This is an interesting study of the relevant role of Thailand on international trade of food and agricultural products, which are in concordance with its successful national strategy positioned itself as the “Kitchen of the World”. To that end, and when looking at its agricultural promotion and export policies, the country has not yet taken into consideration issues related to environmental externalities with regard to plantation methods; the value gains are only counted from exports. For this study, the main purpose was to discharge a trade-off analysis among consumptive water, land, and fertilizer use together with economic values of main crops for exporting and consumption in the country. The findings provide a fresh inside on how to increase income from agricultural exports by exploiting several natural resources such as rubber crops. Moreover, more sustainable agricultural practices are needed to foster such as increased yields and decreased fertilizer and water use.

The results of this study leads to conclusions that the government should clearly accentuate on encouraging good farming practices for sustainable crop production as high productivity to increase the values of agricultural practices on selecting the right crop with low natural resources and high economic value.

Mangmeechai, A. (2014). Environmental externalities in relation to agricultural sector in Thailand with trade-linked analysis. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 16(5), 1031-1040.

The purpose of this paper is to gain knowledge between family wealth, positive outlook, and support from significant others, incorporating parents and friends, on self-efficacy and happiness. The partial least squared structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has been used to analyze the impact of family wealth, social support, and positive outlook on self-efficacy and one’s own happiness. From the statistical results there are five pivotal points that can be drawn. Firstly, parents’ support is much more important than support from friends for individuals’ happiness. Secondly, those who receive more support from parents the level of self-efficacy is usually higher. Thirdly, individuals belonging to less wealthy families develop a stronger level of self-efficacy. Fourthly, in order to develop a higher level of self-efficacy parents’ support is truly important especially for individuals that are in less fortunate wealthy families than those who are in a wealthier family. Lastly, for individuals in a wealthier family the positive linkage within happiness and self-efficacy was clearly stronger than those in a less wealthy family.

In conclusion, the final outcomes expressed that the role of parents’ support is related to a high level of happiness and less for one’s self-efficacy and happiness support from friends as money is not the ultimate answer for happiness and self-efficacy as well. Moreover, less wealthy families enjoyed a higher level of self-efficacy due to receiving enough support from their parents.

“PARENTS OR PEERS, WEALTH OR WARMTH?: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL SUPPORT, WEALTH, AND A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON SELF-EFFICACY AND HAPPINESS”. Assistant Prof. Dr. Vesarach Aumeboonsuke

The role of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in nations’ development has received little attention from scholars in developing countries. However, a growing body of experience indicates that NPOs play a positive role in that development (Clark, 1991). Their contributions to economic development include providing goods and services, especially meeting needs that have not thus far been met by either the government or the private sector. In helping the government achieve its development objectives, particularly through contribution of skills, NPOs have a comparative advantage that includes, for example, public information, education, and communication campaigns and provision of information about the circumstances and needs of particularly vulnerable groups. Moreover, NPOs help citizens voice their aspirations, concerns, and alternatives for consideration by policy makers, thereby giving substance to governments’ policies regarding freedom of association and speech. This study aims to explore the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) adoption and the financial viability of nonprofits. The results reveal that ICT adoption (i.e., basic information technology infrastructure and use) has a positive impact on the nonprofit financial viability factor of donation and transfer funds. In addition, the extent of internet use and the presence of an organizational website positively influence the profit-making measurement indicator of return on assets (ROA). The research finding also suggests that NPOs’ managers should give significant consideration to investing in ICT to ensure that their organizations can maintain their financial viability so as to provide their services and make an impact on society.

Suntrayuth, S & Novak M., (2015). “Analysis of Information and Communication Technology Adoption on the Organizational Financial Viability: Nonprofit Organization Perspectives”, International Journal of Interdisciplinary Organizational Studies, Volume 10, Issue 3, pp.17-34.