King Prajadhipok’s Institute Journal

Ways to Improve the Index and Process of ITA

2023-08-11T11:26:06+07:00

ITA is an important mechanism to prevent public sector corruption and is assigned to national strategies to fight corruption and evaluate the transparency and quality of public services provided by government organizations. This research paper studied ITA's principles, indexing process, and implications of ITA and gave recommendations for improving ITA. In-depth interviews were conducted with senior executives, employees of government organizations, and other key informants relevant to ITA. The results revealed that ITA can partially evaluate the transparency and performance of an organization. The Internal Integrity and Transparency Assessment (IIT) and External Integrity and Transparency Assessment (EIT) are used to assess the perceptions of the organization's stakeholders about its performance, which can vary from time to time. IIT and EIT should not be designed to evaluate different types of government organizations. The Open Data Integrity and Transparency Assessment (OIT), which evaluates the level of public information disclosure, emphasizes the quantitative components of information rather than its quality and usability. In addition, ITA also needs help in terms of the data collection process, which impacts the credibility of the assessment. It is recommended that the National Anti-Corruption Commission rewrite IIT and EIT questions to be more straightforward and more understandable, define the unit of analysis in the questions, and design different sets of questions for different government organizations.

Moreover, the Commission should set up a central unit to set proportions for respondents, who should come from various departments. OIT questions should consider the quality and details of information that is disclosed. It should be scaled 0-100, the same as IIT and EIT. The weight of IIT, EIT, and OIT should be recalculated to 33%, 33%, and 33%, respectively, and the scores should add up to 100 points. In addition to IIT, EIT, and OIT, the Commission should consider other qualitative information, such as observing the data collection period to increase the transparency in ITA, which will be used as an effective tool to evaluate an organization's performance.

The Collaborative Governance for Digital Transformation in Thailand’s Healthcare System

2023-08-23T16:44:37+07:00

In order to improve the quality of health services through digital technology, it needs to create connectivity and interoperability throughout the system, facilitating effective public health care. Therefore, cross-organizational collaboration of related government agencies, i.e. the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and the Digital Government Development Agency, is crucial. This study aims to

1) Investigate the management process of multi-sectoral collaborative governance in digitalizing Thailand's healthcare system

2) Investigate the elements of multi-sectoral collaboration across organizational boundaries and

3) Investigate the problems and obstacles of multi-sectoral collaborative governance in digitalizing Thailand's healthcare system.

The study found that multi-sectoral collaboration in digitalizing healthcare systems needs an effective collaborative governance depending on the collaborative governance process (system context and drivers, collaboration across organizational boundaries), multi-sectoral collaboration elements across organizational boundaries (starting condition, actors and role play, and facilitated leadership), and experienced barriers at the individual, organizational, and policy levels, particularly conflict of interests. Eventually, it leads to competition rather than collaboration due to the asymmetry of the context and the driving mechanism: a weak government and a lack of political instability resulting in insufficient power that facilitates continuous collaboration until change occurs.

Changing Approaches to Quality-of-Life Development for Older Persons in a Local Administrative Organization

2023-10-06T10:59:11+07:00

Thailand is an aged society, with at least 20 per cent of the population aged 60 or older. This development has affected government administration in national policy and local administrative organizations (LAOs). Therefore, with changes in population structure and socioeconomic changes affecting quality of life of older people, this article aims to

1) Studies factors affecting LAO development's approach to quality-of-life for older people.

2) Analyzing LAO's changes in promoting job opportunities and lifelong learning for older residents.

Participatory action research was used to exchange knowledge with sectors relevant to LAO and older inhabitants in Nong Lan Subdistrict Municipality, Kanchanaburi Province, and Talad Mai Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Ang Thong Province. There were 54 participants. Data was collected from November 2022 to December 2023 and analyzed by Content analysis.

