of the Healthcare Sector towards Pro-Poor Growth

This study explores key ideas needed in the current debate on the development of healthcare schemes and programs against poverty in four selected Southeast Asian countries; Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. It also traces the reasons why some of these countries have failed to achieve relative pro-poor growth through healthcare schemes. Using the poverty line of the four selected countries and Panel Data Analysis, the present study found that in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam, poor people do not benefit from the healthcare services provided by the government. In Vietnam the situation is even worse as the results showed that an increase in government expenditure on health led to increased poverty incidences. One of the possibilities for this to occur is that when government increases expenditure in healthcare sector, this causes a trade-off in other logistic sectors.

Challenges of learning English in Australia towards students coming from selected Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia

The paper will explore the challenges students from selected South East Asian countries (Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia) face while studying English in Australia before entering into Australian University courses. These students must contend not only with different styles of teaching and learning, but also with the challenge of adapting to a new culture. The study was conducted at one of the largest language institutions in Melbourne (affiliated with a major University), and the results collected draw on the English learning experiences of nine students (three Vietnamese, three Thai and three Indonesian) and two language teachers. Semi-structured interviews were adopted as the primary data collection method, and this allowed the major problems that these students experience while studying English for University entry to be identified. The findings of this paper include reasons why Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian students find it difficult to study in Australia, and possible solutions for overcoming these difficulties and improving the English proficiency of students from these countries.

The perception of the European Union in Southeast Asia

The article examines the external image of the EU among elites in five selected Southeast Asian countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines. Southeast Asia offers an interesting area for examining perceptions. Firstly, this region is linked to Europe by a long-standing and prosperous trade relationship. Secondly, the Association of South East Asian Nations has embarked on a process of deepening integration, adopting certain elements of the EU in its design. How desirable is the EU experience as an example of how to deepen integration? And how are EU external policies such as trade, human rights and environment perceived by stakeholders in the region? The article analyses perceptions on the themes of integration and external polices, contrasting them with the scholarly understandings of the EU as a ‘benign’ actor, notably the notions of ‘normative’, ‘civilian’ and ‘soft’ power.

An Exploratory Inquiry of the Feldstein-Horioka Puzzle in Selected Southeast Asian Countries

This study reexamines the Feldstein-Horioka puzzle in selected Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The long-run equilibrium is estimated using the bounds testing procedure by Pesaran, Shin, and Smith (2001) while the causal relationship between savings and investment utilizes Granger non-causality test of Toda and Yamamoto (1995). The estimators from these two procedures do not seem to support a positive correlation between savings and investment in these three countries as found by Feldstein and Horioka (1980).

Outlook for meat markets to 2020:Global and Southeast Asia regional perspectives

Outlook for pork, poultry and beef markets are examined at global level and also for selected Southeast Asian countries. Data are derived from a number simulation forecasting models. The 2007-2008 price hikes for some commodities have significantly changed some of the earlier projections. It is projected that demand for meat will continue to grow especially in the emerging developing countries and prices will remain at a high level, though at a lower level than the recent hikes. Most increased consumption will come from increased domestic production but trade volume will also increase significantly. Export market will remain limited to a few countries but market share of some exporters will change, the most important change is the significantly increased export share of Brazil and a sizeable reduction of some of the traditional exporters like USA and EU. In case of import also there will be significant changes, the main feature is increase in the number importers due to small but steady increase in the import volume in a number emerging countries. In Southeast Asia, production in all the countries will increase in response to rapidly increasing demand but net trade will also increase in a number of countries. In Vietnam, the projected net trade from the global and regional simulation models are much smaller than the one projected by the government. Several policy issues need to be addressed for development of the livestock sector in Vietnam. With respect to the export expansion strategy of the government, some of the main questions that need to be carefully analyzed and addressed are related to the equity (both inter-regional and inter-farm size), efficiency and environmental consequences of industrialization, geographic concentration and zoning of production, the mechanism for ensuring food quality, safety standards, and the implications of high feed prices on organization, efficiency of production for domestic as well as export market.

The Effect of Balassa-Samuelson in South-East Asia

High growth in the South-East Asian countries for the past three decades should imply high increases in productivity to reveal the Balassa-Samuelson (BS) effect of high growth accompanied by real exchange rate (RER) appreciation. This paper examines the effects of productivity increases by developing a robust unrestricted error correction model (UECM) of RER based on a class of theories of time-varying equilibrium exchange rates as opposed to the conventional PPP-based theory. An empirical study was carried out on four selected Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. This work suggests that the effects of productivity increases may be more complicated than what the theory suggests and points to the possibility that the Balassa-Samuelson is affected by the stage of economic development rather than mere productivity increases.

Exchange Rate Pass-Through for Selected Southeast Asian Countries

Long- and short-run exchange rate pass-through coefficients were estimated for Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines using a simple model based on absolute purchasing power parity. Results were lower than 0.30 for all four countries. Cointegration tests confirmed the existence of a long-run relationship between CPI, GDP, exchange rate, and the U.S. PPI for the countries studied. However, the post-estimation tests showed that a more comprehensive model may need to be developed. The low coefficients reflect the success of the countries in stabilizing their inflation levels, though implying that exchange rate interventions may be less effective in restoring trade balance.

Success Criteria and Factors for International Development Projects: A Life-Cycle-Based Framework

The paper presents a new conceptual model for not-for-profit international development projects that identifies different sets of success criteria and factors in the project life-cycle phases and then provides the dynamic linkages among these criteria and factors. The model can serve as a basis to evaluate the project status and to forecast the results progressively throughout the stages. Thus, it helps the project management team and the key stakeholders prioritize their attention and scarce development resources to ensure successful project completion. Empirical data from a field survey conducted in selected Southeast Asian countries confirm the model's validity and also illustrate important managerial implications.

Financing old age in Southeast Asia: an overview.

"The main purpose here is to provide an overview of the social security arrangements in selected Southeast Asian countries. Given the significant differences in these countries in the underlying philosophy, design and detailed provisions concerning social security arrangements, a country-by-country rather than a comparative approach is adopted." The countries analyzed are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

A method for estimating non-commercial energy consumption in the household sector of developing countries

A method for estimating non-commercial energy consumption in the household sector of developing countries is presented. It has been observed that the energy demand for cooking is not income-elastic. The average requirement per person and hence the total requirement, both in useful energy terms, can be determined. The actual total commercial energy consumption for cooking is converted to useful energy terms and subtracted from this total to give a residual which is the estimated total amount of non-commercial energy used for cooking. The residual may be converted to delivered or primary energy by using an appropriate conversion factor. Using this method, the annual consumption of non-commercial energy has been estimated for selected Southeast Asian countries between 1960 and 1980.