Buddhist Social Work: A Case Study of the Samrong General Hospital

Congratulations to K Petcharat, who has now successfully presented: Lovichakorntikul, Petcharat and John Walsh, “Buddhist Social Work: A Case Study of the Samrong General Hospital,” paper presented at the International Buddhist Conference (Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Ayutthaya: December 2011), available at: http://www.undv.org/vesak2012/iabudoc/03PetcharatFINAL.pdf.

Abstract:

Human Resource Development (HRD) is a crucial element in contemporary organizations and determines their future to a significant extent, especially in the healthcare business, which has been changing and developing according to emerging trends such as the problems of insufficiency and the inequitable distribution of healthcare professionals, as well as certain morality and ethical issues. While the public perception is that healthcare professionals who are working to heal patients and save lives must have kind and generous minds, this is not always the case and, in HRD, it remains necessary to develop the minds, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare professionals to be ready to serve others. Many Thai people are very familiar with Buddhism because most ceremonies and ways of life are related to Buddhist cultural practices. Buddhist teachings are implanted into their minds as well as the understanding that their ancestors followed the same methods and principles. Some believe that the nature of belied is changing along with changes in contemporary society, which privileges material goods above spiritual ones. In response, it is necessary to reinvigorate Dhamma teaching so that it speaks more clearly to present generations. This research is, therefore, based on certain Buddhist ethical principles, such as the five precepts (Pañcasīla), the basis of success (Iddhipada 4), the sublime states of mind (Brahmavihāra 4), and meditation. These have been implemented in a Samut Prakan province hospital since its inception. Hospital founders concentrated on creating ethical and potential human resources rather than creating task specific activities. This is a qualitative research study featuring management level and operational level employees in in-depth face-to-face interviews together with a focus group with relevant participants exploring the Buddhist social work scheme in this hospital. Findings and recommendations from the research are presented.

Driving Force for Service Innovation through Creating Unique Value Proposition: Capitalizing on Cultural Identity in the Spa Industry of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Announcing: Apivantanaporn, Thanan and John Walsh, “Driving Force for Service Innovation through Creating Unique Value Proposition: Capitalizing on Cultural Identity in the Spa Industry of Chiang Mai, Thailand,” Information Management and Business Review, Vol.4, No.5 (May, 2012), pp.242-51, available at: http://ifrnd.org/IMBR/Vol%204/4(5)%20May%202012/2.pdf.

Abstract:

The Thai spa industry is recognized as one of the driving forces for economic development in terms of revenue and employment. However, the current economic downturn and intensifying competition from neighboring countries pose substantial challenges and threats to the industry. The Royal Thai Government has initiated an innovative development model that capitalizes on the country’s unique cultural capital. This paper investigates a specific case study of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, where the legends and ancient wisdom of the now defunct Lanna state have been developed over the course of decades and now constitute significant constructive and creative cultural capital. It investigates these issues through examination of government policy and measures, expert opinions, literature review and field observations. It is found that three factors are relevant to the development of the industry: (1) knowledge based service; (2) collective cluster effort and (3) business ecology system; together, these contribute to new service innovation which in turn contributes to new business value propositions. Keywords: Value creation; service strategy; creative industry; spa industry; Thailand

 

East Asian Labour Market Regimes in the Context of Global Economic Crisis: Do the Advanced Nations Offer Trajectory Paths for Those Following?

I presented this paper at the XIIIth Annual International Conference of DPSR on Saturday successfully enough. Here is the abstract:

The global economic crisis caused by an improperly regulated financial sector giving way to excessive risk-taking behaviour has led to a worldwide crisis of austerity and of lack of jobs. The situation in East Asia is somewhat different from that in the western world in that finance bubbles had already been burst in the 1997 crisis and lessons learned from that. Nevertheless, developing East Asia is still dependent on western markets as destinations for exports as domestic markets remain insufficiently developed to absorb production of goods and services. In this situation, states such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia look to examples from elsewhere in the region concerning the means of transforming themselves from being part of the factory age, which limits growth at the upward end of the middle income range, into the higher income range of economies. Examples include the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and even to some extent Malaysia. This raises the question of the extent to which the examples of those other states, in which labour market management has passed further along a familiar trajectory, offer practical examples that can be applied in the developing states that follow behind them. Issues of relevance in this case include wage and compensation issues, management of unions and the freedom of speech, association and collective bargaining, as well as the interaction between the education system and the labour market. This paper examines the cases of economically advanced East Asian states in terms of labour market development with a view to considering how those examples might be applied in those countries which now follow.

Keywords: labour markets, economic crisis, East Asia, Thailand, Korea

Cross-Border Trading Experiences Before and After the Construction of the Second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge

Announcing: Southiseng, Nittana and John Walsh, “Cross-Border Trading Experiences Before and After the Construction of the Second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge,” in Kyoko Kusakabe, ed., Gender, Roads and Mobility in Asia (Rugby: Practical Action Publishing, 2012), pp.109-20.

