• Acta Via Serica
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.107-134
• /
• 2018

This paper is an art historical attempt to discuss the transfer and transmission of a certain visual idiom along the Silk Roads and to show the multi-dimensionality of the trans-regional, trans-cultural movement. The motifs of grapes and grapevines are discussed here for this purpose, including the grape-and-vine motif mixed with other animated figures and plants. A special emphasis is on China and its reception, but regional varieties within East Asia are also discussed. The motif is one of the most longstanding and versatile visual idioms, widely distributed along the regions of the Silk Roads. This deceptively familiar motif came to China, where grapes and viticulture were introduced far later than the West. The West developed various symbolisms ranging from manic revelry and heavenly unity with mystic beings, to royalty and power in different cultures. In China, this visual idiom was eagerly received in association with something exotic and re-interpreted in the context of Chinese culture. Without active viticulture, the motif transformed itself into beautiful design patterns and space fillers in China and East Asia. The natural appeal of jewel-like grapes acquired new meanings of fertility and happiness in the traditional East Asian cultural context. To see the cultural effect of viticulture on the visualization of this motif, the Islamic reception of the motif is briefly touched upon when countries to the West of China (서역 西域) were fully Islamized and heavily affected by the prohibition of alcoholic drinking.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.9 no.10
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2022

This study aims to identify the factors supporting and inhibiting the digitalization of blue economy MSMEs in Bitung, Indonesia. The literature shows little research on digitalization related to the blue economy in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia. This indicates that there is a large research gap related to digitalization and the blue economy in the Indonesian context. Data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires with open-ended questions to blue economy MSMEs. Data was also obtained from in-depth interviews with representatives of Aruna, an Indonesian company that focuses on simplifying the supply chain of fishery products by connecting small-scale fishers to the global market through technology. According to the study's findings, two primary factors-motivation to develop their business and efforts to maintain seller-buyer interaction-support SMEs' use of technology in the blue economy. However, digital literacy and technological infrastructure, such as the internet network, are the two main factors that become obstacles in the effort to digitize MSMEs in the blue economy. The role of the government is also a contingent factor that can strengthen the relationship between factors that support digitization and weaken the relationship between factors that hinder digitalization.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.225-237
• /
• 2021

The current study aims to classify what determines entrepreneurial leadership among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Saudi Arabian context. It also attempted to recognize the role played by entrepreneurial leadership by supporting SMEs in the nation's sustainable economic growth. The study is based on a primary survey administered among SMEs in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. Overall, 152 responses were collected. However, after data cleaning, only 107 were found to be fit for final analysis. Structural Equation Modelling using SmartPLS® Software was applied for analysis. The findings emerged from the study immensely concluded that entrepreneurial leadership is an essential instrument for managers/owners of the SMEs sector who aim to improve the efficiency of tasks and contextual performance in Saudi Arabia. The study came across that "ability to absorb uncertainty," "ability to build commitment," "the ability to frame the Challenge," "the ability of path-clearing," and "ability to specify limits," are the five constructs that help frame the entrepreneurial leadership in the Saudi context. The study suggests that leadership trainers, SME policymakers must focus on precisely these skills to inculcate the ability of entrepreneurial leadership among Saudi entrepreneurs, SMEs owners, and managers.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.277-287
• /
• 2021

This article systematically reviews the adoption of total quality management (TQM) implementation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on firm performance. A total of 233 published documents from 1996 to 2020 in international journals have been collected and listed on the SCOPUS database. It aims to fill the existing literature gap regarding TQM and CSR practices and point out a future research agenda. This study employed a systematic literature review approach to review those manuscripts related to TQM, CSR topics focused on firm performance. Consequently, the results stressed that TQM and CSR are excellent tools and have a similarity to support the firms to attain corporate sustainability; however, TQM practices have given more interest than CSR initiatives. Moreover, the results highlighted that only a few articles are interested in simultaneously combining TQM and CSR initiatives although this idea is rising in recent years. Thus, the statistical findings indicated several research gaps that remain unaddressed. It is worthy of considering TQM and CSR integration; however, other scholars need to identify the critical success factors that could enable TQM practices or barriers to CSR adoption. Particularly spending more attention on the transitional economies context, which is considering a promising future research context.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.931-941
• /
• 2021

The study focuses on the relationship between SB, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the emerging economy. Thereafter it highlights the types, principles, and funding cycle of SB with the evidence from Grameen Bank, which is a globally well-recognized microfinance venture in Bangladesh established by the Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. This study employs qualitative analysis to illustrate an architectural overview of the SB model by collecting secondary data from various publications related to the topic and published data of Grameen Bank. Finally, this paper illustrates the SB model along with specified characteristics, systematic framework, and main approaches for sustainable context, which could be applied as a conceptual framework for SB in any context of the emerging economy. The findings of this study suggest that the SB model is the workflow having a hierarchy of five phases namely need identification, goal setting, solution-based business plan, business plan assessment, and business plan execution. Analyzing a range of social business interventions in a developing country, Bangladesh, through the lens of five key aspects demonstrates that social business is the most efficient way to sustainably maximize the social benefits and minimize specific social issues poverty of the people affected.

