Asia Social Issues

Water and Sanitation Services at the Local Government Level in Bangladesh: An Analysis of SDG 6 Implementation Status and Way Forward

Imran Hossain, S. M. Akram Ullah, A. K. M. Mahmudul Haque — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This study looks into the state of SDG 6 implementation at the local government level in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) with a focus on water and sanitation services. The research adopts a mixed-method approach and in-depth interviews to collect primary data. The study analyses the collected data using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. It has been found that large numbers of people do not always have access to enough water, demonstrating the problem of water scarcity in the region. According to the study, only a small percentage of participants tested their drinking water, which suggests that participants were not aware of the importance of water quality. Additionally, the lack of personal water purification and reuse systems is revealed by the research, indicating a gap in sustainable water management practices. Most of the city dwellers expressed dissatisfaction with the authority’s management of the water supply, indicating insufficient oversight and governance. The findings highlight the need for improved infrastructures, water treatment techniques, education campaigns, and governance mechanisms to effectively meet SDG 6 targets and guarantee residents of RCC access to clean water and sanitary facilities.

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and Circular Economy (CE): A Rapid Review of their Conceptual Relationships

Sayam Aroonsrimorakot, Meena Laiphrakpam — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0700

There is an increasing interest among scholars and practitioners of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and Circular Economy (CE) as these concepts are interrelated in business operations to foster economic growth with environmental sustainability. Both CSCM and CE aim to safeguard the environment, by reducing the utilization of resources and decreasing environmental depletion by managing supply chains using green production systems. However, the relationship between these concepts is not available in the literature. This article aims to fill up the gap in the literature by adopting a rapid review method, reviewing literature from reliable sources indexed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and other Web of Science, published during the year 2011-2022, with aims to provide definitions of GSCM, CE and their significance; relationships of GSCM and CE. The article discusses that both concepts are closely related in their aims, characteristics, benefits, and ways of implementation, as they need an integrated green framework in all aspects, including management, resource usage, marketing, distribution, reverse logistics, etc. The article concludes that both concepts are concerned with environmental and economic sustainability, as enforcement of GSCM and CE benefits the economy, the environment, and society.

Strategies to Apply Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to the Way of Life for Youth in The Greater Mekong Sub-region

Nawin Promjisa, Tongrak Jitbantao, Sornchai Mungthaisong — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This research aimed to study the learning state and knowledge about the sufficiency economy philosophy (SEP) of youth in the Greater Mekong Sub-region to create a strategy to sustainable apply the SEP to the way of life of youth in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, create a map for SEP application to the way of life, and produce the public media to extend application results for benefit. The sample group was key informants: 50 youth students from each institute: Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Shan State Community College, Luang Nam Tha Teacher Training College, Luang Phrabang Teacher Training College, Dong Kham Chang Teacher Training College, Dong Kham Chang Accounting and Financial Institute, and Dong Kham Chang Agricultural Technical College, 50 experts and scholars, and 50 administrators or professors. The research tool included a questionnaire about the learning state and knowledge about the sufficiency economy philosophy (SEP) of youth in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, a focus group, and a workshop. The result of the workshop of experts, scholars, and administrators or professors from the three countries to draft the strategies was eight strategies and 25 development guidelines. The map for SEP application to the way of life was also produced, and public media to extend application results for sustainable benefit was initiated.

Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Automobile Sales: A Confirmatory Composite Analysis Using Google Trends Data to Develop a Structural Equation Model

Chanta Jhantasana — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) analyzes latent variables in structural equation models representing unmeasurable attitudes or behaviors. In contrast, confirmatory composite analysis (CCA) uses emergent variables such as capacities, values, and indices. When significant secondary and Google trend data are used, CCA may be preferred over CFA. This study employs CCA and partial least squares to develop a structural equation model. It examines COVID-19’s impact on vehicle sales in Thailand. The study uses data from March 2020 to September 2021, including COVID-19 infection rates, newly registered cars, and Google Trends data on COVID-19 and vehicle sales. The results indicate that the overall model fit, and measurement model parameters are outstanding. This suggests a significant negative influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on car sales in Thailand.

The study concluded that CCA and partial least squares were used to analyze the impact of COVID -19 on vehicle sales in Thailand. Analysis of secondary data and Google trend data revealed a significant negative impact of the pandemic on car sales, indicating a negative impact on the automotive industry in Thailand during the indicated period.

