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The Relationship Between the Entrepreneurial Competencies of Cooperative Managers and the Performance of Selected Cooperatives in the Province of Batangas
No full textThe Philippine cooperatives are one of the key contributors to economic development by combating poverty, providing employment, and improving members\u27 quality of life. However, despite their significance, the cooperatives experience various challenges including difficulties in operating their business, leading to failure. Existing literature highlighted that cooperatives, particularly managers, often lack entrepreneurial competencies, which may significantly impact cooperative performance. Therefore, the study aimed to analyze the relationship between managers\u27 entrepreneurial competencies and cooperative performance in Batangas. Data was collected from 43 managers of the selected micro, small, medium, and large cooperatives through convenience sampling using online surveys. Cooperative performance was assessed using the STEPS from Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), while managers\u27 entrepreneurial competencies were measured using Man\u27s (2001) research instrument. Descriptive statistics and various correlational analysis were employed in the study.
The study revealed that the majority of the cooperative managers were in the age group of 41 to 50 years old (34.88%), female (76.74%), college graduates (81.40%), with 6 to 10 years of experience in the cooperative (25.58%) and have entrepreneurial training experience (65.12%). Cooperative managers\u27 entrepreneurial training includes Strategic Planning (31.82%), Governance and Management of Cooperatives (18.18%), Fundamentals of Cooperatives (13.64%), Personal Entrepreneurial Development (9.09%), Kapatid Mentor Me Program (9.09%), and other training types. In terms of the performance of the selected cooperatives, the majority of the cooperatives, regardless of asset sizes, were determined to have unsatisfactory performance for both 2021 and 2022. Conversely, some performance indicators had a fair performance, particularly in micro cooperatives. Moreover, the selected cooperative managers of the micro, small, medium, and large cooperatives in Batangas exhibited relatively high levels in all of the entrepreneurial competencies measured in the study. However, the cooperative managers specifically excelled in relationship, organizing and opportunity competencies but weakest in commitment competencies.
The results also revealed that there is a significant moderate to strong positive relationship between certain socio-demographic profiles of micro and small cooperative managers and the structure of assets, but no significant relationship for medium and large cooperatives. Additionally, micro cooperative managers\u27 age, education, experience and entrepreneurial training significantly relate to specific entrepreneurial competencies, while for small cooperative managers\u27 sex significantly relates to all entrepreneurial competencies. For large cooperative managers, years of experience has a significant moderate negative relationship with conceptual and organizing competencies, but medium cooperative managers\u27 profiles indicated no significant relationship with entrepreneurial competencies. Moreover, the performance of the selected cooperatives showed no significant relationship with the managers\u27 entrepreneurial competencies, except for micro cooperatives, where turn-over, profitability, and overall STEPS had a significant moderate to strong negative relationship with some entrepreneurial competencies, and for medium cooperatives, where overall STEPS had a significant moderate positive relationship with opportunity competencies, while small and large cooperatives showed no significant relationship.
