Local Administration Journal

Legal and Privacy Concerns Regarding the Credit Scores Assessed by Artificial Intelligence

2024-01-11T09:48:30+07:00

This paper explores the complex relationship between the use of AI in credit scoring and the development of social credit systems in People’s Republic of China. The use of AI in credit scoring and social credit systems in China presents several concerns. Data privacy issues arise due to the integration of AI, potentially leading to discriminatory outcomes. The societal impact is substantial, affecting access to financial services and job opportunities, which could result in social stratification. Individuals' freedoms and opportunities may be influenced by these algorithm-driven evaluations, possibly causing social exclusion. Moreover, the opacity of AI algorithms makes it difficult for individuals to challenge decisions made by these systems. This lack of transparency and accountability raises serious ethical and legal questions about the legitimacy of decisions made by AI. The rapid advancement of AI technologies also outpaces the development of regulatory frameworks, leaving a gap in oversight and control. Regulators face the challenging task of keeping up with technological changes without stifling innovation. They must strike a delicate balance between protecting consumer rights and privacy, ensuring fairness and transparency in AI decision-making, and fostering technological innovation that can drive economic growth and societal progress. This is not an easy task given the complexity and dynamism of AI technologies, the global nature of data flows, and the cross-jurisdictional challenges involved.

How Do Digital Technologies Enhance Public Service? A Review of the Governmental Administrative Reform in China

2023-12-24T10:05:41+07:00

Digital technologies play a crucial role in various sectors, enabling governments to provide more efficient, responsive, and transparent public services. China swiftly embraced this concept, and digitalized its governance, implementing the "Visit Once at Most" governmental administrative reform nationwide in 2018. This reform aims to minimize physical interactions between citizens and government agencies by utilizing online services or visiting the one-stop service window once at most in obtaining one service as defined by the citizens. Based on a review of Chinese and English literature, this study finds that the "Visit Once at Most" reform utilizes digital technologies to achieve government objectives, promote public participation, drive internal reform, and transparently deliver essential public services, ultimately leading to digital transformation. Unlike traditional e-government reforms, this reform generates a strong sense of gain for the public. Nevertheless, it also presents challenges related to long-term sustainability, user-friendly ecosystem development, and cross-departmental data sharing and regulatory adjustments.

Wage inequality in the destination of Isan Female Migrants

2023-12-20T09:33:47+07:00

This article aimed to study the wage inequality among female migrants from Isan across various destination regions in Thailand. The quantitative research method was used, with the analysis unit at the individual level. The sample consisted of 1,713 female migrants from a migration survey conducted in 2019. The data was collected between October and December 2019 by the National Statistical Office. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation. The result showed the majority of female migrants from Isan belonged to Generation Y, accounting for 48.6 percent of the sample. They had completed education up to the compulsory level, and were predominantly single (62.1 percent and 71.3 percent respectively). Approximately half of the female migrants chose to immigrate to Bangkok and its vicinity. Furthermore, 72.9 percent of female migrants were employed in occupations classified as the secondary skill level. On average, they worked less than 48 hours per week, and earned a monthly income ranging from 9,001-15,000 Thai baht. Most female migrants who worked in Bangkok and its vicinity generally earned higher wages compared to those who worked in the same skill level occupations in other provinces in Central Thailand. This discrepancy can be attributed to the concentration of development for prosperity in the Bangkok area.

Exploring Factors Influencing Research Motivation Among Support Staff in Humanities and Social Sciences at Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus

2023-08-15T14:54:54+07:00

The purpose of this research is to analyze the factors that affect the motivation of support staff in conducting research in the Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines at Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus. This research employed a quantitative research design. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire from 128 supporting staff members working in the humanities and social sciences disciplines at Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus. The collected data were analyzed using multiple regression. The results revealed that attitudes towards research and job responsibilities have an impact on the motivation of supporting staff in conducting research. However, variables such as educational level, knowledge and skills in research, research environment, and support provided by the faculty/institution were found to have no significant effect on such motivation. Nevertheless, it is important for the faculties and institutions to consider these variables. Faculties, institutes, and the university can use the findings of this research as guidelines for planning and implementing training programs aimed at enhancing the knowledge, skills, and research capabilities of their supporting staff, thereby fostering motivation for future research endeavors.

