The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest <p><strong>The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development</strong> is published biannually by the Graduate School of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Philippines. The journal publishes original research articles from various disciplines and other interdisciplinary approaches. The journal is primarily dedicated to publish research articles for widest dissemination to scientific community. The journal is open to all researchers of diverse fields of discipline. All manuscripts shall undergo double-blind peer-review process before the papers are published to ensure the quality of publication and to guard against plagiarism.</p> en-US <p><strong>Open Access:</strong> This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.</p> thequest@neust.journalintellect.com (The Quest | Secretariat) thequest.chief@gmail.com (Allen Paul Esteban) Thu, 03 Oct 2024 05:50:16 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.13 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Factors that Affect Purchase Intention and the Effects of Livestream Influencers: Basis for Strategic Plan https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/204 <p>The ability of online influencers in e-commerce livestreams to provide clear and intuitive insights into merchandise significantly shapes and drives consumer spending intentions. This study explored factors affecting purchase intention and the impact of livestream influencers on consumers in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, using a quantitative approach. The sample included consumers who watched livestreams on various social media platforms. Data analysis involved tables and weighted means to assess factors influencing purchase intention, the effects of livestream influencers, and the relationship between consumer profiles and purchase intention. Key findings indicated that factors such as social networking opportunities, efficiency of methods, and popularity significantly influenced purchase intentions, with social networking opportunities having the highest impact. The study also found that livestream influencers most strongly affected purchase decisions, followed by purchase intention and customer engagement. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between consumer profiles—specifically age, income, years of e-commerce usage, and frequency of platform use—and purchase intention, with educational attainment showing the strongest correlation. However, sex and the specific e-commerce platform used were not significant factors. The study's strategic plan provided recommendations for improving sales and consumer engagement on livestream platforms. The study concluded that livestream platforms significantly influence consumer purchases and contribute to increased sales and profits for enterprises, with recommendations directed at consumers, influencers, businesses, and the government.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Yang Wenzhi, Jennifer Fronda Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/204 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Innovative Coastal Resilience: Design and Application of Hydraulic Geotextile Tubes as Sustainable Breakwater Cores in La Union https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/201 <p>The constant assault of waves contributes to the loss of valuable coastal land of La Union, necessitating innovative and sustainable methods to protect the shoreline. In the pursuit of sustainable solutions, innovative technologies such as hydraulic geotextile tubes have emerged as promising contenders for enhancing shoreline protection. This study explores the design and application of hydraulic geotextile tubes as breakwater cores along the La Union shoreline. Due to their permeability and flexibility, hydraulic geotextile tubes offer a viable substitute for conventional breakwater materials. The research aims to provide valuable insights into sustainable coastal management by determining how these tubes can be designed to resist wave forces, ensure stability against hydrodynamic pressures, identify various installation methods, and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages in preventing shoreline erosion and potentially reclaiming sand. The study's findings could inform strategies that balance shoreline protection with environmental preservation. It highlights the interaction between creative engineering solutions and environmental stewardship in addressing evolving coastal challenges.</p> Hessah Uclos, Acer John Friginal, Noel Florencondia, Lorinda Pascual Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/201 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Opportunities and Challenges in the Transition to Clean energy of Heilongjiang Energy Sales Company: Basis for Strategic Plan https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/149 <p>The study at China Huaneng Group Heilongjiang Energy Sales Company explored the transition to clean energy, focusing on the opportunities and challenges involved. It aimed to understand how the company is adapting to this shift by analyzing current operations and evaluating the feasibility of adopting cleaner energy sources. Surveys were distributed to purposively sampled employees, and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean scores. The study provided a detailed characterization of the company, including its business form, years of operation, scope, and asset size as of 2023. It assessed key operational aspects such as technology, production capacity, facilities, and the cost-benefit of transitioning to clean energy. Strategic recommendations were proposed to enhance the company’s readiness for this transition, outlining specific objectives and strategies for implementation. The findings highlighted the importance of maintaining efficiency in both current operations and the shift to cleaner energy sources. The study offered valuable insights and strategic guidance to help China Huaneng Group Heilongjiang Energy Sales Company successfully navigate the transition to a more sustainable energy model while aligning with its financial goals.</p> Zhang Xintian, Jennifer Fronda Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/149 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Assessment of the Transportation and Mobility Impacts of Santa Rosa Bridge Rehabilitation on Student Commuters https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/207 <p>This study assessed the transportation and mobility impacts of the Santa Rosa Bridge rehabilitation on student commuters, focusing on how this infrastructure project affects their daily travel experiences. The study employs a descriptive-comparative methodology, gathering data from 117 student commuters through a researcher-made questionnaire distributed online. Results reveal a significant increase in travel time, with more students experiencing delays of 1-2 hours or more. Additionally, the rehabilitation has led to decreased satisfaction with available transportation options and overall commuting experiences, as evidenced by a decline in weighted mean scores across all transportation and mobility constructs. The study concludes that the rehabilitation project has adversely affected student commuters, disrupting their routines and reducing the reliability of their commutes. These findings highlights the need for proactive measures, such as alternative transportation options or temporary shuttle services, to mitigate the impact on student mobility during infrastructure projects.