The study recommends that the (a) Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) update its regulatory framework to align with current sector standards, establish a capacity-building program tailored to cooperatives\u27 needs, provide financial assistance, and encourage technology adoption for efficiency and competitiveness. The (b) Board of Directors (BODs) of cooperatives should hire managers with the qualities emphasized in the study, enhance cash flow management, reduce short-term debt, boost sales through effective marketing, adopt stricter policies, increase business volume, optimize asset productivity, manage costs for higher net surplus, reduce non-performing assets, diversify capital sources, among others. (c) Cooperative managers should focus on enhancing commitment competencies and leverage exhibited competencies such as fostering relationships with others, improving products/services, among others. (d) Future studies should increase the number of cooperatives examined, analyze the relationship between specific managers\u27 socio-demographic profiles and cooperative performance (e.g., in small cooperatives), conduct longitudinal studies, utilize different performance measures perform in-depth interviews with managers to better understand their competencies, and study the factors affecting cooperative performance
The Rosario Livestock and Agriculture Farming Cooperative (TRLAFCO) in Rosario, Batangas: A Case Study
No full textThe Rosario Livestock and Agriculture Farming Cooperative (TRLAFCO) is the subject of this special problem report, which was established on June 12, 2012, and formally registered as an agricultural cooperative in September 2019. It started with 31 members that were trained and mentored by the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and were given dairy carabaos to care for and to produce milk for a stable source of income, known as Paiwi system. Currently, there are 114 members, 79 of which are dairy carabao milk producers. As part of the cooperative\u27s mission strengthen its community through food security and additional sources of income, they continue to the National Milk Feeding program of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
This study entitled The Rosario Livestock and Agriculture Farming Cooperative (TRLAFCO) in Rosario, Batangas: A Case Study was conducted to assess the status and performance of TRLAFCO as an agricultural cooperative. Specifically, it intended to: (a) present the external environment of TRLAFCO; (b) describe the internal environment of TRLAFCO; (c) analyze the issues and challenges of TRLAFCO; (d) recommend possible courses of actions based on the identified issues and challenges of TRLAFCO; and (e) design a plan to implement the recommendations put forward. The cooperative has proven its importance in promoting the consumption of dairy carabao milk products as well as dairy carabao milk production as a stable source of income through its products and services such as dairy production, processing, and marketing of dairy carabao milk products. Other services include forage production, dairy production, consolidation, processing, marketing and capacity building of other cooperatives, entrepreneurs, government agencies and academic institutions. They currently have sixteen (16) products in various flavors and sizes available to their customers.
Out of the 114 members of TRLAFCO, 35 were available during at the time of the data gathering procedure and gave their consent to be interviewed. Primary data was gathered through assisted questionnaire distribution as well as personal interviews with the members of TRLAFCO during house visits and processing plant visits. Meanwhile, secondary data were collected through TRLAFCO\u27s archival records, including financial statements, TRFLAFCO\u27s By Laws, product prices, sanitary permits, BIR registration, and other pertinent information. Data from journal articles, publications, research papers, and government websites were also gathered to further support the study.
The presentation of the cooperative membership profile of TRLAFCO was done through descriptive statistical tools such as mean, mode, percentage, and frequency. On the other hand, strategic management tools such as PESTLE Analysis, SWOT Analysis, and Michael Porter\u27s Five Forces Model were used to assess the external and internal environment of TRLAFCO. Furthermore, the financial statements of TRLAFCO from 2020 to 2023 were analyzed through horizontal analysis, vertical analysis, and financial ratio analysis to determine its financial status. The internal environment of TRLAFCO from 2020 to 2023 were analyzed through horizontal analysis, vertical analysis and financial ratio analysis to determine its financial status. The internal environment of TRLAFCO was also assessed through the presentation and assessment of the cooperative\u27s business functions, namely marketing, operations, human resource, finance, as well as its culture and future plans. These methods determined the main problem of TRLAFCO at the time of study, which was its stability in the dairy industry in Rosario, Batangas and how it must be improved within the next two (2) years for them to expand their operations.
