EFFICIENCY IN PERFORMING DUTIES AND THE ROLE OF THE VILLAGE HEADMEN IN THE POLICY OF STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY IN MUEANG PHITSANULOK DISTRICT PHITSANULOK PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) To study the level of efficiency in performing duties and the roles of village headmen in relation to the policy of strengthening communities in Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province; .2) To examine the factors affecting the efficiency and roles of village headmen in implementing the community-strengthening policy; and 3) To propose guidelines for promoting the efficiency and roles of village headmen in supporting the policy of strengthening communities in Mueang Phitsanulok District. The research employed a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires from a sample of 400 respondents drawn from a total population of 204,040 people. Data analysis was conducted using mean, standard deviation, and multiple linear regression analysis, Qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 32 key informants selected by purposive sampling.
The results revealed that: 1) The overall efficiency and roles of village headmen in implementing the policy of strengthening communities were at a high level ( = 3.80); 2) There were four variables that significantly affected the efficiency and roles of village headmen at the .05 level of statistical significance, ranked from the most to the least influential as follows: 2.1) Communication, 2.2) Operational guidelines, 2.3) Remuneration, and 2.4) Job characteristics; and 3) The guidelines for promoting the efficiency and roles of village headmen in supporting the policy of strengthening communities consisted of three main approaches: 3.1) Enhancing public participation, 3.2) Responding to community expectations and needs, and 3.3.) Developing community networks.