Community and Social Development Journal

Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education in Southeast Asian Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

2026-08-26T10:21:02+07:00

This study is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that examines the state of Sustainability in Higher Education (SHE) research across Southeast Asia. Guided by the PRISMA framework, the review systematically analyzed peer-reviewed articles published between 2022 and 2026 retrieved from the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) database. From an initial pool of 6,120 articles, 69 studies met the inclusion criteria, drawn from five countries: Indonesia (n=21), Thailand (n=17), Malaysia (n=12), Vietnam (n=10), and the Philippines (n=9). The study was guided by three research questions addressing the characteristics, dominant themes, and educational development contributions of SHE in the region. Thematic analysis identified five dominant themes: Digital Transformation, Pedagogical Innovation, Sustainability Values and Character Development, SDGs Integration, and Educational Development Research Trends. Digital Transformation emerged as the most pervasive theme, present across all five countries and encompassing AI adoption, blended learning, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and MOOCs. The reviewed studies report potential contributions of SHE at three interconnected levels: individually, through practices associated with critical thinking, ethical awareness, and resilience among students and educators; institutionally, through curriculum reform, governance improvement, and green campus initiatives; and systemically, through their relevance to national educational policies and Southeast Asia's emerging role as a contributor to global sustainability discourse. A recurring pattern across the reviewed literature is that implementation responsive to local cultural, social, and historical contexts is more frequently associated with positive outcomes, suggesting a distinctive characteristic of the Southeast Asian approach. These findings carry potential implications for communities and societies across the region, as the reviewed studies suggest that universities embedding sustainability principles may better prepare graduates to address social, environmental, and economic challenges.

Consumer Behavior, Marketing, and Supply Chains of Fermented Foods and Health Supplements in Southeast Asia and India

2026-08-26T12:08:53+07:00

Fermented foods and health supplements are deeply embedded in the dietary traditions of Southeast Asia and India and are increasingly positioned within expanding functional food and preventive health markets. This narrative review aimed to synthesize evidence on four interrelated domains: consumer behavior, marketing dynamics, supply-chain systems, and regulatory and certification issues associated with fermented foods and health supplements in these regions. Peer-reviewed literature was searched primarily through Scopus and Web of Science, with supplementary searches in ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Emerald Insight, and Taylor & Francis Online, with no year restriction. Studies were screened for relevance to fermented foods and/or health supplements in Southeast Asia and India and were synthesized using thematic and interpretative analysis. The review found that health consciousness, perceived efficacy and safety, cultural familiarity, affordability, physician recommendations, and product credibility are major determinants of consumer acceptance and purchase intention. Digital marketing, e-commerce, social media engagement, influencer communication, and branding increasingly shape market access and consumer trust, particularly among younger and urban populations. Supply-chain development is constrained by limited cold-chain infrastructure, inconsistent standardization, dispersed sourcing, and variable quality control, whereas transparency, traceability, digital logistics, and omnichannel coordination can enhance efficiency and market responsiveness. Regulatory inconsistencies and differences in certification and labeling requirements remain important barriers to consumer confidence and cross-border market expansion. Conceptually, the review proposes a reciprocal ecosystem model in which consumer trust functions as a cross-cutting mechanism linking perceived health value, marketing credibility, certification, product quality, and supply-chain transparency, while regulatory, cultural, and technological factors condition these relationships. Greater regulatory harmonization, scientific validation of health claims, improved supply-chain infrastructure, and comparative cross-country research are recommended to support sustainable market growth and strengthen benefits for consumers, local producers, and communities.

Accessibility of Entitled Discount Privileges of Persons with Disabilities in Panabo City, Philippines: An Explanatory Sequential Analysis

2026-08-26T12:26:17+07:00

The Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, or Republic Act No. 7277, aims to uphold the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities, ensuring protection, social fairness, and equal treatment against discrimination. This study examined the utilization of persons with disabilities' discount privilege in Panabo City, Philippines, to determine the extent of accessibility and the challenges encountered in implementing the law. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed to integrate quantitative and qualitative findings. A total of 150 respondents were recruited for the quantitative phase via a self-administered questionnaire, and five were selected for the qualitative phase via a semi-structured interview guide. Findings revealed low to moderate utilization of discount privileges across the following categories: establishments, medical services, drugstores and pharmacies, transportation, and basic and prime commodities. It was also found that environmental constraints, procedural, and compliance challenges exist. Hence, there is a gap between the law and implementation mechanisms. Additionally, it is recommended to focus on adopting policies grounded in the practical application and the timely need.