The Area-Based Development in Managing Common-Pool Resources of the Underground Water Bank System in Kao Kham Sub-district Administrative Organization Area, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani

2023-08-15T14:41:51+07:00

This study aimed to study the area-based development in managing common-pool resources of the underground water bank system in Kao Kham Subdistrict Administrative Organization area, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani. A qualitative research was employed by a case study. The case study was selected from the area of Kao Kham Sub-district Administrative Organization, where was a holistic study. Data were collected through interviews with 20 respondents using a semi-structured interview form and small group meetings for brainstorming. The results were analyzed by a content analysis to find the consistency of the data according to the objective and data triangulation was employed. The study found that the case study began the area-based development in area with repeated flooding and drought problems through the underground water bank project with 2 systems and 5 models since 2015. However, a problem was found related to the confidence of the people sector and local agencies in solving the problem and planning a management system for the underground water bank system in the area. In 2020, digital technology has been employed for management planning and follow-up on water data reports in the underground water bank system, and in 2022, a supportive system for the underground water bank has been developed by a water pumping system contained in a tank and distributing water to groups of farmers who did off-season farming. Based on the area-based development of the management of the underground water bank system, it could analyze the consistency of the results of operations under the common-pool resources management to prevent and solve water-related disasters of the case study in totaling 8 dimensions according to the concept of Elinor Ostrom.

Public Confidence in a Local Administrative Organization in Suphan Buri Province Based on the Principles of Good Governance

2023-09-05T10:14:50+07:00

Local governments play a crucial role in providing people with access to quality public services, thereby helping to reduce societal inequality. It is essential, therefore, for local governments to deliver public services in accordance with the principles of good governance. This research aimed to compare people's opinions towards the administration and to examine public confidence in the administration of a local administrative organization in Suphan Buri Province in relation to good governance. A mixed-methods design was employed by the authors. For the quantitative component, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 370 participants, and the data were statistically analyzed. The qualitative component consisted of in-depth interviews with 27 key informants. The quantitative results indicated that the overall opinion of the administration's adherence to the principles of good governance was rated at the highest level. Hypothesis testing revealed that people living in different areas expressed differing opinions on the administration. The qualitative findings demonstrated a broad confidence in the administration across all six examined aspects. The outcomes of this study can be leveraged to enhance the process of information dissemination and public communication, aiming to boost public confidence in local government.

A Study of Financial Planning Conditions that Affect the Success of Household Financial Planning Among Rubber Farmersin Surat Thani Province

2023-11-08T11:21:55+07:00

This research aimed to: 1) find out the important practical levels of financial planning and important level of practice for the success of financial planning for rubber farmers; 2) study financial planning conditions that affect success in financial planning; and 3) find the relationship of household status and conditions of financial planning and success in financial planning of rubber farmers in Surat Thani Province. This research is a mixed-method research study. 400 samples were collected for quantitative research. The statistical analysis used the t-test to test the difference between the means of two groups. The one-way F-test was used to test for the mean difference of samples with more than two groups. Comparison was of the relationship between two independent groups of variables. Qualitative data were analyzed using interviews and focus groups. The research results showed that most of the respondents were female, aged 31-40 years, 147 people in Mueang Surat Thani District with incomes below 20,000 baht, marital status, having a husband as the head of the family, 3-4 people in a family as members. Most of them have a rubber plantation area of 11-20 rai. The source of funds comes from financial institutions. There is an investment to buy land. Regarding the financial planning of the rubber farmers in Surat Thani Province, it was found that the economic situation had a high level of opinions, and the investment aspect had a medium level of opinions. Successful aspects of financial planning were: Most of the respondents found that their income is sufficient for the expenses/burdens of debt repayment; have insufficient income; no savings for future expenses; have savings of less than 100,000 baht. Most of them are consistent in saving 1-2 times/month, having savings for 5-10 years and paying off debt on time. According to focus group interviews, the factor that causes financial planning is the child's education. The obstacle of financial planning is the low price of rubber