Abstract: This empirical study investigated local entrepreneurs’ use of the Second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge for cross-border trade in comparison with their use of boats. Cross-border trading by boat involved crossing from Savannakhet in Laos to Mukdahan in Thailand and vice versa and appeared less efficient due to limited crossings and limited loading capacity. After the official opening of the Friendship Bridge in early 2007, women and men entrepreneurs in Savannakhet Province realised that it provided benefits for consumers, enhanced efficiency of cross-border business, increased opportunities for new entrants, flexibility to entrepreneurs and supported local economic development and expansion. However, it also made existing economic activities more competitive and benefited non-local entrepreneurs who could leverage economies of scale. Women’s business has been less affected as compared to men’s, since they cater to the daily needs of people in Lao.

Available from Amazon, publisher’s website (practicalactionpublishing.com) and all good bookshops. Actually, it looks like a really interesting collection and congratulations to editor Prof Kyoko Kusakabe.

Towards the Efficient Communication of Political Messages in Thailand: An Empirical Investigation

Announcing: Laohakosol, Wilaiporn and John Walsh, “Towards the Efficient Communication of Political Messages in Thailand: An Empirical Investigation,” Information Management and Business Review, Vol.4, No.4 (April, 2012), pp.145-52, available at: http://www.ifrnd.org/IMBR/Vol%204/4(4)%20Apr%202012/1.pdf.

Abstract:

Models of consumer behavior generally posit an eclectic paradigm in which diverse elements may have an influence on an individual consumption decision. These elements might include personal experience, bias, the influence of family members and peer groups. This understanding of human behavior has been relocated from the commercial realm to the political realm with a view to helping to understand how the formation of people is voting intentions might take place and how it might be influenced. Since politics consists of a series of competing ideologies contending for the scarce resource of votes with a view to aligning state policies and the distribution of state resources along the lines of the manifesto on which a party is fighting, it follows that politicians will wish to use communication strategies to encourage as many eligible individuals as possible to vote for their policies. To date, in Thailand, most forms of political communication have been based on establishing personal contact and, hence, a form of personal relationship based on personality rather than policies. This situation is beginning to change, there is a need for those involved in determining the nature, and extent of political communications to understand which channels are appropriate for which groups of voters and which voters will not be influenced by any medium or message. Using a quantitative sample of 400 voters in four provinces of Thailand, this paper provides evidence to show that the degree to which people pay attention to political communications and to different channels varies in reasonably predictable fashions. This will enable political institutions and parties to work together to determine good and effective means of communicating their policies to the public in ways which will strengthen democratization in the country.

Keywords: Political participation, channels of political communication, ideology

Vinamilk: from Local Cooperatives to International Corporation

Announcing: Walsh, John, “Vinamilk: from Local Cooperatives to International Corporation,” Emerald Emerging Economies Case Studies, (abstract) available at: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/case_studies.htm?articleid=17026868&show=abstract, doi: 10.1108/20450621211228400.

Abstract:

Title – Vinamilk: from local cooperatives to international corporation.

Subject area – Marketing.

Study level/applicability – This case study would suit any class that deals with the interaction between the nature of business and society and is rooted in a specific basis in developing Asia. The particular nature of the class could be used to shape the subsequent discussion if necessary: a marketing class would focus on the need for development of the local market and consumer behaviour, while a management class might be more interested in the issues relating to an appropriate ownership structure in an emerging market in a company based on an amalgamation of smaller units likely to have been run by technicians (farmers) or party functionaries.

Case overview – Vinamilk is a Vietnamese company that has grown from humble beginnings as a collection of small-scale dairy co-operatives until the current time when it is one of the largest and most successful companies in that country and recognized as a significant developing Asian success. It has managed this while operating in a product category that has had very little tradition in Vietnam and for which demand has had to be created in order to enable the company to expand. The success of Vinamilk has now made it possible to imagine an international or a transnational future in which it would no longer be tied to its Vietnamese home or to be required to support government-supported developmental goals such as supporting employment and using local inputs. A debate is taking place, therefore, about the nature of the continuing relationship between firms and the public sector in a rapidly developing nation.

Expected learning outcomes – The objectives include: evaluation of the nature of the business-state relationship; evaluation of the nature of the home environment with respect to its attitude to business; and understanding better the nature of emerging markets and their interaction with international markets.

Supplementary materials – Teaching notes are available for faculty. Please consult your librarian for access.

Buddhist Social Work: A Case Study of the Samrong General Hospital

Announcing: Lovichakorntikul, Petcharat and John Walsh, “Buddhist Social Work: A Case Study of the Samrong General Hospital,” paper presented at the International Buddhist Conference (Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Ayutthaya: December 2011), available at: http://www.undv.org/vesak2012/iabudoc/03PetcharatFINAL.pdf.

(I don’t think I have advertised this before.)