Results found that 1) factors contributing to LAO changing approaches occurred at macro and local levels, by different development agendas and goals from international organizations and relevant sectors relevant to the central governmental policies. In addition, social and technological has changed as well as experience, knowledge, and understanding, which impacts LAO information, and 2) LAO management's concept that is changing from a previous focus on quality-of-life development for older residents as dependents requiring care to a new concept as a significant national and community economic development force. A working pattern also evolved into a cooperative network. Meanwhile, a lifelong learning center, originally an agency established in response to LAO central policy, was developed to promote quality of life. Currently, LAO manages such schools under more diversified structures, with clear objectives in lifelong learning through knowledge transfer, career promotion, and boosting self-reliance through different community welfare by engaging with local dwellers and relevant agencies. This refers to proactive efforts corresponding more comprehensively to quality-of-life development for older residents.

Factors Affecting the Performance of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Office

2023-08-23T16:16:51+07:00

This research employs a mixed methodological approach to study the factors influencing the performance of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Office. The sample groups are government officials and personnel at organizational and district levels, totalling 895 individuals. Data was collected using questionnaires, statistical analysis, and the Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM) method to examine the significant relationships among variables. In-depth interviews were also conducted with 8 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Office managers. The analysis of variable relationships reveals that every factor is significantly related to all components of each factor at a statistical significance level of 0.01. These factors include: 1) leadership change readiness 2) organizational climate, and 3) good membership behavior. The hypothesis testing results indicate that organizational climate and membership behavior significantly influence organizational and district performance. However, leadership change readiness only significantly impacts the performance at the organizational unit level, not at the district office level.

The in-depth interviews with key informants unanimously emphasize the importance of variables within the framework of all three factors for generating performance at the organizational and district levels. The additional insights provided by the informants are as follows:

Leadership change readiness comprises three components:

1.1) Ethics and morality 1.2) Exemplary role modelling 1.3) Competence in leadership

Organizational climate consists of two components:

2.1) Commitment to systems and management mechanisms

2.2) Sense of stability in work and professional growth

Good membership behavior in the district context encompasses four components:

3.1) Knowledge and skill development 3.2) Teamwork commitment

3.3) Positive attitude 3.4) Proactive work approach

In summary, each of these additional insights plays a crucial role in the performance of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Office, contributing to developing and enhancing leadership potential for administrators at all levels.

Knowledge, Understanding, Attitude, and Expectation on a Petition to the Constitutional Court under Article 213 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017)

2023-08-04T12:01:34+07:00

The research “Knowledge, Understanding, Attitude, and Expectation on a Petition to the Constitutional Court under Article 213 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017)” The combined methodology was used in this research. In the quantitative method, data was collected and analyzed by using the sampling method from a diverse population of 2,641 people. The qualitative research was to examine documents related to filing a petition to the Constitutional Court according to Section 213, including principles, methods, and conditions according to the Organic Act on Procedures of the Constitutional Court B.E. 2561 (2018), petition statistics according to Section 213, and petition to the Constitutional Court in Thailand and foreign countries. Statistics, percentages, mean, standard deviation, T-test, and ANOVA were used in the quantitative research. Additionally, content analysis was used in the qualitative research.

The results revealed that the general public was aware of the Thai people's rights, freedoms, and duties under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. The most perceived by the general public was that the constitution required Thai people to protect the country, defend national dignity and interest, and public property, to cooperate in preventing and relieving public disasters, to respect and not violate the rights and freedoms of other people, to exercise the right of vote and pay for duty. Regarding the understanding, people had an understanding at a low level. Regarding attitudes of people, for an applicant, the best direct applicant was a person affected by a violation of right; for processes of filing a petition, it would be more beneficial to the applicant if the pattern of filing a petition to the Constitutional Court was clearly determined; for the reception of petition, it would be more beneficial if personnel or officers were provided to advise in filing a petition for applicants according to accurate regulations of the Constitutional Court. Moreover, regarding expectations on filing a petition to Section 213, when prioritizing expectations of each issue, the results were as follows:

For access to filing a petition, people expected convenient and effective ways to file a petition.
People expect transparent operational processes when filing a petition and court proceedings.

For the case result, people expected a decision accepted by both parties.

