FMDS Theses and Dissertations

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https://repository.upou.edu.ph/handle/20.500.13073/7
Theses and dissertations by graduate students from the Faculty of Management and Development Studies.

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    Multisectoral Interactions in the Philippine Innovation System: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Using the Quadruple Helix Framework
    ( 2026) Custodio, Raly James P.
    Innovation is widely recognized as a driver of socioeconomic development, yet multisectoral interactions within the Philippine innovation ecosystem remain insufficiently understood. This study employed a qualitative meta-analysis to examine interactions among government, universities, industry, and communities through the Quadruple Helix framework. Guided by PRISMA-ScR, 31 analytical cases from the pre-policy (2013–2018) and post-policy (2020–2025) periods were synthesized to examine changes following the 2019 Philippine Innovation Act and Innovative Startup Act. The findings indicate a shift from a program-driven, semi-operational system characterized by fragmented and localized collaboration toward a more system-driven and state-centric configuration with stronger institutional coordination, governance integration, and government–university collaboration. Government and universities remained the primary institutional anchors, while industry participation was uneven and community involvement remained weakly institutionalized. Overall, the Philippine innovation ecosystem has become more institutionally coordinated, but persistent relational fragmentation and uneven multisectoral participation continue to constrain deeper ecosystem integration.
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    Ground Freight Logistics as Infrastructure for the Technology Diffusion of Pharmaceutical Products: Organizational Practices and Principles
    ( 2026) Lapiceros, Kezia Maine F.
    Innovation research often focuses on invention and intellectual property, while the operational systems that bring technologies to users receive less attention. This study examined how ground freight logistics functions as practice-based R&D distribution infrastructure during the technology diffusion phase. It focused on a United States (U.S)-based small and medium-sized logistics firm that supports the distribution of research-derived and technology-based products. The study used a qualitative, document-based design informed by ethnomethodology and Communication as Constitutive of Organization (CCO) theory. It analyzed naturally occurring organizational documents, including standard operating procedures, regulatory and compliance records, digital load-management logs, shipment case files, deviation reports, and proof-of-delivery documents. Through iterative coding, the analysis traced how everyday documentation practices create organizational order, differentiation, compliance, and coordination. The findings show that ground freight logistics becomes R&D distribution infrastructure through patterned documentary practices rather than through physical assets alone. Shipments are made classifiable, traceable, and auditable through load records, category-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) for pharmaceutical products. The study identified seven technology diffusion principles enacted in logistics work and concludes that ground freight logistics operates as a non-traditional R&Dsupport infrastructure by preserving the conditions under which developed, regulated, and sensitive products can move from production toward practical use during technology diffusion.
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    Systems Analysis of Actor Perceptions on Collaborations within a Philippine Regional Innovation System
    ( 2026) Abing, Olive Joy G.
    This study aimed to analyze the inherently unique, multifaceted, and complex dynamics of the regional innovation system (RIS) in Western Visayas based on the actual perceptions of the actors involved in the ecosystem. Much is still left unknown about the RIS in the country, particularly the roles and functions, relationships and interconnection, and collaboration among its central stakeholders. This prompted the need to conduct an empirical analysis with the main goal of analyzing the actor perceptions on the collaboration within the WV RIS to better understand this ecosystem. Guided by a systems approach, central stakeholders involving purposively selected 20 participants from universities, government, industry, and community sectors, were identified to corroborate their perceptions, insights, and engagements regarding the innovation process of the RIS in Western Visayas. Utilizing qualitative multiple case study research design, multi-level system approach data analysis tool was employed for an empirical data collection method and analysis including Social Network Analysis to infer actor perceptions on their roles, functions, and interaction within the RIS, Iceberg Model to delve deeper down to the institutional and cultural factors for prevailing factors identified by actors as barriers or drivers of innovation performance, and Causal Loop Diagramming to analyze the causal linkages, and the reinforcing or balancing behaviors perceived by actors to influence the progress or decline of the innovation process. Findings revealed a government-academe-dominant structure, with DOST holding the highest eigenvector centrality and LGUs serving as critical brokers connecting otherwise disconnected actors, while industry and startups remain structurally peripheral. Trust, ecosystem collaboration, shared vision, visible success stories, strengthened value chain orientation, market readiness, and visionary leadership emerged as key drivers of collaboration, whereas weak commercialization, stakeholder’s receptiveness, and discontinuity of technology adoption initiatives constituted persistent barriers rooted in deeply ingrained cultural assumptions and mental models on risk aversion business culture, researcher mindset, dole-out dependency mindset, and siloed mentality of government agencies. Reinforcing loops around commercialization success and leadership coexisted with vicious cycles of dependency and silo mentality. The RIS reflects an early-to-intermediate Quadruple Helix system—formally quadrilateral but structurally imbalanced. These findings imply that strengthening industry integration, reforming promotion incentives, and institutionalizing local government support are essential for sustainable innovation diffusion. It is recommended that policymakers prioritize demand-driven, multi-stakeholder collaboration mechanisms to transform localized successes into systemic, self-sustaining regional innovation momentum.