In order to solve this pressing issue, two (2) strategies were determine, namely, through strategic partnerships and through the improvement of the overall efficiency of TRLAFCO. Theses courses of action were then incorporated into an implementation plan to guide the cooperative management and its members
Evaluation of the AquaCrop model for simulating cotton yield under a semi-arid environment and different field management practices
No full textCotton plays an important role in increasing productivity in the agricultural sector and related industries in the province of Golestan, Iran. However, the cultivation areas decreased considerably in the last couple of decades due to the high costs of production, water scarcity, and climate change. To encourage sustainable increase in production, crop simulation models are parameterized for each region using observed field data. In this study, the AquaCrop model was calibrated and validated for cotton under different field management scenarios using data from a 3-yr field experiment, which was conducted at the research farm of the National Cotton Research Institute, Golestan, Iran. The field experiment comprised six irrigation treatments (W1: rainfed/no irrigation, W2: irrigation at 33% of water requirement [WR], W3: irrigation at 66% WR, W4: irrigation at 88% WR, W5: irrigation at 100% WR/full irrigation, and W6: irrigation at 125% WR/over-irrigation) and four rates based on the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) (N1: 0 or no N, N2: 33% RDN, N3: 66% RDN, and N4: 100% recommended RDN). The model was calibrated using data from the 1st experimental yr and validated with data from the 2nd and 3rd yr. Simulated and observed data of cotton yield and above ground biomass yield were compared, and the resulting prediction error statistics were 0.85 \u3c E \u3c 0.93, 0.27 \u3c RMSE \u3c 0.58 t ha-1, and 8.08 \u3c MAE \u3c 14.6%. Moreover, validation results for yield and biomass amounting to 0.85 \u3c E \u3c 0.92 and 0.27 \u3c RMSE \u3c 0.58 t/ha were calculated for 2013 and 2014. Overall, the AquaCrop model estimated cotton yield and biomass with reasonable accuracy under varying field conditions
An Analysis of the Factors Affecting Online Shopping Cart Abandonment of Economics 11 Students in UPLB
No full textThis study assessed the factors affecting online shopping cart abandonment of Econ 11 students in UPLB. It examined the relationship between cart abandonment as the dependent variable and several independent variables: age, sex, income, perceived cost, complicated checkout, entertainment motivation, emotional ambivalence, information overload over the product, and perceived risk. The study utilized primary data from online survey questionnaires distributed to target respondents\u27 recitation classes and learning platforms. This study utilized two multiple linear regression models. The first model, utilizing non-normalized mean values for independent variables, revealed that entertainment motivation and emotional ambivalence significantly and positively affect cart abandonment. However, the first analysis showed a significant negative relationship between complicated checkout and online shopping cart abandonment, which is opposite to the conclusions of the primary reference of this study. The second model, with normalized mean values, identified perceived cost as a positive and significant factor, aligning with past research. Interestingly, the negative relationship with complicated checkout persisted. As Econ 11 students usually have lower disposable income and are tech-savvy, these have made other factors non-significant in this study. Nevertheless, the study recommends that further research be pursued as the literature regarding online shopping cart abandonment is still limited with the appearance of new online shopping platforms, such as TikTok Shop. The study also recommends future research about this behavior focusing on specific online shopping platforms. Future research can also explore the cart abandonment behavior in the days surrounding sales events, allowing for a more nuanced analysis of how individuals with sales incentives behave compared to those without
Measuring the Financial Literacy of Undergraduate Students from the College of Economics and Management in UPLB
No full textThis thesis assesses the financial literacy of undergraduate students from the College of Economics and Management (CEM) in UPLB, employing the comprehensive framework proposed by Atkinson and Messy (2012). This framework defines financial literacy as comprising three pillars: knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. The study acknowledges the limitations of the prevailing measurement of financial literacy established by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), as its definition is potentially misleading, equating to financial knowledge alone.
To address these limitations, this thesis adopts the refined measurement proposed by Atkinson and Messy (2012) to determine the financial literacy levels among CEM undergraduate students. The findings of this research reveal that the surveyed students demonstrate high levels of overall financial literacy, even displaying high levels across all three components—financial knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Despite the high levels observed in all components, a notable gap exists between financial knowledge levels and those of the two other components, with the former being substantially higher than the latter.
These results affirm the central assertion of this study: knowledge alone does not always translate into proper financial behavior and attitudes. Moreover, the said findings underscore the significance of a more holistic approach in financial education, emphasizing the cultivation of positive financial attitudes and behaviors
A Case Study on the Center for Bamboo Development Inc. (CBDI): Focus on its Conversion to an Agritourism Enterprise
No full textCenter for Bamboo Development Inc. (CBDI) is the subject of this research, which was founded to promote the use of bamboo in the province of La Union. The center is located in the municipality of Pugo, La Union. There are currently 9 employees in the center, 5 of which are the board of directors. As part of the center’s purpose to promote the use of bamboo and bamboo production in the Philippines, the employees offer training to the people in the community of Pugo, La Union.