• International Journal of Contents
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.48-64
• /
• 2021

This study examines mobile news engagement-conceptualized as news exposure and participation-in the context of South Asia which has experienced tremendous growth in mobile-Internet users without receiving much attention from communication scholars. Along with demographic characteristics, this research incorporates motivational factors (grounded on uses and gratifications-U&G-approach) and news type preferences to explore their roles in mobile news engagement among urban citizens in Bangladesh. Results of a self-administered survey (N = 504) revealed that participants' mobile news engagement partially varied depending on their demographic differences, particularly gender, age, and education. Our study also unveiled that individuals' motivation for sharing information seemed to be a strong predictor of mobile news exposure and participation. In addition, Bangladeshi respondents were more likely to be interested in the hard news in terms of expressing views on news comments and sharing news via mobile platform. Conversely, preference for soft type news had a significant influence on news exposure through mobile browsing. This study provides insights into the understanding of global phenomena of mobile news engagement by unpacking the case of Bangladesh where mobile news usage seems to be an evolving state.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.8
• /
• pp.181-189
• /
• 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the tourism industry due to the resulting travel restrictions as well as a slump in demand among travelers. The tourism industry has been massively affected by the spread of coronavirus, as many countries have introduced travel restrictions in an attempt to contain its spread. In Vietnam, the government has largely been credited for the country's success in keeping COVID-19 transmission rates under control. Early awareness of the pandemic, appropriate, drastic, and people-centric measures, as well as public support, are the main factors behind the success of Vietnam. In that context, it is observed that people's travel demand has bounced back and this research will examine factors driving the public's travel intention in the post-crisis (pandemic) period. The survey was conducted on the Internet using questionnaires designed in the Google platform. Data was collected from April 16 to May 31, 2020, from 154 Vietnamese participants. Research findings demonstrate 4 direct and indirect determinants of travel intention. The strongest effects come from perceived behavioral control which is influenced by subjective well-being. Perceived risk negatively correlates with Self-efficacy and subjective well-being. Conducted in the context of post-COVID-19, the research implies that once the pandemic has been controlled, perceived risks, although still exist, insignificantly influence the public's travel intention.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.1147-1156
• /
• 2021

This study aims to examine the role of resilience in academic engagement and also to evaluate the theoretical model of the relationships between resilience and engagement. A survey of faculty members in 20 study programs from 12 universities in Jakarta was conducted, Where 247 questionnaires were returned from the 495 distributed. Furthermore, 240 valid data were available for evaluation in order to test the model, and a confirmatory Structural Equation Modelling was conducted, using AMOS 20. Criteria of goodness-fit demonstrated the relatively adequate model, and the coefficient of structural path describes the potential of the links. Three out of four paths available significantly showed the role of developmental persistency and positive emotions on work engagement. The participants of the study include only constituted academics of private universities in Indonesia. Thus there is a need for better care in interpreting the level of resilience and engagement, as engagement may vary when used in a different context. The study suggests interventions for practitioners, not only for academia in the higher education context but also for other professionals in managing engagement at the individual or team level. Therefore, combining resilience and engagement programs may contribute to an enhancement in the productivity of employees.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.18-29
• /
• 2022

This study aimed at overviewing the situation of information literacy education and research in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, and developing an ASEAN network model on information literacy. This research used documentary and qualitative research methods. Key resources consisted of twenty bibliometric studies and related documents and two groups of key persons. The first group consisted of twenty-seven purposive key persons from eight countries, and the second group consisted of seven key persons from five countries. The research instruments comprised a data collection form and focus group/ interviewing forms. Data was collected by focus group discussion and online interviews, and qualitative content analysis was used in data analysis and presented descriptively. Research findings showed that: 1) information literacy education and research in the ASEAN region varied across countries and placed importance on the educational context. Singapore was found to be the most leading and productive country in ASEAN in information literacy with the highest number of journal articles on the international scale, and was among the most contributing groups at the regional and global level; 2) the ASEAN Network on Information Literacy (ASEAN-NIL) has been developed as a model with its principles, objectives, management system, activities, and promotion strategies. Its strengths are an integrated scope, multidimensional orientation, and interdisciplinary and collaborative partnerships at the national, regional, and international level, suitable for the ASEAN context, the online environment, and the digital educational ecosystem.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2022

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is projected to provide several chances for Vietnam's banking industry to expand into the international market. This study examines the influence of foreign ownership on credit risk in Vietnamese commercial banks before the context of participation in the CPTPP. Using a sample of 28 commercial banks between 2009 and 2020, we find that foreign ownership has a negative relationship with bank credit risk. The regression methods used include the least-squares method, fixed-effects model, random effects model, and general least squares method. The research model adds interactive variables, which will help to reflect the role of intermediary factors more accurately such as listing on the stock market, capital ratio to the relationship between foreign ownership and bank credit risk. The test results reveal that increasing the foreign ownership ratio has a bigger impact on reducing credit risk for listed banks and banks with low capital than for other commercial banks. The government should flexibly adjust the foreign ownership ratio according to the capital size and role of each bank so that it can make good use of investment capital from abroad when Vietnam joins the CPTPP.