Tạp chí của Trường Đại học Mở Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
REASONS FOR CUSTOMERS RELUCTANCE TO USE ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS – A STUDY IN HOCHIMINH CITY
This study aims to investigate reasons why customers are reluctant to use e-payment and how these reasons explain their impacted values, with the following research objectives: (1) to identify characteristics of electronic payment generating the resistance of customers to this E-payment; (2) to explore the connections between those characteristics and values of individuals through the consequences from these characteristics; (3) to propose suggestions for service providers and financial institutes to develop appropriate strategic plans to motivate e-payment in Vietnam. To address these research objectives, the means-end chain (MEC) theory is employed with hard laddering interviews as data collection methods. Then, the collected data are analysed by Association Pattern Technique (APT) and used to build the Hierarchical Value Map (HVM). The HVM indicates five main reasons which bar customers from using e-payment: (1) lack of information about e-payment and its benefits, (2) security vulnerabilities in online payment systems, (3) unavailability of legal laws to protect e-payment users, (4) unpopularity of e-payment, and (5) transaction fees and no discount for e-payment. The Value map also revealed that Safety is the most crucial value explaining why most customers are unwilling to use e-payment. Besides, the respondents also care about the Economy and the Convenience of e-payment. From these findings, the study offers some suggestions for banks and service providers to increase the popularity of e-payments.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAMESE LISTED COMPANIES
The research aims to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance in Vietnam - a developing economy in Asia. It focuses on the corporate governance of Vietnamese listed companies with a data-set of five-year period from 2011 to 2015. Vietnamese listed companies are governed and controlled by two boards, Board of Directors and Supervisory Board. The research investigates the impacts of directors' and supervisors' characteristics and ownership structure on firm performance. The outcomes reveal that most governance mechanisms employed by Vietnamese listed companies were not effective and had no effect on the companies' performance, except for managerial ownership and Supervisory Board size. Specifically, management ownership and firm performance were negatively correlated. Additional analyses show a positive relationship between the number of supervisors and firm performance, which was measured by market-based measurement.
REASONS FOR MIGRATING TO HO CHI MINH CITY
During the last 20 years, Vietnam has had a prompt economic development, the people have the trend for emigrating from the rural to urban areas, industrial zones and the trading-service centre where it is essential for labor needs to serve for the industrial and service development in order to look for the better jobs. The wave of emigrants have not only contributed to an increase in population in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and other urban centers in Vietnam, but also augmented a pressure in the infrastructure system and the issues of social life. With method of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), this research had indicated the main factors impacting on making a decision for migration to the Ho Chi Minh City, by the collected data directly from 277 surveyed forms of immigrants to HCMC. There are 6 decisive factors including: (1) HCMC's politics and policies; (2) the family situation and the embroilment of the friends and fellow-countrymen; (3) better quality needs of life and individual aspirations; (4) the job opportunities and occupational development conditions; (5) the job demands with stable incomes; and (6) the marriage and living with relatives.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERVICE QUALITY, PRICE PERCEPTION, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY: A STUDY IN NGUOI BAN VANG – A PAWN SERVICE COMPANY IN HO CHI MINH CITY
This study aims to investigate the relationship between service quality, price perception, customer satisfaction and loyalty. Survey method was applied with the sample size of 350 conducted with Nguoi Ban Vang pawnshops located in Ho Chi Minh City. The study results showed that service quality, price perception, and a new factor identified through the exploratory factor analysis, named staff competency, have significant impact on customer satisfaction at the significance 0.05 level. The research also found that customer satisfaction impacts positively significantly on customer loyalty at 0.01 level. These results imply that pawnshops should focus on increasing service quality, improving pricing policies and staff competence in order to gain customer satisfaction and their loyalty.
