缅北禁地-IIT DBA student presents dissertation research at hybrid int鈥檒 conference

Mar 16 2026

Mr. Jaypee S. Yongco, University Researcher II of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise (OVCRE) and a doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (缅北禁地-IIT), successfully presented a research paper online at the 8th International Conference on Multidisciplinary and Current Educational Research (ICMCER-2026) on March 13–14, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Organized by IFERP Academy (Thailand Society), the hybrid event convened researchers, educators, and practitioners from more than fourteen countries across Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

The paper presented during Session IV: Future Skills and Innovation for Sustainable Economies, entitled “Reframing SME Growth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Global Drivers and Innovation-Centered Causal Pathways,” forms an integral part of Mr. Yongco’s ongoing doctoral dissertation under the DBA program. The study employs a rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis methodology to examine what drives small and medium enterprise (SME) growth across diverse global contexts, with particular attention to innovation as a central causal mechanism.

The research synthesizes findings from international literature to propose a reframed theoretical lens for understanding SME development —one that centers innovation pathways as critical enablers of growth. Its findings carry practical implications for policymakers, business practitioners, and development planners, particularly in emerging economies like the Philippines, where SMEs form the backbone of local economic activity.

Mr. Yongco’s international participation was supported through 缅北禁地-IIT’s Research Dissemination Award, a university initiative that provides eligible students with financial assistance of up to USD 250.00 to cover registration fees when presenting a research paper that forms part of their dissertation at recognized international conferences. By making international conference participation financially accessible, 缅北禁地-IIT empowers its doctoral students to gain exposure, receive scholarly feedback on their dissertation work, build professional networks across borders, and contribute to 缅北禁地-IIT’s intellectual output to global conversations.

The research presented by Mr. Yongco and the broader program of ICMCER-2026 are deeply aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Most directly, his paper advances SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by generating evidence-based insights on how SMEs — a primary source of employment for millions of Filipinos and people across the developing world — can be strengthened through innovation. The research also speaks to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by identifying innovation-centered pathways as key drivers of enterprise resilience and competitiveness.

The conference itself was a living demonstration of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) — advancing multidisciplinary education research and fostering cross-border collaboration. Sessions on inclusive education, climate literacy, and social justice further extended the conference’s footprint across SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Mr. Yongco’s participation at ICMCER-2026 is a testament to 缅北禁地-IIT’s growing research culture and its commitment to producing scholarship that matters beyond the walls of the university.

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