The study entitled “A Case Study on the Center for Bamboo Development, Inc. (CBDI): Focus on its Agritourism Enterprise” was conducted to assess the performance of CBDI as a center and as one of the key promoters of bamboo production in Pugo, La Union. Specifically, the study intended to: (a) describe the historical background and business model of the Center for Bamboo Development Inc. (CBDI); (b) evaluate the external and internal environment of the business; (c) assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the business; (d) analyze the critical business issues; (e) present strategic solutions to identified problems and design an implementation plan for the recommended strategy.
The farm is still in the process of turning the farm into an agritourism site. There are a lot of factors to consider before turning it into an agritourism enterprise. The biggest factor would be the lack of capitalization that is hindering the business from expanding and upgrading the farm.
Since its founding in 2018, the center has demonstrated how important it is to encourage the production of bamboo in Pugo, La Union. As of late, the center only provides two options for its products and services: BambuBlack, an engineered bamboo product, and the facilitation of training in bamboo production in Pugo, La Union.
The board of directors was interviewed in-person and over the phone to acquire primary data. The researcher also used a questionnaire to help collect the data and information needed. Meanwhile, financial statements and other secondary data were taken from the center\u27s documentation. To bolster the study, information was also acquired from publications, research papers, books, and journals on agriculture.
To investigate the case subject\u27s internal and external environments, management techniques like PESTLE Analysis and SWOT Analysis were applied. Using financial ratios and horizontal analysis, the financial statements of CBDI from 2020 were compared, and the company\u27s financial standing was evaluated. Studying the four business functions— marketing, operations, finance, and human resources—helped to pinpoint the main difficulties CBDI is facing.
The most urgent and significant issue that CBDI is currently dealing with is its lack of capitalization and inadequate strategic planning, according to an analysis of the issues raised in each of the organization\u27s business functions. This study offered short-, medium- , and long-term solutions to CBDI\u27s identified primary problem in order to direct the center toward future growth and address its present problems. These metrics were extracted from the SWOT Analysis that the researcher conducted. The following short- term solutions are (1) train more employees to become TESDA certified bamboo trainers, (2) develop partnerships with local businesses or establish a membership program for regular visitors, and (3) establish a strong online presence. Medium-term goals on the other hand, include activities like (1) find investors to fund the shift from farm to an agri-tourism enterprise and (2) seek grants, local sponsorships, or collaborate with community organizations to host small events on the farm to generate additional income. Lastly, transforming the farm into an agri-tourism enterprise would be the center’s long-term goal.
Some highlights of the strategic plan are the proposed change of the vision and mission statements and objectives. To track the progress towards the proposed objectives, key performance indicators will be used. Business models for the agritourism site and BambuBlack are also provided to outline the way the business operates and make money. Functional areas such as Marketing, HR, Operations and Finance were also discussed in the strategic plan.
The new strategic plan will include offerings like farm-to-table dining experience, educational experiences like workshops and farm tours, wellness programs, and cultural immersion. Some examples of revenue streams of the agritourism site would be the accommodation fees, entrance fees, and farm tour experiences. There will also be a store or shop inside wherein visitors can purchase the bamboo-made products like bamboo charcoal and bamboo-weaved products like lamps, bags, and baskets.
There are a number of challenges the company is facing. One of these challenges is the lack of funding for the establishment of the agritourism site in the farm. This is the biggest and most crucial part in the plan of turning the farm into an agritourism site. Another challenge is the motivation of the board to continue running the company. The board of directors are currently also involved in other business ventures so their main focus is not on this business. There are a lot of factors to consider as to what to do with the business and how to further develop the land given.
