SLSU Faculty Publishes Scopus-Indexed Study on the Philippines’ Role in ASEAN Financial Literacy Research

Melvin Sarsale presents his bibliometric study titled “The Philippines in ASEAN Financial Literacy Research: Insights from a Bibliometric Review,” published in the Future Business Journal

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) announces the publication of a new study in the Future Business Journal, a Scopus-indexed journal. Authored by Mr. Melvin Sarsale, the article titled “The Philippines in ASEAN Financial Literacy Research: Insights from a Bibliometric Review” examines 522 Scopus-indexed publications from 2009 to 2025.

Using Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and Excel, the study maps trends in authorship, citations, collaborations, and key research themes. Findings show that while the Philippines lags Indonesia and Malaysia, it is building momentum through international collaborations. Despite this progress, the country remains underrepresented in high-impact journals and in areas like digital financial literacy and SME finance.

The study highlights the need for Filipino researchers to publish in top-tier journals, strengthen global partnerships, and explore emerging topics. This supports SLSU’s commitment to producing impactful research that contributes to financial inclusion and sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

📖 Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00549-z