Effectiveness evaluation of a marine protected area in Vietnam : the Cu Lao Cham MPA case study

Planning, implementing and managing MPA not only requires attentions to biological issues which influence the performance of MPA but also to social and economic aspects that can greatly affect the outcome of MPA implementation. This study used data from logbook program over 4 years and face-to-face interview to explore the effectiveness of Cu Lao Cham MPA which is one of 4 MPAs in Vietnam through the performance of ecological (CPUE), economic (income from fishing) and social (perception to the MPA objectives) indicators. Result of study has indicated linkages between ecological, socio and economic issues which often give an insight to direct and immediate feedbacks to MPA and despite the various of problems in management of Cu Lao Cham MPA such as poaching, poor and ineffective enforcement, sustainability…., the performance of ecological, economic and social indicators in this study showed that Cu Lao Cham MPA has achieved a significant amount of success and is one of the few well-managed marine protected areas in Vietnam. This study has also identified a number of indications that the coastal fishery of Cu Lao Cham could be on a transition towards becoming a viable, sustainable characteristic of better-established tropical marine protected areas

Air pollution in Hanoi, Vietnam : evaluating effects on hospital admissions of children

Background Worldwide, pneumonia is responsible for approximately 1.4 million paediatric deaths per year. The prevalence of hospitalization due to pneumonia has been increasing globally, contributing to a large proportion of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY). About 75% of the burden of disease occurs in low-and middle-income countries. In Vietnam, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of childhood hospitalization and deaths, thus, there is a need to determine optimal interventions for preventing childhood pneumonia. To do this, more information about potential risk factors is needed. Air pollution, particularly outdoor air pollution, is known to be among the leading causes of pneumonia. Evidence of the link between outdoor air pollution and the risk of hospitalization and/or premature death due to pneumonia can be found in numerous epidemiological studies in high income countries. In developing countries, like Vietnam, such data is still sparse. This lack of sufficient specific evidence hinders the public health sector from implementing and promoting different interventions against air pollution in these countries. The overall aim of the present PhD research was to investigate the short-term effects of ambient air pollution on the daily number of hospital admissions of children and adolescents in Vietnam. Specifically, the work aimed to a) study pneumonia rate trends in Vietnam; b) investigate the existing evidence linking pneumonia hospitalization and outdoor air pollution, globally; and to c) estimate the association between outdoor air pollution and the daily number of hospital admissions of Vietnamese children. Method Data source Daily means of pollutants, including particulate matter less than 10, 2.5 and 1 microns in diameter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, respectively), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and 8-hour moving average of ozone (O3) were derived from fixed monitoring stations in Hanoi, namely Lang, Nguyen Van Cu. All pollutants were expressed in µg/m3. Daily means for temperature (0C), relative humidity (%) and wind speed (m/s) were obtained by averaging values from four stations: Lang, Ba Vi, Son Tay and Ha Dong. Study approach Data from the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, covering the period 2007–2014, were analysed to calculate the emergency visit and hospital admissions rates caused by pneumonia in Hanoi’s paediatrics unit. The short-term association between ambient air pollution on hospital admissions of children was determined using two broad approaches: (i) a literature review and meta-analysis of the peer-review publication up to 2017, and (ii) an epidemiological study based on information from the hospital database in Hanoi, Vietnam. First, the review study summarized existing evidence of the relationship between exposure to air pollution and hospitalization for pneumonia. Then, a time-series analysis with quasi-Poison regression was conducted to investigate the association between ambient air pollution and daily hospital admissions of Hanoi children during the period 2007–2014. In the summary below, the associations between air pollutants and outcome are presented in percent change (excess risk-ER%). Results Among the respiratory diseases affecting Hanoi children, pneumonia was responsible for 24.5% of emergency visits (2012–2014), and 54.1% of hospital admissions (2007–2014). Infants made up the group most frequently hospitalized due to pneumonia. Moreover, pneumonia was also the biggest cause of both prolonged hospitalization time and deaths in the hospital among Hanoi children. Rates of infant hospitalization due to pneumonia increased from 19.2 per 1000 children in 2009 to 32.4 per 1000 children in 2014. Seventeen studies reporting the association between hospitalization for pneumonia and ambient air pollution from Web of Science and PubMed were derived and summarized. Eight of these studies were conducted in high income countries. Meta-analysis using random effect models indicated the positive association between air pollutants and hospital admissions of children worldwide, except CO. The excess risk in percent (ER%) of every 10µg/m3 increment of PM10 and PM2.5 were 1.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.6% to 2.4%) and 1.8% (95% CI: 0.5% to 3.1%), respectively. The ER% of 1000ppb increment of CO, however, was 0.9% (95%CI: 0.0% to 1.9%). Time series analyses showed positive associations between ambient air pollution and daily numbers of children (aged 0-17) admitted to hospital for pneumonia in Hanoi. The strongest effect was observed for NO2; an interquartile increase in seven-day average NO2 (21.9µg/m3) resulted in a 6.1% (95%CI: 2.5% to 9.8%) increase of hospital admissions for pneumonia. This was followed by PM10, whereby the ER% per 66.5 µg/m3 increase in seven-day average concentration of PM10 in Hanoi was a 5.8% (95%CI: 2.8% to 9.0%) increase in hospitalizations for pneumonia. The effects of NO2 were stable across both pollutant models. The effects of PM10, however, were attenuated upon inclusion of O3. Stronger effects among children aged 1–5 years were observed, compared with infants. The findings also indicate a seasonal influence on the association between ozone and hospitalization due pediatric pneumonia for all ages (0-17). Conclusion This work provides evidence of the increasing trend of emergency and hospital admission rates among Vietnamese children. Pneumonia infection accounted for a large proportion of hospital admissions, prolonged hospitalization and was a primary cause of deaths at hospital among Vietnamese children. The findings from the meta-analysis concluded that studies from North America and Europe document associations between exposure to ambient air pollution and pneumonia. This study also suggests that time series analysis is an easy and cost effective study approach for investigating the effects of ambient air pollution, as it uses routine data (i.e. hospital records). It is, thus, an appropriate method to apply in developing countries, such as Vietnam. The time series study in Hanoi has demonstrated the link between air pollution and hospitalization for pneumonia among Vietnamese children, in which all pollutants except SO2 and O3 were found to have significant associations with an increase in childhood hospitalizations. It is also recommended that NO2 and PM10 levels are used as predictors for hospital admission for pneumonia in Vietna

Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Organizational Learning Support Employee Creativity: Evidence from Vietnamese SMEs

Purpose: The current study aims to investigate the mediating role of organizational learning (OL) on the relationship between transformational leadership (TFL) and employee creativity (EC) in Vietnamese SMEs.   Theoretical framework:  The world underwent enormous and ongoing changes in SMEs after the Covid-19 pandemic. Leaders and employees must be more effective and adaptive to enhance systems and processes and meet client requests. Recently, SMEs in Vietnam have struggled to improve CEOs and staff with the professional credentials necessary to compete in the market and integrate.   Design/methodology/approach:  The framework and hypotheses were examined using SEM on SPSS and AMOS software to analyse the data after receiving 397 valid responses from SMEs in Vietnam.   Findings: Findings confirmed that TFL positively affects EC and OL. The role of individual motivation on individual consideration outweighs those of the other characteristics of TFL. OL played a partly mediator role in the relationship between TFL and EC.   Research, Practical & Social implications: This study provides an inventory of knowledge about the reality of OL and its mediating role on the relationship between TLF and EC, which contributes to enriching the library in overall and Vietnamese in specific in this subject.   Originality/value: This paper is one of the first papers in the Vietnamese SMEs context to address the mediating effect of OL between TLF and EC.

Effect of Ethical Leadership and Leader-Member Exchange on Voice Behavior – Moderating Impact of Empowerment

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of ethical leadership and leader-member exchange on employee voice behavior and moderating effect of employee empowerment.  Data collected from 718 full time working employees via questionnaires, incorporating ethical leadership, leader-member exchange, employee voice behavior and employee empowerment. Correlation and regression analysis was to examine the relationship, association and effect of the variables on each other. Results indicated a strong, positive and significant association between ethical leadership, leader-member exchange and employee empowerment and employee voice behavior. Further regression results specify that ethical leadership, leader-member exchange and employee empowerment effect employee voice behavior positively and significantly. Results point out that interactive effect of employee empowerment is there in between leader-member exchange and employee voice behavior. Current study provides a new aspect to focus for the organizations that is importance of ethical leadership to enhance employee voice behavior through leader-member exchange and employee empowerment. Organization needs to acknowledge the significance of ethical leadership behavior to training and enhancing ethical behavior of leader in order to maximize employee voice behavior for organization efficiency. Keywords: Ethical leadership;leader-member exchange; Employee voice behavior; Employee empowerment; DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-9-15 Publication date:March 31st 201

Understanding Transformational Leadership – Employee Performance Links: The Role of Trust and Commitment

This study analyzes the influences of transformational leadership on employee performance through the mediating role of trust and commitment. Although these indirect interrelations are very important for enhancing employee performance, prior research has not usually explored them. The study confirms these influences empirically, basing the analysis on a sample of 25 Vietnamese firms with 326 employees. The results reveal that (1) transformational leadership influences employee performance positively through employee trust and organizational commitment; (2) employee trust influences employee performance, both directly and indirectly through organizational commitment; (3) organizational commitment influences employee trust positively. Keywords: Transformational leadership, employee trust, organizational commitment, employee performance

An Analytical Framework Considering the Effects of Online Teaching Quality on Student Satisfaction

