Needs for the extension of management of medium capacity level community enterprise in Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study needs for extension and compare the needs for extension of management of medium-level community enterprises in Maha Sarakham province. The data was collected by using a structured questionnaire. The samples consisted of 206 leaders of medium-level community enterprises, during March - June 2023.  Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation. The t-test and F-test were used to test the hypothesis and Scheffe’s test was used to determine the mean difference between the pairs. The study found that there were high needs for extension of the community enterprises as followed: increasing productivity and reducing production costs, appropriate technology for production, value-added production, material and equipment support and extension method by field trip.  The comparison for extension needs of management among different age groups, education levels, social positions of chairpersons, and different registered community enterprises and distribution channels found differences in statistical significance (p≤0.05, 0.01 and 0.001). This study indicates that relevant agencies should promote community enterprises where the chairperson is under 45 years old, has not completed education beyond the high school level, and holds a social position or community leadership role. These enterprises should be registered as legal entities and have established distribution channels through intermediaries. This enables them to serve as a model for other community enterprises.