It is believed that each of these strategic options will be essential to the company\u27s survival over the next five years. To strengthen CBDI\u27s strategic management, the center must rework its vision, mission, and goals in which the researcher has suggested. Afterwards, in order to assist and direct the board of directors in redefining CBDI\u27s mission, a suggested strategic direction was put forth
Cold Chain Quality Management: The Case of Yakap at Halik Multipurpose Cooperative Aquaculture, A Social Enterprise in Padre Burgos Quezon
No full textCold chain management is crucial in aquaculture for preserving the freshness and safety of perishable products. It involves effective temperature control, which prevents spoilage and extends shelf life, thereby ensuring food quality and profitability (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2012; Siddiqui et al., 2024). However, research of cold chain management on small-scale, community-based social enterprises in rural areas remains limited.
The purpose of the study was to analyze cold chain quality management practices of Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Cooperative Aquaculture Social Enterprise in Padre Burgos, Quezon. Specifically the research aimed to (1) describe the profile of Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Cooperative Aquaculture Social Enterprise, (2) determine the external environment and internal environment focusing on cold chain quality management systems of the enterprise, (3) assess the factors that can optimize or lead to efficient cold chain quality management systems of the enterprise, (4) evaluate the prospects, opportunities, and issues affecting the cold chain quality management of the enterprise, and (5) recommend ways to optimize the operational efficiency of the cold chain quality management systems of the enterprise.
The research employed a mixed method research design. The qualitative data were collected through Key Informant Interviews of 16 qualified aqua farm department members selected using purposive sampling technique. Observation through documentation was also used to further understand the enterprise’s cold chain operation. The quantitative data were gathered from the cold chain experiment. The experiment aimed to assess the efficiency of the enterprise cold chain practices during transport, with a focus on temperature, ice, and commodity quality.
Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Cooperative Aquaculture Social Enterprise, a faith-based enterprise in Padre Burgos, Quezon has been operating since 2014 aiming to establish a social enterprise primarily for a sustainable business system. By 2023 it established its own Micro Ice Plant for its cold chain management operation. Hence, the enterprise faces competition, market demand fluctuations, environmental considerations, and challenges from competitive rivalry, supplier power, and the threat of substitutes.
It operates a six-stage aquaculture cycle, with its Micro Ice Plant utilizing both ballot and crushed ice for cold chain management. Skilled personnel are hired and trained to ensure effective operations. YHMPC markets its seafood and ice products by emphasizing quality, affordability, and sustainability. Financially, the enterprise is transitioning from initial losses to sustained profitability, with improving ROI. The cold chain experiment conducted in this study demonstrated that crushed ice is more effective than ballot ice in maintaining lower temperatures and preserving product quality. This finding highlights the potential of extensively utilizing crushed ice to significantly improve cold chain efficiency and enhance the preservation of perishable goods throughout the supply chain.
Using the Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE), YHMPC scored 2.86 suggesting moderately effective, requiring improvement on resource utilization and operational efficiency. The External Factor Evaluation (EFE) scored 2.45 indicating the enterprise could enhance its response to external opportunities and threats, especially by expanding its market reach and addressing competition more effectively.
