Financial Literacy Awareness and Practices Among Village Savings Groups in Cambodia

Purpose: This study aims to assess the financial literacy awareness and practices of village savings group members in rural Cambodia, focusing on their earning, saving, spending, borrowing, insurance coverage, financial concepts awareness, and use of mobile applications. Methodology: The study employed a quantitative research approach, surveying 109 savings group members from 24 villages in Cambodia\u27s Kampot and Kampong Thom provinces using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. The collected data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings: The study identified a relatively strong financial literacy among the respondents, indicating the potential for further capacity building. However, significant barriers to financial inclusion and access to formal financial services were revealed. The study also highlighted gaps in insurance coverage, particularly for agricultural and health risks, and limited use of mobile financial applications. Implications: The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve access to formal financial services, strengthen insurance product uptake, and address challenges in using digital financial tools in rural Cambodia. Originality: This study offers detailed micro-level insights into the financial literacy, practices, and challenges of village savings group members, which is essential for developing effective strategies to enhance financial inclusion. Limitations and future research: The findings may not be generalizable to other contexts, as the study was conducted within a specific rural community. Future research could explore financial practices in different geographical and socioeconomic settings and delve into the root causes of barriers to inform targeted interventions and policy recommendations

Digital Transformation in Cambodian Higher Education and Its Impact on Teaching and Learning Outcomes

This study investigates the impact of digital transformation (DT) on teaching and learning outcomes in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Cambodia. This research examines the implementation, challenges, and effects of DT initiatives using a survey questionnaire distributed to management, academic, and support personnel and students from public and private HEIs. The findings reveal widespread implementation of DT in Cambodian HEIs, with a high level of perceived effectiveness. The positive correlation between DT and improved teaching and learning outcomes, such as student satisfaction, academic performance, and educator effectiveness, supports the hypothesis that DT enhances the quality and delivery of higher education in Cambodia. However, the study also identifies several challenges, including financial constraints, digital literacy, technological infrastructure, institutional leadership support, and resistance to change. Addressing these barriers through targeted strategies and investments is crucial for the successful and sustainable adoption of digital technologies in Cambodian higher education. Additionally, the study confirms the moderating effects of technological readiness, educator competencies, student digital skills, and leadership styles on the relationship between DT and teaching and learning outcomes. Among these factors, student digital skills emerged as the strongest moderator, emphasizing the importance of enhancing digital literacy among students to maximize the benefits of DT

Comparative Analysis of Egypt’s National Competitiveness: An Evaluation Using International Economic Indicators

This study aims to assess Egypt\u27s national competitiveness, using international economic indicators and benchmarks to help policymakers set strategies for improvement. The study utilized a comparative analysis method by employing specific international indicators and benchmarks, namely the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) of the World Economic Forum, the Global Innovation Index (GII) of the World Intellectual Property Organization, and the Ease of Doing Business of the World Bank. These outcomes were compared with those of three primary regional groups: Middle East and North Africa (Arab Countries), Lower Middle-Income countries, and Sub-Saharan African countries. Despite Egypt’s progressive economic development, the country still performs weakly in international economic indicator rankings compared to the selected regions. However, this also suggests significant potential for improvement in Egypt\u27s national competitiveness. Further in-depth analysis is needed to assess Egypt\u27s national competitiveness by examining the outcomes of these indicators using Porter’s Diamond model. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of Egypt\u27s national competitiveness performance and inform strategies for enhancing its national competitiveness

The Determinants of Tax Revenue in Southeast Asia: The Role of Government Effectiveness and Human Development

Purpose: This study examines the determinants of tax revenue in Southeast Asia, focusing on the impact of human development and government effectiveness on tax revenue. Methodology: The panel data method, specifically the fixed effects and random effects models, was employed to examine the determinants of tax revenue. The study used data (1992 to 2022) from eight Southeast Asian countries retrieved from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and the International Monetary Fund online database. Findings: This study reveals a positive relationship between human development and tax revenue and government effectiveness and tax revenue. Implications: The results of this study carry important implications for policymakers. They suggest that enhancing government effectiveness and human development, which encompasses income, health, and education, can lead to an increase in tax revenue. Policymakers are therefore encouraged to prioritize the implementation of policies that bolster government effectiveness, such as the use of modern technology in tax administration, and economic policies that not only boost income but also improve health and education outcomes. Originality: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence on the relationship between tax revenue and key policy variables. Moreover, it has tested data sets and variables that differ from those used in previous panel data analyses. Limitations and directions for future research: This study provides valuable evidence on various factors that affect tax revenue. However, based on data availability, other policy variables, such as the quality of tax administration, tax exemption, and incentives, should be included to explore their impact on tax revenue

An Empirical Study of Interdependency among the Identified Innovation Factors

Innovation is the need of the hour for an organization to stay ahead of the competition. It\u27s a critical factor that can make or break an organization\u27s success. The factors influencing innovation, whether tangible or intangible, are complex and multifaceted. The factors that drive innovation need further research as proper tools are unavailable to determine the quantum of influence the factors have on innovation. Building on their previous research, the authors identified key factors that significantly influence innovation through a comprehensive literature review. This study, however, took a different approach, conducting an empirical investigation using a survey as a measuring tool. The study then performed statistical analysis on the data, identifying and shortlisting the factors that play a crucial role in driving innovation within an organizational context. The study employed a statistical analysis, including a large sample z-test for proportions and hypothesis testing for each of the 25 factors. This approach led to the shortlisting of 13 factors that significantly influence innovation. Furthermore, the study used Correlation analysis to understand the interdependency among the innovation factors, adding another layer to the research. Further research may be directed toward devising a mathematical model for the innovation index for use as a measuring tool to assess an organization\u27s innovation potential