USER’S SATISFACTION WITH INFORMATION SYSTEM QUALITY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN HOCHIMINH CITY, VIETNAM
User satisfaction with information system quality has long been a substantial topic in the literature of information system (IS). Based on the key constructs of IS success model (including system quality and information quality) and technology acceptance model (including perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness), this paper builds and validates a theoretical framework to explain user satisfaction with information system quality. A survey study with AMOS-SEM analysis of 363 users of management information systems in 9 hospitals in HCMC, Vietnam showed that 12 of 14 hypotheses were empirically supported. The findings affirmed the direct influence of system quality, information quality and top management support on perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and trust, and then on user satisfaction. The results also reinforced the impact of perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness, and the joint influence of perceived usefulness and trust on user satisfaction. The paper is among the first studies, in the healthcare sector, to empirically identify both information system quality and top management support in predicting user acceptance of and satisfaction with information system implementation in organizational settings. The theoretical and managerial implications of the paper were derived.
RE-VISTING THE INTERRELATEDNESS BETWEEN SPATIALITY AND TEMPORALITY IN MIGRATION RESEARCH
There have been a lot of debates over the relationality between spatiality and temporality in extant migration research. In terms of space, several strands of research have focused on exploring migrants' strategies for migration and relocation, implicitly considering migration as a complete sojourn. However, migrants tend to establish and maintain transnational ties across spaces, making migration an on-going process. Others have examined how migrants sustain transnational activities and relationships over time. Migration, in the latter sense, becomes a complex process involving multiple times and spaces. Migrants' mobilities are shaped and reshaped by their past memories, present relocation experiences, and aspirations for the future, as well as the influences of the immobilities of others and things across spaces. This raises theoretical questions about how time is embedded in space and what time and space mean to migrants. This paper argues that the core of the debates is grounded in the ways migrants experience subjectivities in defining what their mobilities mean to them. This argument is presented through a literature analysis of key research on the interrelated issues of temporality and spatiality, roots and routes, as well as assimilation and dissimilation that partly contribute to the meanings of mobilities. It offers an overview of current research on transnationalism and advances the current debates on temporality and spatiality. In this paper, temporality and spatiality in migration are conceptualized as dynamic and intertwined entities, rather than fixed or linear processes. This conceptualization is hoped to clarify the ways in which researchers often become divergent in their research strands, leaving gaps in understandings of current migration schemes.
THE EFFECT OF INTEGRATING TEACHING CROSS-CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE AND TEACHING LISTENING SKILL IN TERTIARY EDUCATION ON IMPROVING EFL STUDENTS' INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE
Teaching cross-cultural knowledge in language teaching is drawing more and more attention nowadays. This study investigated the effect of integrating teaching cross-cultural issues and teaching listening skill on students' intercultural competence. The participants were 30 Vietnamese students of English as a foreign language (EFL) who participated in the course on Listening 2 in the second year of their MBA program in Kien Giang University, Vietnam. The study consisted of an experimental study based on a pretest-posttest research design on integration of cross-cultural issues and teaching listening. The intercultural sensitivity self-assessment questionnaire (ISSAQ) that serves as a pre-test at the beginning of the semester is based on the theoretical framework put forth by Bennett and Bennett (2004). It is to elicit a self-assessment of their intercultural knowledge, behaviors and attitudes. During the ten-week intervention, besides helping students master the language and listening skill, the researcher helped promote students' cross-cultural competence with the process-oriented intercultural teaching mode by Li (2016). At the end of the course, the posttest was given to measure the effects of the integration model on students' intercultural communication competence. The results of the study suggested that integrating cross-cultural knowledge and language teaching could improve EFL students' intercultural communication competence (ICC).
PERSPECTIVES OF LECTURERS’ BELIEFS ON INTEGRATING INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY INTO E-LEARNING SYSTEM
This study aims to explore how lecturers' perceptions about technology integration into online teaching and learning differ depending on their differences in age, gender, teaching experience and IT level in the context of the e-learning system of Hochiminh City Open University. An online questionnaire was delivered to individual emails of 101 lecturers operating at least one online subject. The results showed all the university online lecturers strongly consent that computers outweigh traditional face-to-face teaching methods. Nevertheless, insufficient guidance on how to properly and productively combine IT into lectures is their greatest of concern. Next, teaching seniority and gender - two personal attributes - are so useful indicators for selecting most appropriate online instructors, however IT certificates. Those all intensively credit for the university management to properly build-up IT capacity for their teaching staff within their online learning system. Accordingly, some useful and practical implications in starting-up a technology love culture in the institutional environment are proposed
THE REVOLUTION IN ONLINE LEARNING AND IMPLICATION IN VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITIES
Online education has rapidly become popular worldwide in higher education. There are massive open online courses which could be found in Coursera and EDX. These courses ensure the availability and the accessibility of the online learning through videos with subtitles. Online learning not only gives students unprecedented opportunities to learn, but also reduces the cost of higher education. However, online learning presents unit challenges compared to traditional learning, especially in Vietnamese education. In this paper, we present the advantages and disadvantages of online learning. In particular, we will show the advantages and disadvantages of taking online courses of Vietnamese students. We will also share our experience as a tutor of Funix University which is the first online university in Vietnam. In addition, we will give feasible suggestions to improve the quality of online learning in Vietnamese universities, especially the quality of assessment in online learning. These suggestions could be applied in building new online courses in the universities.