Citizenship in Democratic Governance among Phetchabun Province Residents

2023-08-04T16:37:27+07:00

This research aimed to assess the knowledge and understanding of democratic governance among Phetchabun province residents and identify effective strategies for promoting such knowledge and understanding. The research utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative phase involved a sample of 400 individuals, with data collection conducted through a questionnaire. Statistical software was used for data analysis, including calculating percentages, means, and standard deviations. The qualitative phase included a sample group of six experts, academics, and government officials. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data, and the analysis encompassed a comprehensive examination of both data and data collection methods.

The research findings revealed the following results:

The level of knowledge and understanding regarding citizenship in the democratic system was moderately satisfactory, with an average score of 3.49 and a standard deviation of 0.37.

Several challenges hindered the development of accurate knowledge and understanding regarding democratic governance, including:

(1) Insufficient knowledge and understanding of democratic governance,

(2) Political polarization and divergent opinions, and

(3) A political culture influenced by personal and patronage systems.

The strategies to promote knowledge and understanding of democratic governance included educational initiatives which raised awareness about the significance of democratic governance through educational programs, promoting political participation that encouraged citizen involvement in political activities, and strengthening the role of civil society in monitoring the exercise of state power.

The recommendations were that government agencies in Phetchabun province should establish a network and develop a curriculum focused on democratic governance, and continuous public relations activities should be undertaken to disseminate vital information and knowledge about Thai citizenship within a democratic system-utilize diverse media channels and involve participation in various political events.

Development of Educational Curriculum for Promoting Civic Engagement within a Democratic Regime under the Constitutional Monarchy of Uttaradit province

2023-11-14T14:23:11+07:00

This article is part of the research findings on the topic of “Development of Education Curriculum for Promoting Civic Engagement within a Democratic Regime under the Constitutional Monarchy with Participation of the Local Networks to Formulate Policy Suggestion for Supporting Civic Development in Uttaradit Province” The research objectives include:

1) To develop the educational curriculum to promote civic engagement within a democratic regime under the constitutional monarchy with the participation of the local networks;

2) To examine and evaluate the outcomes of using the curriculum and

3) To formulate policy suggestions for civic development within a democratic regime under the constitutional monarchy for people in Uttaradit province.

This research used a mixed-method approach. The qualitative component involves 45 informants, utilizing methods consist of in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and a pilot curriculum. The data analysis included content analysis and deductive analysis. The quantitative comprised a population of 30 individuals. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. Data analysis was carried out using inferential statistics, which included frequency, mean, and S.D. The research findings are summarized as follows:

The research results according to the first objective found that the characteristics of citizens identified for curriculum development can be categorized into 6 groups: 1) Understanding of the Governance 2) Respect and Acceptance of Laws and Regulations in Society 3) Participation and Accountability 4) Understanding of the Monarch's role in a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy 5) Ethical Principles and 6) Other Characteristics, such as rationality.

Regarding curriculum development, it was discovered that the curriculum is named “Civic Engagement Curriculum in a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy in Uttaradit Province”. The curriculum structure consists of a total of 96 hours (6 credits), organized into the following content groups: 1) Core Content; 2) Local Content;

3) Specialized Content and 4) Project.

The results of the second objective revealed that the overall average value of the curriculum usage is at the highest level. It is found that the aspects of learning outcomes and behaviors have the highest average value. The teaching methods, curriculum, structure, and content have comparatively lower average values among the three aspects.

The results of the third objective provided the following 4 suggestions: 1) Enhance knowledge, understanding, and awareness of citizenship within a democratic regime under the constitutional monarchy of Uttaradit province for the whole people in Uttaradit province through a citizenship educational curriculum. 2) Encourage to establishment of a credit bank system in collaboration with academic institutions to enhance lifelong learning. 3) Provide equal opportunities for all interested learners without any restrictions or conditions and 4) Develop a public policy from an educational curriculum for promoting civic engagement within a democratic regime under the constitutional monarchy of Uttaradit province.