• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.75-83
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• 2021

Variation in demand, natural resource availability, and technological advancement within a country are the main reasons for necessitating export and import activities between nations. Accordingly, this paper aims to analyze the effect of economic openness on Multifactor Productivity (MFP) in selected Asian countries (Vietnam, Thailand, The Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore) based on data for the period 1990-2018. The analysis conducted in the study employed the panel ARDL approach based on the estimation by Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Mean Group (MG), and Dynamic Fixed Effect (DFE). The Hausman test conducted indicates that the PMG estimation is better than that of MG and DFE since it has a higher variability value than the significance value. The results revealed that economic openness is able to elicit significant and positive effects on short-term and long-term MFP growth. In addition, the study established that other variable, such as the number of schooling years, are also able to produce a positive and significant effect on MFP growth in the long term. Since economic openness can impact MFP growth, every country should thus increase its export activities through more capital and worker inputs that will stimulate greater production.

• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.308-345
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• 2021

Lactifluus (Pers.) Roussel is an ectomycorrhizal genus that was recently recognized to be distinct from the genus Lactarius. To date, 226 Lactifluus species have been reported worldwide. Misidentification of Lactifluus species is common because of intraspecific morphological variation, cryptic diversity, and the limited number of taxonomic keys available. Molecular data are indispensable for species delimitation; a multilocus phylogenetic analysis showed that most Asian Lactifluus species are not conspecific with morphologically similar species present on other continents. In particular, Korea has misused European and North American Lactifluus names. In this study, we evaluated the taxonomy of Lactifluus in Korea using both morphological and multilocus molecular (ITS, nrLSU, rpb1, and rpb2) data. We examined 199 Lactifluus specimens collected between 1980 and 2016, and a total of 24 species across the four Lactifluus subgenera were identified. All Korean species are distinct and clearly separated from European and North American species. Five taxa corresponded to previously described species from Asia and the remaining 19 taxa are confirmed as new species. Herein, we provide keys to the Korean Lactifluus species within their subgenera, molecular phylogenies, a summary of diversity, and detailed description of the new species.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.11
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• pp.41-46
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between unemployment and shadow economy for 7 selected ASEAN countries using panel data from 2000-2017. This study uses a sample of 7 ASEAN countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam covering the 2000-2017 period. The stationarity of the variables is determined by Pesaran panel unit-root tests. The Westerlund panel co-integration technique is used to examine the long-run relationship among the variables. In addition, dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) methods are also employed. The DOLS and FMOLS results indicate that unemployment acts as an important driver for the increase in the shadow economy. In addition, the study results also reveal that GDP per capita has a negative impact on the shadow economy. Moreover, government expenditure, bank credit, and inflation are positively related to the shadow economy. The empirical results indicate that the size of the shadow economy is boosted by unemployment in the selected ASEAN economies. In addition, it is also evident that an increase of GDP per capita in the sample countries results in a lower shadow economy. Besides, government expenditure, bank credit, and inflation play a crucial role in the shadow economy.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.431-441
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• 2021

The paper aims to analyze the factors influencing the digital technology readiness of the governmental agency in Thailand, namely the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel (OTEP). This paper discusses challenges regarding the technology readiness of OTEP, which is taken as a case study for Thai governmental agencies. Data is collected through questionnaires distributed from October to December 2020. With a population of 777 OTEP staff, 534 employees are the respondents of this study. The study employs correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The dependent variable is the digital technology readiness, while the independent variables are age, technology literacy, technology experience, attitude, organizational culture, leadership, and learning facilities. One of the principal findings is that the digital technology readiness of OTEP is at a moderate level. In addition, learning facilities, technology literacy, leadership, and organizational culture are found to be statistically significant for digital technology readiness. The findings highlight the issues and obstacles associated with encouraging human resource development, notably in the field of digital technology. Adopting digital technology to give better services to a large scale of customers is challenging for most large governmental enterprises, considering OTEP as a wonderful example for organizations under government oversight.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.403-415
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• 2018

The aims of this novel work were to determine the microbial strains and exopolysaccharide (EPS) producers in water kefir from Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Thirty-three microbial strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene analysis consisting of 18 bacterial strains, as 9 strains of acetic acid bacteria (AAB), 9 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and 15 yeast strains. All bacteria were able to produce EPS with a diverse appearance on agar media containing different sugars at a concentration of 8%. Culture supernatants from AAB and LAB showed 31-64% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity with the highest antioxidant activity of 64% from Acetobacter pasteurianus WS3 and WS6. Crude EPS from A. pasteurianus WS3 displayed the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power at 280 mM $FeSO_4/g$ EPS, greatest anti-tyrosinase activity at 20.35%, and highest EPS production of 1,505 mg EPS/L from 8% sucrose. These microbes offer beneficial health implications and their EPSs can be used as food additives and cosmetic ingredients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1913-1922
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• 2018