IMPACTS OF ONLINE FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT ON EFL STUDENTS’ WRITING ACHIEVEMENT
There have been a number of studies on the effects of formative assessment on Learning Management System on EFL writing achievement. Nevertheless, in the context of Vietnam, little research has been done on education technology that enhances online formative assessment in teaching writing. In an attempt to further the previous research nationwide and worldwide, this study examined the impacts of formative assessment on students' writing achievement in a writing course of Learning Management System Schoology. A quasi-experimental design was carried out among two groups of fifty undergraduate Vietnamese students over a fifteen-week writing course using the main activity named online discussion board. The data analysis from the writing test scores suggested that there was statistically significant difference between treatment group and control group of participants. It is recommended that teachers should employ online formative assessment in teaching writing to help improve writing achievement among EFL learners in Vietnam and similar contexts.
COMBINED LEARNING, A GOOD SOLUTION FOR VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITIES
Information technology has created tremendous chances in higher education across the globe. With the availability and flexibility of learning online, there are increasing competitions between online learning and traditional, face-to-face classroom. These two types of learning both have their pros and cons. From the advantages and disadvantages of online learning, universities have recently changed the way of their teaching through combining online learning and traditional classroom. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate and understand the advancements of the combination of the two types of learning. In this paper, we will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of online learning and the combined learning. We also share our experience on teaching at Flinders University, South Australia through Flinders learning online system. From this knowledge, we will suggest some solutions about building a combined learning system which is suitable for Vietnamese universities.
THEATER IN EDUCATION AT HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY IN VIETNAM: STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES IN ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE CLASSES
This study examined whether the students participating in the drama program "THEATER IN EDUCATION: English and American Literature Classes' Performances, 2017" at Ho Chi Minh City Open University in Vietnam perceived the benefits and challenges of the Theater in Education method as demonstrated in previous research in the field of foreign language learning. The data needed was collected by means of a questionnaire that consisted of seven questions. Similarities and differences between the findings of the study and what had been reported in previous research studies were then discussed. Hopefully, this study is informative for those interested in the adoption of the Theater in Education method in foreign literature classes at the faculty of foreign languages of a university.
LECTURERS AND E-LECTURERS IN CROSS-BORDER EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Nowadays, globalization has given birth to various forms of non-traditional education. These forms of education are transcending borders and traversing boundaries of space and time. The evolution of information technology in the context of Industry 4.0 has transformed education rapidly and, at the same time, resulted in new problems. This paper discusses the role, the importance and the relationship between lecturers (in universities) and e-lecturers (in the virtual reality environment) when implementing cross-border education. In addition, the article also mentions the changes of universities, lecturers, curriculums and teaching methods when deploying distance e-learning programs in Industry 4.0. The article uses conceptual model, diagrams and interdisciplinary methods such as education, culture, science and technology to investigate e-lecturers' concept and provide solutions for improving the capacity of lecturers and the quality of teaching cross-border training programs in universities
STUDENTS AND YOUNG UNIVERSITY STAFF DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
This article aims at presenting the current state of students' capacity for learning and competencies of young staff members in Vietnamese universities. Then, we imply some orientations to improve students' capacity for learning and young lecturers' capacity for teaching in the 4th industrial revolution such as: Application of technology in teaching - education management and international affair.
