Showing papers by "Mahidol University International College published in 2015"

Multicore triangle computations without tuning

Abstract: Triangle counting and enumeration has emerged as a basic tool in large-scale network analysis, fueling the development of algorithms that scale to massive graphs. Most of the existing algorithms, however, are designed for the distributed-memory setting or the external-memory setting, and cannot take full advantage of a multicore machine, whose capacity has grown to accommodate even the largest of real-world graphs.

General incremental sliding-window aggregation

Abstract: Stream processing is gaining importance as more data becomes available in the form of continuous streams and companies compete to promptly extract insights from them. In such applications, sliding-window aggregation is a central operator, and incremental aggregation helps avoid the performance penalty of re-aggregating from scratch for each window change.This paper presents Reactive Aggregator (RA), a new framework for incremental sliding-window aggregation. RA is general in that it does not require aggregation functions to be invertible or commutative, and it does not require windows to be FIFO. We implemented RA as a drop-in replacement for the Aggregate operator of a commercial streaming engine. Given m updates on a window of size n, RA has an algorithmic complexity of O(m + m log (n/m)), rivaling the best prior algorithms for any m. Furthermore, RA's implementation minimizes overheads from allocation and pointer traversals by using a single flat array.

Humour 2.0: Styles and Types of Humour and Virality of Memes on Facebook:

Abstract: This research analyzes the communication process of humorous memes in the most vibrant online phenomenon, Facebook. Through quantitative and qualitative content analysis of 1,000 memes shared on a Facebook page, this research tests the effect of various styles and types of humour on the virality of memes. Self-defeating is the most effective style of humour although it is not the most frequently used. By applying the typology used in the context of broadcast and print media, this study shows that although sarcasm and silliness are the two most prevalent types of humour used in Internet memes, no obvious differences can be observed in the effects of seven types of humour—comparison, personification, exaggeration, pun, sarcasm, silliness and surprise—on virality. Nevertheless, the authors develop the framework for humorous memes in social media communications by combining established communication models with the concepts and theories of humour and virality. The findings of this research may benefit practit...

Phylogenetic relationships and morphological evolution in Lentinus, Polyporellus and Neofavolus, emphasizing southeastern Asian taxa.

Abstract: The genus Lentinus (Polyporaceae, Basidiomycota) is widely documented from tropical and temperate forests and is taxonomically controversial. Here we studied the relationships between Lentinus subg. Lentinus sensu Pegler (i.e. sections Lentinus, Tigrini, Dicholamellatae, Rigidi, Lentodiellum and Pleuroti and polypores that share similar morphological characters). We generated sequences of internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and partial 28S regions of nuc rDNA and genes encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), focusing on Lentinus subg. Lentinus sensu Pegler and the Neofavolus group, combined these data with sequences from GenBank (including RPB2 gene sequences) and performed phylogenetic analyses with maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. We also evaluated the transition in hymenophore morphology between Lentinus, Neofavolus and related polypores with ancestral state reconstruction. Single-gene phylogenies and phylogenies combining ITS and 28S with RPB1 and RPB2 genes all support existe...

The challenge of implementing sustainable tourism policy: a 360-degree assessment of Thailand's “7 Greens sustainable tourism policy”

Abstract: It is relatively easy to write sustainable tourism policies, but much harder to implement them. This paper examines the implementation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's award winning “7 Greens” sustainable tourism policy, announced in 2008, and piloted on the mature destination island of Koh Samui from 2012 onwards, as well as in three other areas. 7 Greens seeks to engage all stakeholders directly and indirectly involved in tourism to work collaboratively for the development of a more sustainable sector. The Tourism Authority feels the Samui pilot case has been successful, but the lead author, adopting a 360-degree survey method, found stakeholders were much more equivocal about the project. The study showed strong in-principle support, but little effective buy-in and even less willingness to take a leadership role. Stakeholders also identified a number of weaknesses in the policy that they felt limited its utility, including a lack of clear objectives, failure to define terms, lack of collaboration...

