Client-Specific Studies

Client-specific studies are projects tailored by IDEA to the specific  information requirements that go beyond the structured outline of the IDEA’s reports. These  research projects cover a wide-array of topics such as the general macroeconomy, monetary  economics, international trade and finance, productivity and competitiveness, capital market  development, and small-enterprise development. IDEA’s recent noteworthy studies include the  following:  

National Youth Assessment Study (2015)

As part of accomplishing the objectives of youth development in the Philippines, the National Youth Assessment Study (NYAS) is a nation-wide profiling of the situation of the Filipino youth. The regular conduct of the NYAS is part of the mandate of the National Youth Commission, with the objective of obtaining a profile of the youth in terms of their socio-economic characteristics, areas of vulnerability, availability and gaps in the delivery of services. The 2015 NYAS entailed a combination of desk research, a nation-wide survey involving face-to-face interviews with 2,762 respondents, and focus group discussions. 

Developing the Philippine Youth Development Index Study (2013 and 2015) and the National Youth  Assessment Study (2015) 

In line with its endeavor of mainstreaming the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2012-2016, the  National Youth Commission has embarked in formulating and measuring a Youth Development  Index (YDI). The YDI aims to measure youth development in the areas of education, health,  employment, and participation. This study of the development of the YDI aims to develop a  national, regional, and nine pilot provincial YDI through different economic, social, and  demographic data that are readily available in the country and prepare the 2013 Youth Development  Report with focus on the findings of the YDI. 

The IDEA Staff have also been involved in the crafting of the subsequent editions of the Philippine Youth Development Report (2014 and 2015). 

 MS 2012: Innovative Industry Insights on Disaster Recovery (2012) 

Despite the vast disaster risks that the Philippines is facing, there has been little documentation on  risk assessment and disaster recovery that are critical in ensuring the continuity of organizational operations. This is the gap that this study commissioned by Bayan Telecommunications Inc.  (Bayantel) intends to be covered at once. The purpose of the study, therefore, is to refine and expand  the analysis concerning the status of risk assessment and disaster recovery in the Philippines and  their role in ensuring business continuity. The study looks at the prospect of disaster recovery as a  managed service.  

Estimating the Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on Basic Education Outcomes (2011)

Following an exploratory study commissioned by the Australian Agency for International  Development (AusAID), this study sought to quantify the impact of the global economic crisis on  education outcomes. Specifically, the paper was aimed at investigating how much the recent crisis  affected household decisions on the educational status of their children and whether social  protection programs had been effective in this regard, with the end in view of looking into possible  strategies that will sustain the basic education of children. 

SME 2010: 20 Challenges & 10 Strategies for the Pinoy Entrepreneur (2010) 

Commissioned by major telecoms player Bayantel, this study is an attempt to map out the possible  directions that Philippine small & medium enterprises (SMEs) can chart. Much of the challenges  that SMEs continue to face can be explained by the urgent and the unending need to provide them  an enabling environment that responds adequately to their concerns. This underlying theme  permeates through much of the issues at hand, and looking at their dimensions should reveal, not  only strategies that must be carried out to address them, but also the opportunities for growth that  SMEs and stakeholders alike can ultimately exploit. 

An Exploratory Study on the Effects of the Global Economic Crisis on Philippine Basic Education  (2010) 

With threats of development progress being scaled back after the global economic crisis, this study  sought to find the factors influencing the household decision in the Philippines in sending their  children to school and consequently, determine who are at risk of non-attendance in school during  adverse economic shocks. An exploratory study commissioned by the Australian Agency for  International Development (AusAid), this research shall serve as the basis for a paper that will  ascertain the magnitude and coverage of the effects of the global economic crisis on the basic  education sector through impact evaluation.  

Socioeconomic Inequality in the Philippines: Measurement, Trends, and Characteristics (2010) 

The study was commissioned to IDEA by Coca-Cola Export Corporation with the aim of finding  an alternative method of measuring socio‐economic inequality through the construction of a  socioeconomic index based on occupation, income, and education. The socioeconomic indices were  constructed based on FIES and LFS data and were later used to extract and analyze noteworthy  patterns in income, saving, and expenditure behaviors in the Philippines, both at the national and  regional aggregation. 

Maximizing Gains, Minimizing Losses from Free Trade Agreement: The Case of the ASEAN‐ Australia‐New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (2010) 

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) commissioned IDEA to develop a quantitative  measure of the effects of free trade agreement of ASEAN countries with Australia and New Zealand  on labor, particularly employment, and impart the same through a three-part technical learning  session with concerned personnel in DOLE. The paper developed an input‐output model to estimate the employment impact of trade liberalization in the areas of goods and services in the  Philippines. 

Estimating the Impact of Oil Prices on the Philippine Economy: A Paper for the Energy Task Force  (2008)

Commissioned by the Department of Energy-Energy Task Force in response to rapidly rising oil  prices and inflation, the study was aimed at estimating the impacts of different oil price scenarios  for the Philippine economy in general as well as on selected industries and domestic households. In  doing so, the study took a multi-pronged approach that looks at each of these sectors in turn.  

How Extensive is Petroleum Smuggling in the Philippines? A Study on Diesel & Gasoline  Smuggling (2007-2008) 

The study looked into the issues of diesel and gasoline smuggling in the Philippines and sought to  determine their extent. Industry observers often suspected smuggling from one sure symptom: the  fact that petroleum consumption had not tracked the overall pace of economic activity. The study  attempted to provide an objective assessment of the issue by gathering the perceptions of industry  players and regulators, as well as by producing an econometric estimate of the extent of smuggling  in the country. The project was commissioned by one of the country’s major petroleum players. 

The Philippine Outsourcing and Offshoring Industry (2007) 

Commissioned by Bayantel, the project was aimed at providing the client and the public a  comprehensive profile of the Philippine Offshoring and Outsourcing industry. The study looked at  the current state of the industry and its different segments, the issues confronting their players, and  their prospects for expansion and future development. The study covered the following segments:  (1) contact centers; (2) software development; (3) back office processing; (4) medical transcription;  (5) animation; (6) software and application services (or digital content); and (7) engineering design.  

Other Studies

• Real Estate Cycle Indicators and Demand Model for the Real Estate Industry (for a leading real estate firm)

•  Courier Industry Analysis (with emphasis on financial performance of major players) (for a major logistics company)

•  Banking Competition Study (for one of the country’s biggest commercial banks)

•  A Study on the Magnitude of SME Financing Needs: Insights from Past Surveys & Literature (for an industry association)