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After three successful research conferences in the past few years, University Center for Research and Development and the Institute for Industry and Academic Research Incorporated (IIARI) spearheaded the 4th Northern Philippines Business Research Conference (NPBRC) on February 16β17, 2023, via the Zoom Video Conferencing App. It was attended by students, professors, and researchers across the country, including research and development partners from ASEAN countries.
On the first day, Atty. Nicolas expressed his gratitude to those who made the 4th NPBRC possible. “As we emerge from the pandemic, and as we encounter more different world that we live in, as we continue to progress in the fourth industrial revolution, and now encounter artificial intelligence in our mobile devices, itβs really a different world that we all live in. And that is why research is so important because we need to know how to move, how to act, how to continue to progress in our endeavors in this new world, ” he stated. In addition, he expressed his appreciation to their partners for making the event truly international.
Dr. Rodrigo M. Velasco, the Founding President of IIARI, also shared his experiences from being a novice researcher to publisher. “From a novice researcher to publisher, my journey is not an overnight stint. I would say I have gone through developmental processes. One of which is network and collaboration in an international conference like what we are doing now, β he stated.
He emphasized that whatever achievements, positions, and recognitions they have, thereβs definitely more to learn from each other. He also added that the reformation of a researcher begins the moment they accept ideas and criticisms. He shared the 3ps that they cultivate at IIARI, namely: Purpose, Principles, and Paradigm.
Moreover, he stated that the conference is another realization of their purpose and commitment to the community. It is through encouraging everyone to be educated on the latest findings, research outputs, topics, issues, and trends that we cope with internationally and are relevant to the current times.
“The diverse topics for today could be applied in our own research agenda, teaching, and to the workplace as well. Now is the right time to be connected and embrace the culture of research internationalization in all fields of endeavor. Let us be one in building a community of scholars that profess the power of information and education,” he concluded.
Subsequently, Dr. Eric Parilla, expressed his elation about the number of the participants who joined the aforementioned conference. “We are thrilled to see that this annual conference is growing in size and significance each year. I am equally ecstatic about the record number of sessions and the vast array of ideas that academics and practitioners will offer to our conference, ” he stated.
After which, the plenary session began with the topic, β Innovativeness in Business Research in D-VUCA-D Worldβ by Dr. Maria Victoria Rosas, Dean of the College of Business Management and Accountancy of the Trinity University of Asia Philippines.
She discussed the difficulties in developing a specific research project in a business environment. She expanded the Organization of Economic Community and Development (OECD) Learning Compass 2030, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRE) or IR 4.0 on the situation and challenges of VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, which can be converted to Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility. ” Because of the changes, because nothing is permanent in this world except change, VUCA now is re-transformed or VUCA now is in between two Ds, Diversity and Disruption,” she stated.
She then highlighted that the key to addressing all these challenges is innovation. “Innovation is the key now for us to develop new concepts, new knowledge, which is definitely tantamount to research. Thatβs why research means innovation, we are searching for new ideas,” Dr. Rosas stated. She also then further discussed and expanded the different parts of research.
The second topic titled βInternational Student Mobility via Passage to ASEAN (P2A)β was discussed by Dr. Amado Magsino, Vice President for Academic Affairs International Peace Leadership College. He first shared his own version of SMART: Sensible, Mentally alert, Articulate, Responsive, and Time conscious. He discussed the different P2A initial programs: ASEAN Game, Virtual ASEAN, and P2A Journey.
In the P2A Journey , students can travel to other partnered universities across the ASEAN countries. Students can sit in to classes and learn the culture in the partnered university from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and other ASEAN countries. In the Traditional journey, they can visit three countries. The ASEAN tour is open for all students enrolled in any program. Certificate of completion will be given after the tour.
Furthermore, he discussed about the different ways to become a well-rounded ASEAN student. He highlighted that one must go out of comfort zone, explore places of interest, learn cross-cultural diversity, connect with friends, and embrace the digital world.