MODELLING OF A VACUUM CONSOLIDATION PROJECT IN VIETNAM
Ground improvement technique by prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) in combination with vacuum preloading is widely used to facilitate consolidation process and reduce residual settlement. However, this technique seem hardly be estimated by both analytical method and numerical method because it has complex boundary conditions (such as vacuum pressure changing with time). Moreover, lateral displacements caused by this technique are also significant problem. Numerical modelling may be an effective design tool to estimate behavior of soft soil treated by this method, however it needs to have a proper calibration of input parameters. This paper introduces a matching scheme for selection of soil/drain properties in analytical solution and numerical modelling (axisymmetric and plane strain conditions) of a ground improvement project by using Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD) in combination with vacuum and surcharge preloading. In-situ monitoring data from a case history of a road construction project in Vietnam was adopted in the back-analysis. Analytical solution and axisymmetric analysis can approximate well the field data meanwhile the horizontal permeability need to be adjusted in plane strain scenario to achieve good agreement. In addition, the influence zone of the ground treatment was examined. The residual settlement was investigated to justify the long-term settlement in compliance with the design code. Moreover, the degree of consolidation of non-PVD sub-layers was also studied by means of two different approaches.
EFFECTS OF SOME FACTORS ON CAROTENOID BIOSYNTHESIS BY RHODOTORULA MUCLAGINOSA
Carotenoid compounds are the popular natural antioxidants which are often isolated from plants. There have been more and more researches on carotenoid biosynthesis towards lowering product prices. In this study, in order to produce carotenoid, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was grown on aqueous media composed of carbon source (glucose, glycerol), nitrogen source (yeast extract, (NH4)2SO4). The optimum nutrient concentration was 10g/L glucose, 10g/L glycerol, the ratio of yeast extract and (NH4)2SO4 (3:7). The fermentation time for obtaining the highest carotenoid yield was 10 days in our research condition. Additionally, some oxidative stress environment for Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was be studied. The result has shown that the low level of Cu2+ (4.5mM) or 1% H2O2 solution (% v/v) in the fermentation media could increase the carotenoid biosynthesis.
BIG-EGED BUGS GEOCORIS: DIETS RESEARCH AND POTENTIAL OF USE IN PREVENTION OF A NUMBER OF INSECT PESTS IN VIETNAM
Big-eyed bugs Geocoris spp. (Lygaeidae, Hemiptera) are small insects that is found in many parts of the world. They are beneficial because they eat a multitude of insect pests in agriculture. Big-eyed bugs Geocoris spp. are insects that receive research attention in Florida and elsewhere because of the benefits that this species give to plants (Mead, 2001). Big-eyed bugs reproduce many generations in a year on weeds, perennial crops, bushes. In spring the female big-eyed bugs start laying eggs on the bud, the leaves of the host plant. Understanding the biology and the role of predator Geocoris spp. in ecosystem will provide an alternative method in sustainable agriculture development. In this short review, we discuss some convenient diets for the application of mass rearing Geocoris spp.
APPLIED BIOINFORMATICS TOOLS FOR ANALYSIS OF MICRORNA-214 EXPRESSION AND PREDICTION OF ITS POTENTIAL TARGETS GENES IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA
miRNA (microRNA) are short RNA molecules in length from 20 to 24 nucleotides that have been shown to play an important role in regulating gene expression in many different types of human cancer. Meanwhile, miRNA-214 is one of the known miRNAs involved in the formation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) through overexpression that promotes proliferation and development of cancer cells. However, in Vietnam, the study of miR-214 related to NPC has not been conducted yet. With the aims to develop the further studies of miR-214 on NPC in Vietnamese patients, in this initial study, we conducted the analysis of miR-214 expression in previous publications, as well as the prediction of miR-214 potential target genes, which involved in many cellular pathways. Here we applied bioinformatics tools to predict miRNAs and their targets, and discuss the role of miR-214 in the context of human cancers. As the results, miR-214 acted as the oncogenic roles in NPC, relevanted to many pathways, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and invasion through the its target genes LTF, Bim, Bax, LINC0086, etc. In conclusion, the use of computional approaches facilitate the further experimental validation of miRNAs in general, particularly miR-214, in Vietnamese NPC patients.
