BUDDHIST LEADERSHIP OF LOCAL POLITICIANS IN KHON KAEN PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To study the leadership style of local politicians in Khon Kaen Province; 2. To study the factors affecting the leadership style of local politicians in Khon Kaen Province; and 3. To present the Buddhist leadership style of local politicians in Khon Kaen Province, conducted by the mixed-methods research. The qualitative research using in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The quantitative research using questionnaires. Data were collected from 400 samples using a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.985. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis.

The results of the study were as follows: 1. The overall leadership of local politicians in Khon Kaen Province was at the highest level ( = 4.75, S.D. = 0.13) 2. Factors influencing the leadership of local politicians in Khon Kaen Province showed that political socialization significantly impacted one aspect of their leadership: education (p < 0.01). 3. Buddhist leadership of local politicians in Khon Kaen Province revealed that Sappuriṣadhamma significantly influenced four aspects of their leadership (p < 0.01): Kālaññūta, knowing the time, Atthaññūta knowing the effect, Dhammaññūta, knowing the cause, and Parisaññūta, knowing the community. These principles accounted for 15.2 percentr of the variance.