IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i4p1704-d497102.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Factors Influencing Asia-Pacific Countries’ Success Level in Curbing COVID-19: A Review Using a Social–Ecological System (SES) Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling

    (Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Malaysia)

  • Nur Amiera binti Md Suhud

    (Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Malaysia)

  • Pau Chung Leng

    (Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Malaysia)

  • Lee Bak Yeo

    (Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Kuala Lumpur 53300, Malaysia
    Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Bachok 16300, Malaysia)

  • Chin Tiong Cheng

    (Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Kuala Lumpur 53300, Malaysia)

  • Mohd Hamdan Haji Ahmad

    (Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Malaysia)

  • Ak Mohd Rafiq Ak Matusin

    (Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Malaysia)

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to the impacts of institutional–human–environment dimensions on the outcome of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) abatement. Through the diagnostic social–ecological system (SES) framework, this review paper aimed to investigate what and how the multifaceted social, physical, and governance factors affected the success level of seven selected Asia-Pacific countries (namely, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and New Zealand) in combatting COVID-19. Drawing on statistical data from the Our World In Data website, we measured the COVID-19 severity or abatement success level of the countries on the basis of cumulative positive cases, average daily cases, and mortality rates for the period of 1 February 2020 to 30 June 2020. A qualitative content analysis using three codes, i.e., present (P), partially present (PP), and absent (A) for each SES attribute, as well as score calculation and rank ordering for government response effectiveness and the abatement success level across the countries, was undertaken. Not only did the standard coding process ensure data comparability but the data were deemed substantially reliable with Cohen’s kappa of 0.76. Among 13 attributes of the SES factors, high facility adequacy, comprehensive COVID-19 testing policies, strict lockdown measures, imposition of penalty, and the high trust level towards the government seemed to be significant in determining the COVID-19 severity in a country. The results show that Vietnam (ranked first) and New Zealand (ranked second), with a high presence of attributes/design principles contributing to high-level government stringency and health and containment indices, successfully controlled the virus, while Indonesia (ranked seventh) and Japan (ranked sixth), associated with the low presence of design principles, were deemed least successful. Two lessons can be drawn: (i) having high number of P for SES attributes does not always mean a panacea for the pandemic; however, it would be detrimental to a country if it lacked them severely, and (ii) some attributes (mostly from the governance factor) may carry higher weightage towards explaining the success level. This comparative study providing an overview of critical SES attributes in relation to COVID-19 offers novel policy insights, thus helping policymakers devise more strategic, coordinated measures, particularly for effective country preparedness and response in addressing the current and the future health crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling & Nur Amiera binti Md Suhud & Pau Chung Leng & Lee Bak Yeo & Chin Tiong Cheng & Mohd Hamdan Haji Ahmad & Ak Mohd Rafiq Ak Matusin, 2021. "Factors Influencing Asia-Pacific Countries’ Success Level in Curbing COVID-19: A Review Using a Social–Ecological System (SES) Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-27, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1704-:d:497102
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/1704/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/1704/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Varughese, George & Ostrom, Elinor, 2001. "The Contested Role of Heterogeneity in Collective Action: Some Evidence from Community Forestry in Nepal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 747-765, May.
    2. Viet-Phuong La & Thanh-Hang Pham & Manh-Toan Ho & Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Khanh-Linh P. Nguyen & Thu-Trang Vuong & Hong-Kong T. Nguyen & Trung Tran & Quy Khuc & Manh-Tung Ho & Quan-Hoang Vuong, 2020. "Policy Response, Social Media and Science Journalism for the Sustainability of the Public Health System Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Vietnam Lessons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-27, April.
    3. Mauro Pisu, 2010. "Tackling the Infrastructure Challenge in Indonesia," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 809, OECD Publishing.
    4. Sirak Robele Gari & Alice Newton & John D. Icely & Maria Mar Delgado-Serrano, 2017. "An Analysis of the Global Applicability of Ostrom’s Design Principles to Diagnose the Functionality of Common-Pool Resource Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Bui Thi Thu Ha & La Ngoc Quang & Tolib Mirzoev & Nguyen Trong Tai & Pham Quang Thai & Phung Cong Dinh, 2020. "Combating the COVID-19 Epidemic: Experiences from Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-7, April.
