Hoang-Long Cao, Huynh Anh Duy Nguyen, Trong Hieu Luu, Huong Thi Thu Vu, Diep Pham, Van Thi Ngoc Vu, Hoang Hai Le, Duy Xuan Bach Nguyen, Trong Toai Truong, Hoang-Dung Nguyen and Chi-Ngon Nguyen
COVID-19 hits every country’s health-care system and economy. There is a trend toward using automation technology in response to the COVID-19 crisis not only in developed…
Abstract
Purpose
COVID-19 hits every country’s health-care system and economy. There is a trend toward using automation technology in response to the COVID-19 crisis not only in developed countries but also in those with lower levels of technology development. However, current studies mainly focus on the world level, and only a few ones report deployments at the country level. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of automation solutions in Vietnam with locally available materials mainly in the first wave from January to July 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected COVID-related automation solutions during the first wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam from January to July 2020 through a search process. The analysis and insights of a panel consisting of various disciplines (i.e. academia, health care, government, entrepreneur and media) aim at providing a clear picture of how and to what extent these solutions have been deployed.
Findings
The authors found seven groups of solutions from low to high research and development (R&D) levels deployed across the country with various funding sources. Low R&D solutions were widely spread owing to simplicity and affordability. High R&D solutions were mainly deployed in big cities. Most of the solutions were deployed during the first phases when international supply chains were limited with a significant contribution of the media. Higher R&D solutions have opportunities to be deployed in the reopening phase. However, challenges can be listed as limited interdisciplinary research teams, market demand, the local supporting industry, end-user validation and social-ethical issues.
Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the use of automation technology in response to COVID-19 in Vietnam and also in a country in Southeast Asia. Lessons learned from these current deployments are useful for future emerging infectious diseases. The reality of Vietnam’s automation solutions in response to COVID-19 might be a reference for other developing countries with similar social-economic circumstances and contributes to the global picture of how different countries adopt technology to combat COVID-19.
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Van Thi Cam Ha, Trinh Nguyen Chau, Tra Thi Thu Pham and Duy Nguyen
This analysis examines the relationship between corruption and firm productivity in Vietnam.
Abstract
Purpose
This analysis examines the relationship between corruption and firm productivity in Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors apply the system generalized method of moments estimation approach on a panel dataset constructed from comprehensive enterprise surveys covering all the sectors over the 2011–2020 period.
Findings
The results confirm a non-linear relationship between corruption and firm productivity. Where corruption is severe, leaving corruption alone tends to benefit firm productivity because efforts to control corruption are likely to cause greater delays. In less corrupt provinces, corruption appears to harm firm productivity while efforts to control corruption provide significant productivity gains. This U-shaped relationship is confirmed for small firms and those in the private sector sub-samples. Intriguingly, this study reveals that the U-shaped relationship does not apply to micro, medium, large firms, state-owned firms and foreign-invested firms because corruption is found to have no significant impact on productivity among these sub-samples. Changes in regulations after 2014 toward promoting a transparent business environment are shown to foster the positive impact of lowering corruption on firm productivity.
Research limitations/implications
This study suggests that lowering corruption is beneficial for firm productivity at the micro level. However, where corruption is severe, monitoring corruption alone is likely to cause adverse effects on productivity due to increased bureaucratic delays. Institutional reforms might play an important role in leveraging the effects of lowering corruption on productivity in highly corrupt areas.
Originality/value
This paper sheds new light on the relationship between corruption and firm productivity in the broad existing literature and especially in the limited number of studies for Vietnam.
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Long Thang Van Nguyen, Rajkishore Nayak, Jerry Watkins and Phuong Ngoc Duy Nguyen
This paper aims to identify and discuss selected reasons for social media disengagement (SMD). Drawing upon two-factor theory, it is argued that the determinants of consumer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify and discuss selected reasons for social media disengagement (SMD). Drawing upon two-factor theory, it is argued that the determinants of consumer disengagement may be different from those that enable consumer engagement. Accordingly, extrinsic factors of social media experiences (SMEs), subjective norms (SN), perceived anonymity (PA) and perceived credibility (PC) trigger previously engaged consumers to terminate their interactions with the brand on social media.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative survey targeting young members from one of the largest social media communities in Vietnam was used in 2018. A total of 387 completed questionnaires were used for data analysis using covariance-based structural equation modeling.
Findings
Results reveal that PC is the main driver of SMD. Moreover, PA, SME and SN are indirectly related to SMD via PC.
Practical implications
The study provides some strategic recommendations for brand managers to re-design user interaction with social media brand pages to improve consumer retention and minimize consumer disengagement.
Originality/value
While consumer engagement with social media has received much attention from practitioners and academics, a research gap exists around the “dark side” of consumer engagement in which consumers can disengage from their relationship with brand on social media. This disengagement can lead ultimately to the termination of the relationship between the consumer and the brand. This research contributes to marketing literature by providing empirical evidence for relevant constructs driving consumer disengagement from the brand’s social media pages.