INTERACTIONS OF PHLEBOPUS SPONGIOSUS WITH SEVERAL SOIL FUNGI AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ITS CULTURE BROTH
An edible ectomycorrhizal fungus Phlebopus spongiosus have been found in pomelo orchards (Citrus maxima). The culture broth of Ph. spongiosus became darker after ca. 3 weeks of inoculation. The dry production of culture broth extract (culture extract) was 0.30 ± 0.09 g per culture (20 ml broth in a 50 ml flask). Both 5% and 10% solution of the culture extract shows the antibacterial activities on growth of all tested Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis and a Gram negative bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans but not on the other Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Asaia bogorensis. On PDA plates, Ph. spongiosus showed the inhibition on the growth of soil fungi Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus niger, whereas it was invaded by that of a mycoparasite Trichoderma viride. Further studies on physiological and ecological characteristics and principal components for the activities of culture exudates in laboratory is necessary to find the applicable profits from this fungus
META-ANALYSIS: ASSOCATION BETWEEN PROMOTER HYPERMETHYLATION OF DAPK (DEATH-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN KINASE) AND CERVICAL CANCER
Purpose: Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK or DAPK1) is an important tumor suppressor protein that involved in the regulation of cell activities. The aberrant methylation of DAPK promoter has been reported in patients with cervical cancer. However, the association between of DAPK1 and cervical cancer was not always unification, in previous studies. Therefore, in current study, a meta-analysis was performed for association of between DAPK gene's promoter hypermethylated and cervical cancer. Methods: A systematic literature analysis was conducted based on the previous studies published in PubMed, PubMed Central (NCBI), Google by using following keywords: cervical cancer, cervical carcinoma, Methylation, by the end of January, 2018. The association between DAPK promoter methylation and cervical cancer was evaluated by odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). To evaluate the potential sources of heterogeneity, the meta-regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted. Results: A total of 21 case-control studies which relevant to the association between DAPK1 gene's promoter methylation frequency and cervical cancer, that including 1600 cancer cases and 1011 control cases (non-cancerous cases). The analysis results indicated that the characteristic of candidate gene's promoter methylation increased the cervical cancer risk through the calculation of OR value (OR = 21.25; 95% CI = 8.73 - 52.97; p < 0.001; Random effect model). The association between DAPK1 gene's promoter hypermethylation was confirmed in all the subgroups analyses, including materials and assays methods, ethnicity. Furthermore, this association is higher in cervical squamous cell carcinoma than cervical adenocarcinoma and is a characteristic of late-stage disease. Conclusion: The hypermethylated DAPK1 gene’s promoter was also one of etiological factor, lead to the cervical tumorigenesis.
IN SILICO SINGLE POLYMORPHISM ANALYSIS OF RPMS1 AND A73 GENE IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most frequent cancer types in Vietnam, with high mortality rate. Therefore, the early diagnosis and detection of NPC is urgently needed to improve patient survival. Recent studies have confirmed that the infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and polymorphism in RPMS1 and A73 are considered as the etiological factor associated with NPC. However, in Vietnam, there are no studies relevant to the identification of polymorphism of RMPS1 and A73. With the aims, in future, to develop a technique based on detecting the frequencies of RPMS1 and A73 variants as biomarkers of prognosis and early diagnosis of NPC, we conducted the initial in silico analysis (1) Data collection, statistical analysis the frequencies detection of RPMS1 and A73 variants from various previous published studies; (2) Determine experimental methods to predict and diagnose early NPC and examine necessary steps in silico. As the results, we established the systematic databases of RPMS1 and A73 polymorphism, and evaluation the primer set for the amplification of RPMS1 and A73, which could be applied in further studies related to the identification of RPMS1 and A73 gene polymorphism to find out the potential biomarkers for screening, diagnosis as well as NPC treatment.