Thai consumers’ purchase decisions and private label brands

Abstract: Purpose – Private label brands have achieved double-digit growth in the Thai market. To expand market share, private label brands need to identify clearly what triggers consumer purchases. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between consumer decision-making styles and actual purchases of private label products in a Thai market context, using price consciousness, quality consciousness, brand consciousness, value consciousness, and risk perception as factors for investigation. Design/methodology/approach – Responses from a total of 240 respondents from four product categories were collected through mall intercepts in five hypermarkets and supermarkets in Bangkok, and a regression-based model was employed to identify the associations. Findings – The results indicate a significant relationship between price-conscious and brand-conscious consumers, and private label purchases and show that the relationship between quality-conscious, value-conscious, and risk-adverse consumers and priva...

The effects of word-of-mouth incentivization on consumer brand attitude

Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to conceptualize and test the effect of monetary and non-monetary incentives for word-of-mouth (WOM) campaigns on the brand attitude of those receiving an incentivized brand recommendation. It also studied whether or not the type of relationship between the recommender and the person who receives the recommendation and the expertise of the recommender moderate the impact of incentivization on brand attitude. The results should enable brand management to improve the design of WOM campaigns. Design/methodology/approach – An experiment was conducted utilizing a sample of about 645 respondents in Thailand. In a 3 × 3 experimental design, three levels of incentivization and three types of social relationships were manipulated. All other variables were measured through a respondent-administered questionnaire. For incentivization of WOM, monetary reward and non-monetary reward are compared to a non-incentivized control state. The three types of social relationships are an authority rela...

Gentrification and displacement: The impacts of mass transit in Bangkok

Abstract: There is limited research regarding gentrification's relationship with mass transit and, more generally, a lack of qualitative research that explores the experiences of those impacted by gentrification This study aims to bridge this gap by examining through interviews the experiences of new and incumbent residents in two neighbourhoods along a mass transit extension line in Bangkok Results show that new-build gentrification and displacement are occurring in the case study area due to mass transit Residents' views are generally mixed However, extremely negative views exist amongst those displaced, and the dangers of quantitative measures of displacement are evident

How do powerful CEOs view corporate risk-taking? Evidence from the CEO pay slice (CPS)

Abstract: We explore the role of powerful CEOs on the extent of risk-taking, using Bebchuk, Cremers and Peyer’s (2011) CEO pay slice (CPS). Based on more than 12,000 observations over 20 years (1992–2012), our results reveal a nonmonotonic association. In particular, relatively less powerful CEOs exhibit risk aversion, resulting in less risky strategies. However, when the CEO has his power consolidated beyond a certain point, he is less likely to compromise with other executives, leading to less moderate decisions and more risky strategies. We estimate that the CEO has to wield considerable power, that is, around the 75th percentile of CPS, before significantly more risk-taking is observed. Finally, we show that our results are unlikely vulnerable to endogeneity.

Thai University Student Schemas and Anxiety Symptomatology

Abstract: This study explores how early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) contribute to the development of anxiety symptomologies among college undergraduates (N=110). The study was conducted by assessing the correlations between 18 schemas derived from Young’s model of Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs) and anxiety symptoms using Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), self-reported anxiety assessment arranging severity into 4 indexes ranging from normal range, minimal to moderate anxiety, marked to severe anxiety, and extreme anxiety. The study examined how each of the 18 individual EMSs serves as predictors of anxiety symptomatology in college students. The results of the study show that 14 out of 18 early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) were predictive of anxiety symptoms. Aside from the association of anxiety symptoms and EMSs, the findings of the study reveal the important role of gender and ethnicity in predicting anxiety and individual EMSs. Unrelenting Standard/Hyper criticalness and Approval-Seeking/Recognition-Seeking were the two leading EMSs characterized by the majority of the respondents may be explained by the Thai collectivist culture which incorporates the values that form a part of these schemas as socially desirable and emphasizes the importance of conformity and approval of others.

The Analysis of Bangkok Coffee Chain’s Consumers and the Influence of Brand Personalities on their Purchasing Decision

Abstract: This research analyzes the demographic data of a Bangkok coffee chain’s consumers and investigates the relationship between their personality and the chain’s brand personality. It further examines ...