Given the results of qualitative and quantitative data, key challenges in cold chain management at YHMPC include underutilization of the Micro Ice Plant, reliance on external suppliers, and operational inefficiencies. To address these, the researcher proposes formalizing contracts for key positions, such as the Micro Ice Plant Project Coordinator, to improve HR management, expanding market reach through online platforms and competitive pricing strategies, strengthening financial practices to manage volatility, investing in additional refrigeration capacity, and optimizing the Micro Ice Plant to produce larger ballot ice. These improvements would optimize cold chain management, support growth in the aquaculture sector, and strengthen YHMPC\u27s competitive edge in its cold chain management systems
Review of the biodiversity and limno-ecological studies on Lake Taal: updates from the last 10 years
No full textLake Taal is one of the most significant lake ecosystems in tropical East Asia. In 2011, a review paper consolidated all known biodiversity and limno-ecological studies conducted in Lake Taal from the beginning of the 20th century all the way to the late 2000s. It highlighted that insufficient funding, inadequate long-term monitoring data, and the publication culture of that time impeded having a comprehensive understanding of the lake. Since then, much research work has been done in Lake Taal, especially during the past decade. This review paper provides an analysis and summary of the research work conducted in Lake Taal over the past 10 years. The recent decade has seen a steady increase in scientific interest in Lake Taal made evident by more scientists and institutions working on topics involving the lake. Research grants, collaborations, and publications have also significantly increased during the past 10 years. This has led to an improved understanding of the lake’s biodiversity, ecology, and impacts of intensive aquaculture and the introduction of non-native species. Taken together, this paper presents a better understanding of Lake Taal, which can be utilized for the design and improvement of conservation, preservation, and management programs for this multi-use freshwater system
Hedonic Pricing Model Applied on the Online Sneaker Resale Market in the Philippines
No full textThe study delves into the secondary resale market of sneakers in the Philippines, with a specific aim on understanding the factors that influence the resale price of brand-new sneaker available online. The research utilizes data obtained from the local online selling platform GetNice, which specializes in sneakers with resale value, covering the period from 2022 to 2023. To analyze the determinants of sneaker resale price, a hedonic pricing method is employed. The said approach allows for the examination of various attributes that contribute to the pricing of sneakers in the secondary market. By assessing specific attributes such as its cumulative number of transactions, brand, collaboration status, structure, colorway, and material, the study aims to uncover the key drivers behind the resale price dynamics in the sneaker market.
The dataset used in the study comprises a comprehensive collection of sale transactions from the specified time period of March 2022 to May 2023 providing a robust foundation for analysis. Specifically, it gathered 36,961 sale transactions which constitutes 458 sneaker models listed in the application. By examining the characteristics and attributes associated with each sale, the study seeks to identify the significant factors that impact the resale price of sneakers in the Philippines. The hedonic model yielded significant findings, specifically, analysis of the model showed that all attributes selected were sneaker resale price determinant except the two of the variables under the colorway category. the present study contributes to the scarce body of knowledge on the sneaker resale market in the Philippines and in resale markets in general
An Assessment of the Usability of the Centralized Point-of-Sale (POS) System for Inventory Management of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. Rotisserie Operation
No full textIn response to the considerable challenges posed by the manual inventory management system in Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) Rotisserie Retail Operations, the company took a transformative step and adopted a centralized Point-of-Sale (POS) system to streamline its inventory management practices and address the inaccuracy concerns. This study aimed to assess the usability of the centralized Point-of-Sale (POS) system in the inventory management of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) Rotisserie Operation. It attempted to evaluate the system\u27s performance based on usability dimensions, analyze the relationships between socio-demographic factors and usability, and provide recommendations for improvement of the centralized POS system. The study employed a comprehensive framework to evaluate the usability of the centralized POS system, utilizing various usability dimensions to comprehensively assess the user experience, tasks, and system features. By scrutinizing theses aspects, the study provides valuable insights into the system\u27s strengths, limitations, and avenues for system\u27s enhancement, this optimizing BAVI\u27s inventory management operations.
The study used descriptive and evaluative approaches to comprehensively assess the usability of the centralized Point-of-Sale (POS) system within BAVI\u27S Rotisserie Retail Operations. A survey was conducted among 30 store crew members representing high, medium, and low-selling BAVI\u27s retail stores. The researcher also did observation of user interactions and operational processes. Key Informant Interviews II (KII) were also done with BAVI personnel to gather user perceptions and challenges. Further, company inventory management policies and procedures were analyzed using content analysis. Aside from qualitative data analysis, descriptive statistics were used, specifically frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations as well as an inferential statistic-t-test. System Usability Scale (SUS) assessment were also applied. This tool enabled a robust evaluation of the system\u27s usability and guiding recommendations for enhancement of the centralized POS system