Objective: To find out ways of improving fermentation quality of silage, the comparative analysis of fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility of tropical grasses silage applied with cellulases produced from Acremonium or Tricoderma species were studied in Thailand. Methods: Fresh and wilted Guinea grass and Napier grass silages were prepared with cellulases from Acremonium (AC) or Trichoderma (TC) at 0.0025%, 0.005%, and 0.01% on a fresh matter (FM), and their fermentation quality, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were analyzed. Results: All silages of fresh Napier grass were good quality with lower pH, butyric acid, and ammonia nitrogen, but higher lactic acid content than wilted Napier grass and Guinea grass silage. Silages treated with AC 0.01% had the best result in terms of fermentation quality. They also had higher in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility at 6 and 48 h after incubation than other silages. Silages treated with lower levels at 0.005% or 0.0025% of AC and all levels of TC did not improve silage fermentation. Conclusion: The AC could improve silage fermentation and in vitro degradation of Guinea grass and Napier grass silages, and the suitable addition ration is 0.01% (73.5 U) of FM for tropical silage preparation.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.39-52
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to enhance understanding and appreciation of Pre-Orientalism in costumes and textiles by revealing examples of Oriental influences in Europe from the 16th century to the mid-18th century through in-depth study. The research method used were the presentation and analysis of previous literature research and visual data. The result were as follows; Pre-Orientalism had been influenced by Morocco, Thailand, and Persia as well as Turkey, India, and China. In this study, Pre-Orientalism refers to oriental influence and oriental taste in Western Europe through cultural exchanges from the 16th century to the mid-18th century. The oriental costume was the most popular subspecies of fancy, luxury dress and was a way to show off wealth and intelligence. Textiles were used for decoration and luxury. The Embassy and the court in Versailles and Vienna led to a frenzy of oriental fashion. It appeared that European in the royal family and aristocracy of Europe had been accommodated without an accurate understanding of the Orient. Although in this study, the characteristics, factors, and impacts of Pre-Orientalism have not been clarified, further study can be done. Recognizing a broad perspective on oriental influence in Europe before Orientalism, we can have a balanced view of future Orientalism and global fashion.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.139-150
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• 2019

Purpose: LST-II is a special naval ship to carry out landing operations by transporting tanks, armored vehicles and military vehicles. Bad weather, maximum wave height of 4-5 m, caused damage to the LCM cradles while the LST-II No.O ship was moving to Thailand for training in February 2016. Methods: Based on the results of the field check, DTaQ conducted a study on the causes analysis and improvement measures. Results: The improvement plan that was derived was verified through a structural analysis and the improvement plan was applied to the follow-up ships. Conclusion: The improvement of LCM cradle has increased the safety of the crew and landing forces, and improved the operational efficiency.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.317-326
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• 2021

This study examines factors influencing the corporate identity (CI) of pharmacy retail stores (PRSs) in Thailand as a means to construct a unique corporate identity to represent their strengths and image abroad. An exploratory sequential design was applied. A pilot study involving interviews with four pharmacists was conducted to obtain the variables, and then a questionnaire was designed and administered to 392 respondents. The collected data was analyzed to examine correlations via descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression (MLR). The results show that wisdom and pharmaceutical care explain 44% of the variance in defining Thai PRSs identity. There is a 61% chance that Thai PRSs should consider wisdom as the most important factor. These findings provide useful insights for pharmacists, pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, and owners of PRSs to enhance competitiveness by devising strategies to create their corporate identity. For the qualitative analysis, Thai PRSs should encourage pharmacists to gain real working experience to develop their wisdom, experience, and skills. Besides, PRSs that build identities as knowledgeable, sincere, and compassionate health providers can successfully expand their operations to other ASEAN countries, as end-consumers will be confident in the reliability of their services.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.861-872
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• 2021

This study examines the relationship between board characteristics and capital structure. Data was collected from the annual reports of listed companies in the Stock Exchange of Thailand, from 2015 to 2017, which totaled 1,264 firm-year observations. The study uses multiple regression analysis to analyses the data by using independent variables, including board size, outside directors, managerial ownership, CEO duality, frequency of board meetings, board experience, and gender to measure board characteristics and the total debt ratio for capital structure. Research findings show that the more independent the directors are, the lower the cost of debt financing is, as they control the management team more strictly about debt financing than directors with less independence do. Additionally, the results reveal that the higher the percentage of managerial ownership, the higher the level of leverage and debt financing, whereas board size and board meetings have a negative relationship to capital structure. Further research showed that firm size, growth opportunities and corporate governance rating all had a positive significant impact on capital structure. The findings of this study suggest that the presence of proper corporate governance leads to better funding mechanisms as it ensures that the company is in a better position to obtain external funding.