SWOT and TOWS Matrix Analysis for Strategic Development to Increase Thai-Laos Silk Supply Chain Efficiency

Abstract

Thailand is a well-known source of Thai silk which is impressive unique and beauty. Furthermore; Thai silk is produced with similar process and similar pattern to Laos silk. As the silk originations of both countries are in the same area, both countries are neighbor countries and they can communicate with their own languages. Therefore, to develop the partnership between the two countries, the supply chain will be able to enhance and strengthen of both countries in the contexts corresponding to entering into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) appropriately. For those reasons, the research aims are defined as 2 objectives as: 1) Analyze SWOT Analysis from cooperation between Thailand and Lao and 2) Analyze TOWS Matrix to determine the proposed strategies to enhance the silk production between Thailand and Lao. The data were then collected by using in-depth interviews from stakeholders in the Silk Supply Chain, mulberry and silkworm cultivators, raw silk makers and silk wavers as 23 interviews in Thailand and 6 interviews in The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). There are four strategies defined as following:

Strategy 1: The establishment of silk craft center in the region in order to develop silk standards. This strategy consists of four methodologies.

Strategy 2: The development of value added to their products and to create the marketing channel. This strategy consists of five methodologies.

Strategy 3: The development of fiber technology enhanced the good yarn properties. This strategy consists of three methodologies.

Strategy 4: The promoting of the knowledge transfer in the silk production to the descendants. This strategy consists of two methodologies.

However, the success of strategies and tactics presented above must rely on the cooperation between the two countries to achieve tangible success in the future.