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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    GIS-Based Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Land Cover Changes in Barangay Monte Calvario within the Buhi-Barit Watershed, Buhi, Camarines Sur (2015-2024)
    (University of the Philippines Open University, 2026) Clave-Cabasal, Maria Celia
    This study titled “GIS-Based Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Land Cover Changes in Barangay Monte Calvario within the Buhi-Barit Watershed, Buhi, Camarines Sur (2015– 2024)” examined the spatial and temporal patterns of land cover transformation and their implications for watershed health and sustainability. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Sentinel-2 satellite data, and National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) land cover maps, the research analyzed environmental dynamics over a nine-year period. The findings revealed a dominant tree cover that expanded from 83% in 2017 to nearly 90% in 2024, reflecting ecological regeneration and reforestation efforts. However, concurrent increases in built-up areas and transitions in cropland and rangeland underscore continuing anthropogenic pressures from agriculture and settlement expansion. The integration of ground truthing proved vital to the accuracy of this study, as field validation uncovered misclassified features such as informal housing, mixed cropping systems, and degraded lands inaccurately represented in satellite imagery. These findings highlighted the limitations of remote sensing alone in heterogeneous rural landscapes and reinforced the need for a hybrid approach that combines geospatial analysis with on-site verification. Recommendations emphasize adopting a hybrid monitoring framework that institutionalizes regular ground truthing alongside satellite- based classification to improve land use mapping, policy planning, and watershed governance. Such integration ensures data accuracy, supports participatory management, and strengthens adaptive, community-based environmental strategies. Ultimately, the study contributes to developing sustainable and climate-resilient land use policies that balance ecological preservation and local development within the Buhi-Barit Watershed system.
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    Assessing Strategies for Retaining Internationally Trained Personnel at a Public Rice Research Center
    (University of the Philippines Open University, 2026) Malubag, Lei Anne D.
    Despite the high rate of returning international scholars at the National Grain Innovation Center (NGIC), a critical need remains to strengthen institutional retention strategies. Current frameworks exhibit significant gaps in design, execution and system necessitating a stronger approach to employee integration. Employing a qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative (descriptive analysis) methods, this study identified the reasons, challenges, and trends associated with scholar retention. Data were gathered through open-ended question interviews with 11 NGIC employees who completed international Master’s or Doctoral programs. Applying Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, the analysis revealed that while basic job stability prevented immediate dissatisfaction, it failed to generate active motivation. Fifty percent (50%) of respondents reported high satisfaction, citing strong motivators like professional recognition. However, 30% of participants demonstrated lower commitment, identifying a lack of career pathways as a primary turnover driver, while 20% cited failures in hygiene factors. In conclusion, high retention is concentrated among PhD-level employees with high intrinsic motivation and a sense of public duty. In contrast, Master’s-level graduates display conditional loyalty and remain vulnerable to external attrition. These findings indicate that NGIC’s current strategy succeeds only where individual mission-alignment already exists, highlighting a need for structural job enrichment to retain the broader scholar population.
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    Mapping the Underwater Forest: A Deep Learning Approach to Seagrass Mapping Distribution in Calatagan, Batangas, Philippines, Using Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery
    (University of the Philippines Open University, 2025) Dag-uman, Dexter K.
    Around 71 percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water primarily saltwater found in the oceans which are essential to the survival of a variety of marine ecosystems. Particularly considering the environmental issues facing the Philippines this study highlights the significance of seagrass beds essential but usually disregarded ecosystems that support the maintenance of water quality and carbon sequestration. To produce an accurate map of the distribution of seagrass in Calatagan, Batangas, high-resolution sentinel-2 imagery is analyzed using deep learning and advanced remote sensing techniques. The approach which includes spectral band selection, data collection and model training produces a deep learning model with an F1 score of 85 percent, precision of 86 percent and overall accuracy of 97.31 percent. The efficiency of remote sensing in monitoring vital coastal habitats in the face of increasing human threats is demonstrated by this study. Through the combination of deep learning algorithms and remote sensing technology this work offers a novel approach to improve ecological analysis in coastal management. This study provides an important step in maintaining and preserving biodiversity by integrating scientific findings into practical conservation plans and strategies.
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    Perceived Professional Practice Environment, Organizational Commitment, and Turnover Intention Among Nurses in a Tertiary Government Hospital in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines
    (University of the Philippines Open University, 2026) Goze, Darles Louie Valdez
    Following the pandemic, many nurses continue to choose to work abroad and leave their local healthcare organizations, including the selected tertiary hospital. This can be attributed to their professional practice environment and organizational commitment. This study aims to correlate variables related to the demographic profile, perception of the professional practice environment, organizational commitment, and turnover intention among staff nurses in a selected tertiary hospital in Metro Manila. This study employed a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design. The participants (n = 355) were recruited through convenience sampling via an online poll. The tools used were a self-constructed demographic profile questionnaire, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), the Organizational Commitment Scale, and the Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6). STATA 13.1 was used to analyze the data. Overall, perceptions in the professional practice environment and organizational commitment are inversely related to turnover intention (p < 0.0001), such that poor perceptions in the professional practice environment and deficient organizational commitment are associated with higher turnover intention among nurses, and vice versa. Furthermore, the demographic profile has influenced the professional practice environment and organizational commitment. The results suggest that if the professional practice environment and organizational commitment are not nurtured during the nurses' worthwhile stay in their healthcare organization, they may leave; however, if they are nurtured, they may stay longer.
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    Work Environment, Burnout, and Job Satisfaction Among Nurses in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    (University of the Philippines Open University, 2026) Corona, Junah Balungcas
    This study examined the nursing work environment, burnout, and job satisfaction among staff nurses in a selected hospital in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study surveyed a final analytic sample of 143 full-time clinical staff nurses, yielding an effective response rate of 71.5%. Data were collected using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (MSQ-SF). Analysis was performed using STATA MP-Parallel Edition (Version 18), employing descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rho correlation. The findings revealed a moderately favorable work environment, with "Collegial Nurse-Physician Relations" emerging as the strongest domain, while "Staffing and Resource Adequacy" was identified as the most significant area for improvement. The burnout assessment indicated moderate levels of personal and work-related exhaustion, contrasted with low levels of client-related burnout, suggesting that nurse fatigue in this context was predominantly organizational rather than clinical in origin. Job satisfaction was moderate overall, characterized by high intrinsic fulfillment derived from patient care but constrained by lower extrinsic satisfaction related to pay and workload. Correlation analysis demonstrated that a favorable work environment is significantly associated with lower burnout and higher job satisfaction, while burnout serves as a critical pathway through which structural deficits erode professional fulfillment. The study concludes that the current workforce is professionally engaged but structurally strained, and that it relies heavily on nurses' intrinsic motivation as a finite buffer against systemic pressures. Recommendations include establishing a Nursing Workforce Task Force, implementing shared governance structures, and reviewing staffing standards and weekly working hours to ensure the long-term sustainability of high-quality care.