THE POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE GROUPS IN LIVESTOCK (SWINE) PRODUCTION IN THAILAND

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to 1) assess the management potential of community enterprise groups and 2) analyze and find guidelines for developing community enterprise groups in livestock (swine) production in Thailand. This research collected data by questionnaires from the community enterprise group members of 350 people by simple random sampling. This research was a quantitative model. The data were evaluated with descriptive statistics like percentage, frequency and mean. The results found that the assessment of management potential of community enterprise groups in 7 aspects consisted of 1) leadership and community enterprise management 2) community enterprise operations planning 3) marketing management 4) knowledge and information management 5) management of community enterprise members 6) product or service management and 7) the results of community enterprise operations. The overall assessment was at a good level. The mean was equal to 2.76. The aspects with the highest score were community enterprise operations planning, and product or service management. The mean was equal to 2.92, in good level. The aspect with the lowest score was the marketing management aspect. The mean was equal 2.38. Guidelines for group development found that they should be a focus on continually promoting the role of group leaders. As well as they should focus on seeking cooperation from relevant agencies to promote and develop a group management system. Additionally, the creation of a network of swine farmers will create a connection between the community enterprise group business. Furthermore, there should be continuous study visits and exchange of experiences in swine production. Moreover, they should invite speakers to provide knowledge to encourage enterprise groups to be able to operate a swine farming business and have the guidelines for further development.