Exploring the "World View" of Successful Sari-sari Store Owners as Leaders, in Urban and Rural Philippines: A Phenomenological Study
Online
24 Apr 2024 05:00 pm
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24 Apr 2024 07:00 pm
Danilo J. Mojica II will defend his PhD in Leadership Studies (Business Leadership Track) Dissertation entitled "Exploring the "World View" of Successful Sari-sari Stores as Leaders, in Urban and Rural Philippines: A Phenomenological Study"
April 24, 2024 at 5pm to 7pm
His advisers are Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ and Dr. Queena Lim Chua, PhD
His panelists are:
Dr. Raul Rodriguez, PhD.
Dr. Alex Brilliantes, PhD.
Dr. Emerald Jay Ilac, PhD.
Dr. Edna P. Franco, PhD., RPsy
Abstract:
The sari-sari store is an integral part of the Philippine retail landscape. Recently, they have been the subject of an increasing number of academic research, most of which have focused on their store operations. This study brings to light the lived experience of the sari-sari store owner. Using the phenomenological method, it explores three elements of their world view captured from their narratives: Pamilya (family), which represents the fundamental reason for having a store; Diskarte a term that describes an out-of-the-box way of dealing with challenges when the traditional means have been deemed to fail – also a strategy to address challenging situations; and finally, what these entrepreneurs refer to as "Tiwala” – which means trust. Their faith narrative is encapsuled in this one word – trust. There is a deep trust in a God who will see them through any crisis. This is differentiated from paniniwala which means beliefs – largely associated with organized religion. Bahala na, a local expression very commonly associated with reckless abandon when a challenging situation arises is an attitude that presupposes this “tiwala” and is discussed at length in this study.
This study concludes that providing for the family is both the primary reason and inspiration for engaging in the business of sari-sari stores. Furthermore, the nanay’s (sari-sari store owner’s) bahala na and diskarte mindsets are premised on a profound trust in God accompanied by action.