Local Administration Journal

Social Return on Investment for the University to Tambon Project in Phatthalung Province

Thuanthong Krutchon — 2024-06-30

The University to Tambon (U2T) project in Phatthalung province has a return on investment of 3.03. For every 1 Thai baht invested in the project, there is a social return or value of 3.03 Thai baht. The SROI analysis of the U2T project in Phatthalung province aims to measure the value or social return on investment that the project generates for the stakeholders. This study is conducted within the framework of the key principles of SROI, which consist of seven main principles: (1) Considering the interests and involvement of stakeholders to maximize their participation, (2) Understanding the changes, (3) Using financial proxies to value major outcomes, (4) Considering only significant aspects, (5) Avoiding overclaiming, (6) Emphasizing transparency at every step, and (7) Being ready for verification. The study applies the theory of change to analyze the inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts on all relevant parties, including Tambons, project employees, the private sector, university staff, and government agencies, who play roles in supporting and developing project employees in 62 Tambons in Phatthalung province.

Factors Impacting People Performance Expectancy and Behavioral Intention with the Internet Medical Service in Chengdu, China

Yixi Yang — 2024-06-27

This research examined patients’ receptiveness to utilizing online medical services, explore the factors impacting their performance expectancy and behavioral intention, and offer actionable recommendations to enhance patient adoption and utilization of online medical services. The study was based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and also drew upon the health belief model and social cognitive theory to elucidate the components. The cross-sectional survey included the participation of a total of 494 valid outpatients from the first affiliated hospital founded by the Chengdu Medical College of China through the use of convenience sampling and purposive or judgmental sampling. With Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability greater than 0.7 and the average variance extracted greater than 0.5, all of the constructs demonstrated a satisfactory level of reliability and validity. Each and every one of the research hypotheses was validated. Both social influence and facilitation conditions were shown to have a considerable impact on performance expectancy, as evidenced by the statistically significant β values of 0.436 and 0.344 (p<0.001), respectively. Behavioral intention was substantially affected by resistance to change, effort expectancy, perceived security, performance expectancy, and perceived disease threat, as indicated by the β values of -0.196, 0.367, 0.308, 0.223, and 0.307, respectively, with p-values less than 0.001. Effort expectancy significantly predicted the behavioral intention to promote the adoption of Internet medical services. Therefore, the promotion of Internet medical services should focus on individuals who are well educated and have basic IT skills. Regular training sessions should be provided to broaden the intended user group.

Two Decades of the Application of the Open Performance Review and Appraisal System in Tanzanian Local Government Authorities: A Synopsis of Predicaments and the Way Forward

Geofrey Ndunguru — 2024-06-27

The Open Performance Review and Appraisal System (OPRAS), was introduced by the Tanzania government to manage employees’ performance and develop a performance management culture in the public sector (ministries, departments, agencies, and local government authorities). Local Government Authorities (LGAs) have been implementing this mandatory performance management tool since 2004. However, evidence suggests that the LGAs have not been able to create a genuine and effective OPRAS, despite the efforts taken to impose its implementation. In this regard, this study intended to provide an account of the predicaments experienced by the LGAs in OPRAS implementation and then recommend how LGAs can ensure effective implementation of the performance management system. A desktop review was employed complemented with interviews with 20 Human Resource and Administration Officers responsible for enforcing OPRAS implementation to inform the findings. The findings suggest that the LGAs have been trailing in the implementation of OPRAS due to numerous setbacks inter alia, employee skepticism of OPRAS, insufficient budget allocation, incompetence of staff in operating OPRAS, inadequate leadership commitment, and interference of political and contingent activities given the nature of decentralization of the LGAs. It is imperative to provide timely and adequate allocation of resources, improve leadership commitment, and ensure staff frequent staff capacity building for LGAs to implement a performance management system successfully.