Abstract (actually they prefer ‘Prelude’):

Human Resource Development (HRD) is a crucial element in contemporary organizations and determines their future to a significant extent, especially in the healthcare business, which has been changing and developing according to emerging trends such as the problems of insufficiency and the inequitable distribution of healthcare professionals, as well as certain morality and ethical issues. While the public perception is that healthcare professionals who are working to heal patients and save lives must have kind and generous minds, this is not always the case and, in HRD, it remains necessary to develop the minds, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare professionals to be ready to serve others. Many Thai people are very familiar with Buddhism because most ceremonies and ways of life are related to Buddhist cultural practices. Buddhist teachings are implanted into their minds as well as the understanding that their ancestors followed the same methods and principles. Some believe that the nature of belied is changing along with changes in contemporary society, which privileges material goods above spiritual ones. In response, it is necessary to reinvigorate Dhamma teaching so that it speaks more clearly to present generations. This research is, therefore, based on certain Buddhist ethical principles, such as the five precepts (Pañcasīla), the basis of success (Iddhipada 4), the sublime states of mind (Brahmavihāra 4), and meditation. These have been implemented in a Samut Prakan province hospital since its inception. Hospital founders concentrated on creating ethical and potential human resources rather than creating task specific activities. This is a qualitative research study featuring management level and operational level employees in in-depth face-to-face interviews together with a focus group with relevant participants exploring the Buddhist social work scheme in this hospital. Findings and recommendations from the research are presented.

Perceived Benefits Gained from Online Game Playing among University Students in Bangkok

Announcing:

Techavimol, Pawana and John Walsh, “Perceived Benefits Gained from Online Game Playing among University Students in Bangkok,” Thammasat International Journal of Science and Technology, Vol.16, No.2 (April-June, 2011), pp.54-65, available at: http://www.tijst.net/issues/2011/no2/2011_V16_No2_6.pdf.

Abstract:

Although presumed negative aspects of online game playing are widely disseminated in the media, the possible benefits that might be derived from this appear much less frequently. Possible benefits include the reduction of stress, promotion of analytical skills and team-work and the fostering of relationships with other people around the world. Using a specifically-designed questionnaire, the authors investigate the extent to which a sample of 610 Thai undergraduate students from a variety of universities in Bangkok feel that they have benefited from online game playing and which of the various benefits appear to them to be most relevant and most often achieved. The results are discussed and recommendations drawn to incorporate greater use of game-playing modalities into the classroom environment and to enhance the link between education and industry by fostering partnerships to create more location-specific Thai-language content for use in the education system.

Cultural Sociology of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa

Newly arrived this morning was this four volume encyclopedia “Cultural Sociology of the Middle East, Asia, and Aftrica,” which looks very handsome indeed. My contributions are all in the third volume on East and Southeast Asia.

My articles are:

Walsh, John, “Archaeology,” pp.3-4, “Birth Control in China,” pp.211-3, “Bureaucracy,” pp.12-3, “Chou En-lai,” pp.232-3, “Communism and Maoism,” pp.248-50,” “Corruption,” pp.252-5, “Cultural Revolution,” pp.255-7, “Dance,” pp.25-6, “Economy,” pp.26-7, “European Economic Impact,” pp.117-8, “Family Life and Structure (Prehistory to 1200),” pp.32-3, “Family Life and Structure (1200-1900),” pp.118-9, “Family Life and Structure (1900 to Present),” pp.273-4, “Feudalism, Asian,” pp.33-4, “Forced Labor/Corvée,” pp.37-8, “Imperial Rule,” pp.43-4, “Internal Migration,” pp.293-4, “Japanese Emperors and Shoguns,” pp.131-4, “Kim Regime (North Korea),” pp.302-4, “Modernity,” pp.330-1, “Mongol Wars,” pp.157-9, “Nationalism,” pp.163-5, “Peasants,” pp.62-4, “Plantations, British,” pp.167-8, “Plantations, Dutch,” pp.169-70, “Plantations, French,” pp.170-2, “Poverty,” pp.348-51, “Sexuality,” pp.367-8, “Shang Dynasty,” pp.70-2, “Taiwan,” pp.375-7, “Taoism,” pp.189-91, “Three Sovereigns/Five Emperors,” pp.80-1, “Westernization,” pp.195-7, “Women (Prehistory to 1200),” pp.83-5, “Women (1200 to 1900),” pp.197-9, “Xia Dynasty,” pp.89-90, “Xin Dynasty,” pp.90-1, “Zhou, Eastern,” pp.91-2, “Zhou, Western,” pp.92-4, in Peter J. Seybolt, ed., Cutural Sociology of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa: An Encyclopedia (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2012), Volume 3: East and Southeast Asia.

Writing so many qualified me for receipt of the full set. If you would like a copy of your own, the US Amazon site lists a set at just $400.31 plus postage (http://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Sociology-Middle-East-Africa/dp/141298176X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333608105&sr=8-1).

 

Die ‘maoistische Strategie’ Vom Land Grabbing zum Parallelstaat

Announcing:

Walsh, John, “Die ‘maoistische Strategie’ Vom Land Grabbing zum Parallelstaat,’ Südostasien, Jg.27, No.1 (2012), pp.18-9, available at: http://www.asienhaus.de/public/archiv/2012-1-018.pdf.

Thanks and best wishes to now ex-editor Ms Saskia Busch.