Attitude and Utilization of Generative AI as a Learning Tool among Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers

2026-08-27T11:17:51+07:00

This study examined the attitudes and utilization of generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a learning tool among pre-service mathematics teachers. Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, data were collected from 71 respondents through a structured survey instrument to determine their perceptions of generative AI and the frequency of its use in learning mathematics. Findings revealed that respondents demonstrated a moderately positive attitude toward generative AI across cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions. In terms of utilization, participants commonly used generative AI tools for step-by-step explanations, clarification of mathematical concepts, and assistance in solving mathematical problems. However, integration of these tools into regular study routines remained limited. Correlation analysis showed a significant moderate positive relationship between attitudes and frequency of use, indicating that more favorable perceptions are associated with higher levels of engagement with generative AI in academic tasks. Respondents also perceived the curriculum as moderately supportive in developing competencies for effective AI utilization, particularly in enhancing problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and conceptual understanding. Nevertheless, some hesitation was noted in encouraging peer use, reflecting concerns about appropriate and responsible application. In general, the study highlights the need for structured integration of generative AI in mathematics education. It is recommended that teacher education institutions provide targeted training, clear guidelines, and pedagogical strategies to strengthen technological competence, critical thinking, and ethical use of AI. Future research may further examine its long-term effects on learning outcomes and professional readiness.

Social Health Innovation and Emergency Preparedness in Universities: An Evaluation of Perceived Public Health Crisis Management Capacity in Guangxi, China

2026-09-14T14:53:15+07:00

This cross-sectional survey study developed and applied a multidimensional framework for evaluating the public health emergency management capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Social health innovation defined here as the coordinated reform of institutional governance, community health partnership and technology adoption provided the conceptual lens for indicator development. A five-dimension, 30-item indicator system was constructed through two rounds of Delphi consultation with seventeen experts (effective response rates 100.00% and 91.67%; expert authority coefficient 0.94). Kendall's coefficient of concordance was in round one and 0.306 in round two (both p < 0.01), indicating statistically significant but modest expert agreement. Between February and June 2025, structured questionnaires were distributed by convenience sampling to students and faculty at twenty HEIs, yielding 1,701 valid responses (institutional sample sizes 30–368). Capacity was measured as respondents' perceptions rather than through objective institutional audit. The entropy weight method (EWM) derived data-driven indicator weights reflecting between-institution variability, and the rank sum ratio (RSR) method with Probit-based grading ranked and classified institutions. Management and command system construction (28.19%) and prevention and emergency preparedness (26.63%) carried the largest entropy weights; perceived shortfalls were most pronounced in contingency plan updating, inter-departmental coordination and post-incident evaluation. Descriptively, vocational colleges scored higher overall than undergraduate universities, and science-engineering and public security institutions scored higher than medical and arts institutions; these comparisons were not tested inferentially. Probit grading classified 4 of the 20 institutions (20.00%) as high capacity, 13 (65.00%) as medium and 3 (15.00%) as low. On the basis of these findings the study proposes as an interpretive contribution rather than a validated intervention a social health innovation framework centred on flatter emergency governance, university–community health partnerships and technology-enhanced early warning. For policy, the results indicate that regional education and health authorities should weight institutionalised command mechanisms and preventive preparedness most heavily in HEI assessment standards, and direct targeted support to institutions in the low-capacity tier.

Factors Influencing the Comprehensive Ability of Undergraduate Photography Students in Shanxi Province, China