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    Compassion Fatigue and Connection: The Lived Experiences of Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Workers Navigating Family Dynamics in High-Stress Environments
    ( 2026) Cruz, Drexel Heinz Magpantay
    This study explored the lived experiences of ICU healthcare workers in managing emotionally demanding interactions with patients’ families. It focused on emotional labor, cultural expectations, professional boundaries, patient-centered care, and the psychological impact of family communication in critical care settings. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological design. Twelve ICU healthcare workers participated, composed of three nurses, three physicians, two nursing aides, two medical technologists, and two respiratory therapists from public and private hospitals. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, small group discussions, and field notes. Colaizzi’s method was used to analyze the participants’ lived experiences. Findings revealed ten major themes: navigating emotionally demanding family interactions; encounters of heightened emotional distress; immediate emotional and work-related impact; challenges in critical care communication; emotional spillover into personal life; cultural expectations and emotional labor; influence of Filipino family expectations on care; emotional regulation and professional composure; extending care beyond clinical responsibilities; and conflict between family wishes and patient-centered care. The study concluded that ICU healthcare workers experienced family interaction as an essential but emotionally demanding part of critical care. Their experiences reflected the need to balance compassion, cultural sensitivity, professional boundaries, patient safety, autonomy, dignity, and emotional resilience. The study recommends structured family communication protocols, designated family spokespersons, regular debriefing, peer support, communication training, ethics consultation, palliative-care collaboration, and mental-health services for ICU personnel. Hospitals should balance Filipino family-centered values with international standards on patient rights, informed consent, confidentiality, safety, and dignity.
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    Blue Carbon Potential of the old Caaluan Mangrove Conservation Area, Tinambac: Biomass and Carbon Stock Assessment
    ( 2026) Zuniga, Zippora Valerie
    Mangrove forests are recognized as important blue carbon ecosystems because of their capacity to sequester and store substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon. This study assessed the biomass and carbon stock potential of the Old Caaluan Mangrove Conservation Area in Tinambac, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Specifically, biomass and carbon stocks were estimated in three Rhizophora stylosa plantation stands aged 7, 10, and 15 years using stratified quadrat sampling and standardized allometric equations. Measurements of diameter at breast height, tree height, and stand density were used to determine aboveground biomass and corresponding carbon stocks. Results revealed that the 15-year-old plantation stand exhibited the highest biomass (54.50 t ha−1) and carbon stock (24.53 t C ha−1), associated with larger mean diameter at breast height (8.32 cm) and tree heights ranging from 12 to 13 m. The 7-year-old stand recorded higher biomass and carbon stock values than the 10-year-old stand despite its younger age, primarily because of its greater stem density. These findings indicate that plantation age, stand density, and stand structure are important determinants of carbon accumulation and storage in mangrove ecosystems. The results demonstrate the substantial blue carbon potential of the Old Caaluan Mangrove Conservation Area and underscore its ecological importance for climate change mitigation, coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and community resilience. The study provides baseline information that can support local carbon accounting, mangrove management, and conservation planning. Furthermore, the findings establish a foundation for long-term monitoring and future assessments that incorporate belowground biomass, soil carbon, and sediment carbon pools to improve estimates of total ecosystem carbon storage.