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CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD
This chapter highlights the approach used in conducting the study. It begins with an overview of the framework which presents a general picture on how the flow of the study will be conducted. It then continues on by presenting the research approach and procedure.
RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
The proposed research will look into how Taiwan has achieved its status as one of the four Tiger Economies (along with South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore). While the Philippines is tagged as one of the emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region along with Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, it still has a long way to go before it can reach Taiwan’s growth.
The study will focus on Taiwan’s initiatives specifically the way it has utilized foreign aid in order to develop the country as well how it has evolved from an aid recipient country to a donor country within 30 years. It is interesting to note that both the Philippines and Taiwan have been aid recipients since 1946, with USAID providing infrastructure, agricultural and training and technical assistance to name a few (USAID, 2016).
Following the UNDP approach to capacity building, Figure 3.1 below illustrate the process of capacity building for countries and institutions. First and foremost, it is essential that stakeholders are informed and engaged in the objectives set. This is to ensure that there is a uniform understanding by all the stakeholders of the problems faced as well as the tasks and goals that need to be undertaken. Once all parties involved have the same general understanding of the task at hand, an objective assessment of the capacity needs and assets should be done. This should take into consideration all the strengths and weaknesses possessed as well as the gaps that need to be addressed. Based on this assessment, the next step would be the formulation of a capacity building program specifically focused on the needs identified. This should consider existing and needed
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resources, knowledge and skills to tackle the programs. After which, a careful implementation follows. This should be done in a systematic way to ensure that all areas are covered. Finally, as any good project doesn’t stop with implementation, evaluation of results as well as appropriate adjustments need to be done in order to ensure that the program meets the objectives specified.
(Source: UNDP, 2016)
Figure 3.1 Capacity Building Process
For the purpose of this study, we look at two variables, capacity building as the independent variable and economic growth as the dependent variable. To further clarify the use of these variables, the researcher will operationalize these variables as follows:
Capacity Building: enhancement and strengthening of human resource, institutions and systems that contribute to the achievement of economic goals. This includes specific
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programs such as trainings, infusion of new knowledge, building of facilities and equipment geared towards enabling human resources, institutions and systems to acquire new and strengthen existing skills in order to perform their tasks better and contribute to the attainment of the overall objective.
Economic growth: increase in the country’s economy measured by an increase in GDP per
capita.
Such operationalization is done in order to easily determine what values the study is looking at in order to answer the research objectives and research questions stated in Chapter 1.
Using the UNDP’s (2016) core issues on capacity building: institutional arrangements, leadership, knowledge and accountability, the conceptual framework on Figure 3.2 has been formulated. In this framework, institutional arrangements is re-labeled as institutions. This refers to the policies, institutions (offices or agencies) and systems in effect in the country. Knowledge is renamed as human resource development. This pertains to the approaches used to ensure that individuals within the institution or country are given the proper knowledge, skills and capabilities that will promote the achievement of the goals. Finally, leadership and accountability is merged as good governance. This is to illustrate the leaders’ accountability in making sure that the implementation of capacity building initiatives are properly done, monitored and evaluated.
Together, these three form the concept of capacity building discussed in this study. In relation to economic growth, the study would like to determine if the presence of well-developed human resources, strong institutions with efficient and effective systems and good governance can lead to economic growth.
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Making use of the ideas from the theories of NPM and NIE, a conceptual framework can be formulated as illustrated in Figure 3.2. In order to create capacity building initiatives, the proper institutions must be in place. This includes different agencies that tackle specific services and outputs in order to ensure effective delivery; strong, educated and well-equipped manpower to complement and implement the programs of the agencies and finally, leadership and governance that provides direction that can lead the manpower and institutions in order to make achieve the development goals of the country as a whole.
Figure 3.2 Conceptual Framework
RESEARCH PROCEDURE
This section presents the process on how the study was formulated. The researcher followed the process flow as shown on Figure 3.3. The starting point for the study is the emergence of the so-called Tiger Cub economies and the existence of the Tiger economies. Since the Tiger
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Cub economies are following the same track as the Tiger economies, a look into how a transformation from a cub to a full-grown economy is warranted. Multiple journal articles, books, institutions focusing on capacity building and economic growth was perused to accumulate competing theories and arguments about the subject-matter. Thereafter, research objectives and research questions were identified to determine how the possible outcome would be significant in the existing literature. Based on this, a research framework was likewise formulated. Theories supporting the hypothesis were selected to support the study being undertaken. Based on these documents, a set of questions were formulated to serve as interview questions for subject-matter experts and policy-makers. Interviews will be conducted to further understand the initiatives undertaken by the country in focus in order to clarify previously published articles as well as obtain details on future initiatives. This will also be part of the data collection.
After conducting the interviews, transcription, analysis and comparison to existing body of knowledge will be done. In the end, it is the hope of the researcher to formulate policy recommendations based on the interviews and historical events and strategies used.
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Figure 3.3 Research Procedure Reviewing related literature and determining the topic to be studied
Identifying the research objectives and significance of the study
Formulating the research questions
Formulating the research framework
Developing Interview Questions
Data Collection and Interviews
Data Analysis
Conclusion and Recommendation
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The conduct of the study will be qualitative in nature, gathering and analyzing findings of previous researches from journals, books, news articles, official public documents and other relevant sources. Interviews of subject matter experts (SME) will also be conducted in order to support the findings from previous researches.
For the purpose of the study, the researcher will draft interview questions meant to be addressed by subject matter experts as well as personnel directly involved in the conduct of the subject matter. The interview questions formulated were patterned after previous interviews conducted.
Criteria for Selection of Interviewees
The interviewees were selected based on the following criteria:
1. They must have been in service for at least 5-10 years.
2. They must have a direct participation in the formulation and/or implementation of a development plan.
3. They belong to an institution with direct participation in the formulation and/or implementation of a development plan such as:
a. Philippines
i. Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP;
ii. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);
iii. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
iv. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) b. Taiwan
i. Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI);
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iii. Former Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction ministers.
The study will base its analysis using the UNDP Model, NPM and NIE concepts. It will be used to see how the different capacity building elements work together to achieve economic growth experienced by Taiwan and how it can be used by the Philippines. As pointed out earlier, capacity building differs in each country depending on the inherent capacity of the country in question. The theories can help analyze how previous experience of Taiwan can be used a model by the Philippines.
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