A A Policy Analysis of Local Government Support for Innovation Management in Community Enterprises: The Case of Pathumthani, Thailand

Abstract

The study's goals were to: (1) examine and assess the ways in which local government policies help community businesses manage their innovation; (2) learn how community business groups perceive the roles that the Department of Local Administration (DLA) plays in supporting innovation management; and (3) look into the obstacles and difficulties that DLAs encounter when attempting to encourage innovation management among community businesses. A strategy of combined methods was employed. 242 community enterprise leaders and deputy leaders from Pathumthani Province took part in the quantitative phase using stratified sampling. Data was gathered via questionnaires. For the qualitative phase, 15 important informants were interviewed in-depth, including regional and local government representatives as well as advanced-level community enterprise leaders in Pathumthani. The data was examined using content analysis. The findings demonstrated that: (1) DLAs are crucial in converting national policies—such as the 12th and 13th National Economic and Social Development Plans—into local actions, particularly through initiatives like One Tambon One Innovation and capacity-building programs; (2) community enterprise members perceived the DLAs' support as significant, particularly in planning, communication, and human resource development, though there are still problems with resource allocation and knowledge dissemination; and (3) DLAs are constrained by legal restrictions that forbid direct budget allocation or support; and internal problems within community enterprises, such as limited production and marketing capabilities.