THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND LOCAL PEOPLE IN PHON THONG SUBDISTRICT, MUEANG CHAIYAPHUM DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to: (1) examine the process of community economic development undertaken by the public sector and the people sector; (2) study the establishment of collaborative networks between the public sector and the people sector in driving the goals of community economic development; and (3) analyze the formation of collaborative networks for sustainable community economic development between the public sector and the people sector in Phon Thong Subdistrict, Mueang Chaiyaphum District, Chaiyaphum Province. The sample group consisted of 383 people, determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Data were analyzed using a statistical software package. The statistics employed included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. In addition, qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews with key informants. The research findings revealed that:

1. The process of community economic development by the public sector and the people sector in Phon Thong Subdistrict, across four aspects, was overall at a high level (mean = 3.72). When considered by aspect, economic growth, income distribution, social welfare, and environmental quality were all at a high level.
2. The establishment of collaborative networks between the public sector and the people sector in driving the goals of community economic development in Phon Thong Subdistrict was, overall, at a high level across all four aspects. When considered individually, cooperation framework setting, promotion of cooperation, integration of cooperation, and mobilization of cooperation were all at a high level.
3. The analysis of collaborative network formation for sustainable community economic development between the public sector and the people sector in Phon Thong Subdistrict indicated that economic growth, urban expansion, increasing numbers of villages and factories, and greater land use have led to environmental changes within the community. These changes have altered traditional ways of life and resulted in inequality in income distribution. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on strengthening collaboration between the public sector and the people sector in promoting occupations, establishing shared goals and strategies, and encouraging public awareness of the importance of cooperation. This will enable joint efforts to identify approaches for improvement and problem-solving in order to achieve sustainable community economic development.