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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    Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction through Complex Adaptive Systems: an Assessment of Metro Manila DRRMPS and Recommendations for Improved Integration
    ( 2025) Garcia, Mary Lance B.
    This study serves as an exploration into disaster management frameworks that have been imbibed with principles from complex adaptive systems or CAS, herein referred to as CAS-DRR integration. As disasters in the modern age become more complex due to increased interconnectivity, it is essential for DRR practices to be made more flexible, adaptive, and innovative, and there is considerable evidence for CASDRR integration to be capable of addressing this need. This research looked into previous studies regarding CAS-DRR integration in order to extrapolate a content analysis matrix featuring the most commonly occurring themes. In this setup, the disaster management was framed as a complex system composed of three main subsystems: physical, social, and individual—the interactions among which produced a host of emergent properties and feedback loops that are characteristic of complex adaptive systems. This matrix was then used to examine selected DRR plans in Metro Manila to assess the current state of CAS-DRR integration within a local context. Content analysis showed that while Metro Manila LDRRMPs already contain strong policies and CAS integration to a certain degree, there is room for improvement in three main areas as stated in the recommendations: 1) Boost prevention and mitigation measures, 2) Boost the individual system through participatory approaches, and 3) Boost feedback loops and adaptive capacities through levelling.
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    Small Modular Reactor Technology Assessment in the Philippines Towards Decarbonization
    ( 2025) Alfonso, Pauline Bianca
    This study evaluates the integration of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies into the Philippines' energy framework to address rising energy demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and achieve a sustainable low-carbon future. Utilizing the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Reactor Technology Assessment (IAEA’s RTA) methodology, five SMR technologies—BWRX-300, HTR-PM, NuScale, RITM-200N, and SMART—were assessed against ten key elements (KEs). The evaluation employed the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) to assign weights and scores to each KE based on national policy priorities. High-priority national objectives include ensuring nuclear safety, transitioning to low-carbon energy systems, promoting stable and affordable power, and establishing robust legal and regulatory frameworks. The BWRX-300 emerges as the most suitable option, scoring highest in site adaptability, safety, seismic resilience, and compatibility with the Philippines’ diverse geographic and grid conditions. Its modular design and passive safety systems make it particularly well-suited for deployment in the country’s seismically active and archipelagic environment. Monte Carlo simulations highlighted the sensitivity of the RTA scoring process to variations in environmental parameters, underscoring the importance of accurate assessments. These findings offer a robust framework for informed decision-making, positioning nuclear energy as a key component in the Philippines' sustainable energy strategy.
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    Developing a Proposal on the Establishment of a Research Division in the Municipal Agriculture Office in Zambales
    ( 2025) De leon, John Michael G.
    Agricultural research in the Philippines is primarily conducted by national research agencies and regional field offices. Due to the fragmented structure between national and local government units, research initiatives at the municipal level are virtually nonexistent. Since the devolution of agricultural services under the Local Government Code of 1991, Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs) have prioritized extension services over research due to resource constraints. The objectives of this study are to describe municipal agricultural conditions, explain the MAO’s structure, identify benefits and challenges of a research division, analyze stakeholder needs, evaluate existing research models, and develop a comprehensive proposal for the division’s establishment. This study was conducted in a third-class LGU as it represents a middle ground between high-income and low-income municipalities. It is an appropriate study given the potential of its socio-economic growth. The study used a qualitative and descriptive case study design and utilized semi-structured interviews with 31 stakeholders, including farmers, fisherfolk, community leaders, researchers, and local government officials. Data were collected through voice recording and processed through non verbatim transcription. Key informant interviews were processed through thematic analysis, and seven themes emerged: establishing a research ecosystem, defining research agendas, addressing economic and environmental challenges, building capacity, fostering collaboration, managing knowledge dissemination, and engaging stakeholders. Thematic analysis identified key issues. Stakeholders advocate for localized research, partnerships, and accessible dissemination to address these issues. The study determines the necessity of an Agriculture Research Division at the municipal level for productivity and sustainability. This study also serves as a guide for the Sangguniang Bayan to enact an ordinance to formalize its establishment and also as a model for other municipalities to adopt for municipal-led agricultural research.
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    Rural-Upland Rehabilitation Ecotourism Strategies (RURES) Framework: a Rationalized Authentic Ecotourism Activity Planning Framework for Degraded Upland Areas in the Philippines a Case Study of Brgy. Salde, Culasi, Antique
    ( 2021) Talidong, Christine E.
    Tourism is economically important in the Philippines. Some of the natural destinations are in Protected Areas (PA) under established laws and managed by national government institutions. Some equally beautiful and unique natural areas are not part of PAs. Poor utilization, planning, and management of these areas cause their degradation. This is further exacerbated by climate change and disaster risks. Degradation affects the biophysical, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of the environment, which is detrimental to the survival of communities, especially those living in the rural-upland areas. Ecotourism unites conservation, community needs, and sustainable travel. It is seldom incorporated properly because its principles are sadly overlooked. Current planning methods of sustainable development and environmental rehabilitation typically follow either Top-Down or Bottom-Up Approach. There are disjuncts between involved parties and minimal integration of various theoretically related concepts leading to a more “patchwork” solution than an integrated one. This study formulates a new framework that will lay the groundwork for inventory and analysis of the potential of existing elements and requirements of the site and stakeholders while integrating key concepts such as Ecotourism and Landscape Architectural Approaches to planning. The process of gathering and synthesizing the data will be through a Middle-Out Approach that will incorporate inputs from all actors in all levels – Middle, Top, and Bottom – into a more cohesive ecotourism activity development strategy. A case study of the newly formulated framework was done in Brgy. Salde, Antique, Philippines to address the current issues of environmental degradation, livelihood issues, disaster risk, and their desire to delve into tourism development. However, COVID-19 pandemic constraints caused the case study to halt. The environmental site scanning and focused group discussions stage was not completed. Even with the abrupt end of the data gathering, lack of data synthesis, and solution recommendations, the framework has created a guide for the data needed to be gathered, syntheses needed to be made, and plans that are needed to be formulated. When the researcher can continue the study, there will be no disjunct between the previously gathered data and the continued process of the Ecotourism Activity Planning.
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    Enhancing New Product Development in R&D Units in a Food Ingredient Company
    ( 2025) Pedro, Juan Paulo V.
    The global food ingredient industry is under increasing pressure to respond rapidly to changing consumer preferences, regulatory demands, and sustainability goals. Traditional new product development (NPD) models—such as stage-gate systems—have proven too rigid to meet these evolving demands, particularly in multinational companies managing geographically dispersed innovation teams. This study aims to develop a practical framework to enhance NPD responsiveness, coordination, and consumer alignment in R&D units of a global food ingredient company. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and internal documentation to identify key barriers and enablers of innovation performance. Data analysis was guided by five thematic enablers: global coordination, consumer insight integration, cross-functional collaboration, lean and agile practices, and digital tools. The findings highlight systemic challenges in fragmented innovation governance, underutilized market insights, rigid processes, and limited digital integration. The study proposes a framework designed to address these gaps and strengthen innovation effectiveness. While focused on a single case, the results offer practical relevance for other food ingredient companies seeking to accelerate NPD cycles and deliver more market-aligned, scalable innovation in complex global environments.