The Model of Community Enterprise Networks Operation under the Sustainable Development Concept, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

     During 2015-2020, the registration of the Community Enterprise Network (CEN) in Thailand tended to increase but in contrast, CEN in Chiang Mai was decreased continuously. So, the problems of development process in CEN at the national level was happened as it effect. Therefore, the study of factors and Sustainable CEN Operational Model is needed. Data were collected by questionnaires from 182 CEN members in Chiang Mai, consisting of seven networks, with 25 community enterprise groups. Obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A set of questions and in-depth interview technique were also employed for data collection from 50 of chairman and representatives of the community enterprise committee. The data were analyzed by rational content analysis. The results reveal that more than three-fourth (78.57%) of sample group were members of CEN in the category of product manufacturing. The CEN was founded by group leaders (63.74%), used their own funds (29.10%), and applied “made to order” production method (23.26%). The sample group had joined the network for an average of 3.35 years. More than half (57.14%) of sample group used to contact to the government agencies, but they had experiences of nonresponding (56.59%). However, the sample group had high level of attachment to each other (mean=4.23). Meanwhile, they had participated in CEN at a high level in general (mean=3.90), leading to the sustainable operation as a whole at a high level (mean=4.00). Furthermore, seven factors influencing the sustainable operation of CEN were also found to have a statistically significant correlation at 0.01 level as followed: participation in CEN as a whole, income (less than 84,000 baht/year), participation in benefits sharing, funding from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, extension from agricultural extension officers, involving the CEN (below one year), and educational attainment (bachelor's degree or above).