In the afternoon, research from different universities were presented, with different session chairs for different tracks. Dr. Haslan Ottot of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak was the session chair for the Economics, Accounting, and Finance Track; Dr. Joefrelin C. Ines of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Shinas for the Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship 1 Track; Dr. Kyra Sin Kit Yeng of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak for the Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship 2 Track; Ms. Ani Wahyu of Research Synergy Foundation for the General Management Track; Dr. Chere C. Yturralde of Angeles University Foundation for Marketing 1 Track; Dr. Jerome Kueh of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak for Marketing 2 Track; and Dr. Tengku Intan Suzila Tengku Sharif of Universiti Teknologi Mara Pahang Branch for Social Science Track.
On the second day, Dr. Joefrelin C. Ines, Head of Marketing, College of Economics and Business Administration, University of Technology and Applied SciencesβShinas, discussed the third topic entitled “Educating Tomorrow’s Workforce: Green Education and the Green Economy (A Higher Education Institution Perspective)”. His talk revolved around green education and sustainability. He addressed the fact that green education can be a powerful tool for preserving the environment and helping the country achieve its sustainability goals.
Additionally, he stated that integrating green education into higher education institutions in the Philippines can be challenging, but it ensures the nationβs future. He expanded that with the right policies, curriculum, and resources, higher education institutions can become more socially responsible and contribute to the preservation of the environment.
He advocates for increasing public awareness and education about the importance of environmental preservation, emphasizing that higher education institutions are the ideal platform for promoting green education to the youth and the larger society. “Conventional education is no longer adequate in the current times. Letβs go towards green education.” Dr. Ines stated.
Lastly, the plenary session titled “Macroeconomic Appetite of the Philippines” was discussed by Prof. Jason Alinsunurin, Associate Dean of De La Salle University-Manila. He presented their recent work in automation and the future of the Philippine economy, which is part of the research program in work with the DSLU squad economics. He presented their ongoing project at DLSU with his colleagues, trying to understand the implications of automation to the Philippine economy, specifically the labor market.
After the sessions, Best Paper Presenter Awards were given in different tracks. For the Economic, Accounting, and Finance Track are Manuelita G. Valencia, DBA; Patrick Joseph M. Angeles; Isaiah O. Coligado; Lance Piolo M. De Guzman, Carl Vincent Q. Lazaro, Jayvee M. Macabulos, Chino A. Lim, Arian S. Pare, and Gabriel O. Rodriguez with their research title: “Delivery Ridersβ Motivation and Organizational Effectiveness of a Selected Logistics Company in Pampanga, Philippines.
For the Marketing 1 Track are Mrs. Angela C. Garra, Mrs. Elnora V. Adalem, Dr. John Ocatavious S. Palina, Ms. Monaloufel Rosario F. Jasmin, and Dr. Harrison T. Villanueva with their research title: “Product/Market Growth Strategies and Challenges of an Organic Product Trader in Northern Luzon.”
For the Social Science Track are Dr. Marcion Guillermo, Dr. Yolanda Lao, and Prof. Rochelle Macadangdang, with their research title, “Investigating the Effects of Reading Logs on Academic Learning.” For Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship 2, Prof. Michael Jereβ D. Abiol and Dr. Aldrich S. Palarca titled: The Influence of Career Management on the Relationship Between Personnel Development and Organizational Learning Among Faculty of Higher Educational Institutions.
For the General Management Track are Bill G. Aggarao, Xyree Mae U. Cenal, Dane Bhijae B. de Austria, Nathalie Perpetua P. Reminajes, Mica Elaine U. Tacas, Darin Jan Tindowen, and Karen Joy Catacutan with the research title: “Effects of Peer-Assisted Learning Activities on the Academic Skills of Accounting Students.” For Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship Track 1, are Samuel Kumar, PhD; Vimal Kumar, PhD; Soofi Azizuddin Khusro, PhD; and Sunder Rajan, PhD, with the title: “How Do They Manage CSR: A Study in Oman.” And for the Marketing 2 Track are Michelle Irish C. Nuguid, MBA, and Chereβ C. Yturralde, DBA with the research title: βImpact of Customer Satisfaction on Customer Loyalty in a Selected Bank in the City of San Fernando.
βWords of gratitude was delivered by Dr. Parilla. “We hope to see you at the 5th Northern Philippines Business Research Conference, which will be held face-to-face,” he stated.
Dr. Gregoria S. Najorda, Vice President for Academic Affairs, concluded the conference with her closing remarks and extended her gratitude to those who participated in the conference.
Photo from Dr. Eric Parilla.