Changing of Urban Society: The Impact of Urban Development Projects on the Isan Urban Poor People

Thanapauge Chamaratana — 2024-06-29

In the midst of global changes in the development stream and the driving force of globalization, there are many changes in every context of Thai society, including changes affected by the development of urban areas. This qualitative research aims to study the impacts of urban development projects on the poor people of Isan. Data were collected from in-depth interviews using an interview guide, as well as participatory and non-participatory observations with 25 key informants from the Isan urban community, focusing on case studies in Khon Kaen Municipality and Sila Municipality, which are centers of a large province and the northeastern region, respectively. Data were analyzed using content analysis with the ATLAS.ti program. The research found that the impacts on Isan urban society are both positive and negative for the urban poor. The impacts are divided into four aspects: (1) Economic impacts, which include the convenience of living in the city and more career opportunities, but these are limited to low-level jobs that are difficult, dirty, and dangerous. Some people have lost their jobs due to new workers replacing them. (2) Social and cultural impacts, which include promoted community participation in social events becoming more convenient, but at the same time causing estrangement within poor households. Some households had to move to new communities and adapt to living in new places. (3) Housing impact, which is the most severe, includes being evicted from original residences, causing housing instability. And (4) The rights and authority of Isan poor people, who still lack awareness of their own rights and abilities.

A Study of the Potential and Capability of Local Administrative Organizations in Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Kanrawee wichaipa — 2024-06-29

The development of disaster prevention and mitigation personnel in local administrative organizations (LAOs) is crucial due to their roles and responsibilities in preventing and mitigating disasters. This is considered one of the key mechanisms at the local level for disaster prevention and mitigation. The purposes of this study were: 1) to examine the importance and status of LAOs’ disaster prevention and mitigation missions, and 2) to assess the potential and capacity of LAOs in disaster prevention and mitigation. The study involved analyzing qualitative research data through documentary research and focus groups. The results of the study indicated that the disaster prevention and mitigation operations of local administrative organizations require development in the following areas: 1) Relevant laws and regulations, 2) Duties and responsibilities of local government organizations in public service provision, 3) Organizational structure, 4) Human resource management in disaster prevention and mitigation, 5) Budget allocation for disaster prevention and mitigation, and 6) Resources for disaster prevention and mitigation.

Enhancing the Capacity of Local Administrative Organizations and Communities for Efficient Water Management in Agriculture within the Nam Kam Royal Irrigation Project

กชกร เดชะคำภู — 2024-06-29

This research aimed to study the processes, mechanisms, and challenges of water management for agriculture and to develop collaborative measures between local administrative organizations and communities to enhance water management efficiency in the Nam Kam Royal Irrigation Project area, Na Kae District, Nakhon Phanom Province. A mixed-methods approach was used, collecting data from 153 farmer water users through questionnaires, which were analyzed using statistical techniques, and from 30 key informants through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and small group meetings, analyzed by content analysis. The study found that the water management process for agriculture includes planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating. Four main issues in water management were identified: water users and user groups, local administrative organizations and personnel, area and canal conditions, and data and technology. Effective collaborative measures between local administrative organizations and communities to enhance water management efficiency include short-term measures such as: 1) knowledge transfer from experienced individuals; 2) raising awareness of the value of water resources; 3) selecting committees; 4) establishing irrigation water management group regulations; 5) jointly developing branch canals, and 6) creating development plans to improve the water delivery system. Long-term measures, requiring cooperation from all relevant sectors, include: 1) developing joint water management plans; 2) managing information systems; 3) promoting low-water-use crops to farmers; 4) empowering water user farmers; 5) forming official water user groups, and 6) developing digital technology systems to enhance water management efficiency.