    6. Yi Xie & Yali Wen & Giuseppe T. Cirella, 2019. "Application of Ostrom’s Social-Ecological Systems Framework in Nature Reserves: Hybrid Psycho-Economic Model of Collective Forest Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling & Pau Chung Leng & Chin Siong Ho, 2019. "Effects of Diverse Property Rights on Rural Neighbourhood Public Open Space (POS) Governance: Evidence from Sabah, Malaysia," Economies, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-33, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Siew Bee Aw & Bor Tsong Teh & Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling & Pau Chung Leng & Weng Howe Chan & Mohd Hamdan Ahmad, 2021. "The COVID-19 Pandemic Situation in Malaysia: Lessons Learned from the Perspective of Population Density," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Amir Khorram-Manesh & Maxim A. Dulebenets & Krzysztof Goniewicz, 2021. "Implementing Public Health Strategies—The Need for Educational Initiatives: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Hassad de Andrade, Liz & Moreira Antunes, Jorge Junio & Araújo de Medeiros, Antônio Mamede & Wanke, Peter & Nunes, Bernardo Pereira, 2022. "The impact of social welfare and COVID-19 stringency on the perceived utility of food apps: A hybrid MCDM approach," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PB).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ling, Gabriel Hoh Teck & Suhud, Nur Amiera binti Md & Leng, Pau Chung & Yeo, Lee Bak & Cheng, Chin Tiong & Ahmad, Mohd Hamdan Haji & Matusin, AK Mohd Rafiq AK, 2021. "Factors Influencing Asia-Pacific Countries’ Success Level in Curbing COVID-19: A Review Using a Social–Ecological System (SES) Framework," SocArXiv b9f2w, Center for Open Science.
    2. Tuyen Dinh Hoang & Robert Colebunders & Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo & Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen & Trung Dinh Tran & Thang Van Vo, 2021. "Well-Being of Healthcare Workers and the General Public during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam: An Online Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-10, April.
    3. Tuyet-Anh T. Le & Kelly Vodden & Jianghua Wu & Ghada Atiwesh, 2021. "Policy Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-32, January.
    4. Bonye, Samuel Ziem & Yiridomoh, Gordon Yenglier & Nsiah, Vivian, 2023. "Multi-stakeholder actors in resource management in Ghana: Dynamics of community-state collaboration in resource use management of the Mole National Park, Larabanga," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Salifu, Adam & Francesconi, Gian Nicola & Kolavalli, Shashidhara, 2010. "A review of collective action in rural Ghana," IFPRI discussion papers 998, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    6. Fathey Mohammed & Nabil Hasan Al-Kumaim & Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani & Yousef Fazea, 2023. "The Impact of Social Media Shared Health Content on Protective Behavior against COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    7. Vuong, Quan-Hoang & Huyen, Nguyen Thanh Thanh & Pham, Thanh-Hang & Phuong, Luong Anh & Nguyen, Minh-Hoang, 2020. "Mapping the intellectual and conceptual structure of research on gender issues in the family business: A bibliometric review," OSF Preprints jgnrw, Center for Open Science.
    8. Kahsay, Goytom Abraha & Medhin, Haileselassie, 2020. "Leader turnover and forest management outcomes: Micro-level evidence from Ethiopia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    9. Pandit, Ram & Bevilacqua, Eddie, 2011. "Forest users and environmental impacts of community forestry in the hills of Nepal," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(5), pages 345-352, June.
    10. Ruben, Ruerd & Pender, John, 2004. "Rural diversity and heterogeneity in less-favoured areas: the quest for policy targeting," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 303-320, August.
    11. Nuria Huete-Alcocer & Miguel Ángel Valero-Tévar, 2021. "Impact of Information Sources on Promoting Tourism in a Rural Region: The Case of the Roman Villa of Noheda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-23, July.
    12. Schultz, Bill, 2020. "Resource management and joint-planning in fragmented societies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    13. Ha Thi Thu Bui & Duc Minh Duong & Thanh Quoc Pham & Tolib Mirzoev & Anh Thi My Bui & Quang Ngoc La, 2021. "COVID-19 Stressors on Migrant Workers in Vietnam: Cumulative Risk Consideration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    14. Jae-Eun Lee & Seol-A Kwon, 2021. "A Study on the Public’s Crisis Management Efficacy and Anxiety in a Pandemic Situation—Focusing on the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
    15. Ho, Manh-Toan, 2021. "Mindsponge: Some Remarks for Future Research Directions," OSF Preprints ce2y7, Center for Open Science.
    16. Prakash Kashwan, 2016. "Integrating power in institutional analysis: A micro-foundation perspective," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 28(1), pages 5-26, January.
    17. Hiranya Dissanayake & D.B.P.H. Dissabandara & K.L.W. Perera & A.R. Ajward, 2023. "Bibliometric analysis on the Covid-19 impact on corporate sustainability," Journal of Financial Studies, Institute of Financial Studies, vol. 14(8), pages 57-71, June.
    18. repec:nam:befdwp:5 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Hai-Anh H. Dang & Cuong Viet Nguyen, 2024. "Agricultural Production as a Coping Strategy during the Covid-19 Pandemic? Evidence from Rural Viet Nam," Working Papers DP-2023-23, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
    20. Suhardiman, Diana & Karki, Emma, 2019. "Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 525-536.
    21. Hai-Anh H. Dang & Long T. Giang & Minh N. N. Do, 2021. "Building on Vietnam’s Recent COVID-19 Success: A Job-Focused Analysis of Individual Assessments on Their Finance and the Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1704-:d:497102. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.