Going the Distance by Going Green: DLSU’s Transportation System pre-, during, and post-pandemic

sustainable operations agenda. Guided by this agenda, we formed partnerships to operationalize a greener transportation system. One of our initiatives is to partner with an electromechanical solutions provider in operationalizing our zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) policy with the use of electronic vehicles in our shuttle services before the pandemic. To reduce the number of private vehicles on campus, we also partnered with a bus company to provide a point-to-point service for our community members.  During the pandemic, we continued to develop facilities and programs to encourage the use of bicycles by our community post-pandemic. With this, we look forward to further reducing the number of private vehicles on campus and the need to provide additional parking spaces. Keyword: Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV), Shuttle services, Bicycle

Analyzing cost behavior of Philippine industrial firms

Recent studies find that cost behave asymmetrically with changes in activity levels which challenges the traditional view that cost behaves either symmetrically with volume (variable) or remains the same (fixed). Philippine industrial firms exhibit this cost behavior using discretionary costs such as sales, general and administrative expenses (SGA). However, the question remains whether they exhibit the same behavior for other types of costs such as cost of goods sold, investment costs and total operating costs. This study shows that Philippine industrial firms adjust their cost structures whether it be their cost of goods sold, investment costs or total operating costs with changes in demand conditions using the empirical model of ABJ (2003)

What motivates entrepreneurs? A study of the value systems of Filipino entrepreneur

Given the pivotal role of the entrepreneur in nation building and economic development, the key to unleashing his full potential for economic growth is to identify and understand his values and value system which affects his attitude and subsequently his behavior. While there are studies on what are the character traits of Filipino entrepreneur, a few have explored the personal value system that affects these attributes and characteristic traits. This study identified the value system of Filipino entrepreneurs using the universally accepted Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) and in the process provided an explanation to underlying the findings of other studies about the characteristics and styles of Filipino entrepreneurs following the VALUESATTITUDE- BEHAVIOR framework. Furthermore, the study tested whether the value systems are homogeneous and concludes by discussing the implications to economic policies of the country

The empirics of cost stickness in Philippine firms

The challenges of our modern times require firms to be competitive for long-term survival. Competitive advantage is not only measured by the revenues (top-line) and profits (bottom-line) but also by how firms operate efficiently (costs). Recent studies on cost behavior find that costs behave asymmetrically with changes in activity levels. This sticky cost behavior challenges traditional cost model which assumes that cost behavior is symmetric for both activity increases and decreases. Using panel data analysis, we find that discretionary costs are sticky in response to changes in revenues among listed Philippine firms. However, we note that cost stickiness disappears when a more complete adjustment cycle is considered and when companies experience successive decline in activity level. Firm-specific and industry-specific characteristics also influence the degree of cost stickiness. Keywords: Cost stickiness, Cost behavior

Can culture explain economic growth? A note on the issues regarding culture-growth studies

The notion that culture affects economic develop and therefore explains growth has pre-occupied social scientists for decades. Studies have shown mixed results, some supporting that economic growth is shaped (at least in part) by cultural factors while others conclude otherwise. Intuitively, culture should affect growth since culture defines the belief systems of the people making up the economy and thus would ultimately affect economic growth. But the question is how do we show that empirically? This paper attempts to answer that question by reviewing literature and examining more recent studies on the culture-growth dilemma then proceeds with summarizing issues regarding such studies as how they can possibly be resolved

The dynamics of firm competitiveness: Evidence from cost behavior of Filipino firms

The challenges of our modern times require firms to be competitive for long-term survival. Competitive advantage is not only measured by the revenues (top-line) and profits (bottom-line) but also by how firms operate efficiently (costs). Recent studies show another dimension to cost behavior pattern, called sticky cost , which explain how firms are able to adjust their resources with changes in activity-levels due to either temporary market fluctuations or a more permanent demand shift. Using panel data analysis, this study analyzed and confirmed asymmetrical cost behavior of Philippine firms. When compared with other countries, the results provide an indication why they are less competitive

Modeling cost behavior: Linear models for cost stickiness

Literature acknowledges that costs might not be linear and proportional with activity levels. However, conjectures about the sticky behavior of costs are largely based on anecdotal and empirical evidence despite sufficiently advanced economic theory that explains cost behavior (Cooper and Kaplan, 1998; Noreen and Soderstrom, 1997; Banker and Johnston, 1993). For instance, while Noreen and Soderstrom (1997) find no evidence of stickiness, Anderson, et al (2003) find that SG&A costs are sticky that is, they increase, on the average, by 0.55% per 1% increase in revenues, but decline by 0.35% per 1% decrease in revenues. Subramaniam and Weidenmier (2003) confirm cost stickiness, finding that total cost increase 0.93% per 1% increase in revenues but decrease only by 0.85% per 1% decrease in revenues. Both studies used data from US firms. This paper derived a basic cost behavior model and used this model to test whether asymmetric cost behavior in Philippine firms is also prevalent, using different linear models such as OLS and GLS regression analyses. It concluded that GLS regression analysis is not more efficient than OLS regression analysis