METHYLATION OF ECADHERIN GENE IS CORRELATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA: A META-ANALYSIS
Background: The objective of this study was to estimate the correlation between the Ecadherin (CDH1) promoter methylation and the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. Methods: Based on previous online articles for the evaluation the hypermethylated status of CDH1 gene at the promoter region with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, two independent reviewers selected studies through databases on PubMed, Google Scholar from 2001 to 2014. The softwared MedCalc® version 18.11 was applied for calculating pooled odd ratios (OR) with levels of data heterogeneity by the fixed and random effects models. Results: Of a total of 99 articles, 12 studies with 508 clinical samples of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and 282 normal samples were selected in the systematic review for meta-analysis. Overall, the results demonstrated the highly significant association between CDH1 promoter methylation with nasopharyngeal carcinoma under the fixed effects model (OR = 16.155, 95% CI: 8.533 - 30.585, p<0.001). The further subgroup analysis was conducted on types of samples, methods for detecting CDH1 methylation and patient ethnicity. In particularly, the results indicated the frequency of CDH1 promoter methylation was significant higher in nasopharyngeal cancer samples than normal samples in Asia (OR = 15.879; 95% CI: 7.28 - 34.608, p<0.001), Africa (OR = 10.667; 95% CI: 1.214 - 93.719, p<0.001) and America (OR = 3.9362; 95% CI: 0.1779 - 87.107, p>0.001). Conclusion: This study proposed the strong association between CDH1 promoter methylation and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Asia and other populations. For this reason, the abnormal methylation in CDH1 gene should be a potential hallmark of prognosis and diagnosis for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
FACTORS OF THE BRAND IMAGE INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ CHOICES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN HO CHI MINH CITY
The awareness of brand image increasingly becomes a great importance in students' choices towards higher education institution. This study aims to investigate factors of brand image which influence the choices of students in terms of postgraduate universities, the case of three universities in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC): International University HCMC, Economics University HCMC, University of Economics and Law HCMC. Focus group and paper-based techniques are applied to build questionnaire forming. The surveys of 450 samples would be collected by email survey technique. The qualitative method of factor analysis and ANOVA are used for this study. The results show the positive significance of human resource quality, program quality, infrastructure, cost and reputation of the universities to students' choices. Besides, there is an influence between type of job and students' choices.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONLINE TRUST, CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT AND EWOM
This study aims to investigate the influence of e-quality and online trust on customer engagement and e-word of mouth. In particular, this study explored and analyzed a relatively new relationship, the impact of customer engagement on e-word of mouth. The measurement model and conceptual model describing the relationships hypothesized in the study was evaluated, based on responses from 370 online purchasing customers who are students or office workers in Ho Chi Minh City. E-quality has a direct impact on online trust, which impacts online customer engagement of customers and e-word of mouth. Online trust has a direct affect on customer engagement and e-word-of-mouth. In particular, online engagement impacts on e-word of mouth. This study provides not only theoretical and practical meaning, and enables companies to realize the importance of customer engagement and e-word of mouth but also a number of solutions to help businesses build and increase their customer engagement and positive e-word of mouth.
UNDERSTANDING KEY DRIVERS OF ATTITUDES TOWARD INCOME INEQUALITY IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION
Attitude toward income inequality and its drivers have attracted great attention from policymakers around the globe. Nevertheless, it appears that there is a shortage of empirical studies on the issue, at least in the context of the Asia-Pacific region - the World's most dynamic economic region. This study is conducted to determine key drivers of attitude toward income inequality from various demographic factors, including Gender, Age, Political party, Education, Supervision, Family income, and Class. Available data for 19 countries at different level of economic growth and development in the region are collected from World Values Survey in 2016. The findings from this empirical study suggest that the role of each demographic factor as a significant explanation of variation in the attitude toward income inequality is different across nations in the study. In addition, a set of demographic factors, significantly contributing to the variation in attitude toward income inequality, varies across selected countries in the study. Among the demographic factors, Supervision and Class tend to be dominant factors in explaining variation in the attitude toward income inequality
3PL PROVIDER SELECTION IN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY USING THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS: A CASE STUDY IN OIL-FIELD SERVICES COMPANY X
This study aims to: (1) Summarize the criteria for selecting 3PL Provider in supply chain management from literature review and apply these criteria to build the criteria model in choosing 3PL Provider for oilfield services company X for the purpose of expanding their market in the oil and gas industry and (2) Analyze, evaluate two 3PL Providers, along with a new 3PL Provider and suggest the strategy for selecting the suitable 3PL Provider to meet the specific requirements from company X. By arranging in-depth interviews with ten people with different positions, including Operation Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Manager, Base Manager and Logistics Specialist, along with AHP approach and expert choice 11.0 software support in collecting, processing and synthesizing data to evaluate and determine the appropriate 3 PL Provider for company X. In this study, three 3PL Providers have been chosen for analyzing and evaluating - 3PL Provider A, B, and C. The final results demonstrate that there are six main criteria and 13 sub-criteria in choosing 3PL Provider for oilfield services company X. The six main criteria are Performance, Price, Services, Quality assurance, IT system and Intangible values. The results and hypothetical situations have also been presented and discussed again with the expert logistics group to get their feedbacks about the practicability of the built model. The expert logistics group has agreed that the built criteria model and results are appropriate and adequate for evaluating and selecting a suitable 3PL Provider from company's specific demands. Consequently, this study can also be applied for similar purposes in other companies and shipping agents who need to work with outsourcing logistics services in oil and gas industry by using this built criteria model and synthesis results to find out the right decision for selecting 3PL Provider.
