Strategic guidelines for community enterprise development: a case in rural Thailand
Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy
ISSN: 1750-6204
Article publication date: 8 September 2021
Issue publication date: 8 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
In spite of the government’s support for small-scale rice farmers in rural areas of Thailand, several problems still affect their production and marketing performance. This study aims to assess a rice production community enterprise (RPCE) through an in-depth investigation of its problems and capabilities; and formulate internal strategic guidelines for enterprise development.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with the community enterprise leader and committee members, and focus group discussion with eight farmer-members, purposively selected in Chachoengsao, Thailand. Data were transcribed, sorted and organised to determine themes and patterns. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) matrix situational analyses were done to develop strategic options. Strategic guidelines were formulated through a final deliberation with all members to ensure strategies aligned with the enterprise’s goals and objectives.
Findings
The results have identified three main problem categories encountered by the community enterprise in the areas of membership and labour; production and milling operations; and product design and marketing. The enterprise’s main strengths and opportunities include its product certifications and support from external organisations. Strategic points were developed, and policy support programmes are recommended for capacity building and product development as most problems identified relate to these aspects.
Originality/value
The utility of this study is its focus on an RPCE. The findings will help policymakers and concerned government agencies implement better programmes and policies to develop RPCEs. Furthermore, this study will be a source for future qualitative literature that will provide helpful information to other studies aiming to develop other types of community enterprises (CEs).
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok, Thailand Doctoral Scholarship. Grant KDS2019/026. The data collection and results deliberation also received grants from the Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU-A), Office of the Higher Education Policy, Science, Research and Innovation, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI). The authors would like to thank the farmers, CE leader and committee members for their time and participation in this study.
Citation
Cavite, H.J.M., Kerdsriserm, C. and Suwanmaneepong, S. (2023), "Strategic guidelines for community enterprise development: a case in rural Thailand", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 284-304. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-05-2021-0062
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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