Sustainability Reporting in Cambodia: Challenges and Prospects

This study investigates the challenges and prospects of sustainability reporting in Cambodia, filling a research gap in the existing literature. The study’s objectives focus on identifying the challenges faced by Cambodian companies when adopting sustainability reporting practices, investigating the benefits these practices provide, and making recommendations for improvement. The study utilized a purposive sampling technique to select participants from diverse sectors in Cambodia. The data collection methods involve conducting semi-structured interviews and online surveys. The data is then analyzed using thematic analysis and triangulation techniques. The research findings provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by organizations when implementing sustainability reporting practices in Cambodia. The challenges identified in the study include limited awareness of sustainability reporting, the absence of a common standard for reporting, and data management issues. In response to the challenges, the study offers recommendations to enhance sustainability reporting in Cambodia. These recommendations include raising awareness among companies, developing clear guidelines for reporting, promoting collaboration among stakeholders, addressing data management challenges, and involving SMEs in sustainability reporting. In addition, the study acknowledges its limitations, precisely the limited number of interviews and surveys used as the basis for analysis. Therefore, it calls for future research with a larger sample size and longitudinal studies to examine Cambodia’s sustainability reporting challenges and prospects further. Overall, this research contributes to improving sustainability reporting in Cambodia and provides valuable insights for companies, policymakers, and stakeholders

Navigating the Storm: How ASEAN Managed the Great Power Competition Through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific

As it has globally, geopolitical competition has intensified in the Indo-Pacific. It is a competition between and among major powers; Japan competes with China, US-led allies challenge China’s assertiveness, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a hinge in and a battleground. Situated at the heart of this region, ASEAN is under significant pressure. To set out their views and navigate through this turbulent time, ASEAN leaders released “the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific” in June 2019. This paper seeks to answer how Outlook is used to help ASEAN maintain its central role in the Indo-Pacific region. The paper also discusses the internal and external challenges ASEAN faces in implementing its vision. Externally, rising power competition is a force pulling ASEAN apart. Internal to ASEAN, differences in the national interests of the member states remain roadblocks. The paper also tries to depict a future for ASEAN. Towards the end, it makes some recommendations for ASEAN to move forward. In the end, strong cohesion of the member states is probably the key to mutual prosperity and expanded influence, but can this be achieved when the forces of division have become so much greater

Determinants of the Intellectual Capital Efficiency of Cambodian Commercial Banks

This study intends to investigate the potential effects of various bank-specific characteristics on the efficiency of intellectual capital (IC) in Cambodia’s commercial banks from 2013 to 2021. Using multiple regression analysis, the study examines the link between IC efficiency as a dependent variable and some independent variables. The study uses value-added intellectual capital (VAIC) established by Pulic (2004) to assess how IC is effectively utilized in Cambodian commercial banks. The findings show that the bank size, bank profitability, and entry barriers significantly influence IC efficiency. The study’s findings cannot be extrapolated to commercial banks in other countries or other study periods because the empirical testing has been confined to Cambodian commercial banks from 2013 to 2021. The study will aid banking regulators in identifying the variables influencing IC efficiency so they can take steps to improve the efficient utilization of IC resources and maximize value creation. This analysis is beneficial to bank management. Since it informs them of the variables, they should concentrate on increasing the IC efficiency of the banks. This study is the first to examine the variables that affect IC efficiency in commercial banks in Cambodia. It adds to the previous studies about the factors that affect IC efficiency in banks

Coping with Mental Health When Teaching Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic keeps taking hold of our daily lives in 2021. This study aims to analyze the effect of the pandemic on teachers from CamEd Business School. A literature review examined how levels of psychological distress are elevated during the pandemic. Teachers were highlighted as an at-risk group through various factors, and the paper discusses the effect of coping styles and resilience on psychological distress. The study measured psychological distress and deployed coping strategies of 17 respondents using the Perceived Stress Scale and Brief COPE, respectively. Statistical analysis showed similar levels of psychological distress in this sample as the pre-pandemic norm group of the PSS (M=14.23). Positive and Emotional Coping were used most often in this population and pre-pandemic norm groups (M=2.40, M=2.05). A significant positive correlation was found between Problem Solving and Psychological Distress, r(13) = .76, p = 0.01. There was no higher use of Avoidant coping styles than the pre-pandemic norm group (M=1.45). The study suggests that this population found resilience over time, helping to manage psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Corporate Social Responsibility, and Sustainable Development

This paper describes a brief evolution of IFRS and its benefits. It then explains the organized hypocrisy of firms that, on the one hand, eulogized the importance of IFRS and quality financial reporting while, on the other hand, using corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development as a form of earnings management to depress profits, so that a firm’s share of fair tax is not paid to the State; as such there is some form of organized hypocrisy. This article also explains what can be done to address tax avoidance. Since the precursor of tax avoidance is earnings management, a simple cosmetic earnings management is analyzed using Benford’s Law for a public-listed Cambodian firm. This paper aims to illuminate that once cosmetic earnings management occurs, a grander scale of earnings management may occur for tax avoidance purposes, which, while legal, is unethical. This study sheds some light on the discourse of tax avoidance, which may become rampant among Cambodian firms in the future