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Nhu Ngoc Phan Ha, Duc Duy Nguyen and Song Thanh Quynh Le
In the apparel industry, suppliers play a significant role, directly affecting customer service levels and business profits. Integrating sustainable requirements into supplier…
Abstract
Purpose
In the apparel industry, suppliers play a significant role, directly affecting customer service levels and business profits. Integrating sustainable requirements into supplier selection not only aligns with global environmental goals but also enhances business performance, social responsibility and overall industry well-being. This study aims to design a multi-criteria model to evaluate and select the most sustainable suppliers in the fashion industry, trying to balance the conflicts in the set of sustainable development criteria.
Design/methodology/approach
The integration of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) offers advantages in sustainable supplier selection within the apparel industry. The AHP plays a crucial role in engaging multiple decision-makers with conflicting criteria to reach a consensus during the decision-making process. Conversely, the TOPSIS is used to compute alternative ratings. By simultaneously determining criteria weights and incorporating stakeholder preferences, hybrid models enhance decision-making strength and overcome limitations observed in classical multi-criteria decision-making techniques.
Findings
This research identified and classified 16 critical criteria impacting the selection of apparel industry suppliers, focusing on sustainable development. The criteria were weighted, providing a robust statistical foundation for the selection model. The results indicated that the most influential criteria were staff training, production capability, flexibility and practice of recycling. The proposed sustainable supplier selection model explains to decision-makers how criteria influence supplier ranking results compared to traditional models, supporting managers in making informed and sustainable supply chain decisions through continuous updates and enhancements.
Originality/value
This research provides new insight into the weighted impact of factors related to sustainable supplier selection in the apparel industry. The combination of a precise process and scientific knowledge will improve the quality of sustainable supplier selection.
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Hanh Song Thi Pham and Duy Thanh Nguyen
This paper aims to investigate the moderating effects of corporate governance mechanisms on the financial leverage–profitability relation in emerging market firms.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the moderating effects of corporate governance mechanisms on the financial leverage–profitability relation in emerging market firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines the impacts by estimating the empirical model in which a firm’s accounting profitability is a dependent variable, while financial leverage, board size, board independence, CEO duality, CEO ownership, state ownership and the interaction variables are predictors. The paper uses the panel data set of 295 listed firms in Vietnam in the period 2011-2015 and two key econometric methods for panel data, namely, the two-stage least square instrumental variable and general moments method.
Findings
The paper finds the evidence for the significant and positive effect of board size, board independence and state ownership on the financial leverage–profitability relation. The effect of CEO duality on the financial leverage–profitability relation tends to be negative, and the impact CEO ownership inclines to be positive, although both of them are statistically insignificant. The results are consistent across different estimation methods.
Originality/value
This paper is the first investigating the moderating effect of various corporate governance mechanisms on the financial leverage–profitability relationship in emerging market firms.
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Keywords
Hung Duy Nguyen, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Vi Vu Doan and Chau Ngoc Dang
Public–private partnership (PPP) projects play a pivotal role in fostering infrastructure development in developing countries. This study aims to identify major barriers and…
Abstract
Purpose
Public–private partnership (PPP) projects play a pivotal role in fostering infrastructure development in developing countries. This study aims to identify major barriers and critical success factors (CSFs) for PPP projects in Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
The study initially conducted an extensive literature review and interviewed industry experts to compile a comprehensive list of barriers and success factors. Subsequently, a survey involving 250 construction professionals was conducted to assess these identified factors. The research used both ANOVA test and hierarchical regression analysis to explore the relationship between participants’ characteristics and assessments.
Findings
The results could provide a valuable reference for practitioners by assessing barriers and CSFs in PPP projects. Specifically, the ANOVA analysis indicated a positive correlation between barrier assessment and participants’ experience, while the influence of participants’ sector on the evaluation was minor. Furthermore, the hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that participants’ sector did not moderate the relationship between barrier assessment and industry experience.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the existing literature by offering empirical insights into barriers and CSFs specific to PPP projects in a developing country context. The findings highlight the crucial role of experienced professionals in ensuring PPP project success. Moreover, the study provides construction practitioners with a better understanding of the essential factors and supports the development of effective management strategies for future PPP projects.
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Hung Duy Nguyen and Laura Macchion
Risks in implementing green building (GB) projects have emerged as a significant obstacle for GB development, especially in developing countries. In recent years, both academics…
Abstract
Purpose
Risks in implementing green building (GB) projects have emerged as a significant obstacle for GB development, especially in developing countries. In recent years, both academics and construction practitioners have paid considerable attention to the risks associated with GB. In this study, the authors aimed to create a comprehensive risk assessment model that considers three crucial risk features: impact level, probability of occurrence and risk manageability.
