Suchergebnisse

While Vietnamese businesswomen have exhibited their excellent capability in overcoming the global economic crisis as well as their readiness to play an essential role in rebuilding the post-crisis economy, the country's women-led export enterprises that are facing post-crisis challenges are in the need of suitable policy support and "hand-holding" to successfully navigate this difficult period. This research paper is a preliminary attempt to inquire, through a small sample survey, the response and adaptation of the Vietnamese woman-led, mostly export-oriented, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the new challenges arising from the economic crisis, and especially the ways these enterprises have sustained their export orientation. (However, it is not a comparative study with their male counterpart SMEs). The results indicate that most of the woman-led, export-oriented SMEs have relied on their own efforts to overcome the crisis challenges. Their crisis management strategies have included taking market-oriented and in-house policy measures, such as collecting authentic market intelligence, designing an appropriate crisis management strategy, followed by cost-oriented efforts to scale down the production and marketing volume and readjust pricing to increase their competiveness. As woman-led export enterprises become committed to the responses in line with market requirements to the new difficulties resulting from the crisis, the research findings reveal the need for a more supportive role by government organizations and industry associations. The package of policy programmes may include: (a) market research, up-to-date and ongoing information on supply and demand pattern of the products and early warning signals; (b) export-oriented market development training and skills upgrading programmes; (c) easy access to export credit, including pre- and post-shipment credit; and (d) special dispensing of post-crisis rehabilitation finance from institutional sources on easy terms. To benefit further from on the above research findings and the recommendations emanating from the case study of Viet Nam, it would be worthwhile and cost-effective to examine their policy relevance to the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia, two neighbouring countries with similar economic settings and SME status. This could be done through two short pilot research projects under the ARTNeT umbrella, with the ultimate objective of mitigating the challenges faced by woman-led exporting units in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia. Such a study will be an effective starting point for testing the need for suitable policy interventions in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia as well. Further, viewed from the subregional angle, these joint efforts by Viet Nam, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia are expected to enhance the capabilities of woman-led exporting SMEs in the regional and global markets.

This study seeks to better understand the determinants of green building technology (GBT) adoption intention of construction developers in developing countries. In order to address these objectives, this study integrates the Diffusion of Innovation theory, the theory of Resource-based View, and the Resource Dependence Theory to analyze and construct the theoretical model of developers' intentions to adopt GBTs from three perspectives, namely, technological, organizational, and environmental. The model was tested using survey data collected from 142 experienced managers in Vietnam. Data analysis was performed by SEM using the partial least squares (PLS) approach. The findings show that perceived GBT advantages, perceived GBT disadvantages, top management leadership, government support, project partners' green building readiness, and social demand of green buildings are the significant factors that affect GBT adoption intention by developers. However, organizational GBT resource and GBT market readiness have no significant effect on developers' GBT adoption intention. Theoretical and practical implications and limitations of the research are discussed, and suggestions for future research are also proposed.

BACKGROUND: Despite much success in reducing the burden of malaria in Vietnam, pockets of malaria persist and eliminating them remains an important development goal. In central Vietnam, insecticide-treated hammocks have recently been introduced to help counter the disease in the highly forested, mountainous areas, where other measures have so far been unsuccessful. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of using long-lasting insecticide-treated hammocks in this area. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This cost-effectiveness study was run alongside a randomized control trial testing the efficacy of the long-lasting insecticide-treated hammocks. Data were collected through an exit survey, a household survey, expenditure records and key informant interviews. The study estimates that under normal (non-trial) conditions the total net societal cost per malaria episode averted in using long-lasting insecticide-treated hammocks in this area was 126 USD. Cost per hammock, including insecticidal netting, sewing, transport, and distribution was found to be approximately 11.76 USD per hammock. Average savings per episode averted were estimated to be $14.60 USD for the health system and 14.37 USD for households (including both direct and indirect cost savings). The study estimates that the annual financial outlay required of government to implement this type of programme to be 3.40 USD per person covered per year. CONCLUSION: The study finds that the use of a hammock intervention could represent good value for money to help prevent malaria in more remote areas, where traditional control measures such as insecticide-treated bednets and indoor residual spraying are insufficient or inappropriate to control malaria. However, the life span of the hammock-the number of years over which it effectively deters mosquitoes-has a significant impact on the cost-effectiveness of the intervention and study results should be interpreted in light of the evidence on effectiveness gathered in the years to come.