Thai Man and Society Review

WHAT IS CSR AND WHY BOTHER? A REVIEW OF ITS DEFINITION, DRIVERS, AND SOCIAL-FINANCIAL OUTCOMES

Kittisak WONGMAHESAK, Fazida KARIM, Nititorn WONGCHESTHA — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This review synthesizes evidence on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and firm performance, spanning 2015-2024, addressing the following questions: What constitutes CSR, and why do organizations prioritize responsible practices? Drawing on meta-analytic findings, the review maps definitions, theoretical perspectives (stakeholder, legitimacy, RBV, signaling, institutional), and methodological considerations (endogeneity, measurement). CSR dimensions related to environmental, social, and governance performance yield heterogeneous effects on value and risk, contingent on the proxy (disclosures, scores, investments) and local contexts. The study illustrates examples from diverse sectors and regions, as well as crisis periods. The review emphasizes governance mechanisms (boards, committees, and incentives) and disclosure practices (quality and assurance) in translating CSR initiatives into outcomes, particularly in emerging markets. For Thailand and ASEAN, aligning CSR with strategic priorities, enhancing disclosure credibility via assurance, and fostering stakeholder engagement are crucial for value. The paper proposes a forward-looking agenda linking CSR to governance design, disclosure practices, and stakeholder engagement, calling for multi-proxy approaches and rigorous causal identification. The goal is to provide a coherent synthesis that helps managers, investors, and policymakers understand the circumstances in which CSR yields durable value, resilience, and social legitimacy.

RICHER, HAPPIER? A CRITICAL REVIEW OF WEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Kittisak WONGMAHESAK, Natthawut RUNGWONG, Chayongkan PAMORNMAST — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Does wealth guarantee happiness? This critical review, synthesizing research from 2015 to 2024, challenges the assumption by exploring the complex relationship between wealth and well-being. Drawing on evidence from Europe and Asia, we demonstrate that the impact of wealth is far from straightforward, heavily influenced by context, inequality, and institutional factors. We reveal that while absolute income is crucial for alleviating material deprivation, relative income and societal inequality can overshadow these gains. Moreover, institutional quality, social capital, and cultural values act as critical moderators. Highlighting key methodological considerations, this review offers an integrated framework and actionable insights for policymakers and business leaders, emphasizing that sustainable happiness requires equitable policies, trustworthy institutions, and empowerment initiatives. We conclude with targeted recommendations for future research to further elucidate the nexus between wealth and happiness across diverse societal contexts.

IS “HAPPINESS” UNIVERSALLY MEASURABLE? A LIFESPAN CRITIQUE OF AGE-SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS AND METHODOLOGICAL FLAWS

Nasipat CHANCHAIPITIPHAT, Parinya SIRIATTAKUL, Roy MARZO — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This paper critically examines the prevalent assumption that 'happiness' can be universally measured and compared across all age groups, revealing significant methodological flaws in 21st-century empirical literature. We synthesize diverse findings to demonstrate that happiness is not a monolithic construct but a dynamic, age-specific phenomenon. For children, positive affect from play is central; adulthood integrates affect, behavior, and cognition, focusing on goal attainment and meaning; while old age emphasizes acceptance, meaningful connections, and inner peace. A key critique highlights that current universal happiness measurement tools, unadapted to these fundamental lifespan nuances, yield not only misleading conclusions but also ineffective public policies. Such approaches, akin to assessing apples with orange criteria, overlook the profound influence of age and cultural context on perceptions of well-being, as evidenced by cross-cultural measurement issues. This study advocates for nuanced, age- and culture-specific research methodologies, including mixed-methods and longitudinal designs, to foster a deeper, more accurate understanding of happiness. Ultimately, this approach is crucial for developing truly effective, sustainable, and equitable well-being policies that honor the diverse, evolving realities of human experience across the lifespan.

RELIGION IN HUMAN SOCIETY: HOW HAS ITS MEANING, ROLE, AND ADAPTATION EVOLVED ACROSS ERAS?

Watcharin JOEMSITTIPRASERT, Panisa BUNMON, Tanapon VIPAPORN, Vinay KUMAR — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This interdisciplinary review meticulously examines the evolving understanding, multifaceted roles, and adaptive capacity of religion across historical epochs, drawing insights from the humanities and social sciences. Defining religion broadly as a system of beliefs, rituals, and communities that connect individuals to the transcendent, the article first explores its crucial function as an individual meaning-making system, offering existential resources and coping strategies amid life's uncertainties. It then analyzes religion's powerful role as a social structure, fostering solidarity, shaping collective identity, and influencing political landscapes, acknowledging its dual capacity for cohesion and division. The review traces religion's dynamic historical trajectory, from its deep integration in premodern life to the challenges of modernity and secularization theories, and its complex contemporary manifestations, including digital adaptation and the coexistence of resurgence and non-affiliation. Ultimately, the article concludes that religion's trajectory is neither a linear decline nor a simple revival, but rather a continuous interplay of change and persistence, highlighting critical research gaps in non-Western contexts, measurement harmonization, mechanistic explanations, and the "dark side" of religion.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND YOUTH UNIONS: AN ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS ASSESSMENT IN LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

Soyfa SISAATH, Anh Ngoc MAI, Bounmy KEOHAVONG — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study assesses the organizational effectiveness of professional development programs for youth union members in Luang Prabang Province, Laos, who play a pivotal role in local governance and community development. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research involved surveys with 120 youth members and 50 management staff, complemented by semi-structured interviews and document analysis, to evaluate program implementation and identify strengths and limitations. Findings indicate that while the programs enhance participants' knowledge and professional competencies, their overall effectiveness is hindered by several organizational challenges. These include insufficient alignment between program objectives and participant needs, limited infrastructure and resources, inadequate policy incentives, and gaps in monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Notably, management staff demonstrated a higher awareness of program objectives than youth members, revealing a significant perceptual gap. The study recommends strengthening organizational structures, optimizing resource allocation, improving monitoring and evaluation practices, and developing targeted policies to enhance youth participation. This research offers evidence-based guidance for policymakers, youth organizations, and development agencies to optimize professional development initiatives and foster sustainable capacity-building in the region.