Design/methodology/approach
In the research, authors adopted the mean scoring and fuzzy synthetic evaluation method to assess GB risks. Based on expert assessments, this model can determine the significance of risk factors, risk groups and overall risk. Notably, this research applied the proposed model to assess GB risks in Vietnam by surveying 58 GB experienced professionals.
Findings
The findings revealed that GB risks are relatively high in Vietnam, implying that risk management is essential for GB projects to succeed. The results also showed that “lack of experience of GB designers” is the most critical factor, and “human resources risk in the design phase” is the top crucial risk group.
Originality/value
This study contributes a novel and practical model to help practitioners assess risks in GB projects. In addition, this research offers detailed GB risk evaluations in Vietnam and thus could be a valuable reference for construction practitioners and future studies.
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Quoc-Duy Nguyen, Thi-Dung Vu, Thuy-Trang Nguyen, Thi-Kieu-Vi Phan, Hieu-Thao Pham and Phuong-Thao Nguyen
This study aims to investigate the effect of spray drying temperature and maltodextrin addition on the contents of phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of spray drying temperature and maltodextrin addition on the contents of phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power and reducing power) of karonda powder.
Design/methodology/approach
Over the past few decades, the demands for application of natural colorants in food production have been attracting the attention of academic research and food industry. Anthocyanins, a red pigment commonly found on plants, show high potentials in the preparation of spray-dried pigment powder. This study, therefore, was conducted using full factorial design with two factors, namely, inlet temperature (150°C and 160°C) and soluble solid concentration (10, 15 and 20°Brix) with maltodextrin as carrier to produce pigment powder from karonda, an anthocyanin-rich fruit which is native to southeast Asia.
Findings
Increasing soluble solid content from 10 to 15°Brix resulted in a 42%–57% reduction in phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents. However, when increasing the amount of maltodextrin from 15 to 20°Brix, a lower reduction (approximately 11%–19%) was observed. In samples with the same °Brix, there was no significant variation in antioxidant contents and activities, especially at high maltodextrin ratios. In addition, the reducing power of samples dried at higher temperature (160°C) was higher than that of samples dried at lower temperature. Karonda spray-dried powder showed a good positive correlation (p < 0.01) between antioxidant contents and DPPH• activity.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, in this study, for the first time, the effect of spray drying conditions on the quality of karonda powder was investigated.
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Duy Nguyen Luc Ha and Anh Tu Nguyen
Focusing on the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, this research reveals that AI can create and improve English language assessments for learners in order to…
Abstract
Purpose
Focusing on the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, this research reveals that AI can create and improve English language assessments for learners in order to optimize and enhance test questions as a bilateral tool in the traditional way for English Language Teaching (ELT) is possible.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopted a qualitative methodology by conducting semi-structured interviews with a varied range of language institutes’ lecturers, revealing new beneficial effects of AI on test time, content and human variables.
Findings
Several interviewees agreed that AI should be used in ELT exam creations because of its overt advantages in making test items automatically, adaptive testing, enhanced feedback mechanisms and quality assurance and innovative formats. Simultaneously, some disadvantages are recorded, including complexity and nuance of language, technical limitations, ethical and bias concerns and human oversight and validation.
Research limitations/implications
The study was also limited by the time frame of the research, which may not have fully captured the complex dynamics between the different actors, such as using AI in preparing questions for reading tasks such as automatic creation of pre-reading questions as well as possible answers.
Originality/value
For future studies, as AI-generated material is becoming more ubiquitous, from music to artwork, it presents crucial legal problems regarding who owns the rights to the work or construct ELT exams. It has also become the next problem that the writers should concentrate on.
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Hung Duy Nguyen, Quang Nhat Huu Do and Laura Macchion
Risks are considered a significant obstacle to Green Building (GB) development and have recently received significant attention from both construction practitioners and academics…
Abstract
Purpose
Risks are considered a significant obstacle to Green Building (GB) development and have recently received significant attention from both construction practitioners and academics. This study aimed to identify critical GB risks and explore the relationship between participants' characteristics and risk assessment.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, a list of GB risks was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and interviewing GB experts. After that, a survey of 207 construction professionals was then conducted to validate these GB risk factors. Finally, this research adopted the ANOVA test and hierarchical regression analysis to examine the relationship between participants' characteristics and risk assessment.
Findings
The results provided a list of GB risks classified and evaluated according to the GB project life cycle and, thus, may serve as a helpful reference for GB practitioners. Notably, the ANOVA analysis revealed that risk assessment negatively correlates with participants' GB experience, while their industry experience does not affect risk assessment. Furthermore, the hierarchical regression analysis proved that participant roles do not moderate the association between risk assessment and GB experience.
Originality/value
This study contributed to GB literature by implementing empirical research on GB risks in a developing country. The results implied the essential role of professionals with rich GB experience in risk management in GB projects. Furthermore, this research could help construction practitioners understand GB risks adequately and thereby have better risk-management strategies for future GB projects.