Journal of Contemporary Research in Social Sciences

Exploration and analysis of the future introduction of the International Baccalaureate in Taiwan

2025-04-28T16:05:16+00:00

This study explores the feasibility and impact of integrating the International Baccalaureate (IB) program into Taiwan’s national education system. While Taiwan’s current international education policies primarily focus on language acquisition, the IB curriculum emphasizes global awareness, cultural understanding, and critical thinking—key competencies in a globalized world. This study uses the seven dilemmas of educational reform as an analytical framework, which are: Orientation Dilemma, Paradigm Dilemma, Financial Dilemma, Resources Dilemma, and Knowledge Dilemma. The findings indicate that the integration of the IB program can balance the needs of globalization and local education, align with Taiwan’s lifelong learning policies, enhance educational equity through public school implementation, and provide students with dual diploma opportunities. With appropriate policy support and resource allocation, the IB program has the potential to strengthen Taiwan’s international competitiveness while promoting educational diversity and equity.

Socio-cultural economics and Q- methodology: A new challenging interplay between values, preferences, and behaviors

2025-05-12T16:36:04+00:00

This study highlights the transformative potential of Q methodology in socio-cultural economics, bridging subjective experiences and mathematical analysis. By integrating values, preferences, and behaviors, Q methodology offers a different approach to understanding cultural dynamics, revealing hidden dimensions of choice, motivation, and value systems. Through Q’s structured sorting and person-centered factor analysis, it captures diverse perspectives and the intensity of preferences, enabling deeper insights into cultural and economic behaviors. While its generalizability may be limited, Q’s ability to amplify marginalized voices and uncover implicit narratives makes it a valuable complement to traditional methods. Applications in preference elicitation, local economic assessments, and behavior modeling demonstrate its relevance and position Q methodology as a powerful tool for reshaping how we analyze and understand the socio-cultural dimensions of the economy.

An evaluation of performance measurement system operational management: Case study ETO manufacturing company

2025-05-14T16:03:47+00:00

This research evaluates the performance measurement system of PT. Hegarmanah (disguised), as a case study of an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing company that supplies High Voltage Products and Services and has found inefficiencies in inventory workflows and its misaligned suppliers. Despite robust sales supported by centralized procurement’s customers, PT. Hegarmanah faced internal issues that hindered the development of new Knowledge-based Performance Measurement Systems. This study conducted semi-structured interviews with operational and senior management representatives as part of a qualitative case study approach. The Knowledge-Based Performance Management System (KBPMS) framework was implemented, with an emphasis on specific resource capabilities, internal processes, and organizational output. The results indicated inefficiencies in inventory turnover that were caused by inadequate workflow management, insufficient supplier performance monitoring, and restricted operational cooperation. The suggested KBPMS system aims to improve team performance through smart-factory capabilities and workload optimization, expedite inventory workflows through ERP integration, and strengthen supplier data accuracy. The proposed IPMS framework addresses operational inefficiencies. Thus, a tailored performance management framework for engineer-to-order manufacturers, through the online implementation of performance measures and the enhancement of accountability, may enhance operational sustainability and align inventory practices with corporate objectives.