FMDS Student Papers

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https://repository.upou.edu.ph/handle/20.500.13073/52
Research outputs by graduate students of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 26
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    Brand Audit of Marine Plastic Pollution In Four Coastal Barangays in Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines
    ( 2025) Fulleros, Sarah Mae F.
    Plastic pollution has serious negative effects on marine ecosystems. It affects sectors like biodiversity, public health, and local economies. This study focuses on the Municipality of Bulusan in Sorsogon Province, which is a community heavily relying on fishing and agriculture. It aims to assess the sources and extent of marine plastic pollution in the area. With a comprehensive brand audit across four coastal barangays, this research identifies the top corporations that contribute to plastic waste, evaluates the existing waste management practices, and explores the social and economic impact of plastic pollution on local communities. Findings in the study reveal how prevalent specific plastic types and brands are in Bulusan's coastal areas. Their origins were then traced back to major corporations. The study also highlights gaps in the municipality's waste management system, specifically in terms of plastic waste segregation and disposal, which are major contributors to the problems caused by the pollution. The results also emphasize the importance of public awareness in mitigating plastic pollution. It then proposes a sustainable waste management approach that is integrated within community engagement. This research provides actionable insights for Local Government Units (LGUs), including advocating for corporations to increase their accountability and for communities to be involved in addressing the crisis caused by plastic pollution. The study also aims to promote sustainable practices that are found to significantly reduce both the financial and environmental cost of marine plastic pollution in Bulusan, which is through fostering partnerships between stakeholders.
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    Systematic Managerial Analysis of Digital Data Management Adoption in a Regulated Research Facility
    ( 2026) Salazar, Eric Manguit
    This Special Problem examined the adoption of a digital data management approach in a GLP-compliant research facility undergoing organizational transition. The work addressed a recurring performance gap between the intended benefits of electronic workflows—timely review, approval, traceable record control, and reduced reliance on paper—and the observed instability of a previously implemented global Document Management System (DMS) workflow. To guide a defensible managerial response within a regulated environment, Systematic Managerial Analysis (SMA) was applied as the primary framework, integrating situation analysis, problem identification and specification, problem analysis, decision analysis, and potential problem analysis. Evidence was drawn from a review of relevant policies and SOPs, stakeholder discussions with Quality Assurance, IT support, and laboratory users, and analysis of organizational artifacts, including internal communications, IT service records, and a representative case illustrating workflow failure behavior. Thematic analysis of DMS- related tickets and supporting documentation indicated persistent issues affecting accessibility, scheduler stability, data capture/transfer, and workflow routing— conditions that contributed to operational delays and reduced user confidence in the electronic process. A structured decision evaluation compared feasible record-approval alternatives under compliance and resource constraints. The analysis supported a locally governed solution: validation and implementation of the chromatography data system’s built-in electronic signature capability through a controlled change process. While validation demonstrated technical suitability for identity, integrity, and traceability expectations, findings emphasized that sustainable adoption depends on organizational readiness, stakeholder alignment, and trust in system reliability. The study concludes that effective digital transformation in regulated laboratories requires not only compliant technology, but also robust governance and deliberate change management to ensure long-term integration.
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    Strengthening Innovation Management: Enablers, Barriers, and Recommendations for 'Lexspire Labs Corporation'
    ( 2026) Antonio, Don Dexter A.
    Evidence suggested that as subsidiaries of large multinational corporations in the Philippines mature over many years of research and development activities, the organization evolved to focus most of its time on product development, consequently diminishing the emphasis on engaging in innovation activities. This study evaluated the key factors that influence the ability of research and development organizations in the Philippines, like Lexspire Labs Corporation to sustain their innovation initiatives. Utilizing a deductive approach, in-depth interviews and online surveys with participants from the target research and development organization were conducted. Analytical assessment was then performed from the gathered data to reveal a multi-faceted set of factors that influence innovation positively, including clear strategic mandate, empowered culture, and systemic alignment, alongside negative influences such as operational prioritization and resource constraints, strategic & operational misalignment, risk aversion, and disconnected metrics. The findings not only provided a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by organizations but also offered a set of recommendations for organizations to leverage their strengths and enable them to pivot. Finally, this study can serve as a foundation for future research on developing an innovation management system that fits with the strengths and dynamics of research and development organizations in the Philippines.