2026-09-16T14:00:11+07:00

Photography education in China is shifting from a technique-centred model towards the cultivation of comprehensive professional competence, yet the factors that shape this competence in regional institutions remain under-examined. This study examined the factors influencing the comprehensive ability of undergraduate photography students in Shanxi Province. From a population of 4,254 students enrolled across six universities, 460 questionnaires were distributed and 418 valid responses were retained (90.90%), supplemented by semi-structured interviews with 15 students. Content validity was established through expert review (IOC = 0.60–1.00), the data were confirmed as suitable for factor extraction (KMO = 0.792–0.926; Bartlett’s test p < .001), and internal consistency was acceptable (α = 0.862–0.913). All variables scored at a moderate level or above. Learning Attitude was highest (M = 4.04, SD = 0.74) and Photographic Creation Ability lowest (M = 3.30, SD = 0.90), with narrative expression weakest (M = 3.19), indicating an imbalance between technical skill and reflective capacity. Comprehensive ability was significantly correlated with Learning Attitude, Personal Interests and Employment Prospects (r = 0.640, 0.607, 0.603, respectively; p < .01). A path model with observed composite variables accounted for 27.90% of the variance in comprehensive ability. Learning Attitude showed the largest total effect (β = 0.293), operating partly through Photographic Creation Ability, while Employment Prospects mediated the influence of Learning Resources and Family Support. The dual-mediator structure one internal and creative, the other external and market-oriented suggests that intrinsic motivation and industry alignment jointly shape competence, and that raising comprehensive ability requires both individual effort and systemic institutional support.

Whistleblower Protection as Social Capital Infrastructure: Institutional Design and Weaponization Risks in Thailand's 2025 Anti-SLAPP Law

2026-09-21T13:12:20+07:00

Thailand's 2025 Anti-SLAPP law marks a shift in the country's approach to whistleblower
protection, introducing comprehensive legal and financial mechanisms to address retaliatory
litigation. This article examines whether legal protection can transform dormant social capital
into active citizenship, what risks emerge when protections activate social networks, and what
safeguards prevent weaponization. Analysis reveals three critical insights: law alone cannot build
social capital without ecosystem cultivation; social capital is double -edged, enabling both
accountability and domination; and success requires balancing protection with accountability
mechanisms. The undefined "good faith" standard and absence of penalties for false reporting
create vulnerabilities that sophisticated networks can exploit. Four safeguards are proposed: an
explicit good-faith definition, a two-tier review, enforced penalties, and confidentiality protocols.
Thailand's framework requires sustained ecosystem investment to achieve a transformative
impact.

Enhancing Sustainable Economic Development through the BCG Model: Development and Commercialization of Stingless Bee Honey from Southern Thailand

2026-09-21T13:12:18+07:00

Stingless bee honey, derived from small eusocial bees within the Apinae subfamily, has emerged as a promising natural product in the global health supplement market. These bees are predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions and exhibit limited tolerance to environmental extremes due to their reduced capacity for thermoregulation. Unlike conventional honey bees, stingless bees produce honey with higher moisture content, which undergoes natural fermentation within the hive, resulting in a distinctive sweet–sour taste profile. The compositional characteristics of stingless bee honey include proteins, essential amino acids, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals. These constituents are associated with antioxidant activity and potential functional benefits, making the honey a candidate for nutraceutical and functional food development. Research has increasingly focused on its production systems, extraction processes, and value-added applications.
In Thailand, stingless bee honey production is supported by community-based enterprises, including Ban Ko La Nang Farm in Songkhla Province, operating under the Community Enterprise Promotion framework. Such initiatives contribute to sustainable rural development and are aligned with the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model, which integrates bioeconomy, circular economy, and green economy principles. Due to relatively low production yields compared to honey bees, stingless bee honey remains a scarce and high-value commodity in international markets.

The Study of Educational Management in Internet New Media Majors in Chinese Universities

2026-09-21T13:12:22+07:00

This study examines educational management in Internet New Media majors across six Chinese universities spanning five institutional categories: two comprehensive universities and one university in each of the science and engineering, teacher-training, media, and arts categories. A mixed-methods design combined 483 valid student questionnaires with interviews involving 15 teachers and 10 educational administrators. A 40-person pilot assessed questionnaire reliability, with dimension-level Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of .898–.913. Descriptive findings and interview accounts were integrated through a policy–practice–effectiveness framework. Students rated curriculum–industry alignment positively (M = 3.92), whereas the student feedback mechanism received a lower rating (M = 3.34). Support for an additional digital feedback platform was also comparatively low (M = 3.42), suggesting that responsiveness and visible follow-up require attention alongside technical access. The media category recorded the highest reported mean scores across the three broad domains, although the lowest-scoring category varied by domain. Five reform strategies addressed curriculum renewal, employment information, student feedback, faculty development, and practice resources. The study’s contribution is an institutional comparison that connects management arrangements with students’ reported experiences and practical reform priorities. The findings support context-sensitive improvement and should be interpreted as descriptive evidence rather than causal effects.