Mahidol University International College

About: Mahidol University International College is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Tourism & Corporate governance. The organization has 240 authors who have published 485 publications receiving 6095 citations.

The Race towards a Knowledge Based Economy: A Comparative Study between Malaysia and Thailand

Abstract: This paper has attempted to study the development and growth of a knowledge based economy in two developing countries, namely Malaysia and Thailand. A summary of different economic theories states that the best theoretical grounding for a knowledge based economy is the endogenous growth theory. The conceptual framework established for statistically measuring the success of knowledge-based economy comprise of the following variables: 1). innovation, 2). information and communication technology, 3). human resource development and 4). business environment. Recommended additions to the framework were proposed in this paper based on integrating the following variables: 1). government incentives, 2). better human capital, and 3). institutional factors. The last section of the paper proposes policy recommendations and conclusions.

Spatial distribution of Beta glucan containing wild mushroom communities in subtropical dry forest, Thailand

Abstract: In addition to their use as food, mushrooms have been gaining importance in medicinal practices. Beta glucan, known as a modulator of the immune system, is one of the bioactive compounds of interest. This study explores the relationship between environmental variables and spatial distribution of mushroom communities containing beta-glucan using Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Mushroom samples were collected for study from 125 sampling points within three sites in seven subtypes of subtropical dry forest along elevational gradients with a variety of ecosystems and climates from Thung Salaeng Luang National Park in the lower North of Thailand. Most mushrooms in the family Russulaceae, growing in deciduous dipterocarp forests and mixed deciduous forests with bamboo in the northern and the central-western parts of the park, and Polyporaceae, found in dry evergreen forests, were found to have relatively high beta glucan content. Mushroom communities could be categorized into five groups by cluster analysis using the Sorensen (Bray-Curtis) distance technique with remaining information of 75%; the groups were named according to altitude and forest type. It was found that the high beta glucan content mushroom community consisting of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, P. coccineus, and P. sanguineus mostly occurred in the highland dry evergreen forest habitat. It is also shown that the occurrence of high beta glucan content mushroom communities is correlated with the specific habitat characteristics of high altitude, high crown cover percentage and high rainfall.

The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Image in Times of Crisis: The Mediating Role of Customer Trust.

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to empirically examine relationships between a multi-dimensional set of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, numerous dimensions of customer trust, and corporate image in an emerging economy. It also analyzes the mediating effect of customer trust on the relationship between CSR and corporate image. This study focuses on two of the most well-known hotel chains situated in Pakistan. Close-ended, self-administered questionnaires were circulated amongst a total of 300 hotel customers. The research data was analyzed using a partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) model. The results revealed that economic, legal, and ethical CSR significantly impacted corporate image, while philanthropic CSR did not affect the corporate image. However, economic, legal, and philanthropic CSRs were found to be in a significant relationship with customer trust, while ethical CSR was not in a significant relationship with customer trust. Finally, customer trust fully mediated the relationship between economic and legal CSR with corporate image, whereas it partially mediated the relationship between ethical and philanthropic CSR. This study is unique from earlier CSR research based on an assessment of the connection between CSR dimensions and corporate image to examine customers' trust in an emerging economy, especially in times of crisis.

‘We and our stories’: Constructing food experiences in a UNESCO gastronomy city

Abstract: The experiential elements of food tourism can be transformed into meaningful experiences of local food heritage and identity in the context of a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. From a local sta...

Arsenic in Groundwater in Selected Countries in South and Southeast Asia: A Review

Abstract: In the past decade, there has been increasing awareness of the occurrence of high amounts of arsenic in groundwater and its effects on human health. The best known and most studied areas with naturally high levels of arsenic are Bangladesh and the Indian State of West Bengal. Other countries where this is known to be a problem include Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, and Myanmar. In Thailand, arsenic has never been found naturally in groundwater, although it has been shown to occur as a result of runoff from tin mining. Currently, it appears that arsenic contamination results from transportation and deposition of arsenic-rich erosion products from mountainous areas to other areas downstream. The current WHO guideline value for arsenic in drinking water is 10 ppb, which has been adopted by many countries, while many other countries still use the previously set standard of 50 ppb. Many technical solutions to the problem have been proposed, but currently there does not appear to be one perfect solution, although large regional water systems, such as in Bangkok, may be a good solution. If wells are drilled to provide safe water, they should be tested for arsenic before they are used. A more important issue is increasing both the amount of physical capital in a country and developing human resources in the affected countries in South and Southeast Asia. Keywords : arsenic; groundwater; Bangladesh; Vietnam; contamination; tubewell