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    Arabica Coffee-Based Farming System Development and Utilization in Bansalan, Davao Del Sur: Diffusion of Innovations Perspective
    ( 2026) Carinan, Milva L.
    This study examined the adoption and diffusion of the Arabica coffee-based farming system among members of the Gagpang Alegre Potato Small Farmers Association (GAPSFA) in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, using the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory (Rogers, 2003). A qualitative case study approach was applied, drawing on KIIs and FGDs with 12 farmer-adopters, interviews with the DA RFO XI research manager and personnel, and a document review, all of which were analyzed through pattern matching following Yin (2018). Findings indicated that relative advantage and observability were the primary drivers of technology adoption, as reflected in increased income, visible farm improvements, and strong peer influence. Compatibility with local agroecological conditions and cultural practices further supported uptake, while perceived complexity of adopting the technology was abated through extension support. Trialability, particularly via demonstration farms, minimized uncertainty and encouraged participation. Adoption outcomes were shaped by adoption contextual factors as enabling conditions, including access to available financing, strong extension services, high market demand, and institutional trust. Interpersonal channels, especially farmer- to-farmer interactions and associations, emerged as the most effective diffusion pathway. While adoption was sustained and widely diffused, financial and infrastructure constraints continued to limit full-scale implementation. The study concluded that effective agricultural technology diffusion depended on the alignment of innovation attributes, enabling adoption contexts, and appropriate diffusion mechanisms within a holistic, systems-based framework. It further highlighted the need to bridge the gap between research outputs and practical application through stronger knowledge-to-use systems and institutional support mechanisms. Accordingly, the study recommended strengthening access to financing, improving farm-to-market infrastructure, sustaining extension and technical support services, scaling demonstration-based learning platforms, leveraging farmer networks and associations, enhancing market systems and price transparency, integrating climate and risk management measures, and adopting value chain-oriented promotion strategies, grounding adoption interventions in economic evidence and farmer learning, and reinforcing Research for Development (R4D) linkages—including institutionalized technology readiness evaluation—to ensure that innovations are validated and prepared for wider commercialization and scaling.
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    Enhancing AI Adoption in the R&D Workforce toward Productivity Gains of an Industrial Technology Organization
    ( 2026) Catimbang, Hershey M.
    AI’s potential is recognized as an enabler in delivering time to market products faster, supporting market growth and expansion, and protecting the bottom line through improvements in productivity and efficiency; as well as harnessing innovation in order to maintain market leadership. With many industrial technology companies seeing the AI revolution, understanding the many facets of Research and Development (R&D) workforce to achieve accelerated AI adoption is critical, amidst this rapidly evolving technology. This study employed qualitative research methods, drawing on structured questionnaires, follow up interviews and review of internal documentation identifying issues encountered related to AI adoption and defining R&D organizational factors that affect its results. With a case study approach, data analysis involved four (4) key themes: (1) organizational structure, (2) employee behavior and employee engagement, (3) AI literacy and (4) organizational policies and ethical considerations. It defined a framework for enhanced AI adoption of an R&D system in a technology development organization, by identifying and addressing the gaps in its organizational structure and workforce composition. Focusing on the industrial technology organization reviewed, this study provided a timely and relevant approach to adopt AI in the workplace to positively impact the R&D goals of faster time to market development through productivity improvements. The findings derived in this study led to the four recommendations to enhance AI adoption, including: (1) defining a formal AI organizational structure to drive and coordinate AI projects; (2) creating AI-focused employee engagement programs; (3) investing in AI proficiency role-based trainings and (4) establishing an adaptive AI governance.