Jornal of Management, Economics and Industrial Organization

17-38.

Authors: Vaneza Jean M. De Tomas, Jennifer E. Hinlo

The accessibility in basic financial services is a vital component in the growth of regional economies in the Philippines. However, there are certain barriers that hindered the effective and efficient access, as well as utilization of Filipinos to rudimentary services in the financial sector. With this dilemma, we examined how inclusivity in the financial sector affects regional growth of economies thorough a panel regression analysis approach using yearly data (2015-2020). Based on our findings, regional financial inclusion disparities are prevailing amongst urban and rural regions. Moreover, results have shown that inclusivity of the financial sector have a positive influence on growth of regional economies. Significant findings serve as an input for policies that will strengthen public-private partnerships in sustaining and strengthening the financial services in the regions.

78-93.

Authors: Justfer John D. Aguilar

This study was conducted to assess the level of implementation of data privacy as perceived by Human Resource Management Officers (HRMO). This study employed a descriptive research design, in which the researcher collected quantitative data through survey questionnaire employing random sampling procedure to the 100 members of the Council of Human Resource Management Officers (CHRMP) of North Cotabato. Findings of the study revealed that data protection policies obtained the highest weighted mean with a qualitative description of very highly implemented which implies that organization ensures an enabling policy pursuant to the provision of RA 10173 or Data Privacy Act of 2012. However, study also revealed that right to damages emerge with the lowest weighted mean equivalent to moderately implemented. This denotes that there were existing limitations in the organization in properly addressing issues relevant to data breaches. Notably, lack of awareness in DPA, lack of appropriate resources, complex regulatory landscape, emerging technologies and DPO appointment were identified as challenges in the implementation. Moreover, further research is recommended to ascertain a comprehensive understanding on the challenges faced by the human resource management officers in the data privacy implementation.

110-139.

Authors: Manilyn E. Abaquita, Dolly E. Hinayon, Cerenio G. Adriatico

The barangay micro business enterprise (BMBE) program enables microenterprises from the grassroots to access much-needed support and resources to help them thrive and succeed in their respective industries. Despite the foreseen benefits of this program, only a few small businesses availed. This scenario pushed this paper to uncover the low participation rate in the BMBE program and identify the prospects and challenges in its implementation in the Philippine countryside. This paper looked into the program implementation through a case study using an in-depth interview from purposely selected registered enterprises. The researchers used thematic analysis to process the gathered qualitative data. Findings revealed that the participation in the BMBE program can be attributed to the following generated themes: lack of information dissemination of the BMBE program, integration of BMBE program in the DTI activities, MSMEs initiative for business protection, availing of BMBE program benefits and incentive, and stringent application requirements of the BMBE program. Conversely, the following themes constitute the prospects and obstacles in the implementation of the BMBE program: challenges in the BMBE registration, benefits of the BMBE program, challenges of the BMBE registered enterprises, aspiration of the BMBE registered enterprises, and the effects of the TRAIN law to the BMBE program. With these findings, this paper hopes to widen the empirical evidence offered to the policy-makers in pushing for the development of microenterprises in the country.