Perceptions about ethics institutionalization and quality of work life: Thai versus American marketing managers

Previous research suggests that ethics institutionalization positively influences quality of work life (QWL). This study hypothesizes that the effect of ethics institutionalization on QWL is stronger for Thai than U.S. managers, because the Thai culture is collectivistic, whereas the U.S. culture is individualistic. Survey data were collected from Thailand from a sample of marketing managers of Thai companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). The U.S. data involved a sample of U.S. members of the American Marketing Association. The results provide partial support for the hypotheses. Published by Elsevier Inc

Prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in predicting outcome of distal cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand

Patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) generally have poor outcomes because of late presentation and diagnosis. Therefore, prognostic factors for predicting outcomes are essential to improve therapeutic strategies and quality of life. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been reported as a prognostic predictor in several cancers. However, their role in dCCA is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association of TILs with outcome in patients with dCCA. Fifty-two patients were evaluated for the percentage rate of TILs in their cancers, and a median TIL level was used to divide the patients into two groups. Survival, multivariate, and correlation analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors. Results showed that a low TIL level was associated with poor survival. Multivariate analysis revealed TILs as an independent factor for poor outcome. Moreover, TILs were markedly correlated with growth patterns, and both were applied to classify patients with dCCA. Subgroups of TILs with growth pattern incorporation improved stratification performance in separating good from poor patient outcomes. This study suggested that TILs could be a prognostic factor for predicting survival and for clustering patients with dCCA to improve prognostication capability. This finding may be incorporated into a new staging system for stratifying dCCA in Thailand

CSR activities in award-winning Thai companies

Purpose – This case-study research aims to examine best CSR practices in four Thai companies that were given CSR awards. The purpose is to report on best practices in CSR in Thailand. Design/methodology/approach – Four Thai companies that received the best CSR awards from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in 2006 were selected. The data were collected through a questionnaire, interviews, and company documents and web sites. Findings – CSR activities in the top Thai companies were based on moral or altruistic motivations with a focus on both production-process and philanthropic outcomes. The driving forces behind CSR activities in these companies were CEO leadership, company performance, and stakeholders' expectations. Their CSR framework followed the stakeholders' model and issues management which arranged CSR activities into five main categories: education, arts and culture, sports, environment, and public welfare. Critical issues in managing CSR activities were selection of appropriate CSR activity, participation by people in communities affected by the CSR activity, gaining shareholders' support and understanding, and appropriate CSR evaluation methods. Research limitations/implications – The research studied only four companies in Thailand. This may limit generalizations and may provide only a foundation for further research rather than definitive conclusions. Originality/value – The findings of the research may be useful for: companies in Thailand or in other countries which are considering adopting CSR activities appropriate to their environment; researchers who might utilize the findings for furthering their CSR work; and indicating the contribution and the valuable role of both local and international CSR institutes and networks.Corporate social responsibility, Stock Exchanges, Thailand

Current Status of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Practice in Thailand

Thyroid carcinoma is one of the leading malignancies in Thailand increasingly prevalent in the female population. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is a widely used diagnostic tool for evaluation of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Thyroid FNA is a routine procedure universally performed in Thai hospitals by a variety of clinical specialists. Manual guidance is the first-line choice complemented by ultrasound assistance in selected cases. Despite national guidelines recommendations, the diagnostic criteria and terminology of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) was slowly adopted in the local settings. Currently, the Bethesda system is actively promoted by the local professional societies as a uniform reporting system. Experience with thyroid FNA has been rarely reported to date—only a handful of publications are available in local journals. Our review, in addition to presenting various aspects of thyroid FNA in Thailand, established for the first time national references for a certain statistical outputs of TBSRTC based on the original multi-institutional cohort. The risk of malignancy in 2,017 operated thyroid nodules collected from three tertiary thyroid cancer centers was 21.7%, 14.7%, 35.9%, 44.4%, 76.7%, and 92.6% for categories I to VI, respectively. The malignancy risk in several diagnostic categories (II to IV) was higher than the risk estimated by TBSRTC and recent meta-analysis studies. We endorse the use of uniform terminology of the Bethesda system in Thailand, which will help facilitate communication among diverse medical professionals involved in the management of patients with thyroid nodules, to share local experience with the international audience