</p> John Vincent Santos, Noel Florencondia Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/207 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Assessment of the Effectiveness of the E-Government System in Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/202 <p>The research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of the e-government system at Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital. It assesses the system's performance using the System Evaluation Questionnaire aligned with the ISO 25010-2011 system/software quality model indicators, which include functionality, reliability, usability, performance efficiency, compatibility, portability, and security. The study's findings indicate that iHOMIS performs exceptionally well at Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital, particularly excelling in functionality, reliability, usability, and security. This suggests that the system is robust, user-friendly, and meets users' needs effectively, with users expressing confidence in the system's data protection and privacy measures.<br>However, the results for performance efficiency, compatibility, maintainability, and portability are satisfactory but suggest areas for improvement. Overall, the findings point to a positive user experience at Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital, although there is potential for further enhancements to achieve consistent excellence across all evaluated criteria. The study concludes that iHOMIS is well-suited to meet the e-governance needs of government facilities like Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital. The successful implementation of iHOMIS at CNPH demonstrates the significant impact of the Department of Health's initiative in improving hospital operational efficiency and patient outcomes. CNPH's digital transformation journey serves as a model for other government healthcare facilities aiming to enhance patient outcomes through digital means. The insights from this study are expected to be pivotal in advancing e-government initiatives nationwide.</p> Dominacion Pereyra Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/202 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Sustainability Practices of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in China: Basis for Strategic Plan https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/200 <p>The study presents a comprehensive analysis of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) situated in Rizhao City, Shandong, China, focusing on their profiles, sustainability practices, challenges, and a proposed strategic plan. The respondents, SME managers, play a crucial role in shaping sustainability strategies. Among the key findings, 70% of surveyed companies adopt a corporate organizational structure, while 45% primarily operate in the manufacturing sector. SMEs in China exhibit a strong commitment to economic, social, and environmental sustainability practices, with notable percentages actively seeking cost reduction through sustainability, monitoring financial impacts, and investing in research and development for sustainable innovation.</p> <p>Economic challenges, including difficulties in securing funds for sustainable projects, dominate the SME landscape (88%). Social challenges emphasize meeting community expectations (80%), and environmental challenges center on reducing carbon footprints (90%). The proposed strategic plan advocates phased sustainability investments, diversification of funding sources, talent management, and a circular economy approach to address economic, social, and environmental challenges collectively. The study recommends internal reviews of organizational structures, cross-industry collaboration, exploration of alternative financing, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems to enhance SMEs' success in China's dynamic business environment. These recommendations underscore the importance of adaptive, innovative approaches to foster sustainability and resilience in SMEs while contributing to societal well-being and environmental conservation.</p> Lingchao Kong, Nestor Natividad Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/200 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 The Correlation Between Academic Performance in CELE-Related Subjects and CELE Performance Among Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Students at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/208 <p>This study investigated the relationship between academic performance in CELE-related subjects and CELE performance among Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) students at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST). A quantitative research design employing correlation analysis was utilized. The sample consisted of 322 random BSCE students who had taken CELE in the last five exam dates. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between students' performance in their Mathematics, Surveying, and Transportation Engineering (MSTE) and Structural Engineering and Construction (SEC) subjects during their BSCE program and their corresponding achievements on the PRC board exam. However, no significant correlation emerged between students' performance in their Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering (HGE) subjects during their BSCE program and their performance on the corresponding section of the PRC board exam. Additionally, the results indicated a significant positive correlation between students' weighted GPAs during their BSCE program and their performance on the PRC board exam.These findings suggest that strong academic performance in CELE-related subjects is associated with success on the CELE, highlighting the importance of a well-aligned curriculum and educational strategies. However, further research is needed to explore causative factors and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics influencing CELE performance.</p> Felicitas Cabrera, Kyle Eduard Cortez, Roselle Gonzales, Peter Harold Maducdoc Copyright (c) 2024 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/208 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Mobile Phone Dependence of College Students: Basis for A Course of Action https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/210 <p>This research investigates Mobile Phone Dependence (MPD) among university students at X University, revealing a 100% smartphone ownership rate, with 33.4% experiencing MPD. Factors contributing to MPD include social allure, negative consumer culture, chaotic online practices, and the absence of real-world support. School-related factors include outdated teaching methods, inadequate guidance, while family factors implicate parental influence and neglect. Personal factors involve weak self-discipline, unclear goals, loneliness, psychological needs, and addiction psychology. MPD impacts academics, social skills, physical and mental health, economics, consumer mindset, and behavior. Demographic variables exhibit significant variations in MPD. The study recommends multifaceted interventions, emphasizing social governance, higher education, family education, and self-education, supported by collaborative governance. Future research should deepen fundamental theories, expand survey scope, strengthen empirical research, and employ action research for effective implementation of intervention strategies. Action research involves forming a multidisciplinary team, engaging stakeholders, assessing the current scenario, designing targeted interventions, and continuously adapting strategies based on real-time data. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of MPD and offers a strategic framework for addressing this issue among college students.</p> Guo Xiumei, Allen Paul Esteban, Jocelyn Cruz, Cherrylyn Trinidad, Arceli Millan, Jesus Arboleda Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 https://neust.journalintellect.com/quest/article/view/210 Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000