THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT MODEL THAT AFFECTS EMPLOYEE EFFICIENCY IN LOCAL WHOLESALE AND RETAIL BUSINESSES IN THE LOWER NORTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the current conditions of human resource development operations in local wholesale and retail businesses, 2) to analyze the human resource development process factors that affect employee efficiency in local wholesale and retail businesses, and 3) to propose a human resource development model that enhances the employee efficiency in local wholesale and retail businesses in the lower northern region. This research employed a mixed-methods approach. The sample group for the qualitative research consisted of 12 executives responsible for human resource development in local wholesale and retail businesses in the lower northern region. The sample group for the quantitative research consisted of 500 employees working in local wholesale and retail businesses in the lower northern region.  The data were collected using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model analysis.

The research found that 1) at present, local wholesale and retail businesses do not implement  human resource development activities according to the theoretical framework. Additional actions that need to be done include: (1) individual development, focusing on establishing an operational competency system and supporting employees in pursuing higher education; (2) career development, which involves preparing career advancement plan and succession plans for key positions; (3) performance management, through the appointment of performance evaluation and monitoring committee; and (4) organizational development, with an emphasis on benchmarking between organizations within the same group of organizational development and fostering a learning organization. Furthermore, human resource development factors including individual development, career development, performance management, and organizational development affect employee efficiency in local wholesale and retail businesses in the lower northern region. The performance management aspect has the greatest influence on operational efficiency. Also, the human resource development model affects the employee performance in local wholesale and retail businesses in the lower northern region. The model has p-value = 0.051, χ2/df = 1.690, RMSEA = 0.037, GFI = 0.950, and AGFI = 0.911. Therefore, the C model consists of 1) C: Competency, 2) C: Career Path, 3) C: Committee, and 4) C: Compare. It should be applied as a guideline for driving the human resource development system in local wholesale and retail businesses.