Livelihoods and the Play of Eviction in the Akuarium Neighborhood

Achmad Firas Khudi — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0700

The Jakarta government evicted an urban community of Akuarium in 2016, which caused socio-economic and immaterial difficulties. Such difficulties appear from destroyed livelihoods but instigated a kind of play in the community. A theory of urban play envisages how the community responds and utilizes failed development projects drawing from the practices of graffiti, car jockeys, and navigation of traffic jams. The research method includes field and internet ethnography for around one year. The research uncovers worsening precarious life, plunging the Akuarium community from poverty to severity. The severity includes massive loss of occupations, and houses, unexpected eviction costs, the loss of markets and crowdedness for market support, and the multi-source of income as in small shops and housing rental. The Akuarium people respond with an urban play as a small tactic for survival, responding to violence and difficulty. The urban play includes bringing appliances, mobilizing small mobs, and opening their clothes with only underwear covering the breasts and sexual organs to seek the empathy of apparatuses for stopping the eviction. Akuarium people showed urban play as a claim of space without aggression and a last-resort weapon to sustain urban life, an archetype of resistance through spatial practice.

The Co-Production and Sustainability Policies: Multi- Case Study in Water Management Policies in Thailand

Suwida Nuamcharoen — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0700

Co-production and sustainability are intertwined concepts, especially in water management. Co-production is a powerful tool for promoting sustainability by fostering collaboration between government representatives and community members to organize public services professionally. This study aimed to 1) comprehensively examine co-production in water management in Nan and Phayao Provinces and 2) investigate co-production models in policy formulation and implementation. It focuses on two case studies: Ban Tun Sub-district in Phayao Province and Rong Ngae Village in Nan Province, Thailand. This study adopted a qualitative research design, utilizing the methods of document analysis, in-depth interviews, and non-participatory observation. Data triangulation was employed to ensure data validity, and a semi-structured interview was utilized as the data collection tool. Content analysis and qualitative data analysis software were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed full co-production, influenced by norms and cultures, existing policies, and knowledge that collectively informed the relationships among the communities, stakeholders, and agencies working in the water management sector. The co-production model combined top-down and bottom-up policymaking, guided by Van Meter & Van Horn’s implementation model, promoting stakeholder collaboration for sustainable water management. Recommendations included 1) expanding knowledge and capacity-building for stakeholders in water management, encompassing existing knowledge bases and new technologies, and 2) developing explicit guidelines and improving communication channels to promote co-production.

Extension Model of Administration and Management for Business of Community Enterprise

Pensiri Paijit, Chalermsak Toomhirun, Jinda Khlibtong, Tippawan Limunggura — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This research was aimed to 1) Study successful implementation of community enterprises, 2) Study factors relating to administration and management for business of community enterprises, 3) Analyze, synthesize, and develop the extension model of administration and management for business of community enterprises, and 4) Assess the extension model of administration and management for business of community enterprises. The research method was Mixed Method. The tools used were an In-Depth Interview with purposive sampling of 8 Key informants and a Survey of 520 cases with a Structured Interview. Descriptive Statistics, Comparative statistics (T-test), Factor Analysis, and Multiple Regression Analysis were used. The results found that the factors related to business administration and management, product distribution plans, and marketing were at a high level ( = 4.19, SD.= 0.908), raw material quality inspection or source selection was at the highest level ( = 4.25, SD.= 0.892), continuous communication with community enterprise customers was at a high level ( = 4.03, SD.= 0.966). All 3 components, which were Business Operation, Business administration, and Business Promotion and Support components, affected the success of business administration and management. They could explain 41.10% of the variation in management success and business management services.

Developmental Guidelines to be an Educational Innovative Organization for the Basic Schools in the Education Sandbox of Thailand

Onpanit Limsuwannarot, Chaiwut Chanma , Pisamai Jarujittipan — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This quantitative research was conducted with the purposes of studying 1) the readiness of the innovation in School-Based Management (SBM); 2) the effectiveness of being an innovative organization in education; 3) to propose guidelines of being an educational innovative organization for pilot schools in the Education Sandbox. The sample group consisted of pilot schools in 6 regions of the Education Sandbox program, totaling in 208 participants from the population of 432 schools. The research results showed that the readiness in innovative SBM ranking upwards were 1) human resources; 2) academic; 3) general administration; and 4) budget managements. The effectiveness in being an educational innovation organization ranking upwards were 1) to increase the cooperation among all parties in improving education; 2) to decentralize power to the educational agencies and the schools; 3) to increase the learner’s achievement; and 4) to reduce the inequality in education. To develop the pilot schools into being an educational innovative organization, we needed to focus on aspects such as, Competency-Based Education (CBE), active learning, performance-based assessment for the learners, appropriate human resource management in planning and rewards systems, and to publicize the importance of the new way in education management to communities and all concerned.