THE INTERACTION OF SERVICE QUALITY, CUSTOMER VALUE, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ON CUSTOMER’S BEHAVIOUR INTENTION USING CELLULAR/MOBILE SERVICE IN HO CHI MINH CITY
Based on theoretical models of Cornin et al. (1999, 2000) and Wang et al. (2004), the purpose of this study is to answer the following question: Does customer value, an intermediary factor, affect service quality, customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions? The research was conducted from a sample of 194 consumers in Ho Chi Minh city. Scales of the research was developed through Cronbach's alpha test, exploratory factor analysis EFA, Path Analysis which pointed out that customer value is an intermediary factor in the cause and effect relationship among the following factors: service quality, customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. This was due to the fact that improvement satisfaction results in positive behavior Cornin et al. (1999, 2000) such as loyalty, not only service quality but also focus on customer value as well. Besides, the result of research also found three components: network quality, significant tangible impact on customer value, customer satisfaction. It was undeniable that the service supplier should pay attention to those factors in order to satisfy customers.
EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTEGRATED ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS (AIS) IN ERP ENVIRONMENT OF VIETNAMESE GARMENT COMPANIES
Identifying factors defining the effectiveness of integrated AIS in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) environment is really a challenging task. In our research, the effectiveness of integrated AIS in ERP is presented in the form of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) model. This study analyzes data collected from 178 Vietnamese garment companies with AIS in ERP environment. Then, Cronbach's Alpha test and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) are conducted to assess the reliability of variables. The result identifies 28 variables from Vietnamese garment companies' managers view grouped into 4 dimensional constructs of BSC model that define the effectiveness of integrated AIS in ERP environment. The conclusion on garment companies' AIS evaluation factors paves the way for future research on other Vietnamese industries' AIS evaluation in ERP environment.
FRICION IN MOBILITIES: MIGRATING TO ESCAPE
This study investigates professional migration from Vietnam to Australia and discusses one set of migration decisions previously published by Nguyen (2015). By analysing the migration decisions made by 15 Vietnamese migrant students under multiple intersecting influences, the study conceptualizes decision-making processes using Heideggerian terms friction and possibilities. This paper contributes to findings by previous research in that migration decisions are neither formed by pushes from the sending country nor pulls from the receiving country. Instead, migrants are regarded as active agents striving to manoeuvre their ontological beings by realizing interrelated possibilities out of constraints caused by their encounters with political, economic, social and familial structures that shape their aspirations for migration.
DETERMINANTS OF CONSUMERS’ PURCHASING INTENTIONS TOWARD ORGANIC FOODS: A STUDY IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) this research investigates the factors explaining the purchasing intention of organic food among consumers living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and identifies factors influencing their attitude toward buying organic foods. The quantitative method with Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Model (SEM) from 370 valid questionnaires was used. The study found that health consciousness & food safety, environmental consciousness & consumer knowledge, and availability product impact significantly on consumer attitude toward buying organic food; Customer attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control have a significant influence on their purchasing intention. The findings of the study provide useful information to marketers for increasing organic food's consumption in Vietnam. The findings imply that marketing activity should focus on the change of people's attitude and lifestyles to increase the consumption organic food in Ho Chi Minh City.