CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP MODEL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPETENCIES OF MAHACHULALONGKORNRAJAVIDYALAYA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research article aimed to present a causal relationship model for developing exemplary competencies of administrators at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches concurrently with equal emphasis. The quantitative population consisted of 719 personnel at the central campus of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, from which a sample of 310 participants was determined based on the number of model parameters and selected through multistage sampling. In addition, nine experts participated in a focus group discussion. The research instruments included a questionnaire and a structured in-depth interview form. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling, while qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis.

The findings revealed that the hypothesized model consisted of three latent variables: human resource development, the Threefold Training (Tisikkha), and exemplary administrator competencies. The model estimates indicated that human resource development had a direct effect on the Threefold Training at .433, while the Threefold Training had a direct effect on exemplary administrator competencies at .358. Human resource development had a total effect of .237 on exemplary administrator competencies, with statistical significance at the .01 level. However, the correlation between the observed variables of leadership competency and human development competency was as high as .971. The VIF values were 19.063 and 21.239, while the Tolerance values were .052 and .047, respectively, indicating substantial redundancy among the indicators. The structural equation explained 16.10 percent of the variance in exemplary administrator competencies. Moreover, the model fit indices did not meet the acceptable criteria χ² = 879.971, df = 32, p < .001, χ²/df = 27.499, GFI = .736, AGFI = .629, RMR = .147, and RMSEA = .293. Therefore, the hypothesized model could not yet be considered empirically supported. The path coefficients should be interpreted only as preliminary trends within the sample, and the indicators should be refined before the model is tested with a new sample.