A Study of Mobile Payment (M-payment) Services Adoption in Thailand

Abstract: The mobile phone has become a common and empowering communication tool, with approximately 6 billion mobile devices currently in use worldwide (ITU, 2011). The rapid development of handheld and mobile technology has created opportunities to use such devices beyond the instant communication purposes for which they were originally designed. Mobile commerce (m-commerce) has become an important channel in today’s wireless society, allowing people to purchase and pay for products with their mobile devices (Zhang & Dodgson, 2007). The advent of m-payments as a service is a key driver behind m-commerce (Holden, 2012). M-payment activity continues to increase, with the value of transactions conducted through handheld devices predicted to reach $670 billion globally by 2015 (Wilcox, 2011). With such anticipated growth, the entities associated with providing m-payment services, such as telecommunication companies, banks, and payment service providers, need to understand the determinants underpinning the adoption decisions of consumers to ensure that they can meet demand (Chen, 2008; Kim, Mirusmonov, & Lee, 2010). There is a growing body of literature associated with m-payment adoption. However, relatively little research has focussed on Thailand, which has a low uptake rate of m-payment services despite a high rate of mobile device adoption (Bank of Thailand, 2012). To address this gap in the research, an examination of the adoption of m-payment services amongst a cohort of early-adopting Thai consumers was conducted. The research sought to identify the factors that are most likely to influence adoption. It assumes that adoption of m-payment services is desirable and will have a positive impact on the various entities associated with the increasing uptake of this mobile transaction. This article presents the findings of this research study, providing some background, a review of the literature relating to m-payment in Thailand and an understanding of user adoption models. The methodology and findings are then discussed, concluding with considerations for further research.

Impact of national culture on airline operations

Abstract: Organizations absorb their nations’ culture, norms, and beliefs; and therefore culture has unbeknownst influence on the process of service design and delivery. In this paper, we test the role of a nation’s culture on airline service quality. We use a non-perceptual global, airline dataset where cultural differences are measured by Hofstede’s and the GLOBE project’s national characteristics. As indicators of service quality, we use assessments of an independent evaluation agency. We find that cultures that place high value on future orientation provide higher quality airline services. On the other hand, cultures that are high in individualism and uncertainty avoidance tend to perform poorly. High individualism might impair true concern for passenger welfare, and high uncertainty avoidance means that employees are apprehensive towards the constant changes and fine-tuning necessary in airline services. We also determine that the implications of national culture may vary by passenger segments identified by cabin types.

Influencing the willingness to pay for private labels: the role of branding

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the direct and indirect relationships between brands’ marketing activities and consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for private labels (PLs) through the effect of perceived quality in different cultural contexts. This paper also provides a broader perspective by incorporating the effect of branding strategy on such relationships. Design/methodology/approach – Thailand is the studied market. In all, 819 respondents evaluated two PLs through mall interception in a leading supermarket in Bangkok. A structural equation model is used to evaluate the relationships among the constructs. Findings – The results demonstrate that sales promotions directly and indirectly influence WTP, whereas only an indirect relationship through perceived quality exists for the similarity of PL and national-brand packaging. The strength of sales promotions and the perceived quality relationship is significantly stronger for “other-name” PL than for “own-name” one. Perceived quali...

Maternal surrogacy and reproductive tourism in Thailand: a call for legal enforcement

