Development of Criteria for Promoting the Quality of Community Enterprises In Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) study the factors affecting the success of promoting the quality of community enterprises in Ratchaburi Province; 2) develop a model and criteria for promoting the quality of community enterprises; and 3) present a model and process for promoting the quality of community enterprises in Ratchaburi Province. The research employed a qualitative research approach using case studies of two community enterprises. There were 25 key informants selected through purposive sampling, comprising 15 informants for in-depth interviews and 10 participants for focus group discussions. The instruments used for data collection were an in-depth interview form, focus group discussion guidelines, and field observation. The data were analyzed using content analysis in conjunction with context.
The research findings revealed that: 1) the success of community enterprises resulted from the interconnection between internal and external factors. The internal factors consisted of finance and capital management, marketing, production, management and operations, leadership, and member participation, while the external factors consisted of relationships and collaboration with external organizations, competition, and consumer needs; 2) the findings were synthesized into the LIST Model + CE (Community Enterprise), which is a developmental framework consisting of L – Local Resource-Based Production, I – Integrated Operation Planning, S – Sustainable Capital Management, and T – Transformative Knowledge Sharing, with CE – Community Enterprise Focus as the goal of strengthening and promoting the self-reliance of community enterprises; and 3) the process for applying the model was a four-step learning cycle consisting of participatory diagnosis, the design of small but significant changes, implementation and documentation of the learning journey, and lesson review to determine directions for further development. The LIST Model + CE can be used as a framework for analyzing, planning, and promoting community enterprises in accordance with the context, potential, and resources of each group in order to strengthen community enterprises and promote their sustainability.