Helping by Volunteers: A Social Representations Approach

Studies on helping have largely focused on individual cognitions, overlooking the significant contribution of one’s dynamic social context in shaping it. Social Representations Theory (SRT) was therefore used to study the shared and collective understanding of helping by volunteers. In-depth interviews were conducted with selected members of volunteer organizations. In keeping up with existing literature, the results show support to the altruism and egoism debate. Contrasting representations centered on the value differences of material (e.g., money) and nonmaterial (e.g., service) help ex/ended 10 beneficiaries. Suggestions [or a more informed volunteer management are discussed

Bahala Na as an Expression of the Filipino\u27s Courage, Hope, Optimism, Self-efficacy and Search for the Sacred

The literature on bahala na has largely focused on its negative qualities such as its seeming equivalence with dependence and fatalism. However, bahala na actually finds its roots in the spiritual core of the value system of the Filipinos, hence should be an expression of something desirable and worthy. This research aimed to refocus our attention and explore the positive side of bahala na in the context of five strengths: hope, self-efficacy, optimism, courage, and search for the sacred. Two focus group discussions were conducted in Metro Manila involving 11 and 13 participants respectively coming from a middle class village and an urban poor community. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data. Results show that whilebahala na retains some of its more popular negative aspects, the predominant view suggests a rational assessment of one’s resources and the situation which leads to a series of goal-attainment activities. It was also discovered that socio-economic status is a factor in the way bahala na was used in the context of hope, self-efficacy, and search for the sacred

Toward the Pursuit of What People Value: Determining a Living Wage Based on Capability Gaps

This study sought to initiate conversations on the utility of the capability approach and a psychological lens in approximating a living wage. We put forth the concept of capability gap – defined as the difference between what one values and what one perceives as attainable. We used a set of valued domains of a good life that were identified based on well-being indicators in determining capability gaps. Five hundred workers (all breadwinners) belonging to households selected through stratified random sampling from purposively chosen middle- and low income communities in the Philippines participated in the survey. From the data; we constructed a weighted capability measure that determinesthe capability gap; weighted by the perceived importance of each of the good life domains. We likewise derived an estimate of a living wage that yields a weighted capability that represents individuals’ capabilities to achieve and pursue valued outcomes; freedoms; and entitlements. This initial attempt at estimating a living wage based on individuals’ capability to achieve and pursue a good life is presented as the main contribution of the research. The limitations of the study as well as its implications to living wage research and policy are discussed

Technostructural Interventions in the Philippines

A recent study found that as many as 45 percent of activities that people are paid to perform can be automated by adapting new technology (Manyika and Marimadi 2015). These activities can include a sales person’s standard demonstration of the company’s products or even the regular cleaning of work areas. Interestingly, the activities that can be automated are not limited to low-level roles. High-paid occupations such as physicians and CEOs may soon find some of their work being done by machines as well. Although some may lament that introducing technology will mean fewer jobs, another perspective sees this as an opportunity to rethink how jobs can be performed. As more time is freed from doing routine tasks, people may have more time to hone specialized skills. However, as organizations harness technology with the aim of improving their processes and increasing output, a tremendous amount of organizational flexibility, learning and re-learning, and redefining of jobs and processes are necessary. These organization development initiatives are classified under technostructural interventions. This chapter aims to describe the different forms of these interventions and showcase how they are used in Philippine organizations

Work-Nonwork Spillover of Wage Justice through Work Capabilities in Low and Middle Income Workers

Wage justice literature asserts that it is the perceived fairness of pay (based on comparison others) instead of actual pay that matters most to an employee. This study therefore investigates the spillover effect of wage justice on life capabilities in the Philippines. It is hypothesized that wage justice will influence life capability through work capabilities such as job empowerment, job satisfaction, and occupational pride. Using data from the Institute of Philippine Culture study on living wages of 500 individuals, a structural equation model was estimated to test the spillover effect. Findings confirms the hypothesis that wage justice influences life capabilities (life satisfaction and physical well-being) through work capabilities. Implications for research on wage justice and capabilities as well as to people management practices in work organizations are discussed