COVID-19 spreads across the world in late 2019 has affected to several aspects of social life. One of the most important sectors, which face difficulties was education, thus most universities have transferred from traditional education to online education through the internet to make their academic year going. This study aims to review the effects of online teaching quality on student satisfaction, a positive attitude resulting from an evaluation of students’ online teaching experience in higher education. Through applying the SERVQUAL model to measure the effects of online teaching quality on students’ satisfaction, it can be expected to get better the online teaching quality of higher education institutions in Vietnam. Keywords: Online teaching, student satisfaction, higher education, COVID-19, educational institution. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-6-08 Publication date:March 31st 202

Rice and shrimp farming in the Xuan Thuy National Park: sustainable and unsustainable practices

peer reviewedAgricultural and aquaculture patterns in Xuan Thuy National Park mainly consists of rice planting and shrimp aquaculture (intensive and semi-intensive). Currently, there are about 11,899 rice households covering 1,873.07 ha, 215 semi-intensive shrimp households occupying 1,730.7 ha and 40 intensive households amounting to 90 ha in the Ramsar site. The local farmers produce 14,411 ton of rice, 450 ton of intensive shrimp and 516 tonof semi-intensive shrimp. Thus, rice and shrimp contribute significantly to local food basket and economy but it is overshadowed by environmental concerns. This paper aims to focus on reviews how farmers practice rice and shrimp at the international important location. It finds some inappropriate management practices regarding to monoculture, use of fertilizer, pesticide, antibiotic and other drugs, and water effluent systems. In addition, almost of respondents aware of water discharge from rice areas after spraying pesticide is the most serious constraint for their shrimp and the effluent from shrimp ponds make pollution for the environment. Lesson learned from review are considered in the context of recommendations to apply effective management measures to mitigate the unsustainable practices

Constraints of Agricultural Development in the Context of Environmental Conservation for Protected Areas, Vietnam

peer reviewe

Linking Ethical Leadership to Employee Creative Performace: The Role of Leader-Member Exchange and Work Engagement

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate the mediating role of leader-member exchange (LMX) and work engagement in the relationship between ethical leadership and creative performance.   Theoretical framework: The study is based on the theoretical foundation that ethical leadership positively influences creative performance. It further posits that this relationship is mediated by both leader-member exchange (LMX) and work engagement.   Design/Methodology/Approach: Data for this study was collected from a Vietnamese service firm, with a sample comprising 78 leaders and 354 employees. The collected data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the proposed relationships.   Findings: The findings of the study indicate a significant and positive correlation between ethical leadership and creative performance. Additionally, the study reveals that ethical leadership exerts an influence on both leader-member exchange (LMX) and work engagement, which subsequently enhance employees' demonstration of creativity in their work.   Research, practical & social implications: This research sheds light on the mediating mechanisms through which ethical leadership impacts creative performance. The findings highlight the importance of fostering positive leader-member relationships and promoting work engagement in order to enhance employees' creative behaviors. Practically, the study suggests that organizations should prioritize the development of ethical leadership qualities to foster a creative work environment. Moreover, the research contributes to the broader social implications by emphasizing the significance of ethical leadership in promoting creativity and innovation within organizations.   Originality/Value: This research contributes to the existing literature by examining the mediating role of leader-member exchange and work engagement in the relationship between ethical leadership and creative performance. The study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms through which ethical leaders can enhance creativity in the workplace. The findings of this research contribute to the understanding of the importance of ethical leadership and its impact on organizational outcomes, thereby adding to the originality and value of the study

Morphological Traits and Nuclear Genetic Diversity of Coptis sp. in Hoang Lien National Park, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam

Coptis is a medicinal plant genus in the Ranunculaceae family, and is also known as “Hoang Lien” in Vietnamese. It is a perennial herb that grows in some regions of the world. However, Coptis is endangered and faces global threats. This study aimed to characterize some main morphological characteristics and performed a phylogenetic analysis of 11 samples of Coptis sp. collected from Hoang Lien National Park using nuclear DNA sequence analyses. All sample species have unique morphological traits with distinct yellow rhizomes and basal leaves with five segments. The petiole measures 13-25 cm and is smooth, while the leaf blade is ovate, ranging from 7 to 15.5 cm in length and 5.5 to 14 cm in width. The leaves are subleathery, glabrous on the underside, and sparsely puberulous on the veins on the upper side. The molecular characterization of Coptis sp. genotypes was determined by ITS markers. The length of the ITS1-ITS2 sequences varied from 363 to 371 nucleotides. The average nucleotide composition was 17.11% A, 31.25% C, 32.247% G and 19.41% T, respectively. The comparison with the GenBank database showed that the samples had 95.71- 96.37% similarity with the species Coptis quinquesecta. The genetic distance among the 11 Coptis samples fluctuated from 0.00 to 0.017. A neighbor-joining tree was constructed to show the genetic relationships among Coptis samples. The results indicated that this endangered species had low levels of genetic diversity. The study has provided valuable information for genetic-based conservation of this rare endemic species and suggested some conservation strategies