Potential for Environmentally Friendly Business Practices Among Coffee Shop Business Owners in Thailand

Wisakha Phoochinda — 2024-06-30

The study aims to analyze the potential and limitations of coffee shop owners in practicing environmentally friendly business and to propose guidelines for promoting such practices in the dimensions of production and services. Data were collected through surveys from 272 coffee shop owners in tourist areas in Thailand using accidental sampling and interviews with 15 coffee shop owners interested in environmentally friendly business practices. The data analysis includes descriptive statistics and qualitative data retrieved from interviews. The study's findings reveal that over half (59.56%) of the sample coffee shop owners have expectations for conducting business that supports environmentally friendly practices and demonstrates social and environmental responsibility. Most coffee shop owners repair equipment rather than buy new ones, with 81.62% doing so. Furthermore, the study found that most coffee shop owners are inclined to enhance their business’s environmental friendliness, starting with waste sorting at 79.60%. Coffee shop owners interested in conducting environmentally friendly businesses pay attention to sustainable development from upstream to downstream. This includes selecting chemical-free coffee beans and ensuring that the coffee production process does not harm the environment. They also focus on eco-friendly waste management. At the same time, they acknowledge common limitations due to the absence of supportive policies and initiatives from the government sector, such as the higher cost of environmentally friendly packaging compared to plastic packaging. Additionally, there is a lack of consumer awareness and promotion of sustainable consumption and limited support for producing organic coffee beans, all of which reflect a lack of commitment to societal responsibility.

Policy Capacity: A Scoping Review of Definitions, Conceptual Frameworks, Applications, and Future Research Directions

Prasongchai Setthasuravich — 2024-06-30

The concept of policy capacity emerges as a pivotal approach for improving the efficacy and flexibility of public policies. Despite its significance, ambiguity surrounds its definitions and applications within research. Therefore, this paper aims to explore definitions, conceptual frameworks, measurement tools, case examples, and propose future research directions on policy capacity. A scoping review was conducted to search for articles in the SCOPUS database, yielding 213 relevant articles, out of which 29 were screened and included in this review. The analysis is divided into two parts: the first part focuses on definitions, conceptual frameworks, and the measurement of policy capacity, covering 15 articles, while the second part deals with the practical application of concepts across four main categories—public health systems, environmental governance, public administration and social policy, and inter-organizational collaboration, encompassing a total of 14 articles. The research findings indicate that the definition of policy capacity extends beyond the policy implementation phase, covering all stages in the public policy process. The framework for analyzing policy capabilities comprises three dimensions of government sector capability—analytical, operational, and political capacities—integrated across three levels: individual, organizational, and structural, to collectively drive policy towards achieving its objectives. It was also found that there are at least two analytical frameworks that researchers can apply: the policy capability analysis framework, from the studies of Wu et al. (2017) and Brenton et al. (2023), and the policy capability measurement framework of Hartley and Zhang (2018), which presents a method for measuring capacity that is useful for more empirical analysis of policy capacity levels. Finally, this article presents research directions on policy capacity to guide researchers towards a deeper understanding and effective application of policy capacity frameworks in diverse contexts.

Empowering Citizens to Enhance Quality of Life: The “Public Sphere” Initiative in Suphan Buri Province

Chanit Suntapun — 2024-06-30

The public sphere stands as the cornerstone of deliberative democracy, aiming to address the deficiencies of representative democracy. Positioned between the state and society, it serves to strike a balance between stability and social evolution. This platform fosters discussions, debates on public issues, and scrutiny of the state’s activities. The action research project “Empowering Community Resilience on the basis of the Thai Democratic Regime by Social Innovation” employs a participatory action research approach. It emphasizes collaborative learning, involving the research team, pilot provincial community organizations, development support organizations, and stakeholders across sectors. The objective is to fortify communities and advocate for a central community forum. The selection of pilot communities across five provinces considered their readiness. This article presents the outcomes of activities undertaken during the initial year in Suphan Buri province. The research team engaged in a central forum, facilitating the exchange of views and consultations among the community organization network and leaders of the Council of Community Organizations and the Civil Society Sector. Together, they established development objectives under the “One Goal” concept, addressing pressing needs related to the quality of life across five domains: economics, health, education, welfare, and residential aspects in Suphan Buri Province