On the afternoon of July 12, 2024, the National Economics University (NEU) organized a doctoral dissertation defense ceremony for PhD candidate Bui Thi Thanh Mai, majoring in Business Administration (E-PhD Program), with the dissertation titled: "Compassion and Sustainable Decision Making of Key Leaders in SMEs and Startups."
The doctoral dissertation was supervised by Dr. Vu Tuan Anh from the National Economics University.
The ceremony was attended by council members, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bach Ngoc Thang; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Ngoc Thang, Dr. Ngo Vi Dung, Dr. Truong Tuan Anh; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Chi Anh, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thi Thanh Lam.
Additionally, the ceremony was attended by the supervising faculty member, colleagues from the candidate's workplace, friends, and family members of the PhD candidate.
Under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Chairman of the Council, the Council reviewed the academic background, research achievements, learning process, and scientific research results of PhD candidate Bui Thi Thanh Mai throughout the implementation of her research project. The Council members highly praised the candidate's academic achievements, research outcomes, and dedicated efforts throughout this period.
Subsequently, PhD candidate Bui Thi Thanh Mai presented her dissertation research findings before the Council.
In her doctoral dissertation, PhD candidate Bui Thi Thanh Mai conducted research on "Compassion and Sustainable Decision Making of Key Leaders in SMEs and Startups." The dissertation presents initial contributions to both academic and theoretical understanding. The dissertation reveals the significant positive influence of Buddhism, encompassing both teachings and lifestyle, on sustainable decision-making, mediated through compassion. This reveals a significant theoretical advancement, describing the complex dynamics of Buddhism, compassion, and sustainable thinking in shaping decision-making processes among key leaders. Building upon existing literature, the research expands understanding by providing empirical support for the constructive impact of sustainable thinking derived from three dimensions: Knowing (conveyed through Buddhist teachings), Doing (manifested in lifestyle and decision-making processes), and Being (characterized by compassion). This sustainable thinking, operating as a behavioral tendency, drives key leaders toward sustainable decisions, offering a fresh perspective that transcends institutional pressures or cognitive factors.
Furthermore, the research challenges conventional understanding by revealing an inverse relationship between acute life hardship experiences and sustainable decision-making, contrary to common assumptions. By exploring the connection between family breakdown events in youth and materialism in adulthood, it illuminates how materialistic tendencies can lead to unsustainable decision-making.
Additionally, the research extends the scale of sustainable decision-making, enriching measurement approaches and ensuring validity. Notably, it introduces a new measure to assess the life hardship experiences of key leaders, providing a framework for future quantitative inquiries into their relationships with other factors. This comprehensive approach contributes significantly to the evolving discourse on decision-making and life experiences in academic literature.
The dissertation's key findings have been published in international scientific journals indexed in ISI/Scopus databases.
According to the evaluation of the Council members, the dissertation reflects the serious learning and research process of PhD candidate Bui Thi Thanh Mai. The research findings possess significant scientific value and high practical applicability.
After deliberation, the dissertation evaluation Council conducted a closed meeting, resulting in a unanimous vote of approval from all 7 present members. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, on behalf of the Council, congratulated PhD candidate Bui Thi Thanh Mai on her successful dissertation defense.
Before concluding the ceremony, PhD candidate Bui Thi Thanh Mai delivered remarks expressing her gratitude to the Graduate Institute, the Institute for Sustainable Development, her supervising faculty, colleagues, friends, and especially her family for their constant support, encouragement, motivation, and for creating the best conditions for her successful dissertation defense and achievement of the doctoral degree.
Some images from the ceremony:
Article and photos: Institute for Sustainable Development
EN 
VI