Abstract: Legal constraints and high costs on access to technologies have led an increasing number of patients to cross international borders to have children. This phenomenon has rapidly increased in the past few years and Thailand has become one of the major international commercial surrogacy destinations providing assisted reproductive services to individuals from all over the world at affordable costs. Most of the time, reproductive agreements have lead to a positive outcome satisfying all parties involved: intended parents, gestational carriers, private clinics and agencies. In some cases, however, reproductive arrangements have given rise to legal issues and generated controversies in terms of protection of intended children, legal parenthood and enforceability. In order to minimize some of these undesired outcomes, Thai authorities should enforce new legislations to cope with this issue, potentially using United Kingdom or Israel as model. The new legal framework should balance all parties’ interests and guarantee a regulated way of engaging in surrogacy in the child’s interest เนองจากประเทศไทยยงไมมกฎหมายเกยวกบการตงครรภแทนอยางชดเจนสงผลใหธรกจการทอง เทยวเชงการแพทยเพอการสบพนธในประเทศไทยเตบโตในอตราคอนขางสงชาวตางชาตหลาย ครอบครวเลอกประเทศไทยเปนจดหมายปลายทาง ซงแนวทางปฏบตทใชอยในปจจบนคอขอบงคบ ของแพทยสภาในมาตรฐานการใหบรการเทคโนโลยชวยการเจรญพนธ (ART) ในป 1997 และ 2001(ประกาศ 1/2540 และ 21/2545) ขอตกลงสวนใหญนำไปสผลประโยชนทดสอดคลองกบทกฝายทเกยวของ: ผทขอใหมการตงครรภแทน, ผตงครรภแทน, สถานประกอบการและหนวยงานทเกยวของในบางกรณการตงครรภแทนอาจกอใหเกดปญหาทางกฎหมายและสรางการถกเถยงกนในแง ของการคมครองเดก, บดามารดาทถกตองตามกฎหมายและวธการบงคบใชเพอทจะลดผลทไมพงประสงคเหลานประเทศไทยควรกำหนดขอกฎหมายใหมเพอ ควบคมปญหาโดยอาจจะใชสหราชอาณาจกรหรอประเทศอสราเอลเปนแนวทางในการรางขอกฎหมายเพอผลประโยชนของทกฝายและทสำคญเพอคมครองเดกทเกดจากการรบตงครรภแทน

Transnationalism and the Migrants’ Identity Formation Dynamics

Abstract: This article is a theory-focus paper that argues that in the process of migrants' transnational living, the children of migrants/1.5G eventually create a culture of their own which is argued to be different from the culture their own parents have. The author of this paper maintains that this happens by virtue of the children of migrants'/1.5G's exposure to the milieu of their parents' work destination and their socialization with people whose cultural, social, political, and religious orientation is far from theirs. More specifically, this paper asserts that with transnational living, bottom-up and top-down trajectories of agents of transformation highly influence the formation of identities of the children of migrants/1.5G. To clearly illustrate this phenomenon, the author of this paper used two bipolar views illustrating the effects of transformative agents: from a bottom-up perspective is Herrera-Lima's view called transnational social networks (2005) and from a top-down view is the commonly held one which is a combination of all other influences outside Lima's framework. The author believes that the interplay of the two opposing trajectories can most likely impinge on the identity-formation dynamics of the children of migrants/1.5G.

Does corporate governance quality affect analyst coverage? Evidence from the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS)

Abstract: We examine the impact of corporate governance quality on the extent of analyst coverage. The evidence based on nearly 3000 firms indicates that more analysts are likely to cover firms with weaker corporate governance. In particular, as corporate governance quality falls by one SD, analyst following increases by 11.40%. Our evidence is consistent with the notion that poor governance results in a wider divergence between the stock’s market price and the fundamental value. Analysts prefer to cover companies with poor governance because it allows them to generate trading commissions by offering shareholders a particularly compelling story about why a stock’s fundamental value and the current price differ.

Exploring the Causal Effect of Religious Piety on Corporate Governance: Evidence from Anti-Takeover Defenses and Historical Religious Identification

Abstract: Because religious piety induces individuals to be more honest and risk-averse, it makes managers less likely to exploit shareholders, thereby mitigating the agency conflict and potentially influencing governance arrangements. We exploit the variation in religious piety across U.S. counties and investigate the effect of religious piety on anti-takeover provisions. Our results show that religious piety substitutes for corporate governance in alleviating the agency conflict. Effective governance is less necessary for firm with strong religious piety. As a result, religious piety leads to weaker governance, as indicated by more anti-takeover defenses. We exploit historical religious piety as far back as 1952 as our instrumental variable. Religious piety from the distant past is unlikely correlated with current corporate governance directly, except through contemporaneous religious piety. Further analysis shows that religious piety is not merely associated with, but rather brings about, more anti-takeover provisions.

Theorising Human Rights: An Analytical Framework for ASEAN

Abstract: The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights set up in 2009 signaled a path breaking achievement for human rights. It was the first of its kind, in the last region of the world to adopt a mechanism for human rights protection. However, with the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration of 2012 hopes of a robust and effective regional mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights in Southeast Asia were essentially dashed. The perplexing question to which an increasing number of academics and scholars are asking is why establish a mechanism that only promotes and offers little or no human rights protection? This paper seeks to provide a theoretical framework for future research and analytical conceptualization of regional human rights and its attendant mechanisms in ASEAN. Beginning with a critique of mainstream theories realism and constructivism, this paper will move on to offer a blended version of regime analysis for studying AICHR. Hopefully this will provide clarity and a theoretical pathway for future substantive research on the absence of human rights protection in the newly established regional human rights mechanism.

