International Journal of Business and Administrative Studies volume 4 issue 2 pp. 68-77 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.20469/ijbas.4.10004-2 The Mediating Effect of Risk Management Strategies on the Relationship Between Attitude Constructs and Sustainability of Banana Production in Southern Philippines Edren M. Panti University of Mindanao, Davao, Philippines Gloria P. Gempes * University of Mindanao, Davao, Philippines Abstract: This study determined the mediating effect of risk management practices on the relationship between the attitude of farmers and sustainability of banana production in Southern Philippines, particularly on direct provincial players, including Davao Region, Bukidnon, Digos, North Cotabato, and ARMM area. The research design used in this study was the descriptive correlation that involved 400 banana growers as respondents. The purposive random sampling technique was done in selecting the respondents. Sets of adapted survey questionnaires were used to obtain data from the respondents subjected to content validity and reliability analysis. The data were analyzed using the Mean, Pearson-r, Multiple Regression Analysis, and Medgraph using Sobel z-test. The results revealed that the levels of attitude constructs, sustainable production, and risk-management strategies of banana growers are evident most of the time. Moreover, a significant relationship existed between these variables. A significant partial mediation of risk-management strategies in the relationship between attitude and sustainable production of farmers in Southern Mindanao was proven in the study. Moreover, the study results may contribute to a more comprehensive problem structuring and theory development in confronting the issues in sustainable agriculture. Keywords: Risk management strategies, attitude constructs, sustainability, Philippines Received: 20 November 2017; Accepted: 23 February 2018; Published: 13 April 2018 INTRODUCTION Introduction Every year, in the third world countries, 25 million people suffer from pesticide poisoning and countries of the South have accounted 99 percent related deaths, even though it uses only 20 percent of the pesticides produced globally and has been seriously threatening the survival of all living organisms on earth (Weinberg, 2008). Moreover, some parts in Southern Philippines experienced mismanagement which is considered a threat to sustainability of banana production. Specifically, in Bukidnon part, there are cases of environmental degradation brought about by operating banana plantations in the area which include reduced water quantity, reduced water quality, reduced aesthetic value of river, and destruction of biodiversity (Tabien, Rola, Carada, & Devibar, 2001). Given the importance of social and environmental factors in every kind of business endeavour, it is clear that the banana industry faces a perennial dilemma on striking a balance in terms of upholding sustainable banana farming. Neither will corporate social responsibility be adequate if it ignores the various disruptive factors that operate in the causality of ill health in relation to massive environmental malpractices (Quijano, 2006). The ultimate objective of the study was to describe and determine the significance of interrelationship among the factors, such as: attitude of farmers, sustainability constructs, and risk-management strategies. Also, the study determined significance of the mediating effect of risk-management * Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Gloria P. Gempes, University of Mindanao, Davao, Philippines. E-mail: glopagem@yahoo.com c  2018 KKG Publications. All rights reserved.