Gendered Filipino Migration in Bangkok: A Narrative

Abstract: A look at the historical development of every migration pattern allows one to understand and appreciate the fact that migration, over the years, has taken some contours intertwining itself with gender. It is interesting to note that in the older models of migration, the "invisibility" of discussions that involved women was very much felt (See Willis & Yeoh, 2000; Pessar, 1986; Nash, 1986; Morokvasic, 1984; Bodnar, Weber, & Simon, 1982). As feminist theories that developed from 1980s through 1990s came to regard gender as a "social construction," this study looks into how such views impinge on immigration as a constitutive element of the human dynamics, social, and institutional infrastructures. In this vein, this investigation looks at gendered migration within the context of Filipino migrant work with regard to their access to social, religious, economic, and political networks in their intra-Asia migration in Thailand. To allow a comprehensive way of weaving gendered strands into migration, this paper chooses from among the main models of migratory processes (Castles, 2002) and attempts to illustrate the specific matrix within which gender is woven vis-a-vis migration flows, practices, construction of meanings, and forging of relationships, among others. In building the nexus of gendered migration, this paper adapts the framework proposed by Monica Boyd and Elizabeth Grieco (2003) and particularly examines the lives of Filipino informants through their life narratives. Following Boyd and Grieco, this study sections the discussion into three stages migrants typically experience, namely, "The Pre-Migration Stage," "Gender and the Transition across State Boundaries," and "Gender and the Post-Migration Stage" (2003). In using Boyd and Grieco’s (2003) framework, the author seeks to explore how migration serves as a conduit to a change of status of the migrants, positioning gender within the analytical fabric of migration studies as "analysis remains within the traditional explanatory approach".

The Effect of Corporate Governance on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Evidence from the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS)

Abstract: Motivated by agency theory, we explore the effect of corporate governance quality on corporate social responsibility (CSR), using the governance standards provided by the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS). Our evidence reveals that firms with more effective governance make significantly less investments in CSR. It appears that managers tend to over-invest in CSR and are forced to reduce CSR investments when corporate governance is more effective. In particular, an improvement in governance quality by one standard deviation translates into a decline in CSR investments by 7.16%. Our fixed-effects analysis also shows that, within firms, when governance quality improves over time, CSR investments decline significantly. Using the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as an exogenous shock that improves the quality of corporate governance, we demonstrate that high-quality governance is not merely associated with, but rather brings about lower CSR investments.

Phytoremediation in Thailand: A Summary of Selected Research and Case Histories*

Abstract: Collaborative research on the potential use of phytoremediation to remediate or to repair damaged habitat in Thailand and the surrounding region began in 1999. The initial research projects were planned as a joint effort between the Department of Biology at Mahidol University in Bangkok and the Environmental Science Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Collaborating faculty at the partner institutions recognized the many advantages to developing phytoremediation applications in tropical and semitropical ecosystems because of their high diversity of plant species and a favorable growing climate. Summaries of selected studies of the removal of heavy metals, metalloids, and organic contaminants by plants through biosorption, phytoextraction, or conversion processes from water, soils, and sediments are provided. The data represent a diverse array of water, soil, or sediment types with different chemical and physical characteristics studied in laboratories, greenhouses, and field sites. Data derived from synthetic water, potting soils, soils from field sites, and mining waste soils and sediments are included. The collaborative studies completed in Thailand, Canada, and the USA generally indicate that practical applications of phytoextraction may be limited due to the wide variation in contaminated sites and the requirement that multiple seasons and harvest sequences will be necessary for success. Currently phytoextraction is far from being considered a mature technology by others as well. There has been an increased interest in phytostabilization as a viable approach to phytoremediate contaminated soils and sediments in Thailand in recent years. Organic contaminants have also received increased interest by researchers in Thailand, and that trend is expected to continue.