Social Capital and Community Enterprise Construction: A Case Study of Don Kaew Fishery Group, Kumphawapi District, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

This article is a part of a research paper on “Development of the Competitiveness Potential of the community enterprises: Don Kaew Fisheries Group, Udon Thani Province”. Objectives of the study were to study; 1) the community context and social capital affecting the construction of community enterprises; and 2) the problem analysis and finding out the solutions for community enterprise problems. This is a qualitative research. Information was obtained from conducting document reviews, in-depth interviews with 12 key informants, small group discussion, and participant and non-participant observation. Result of the study was presented in descriptive analysis. Results of the study found that geographical feature of Ban Don Kaeo is an island floating in the middle of the lake. There is an important place in the community namely the Paghoda of Phra Mahathat Chedi Don Kaew, Nong Han - Kumphawapi wetlands, and it is also close to the famous tourist attractions: The Red Lotus Sea. In terms of social capital, there are 4 aspects; 1) geography and resources; 2) internal relations; 3) knowledge and wisdom; and 4) relationships with external networks. The four aspects above are the main key that make the Don Kaeo Fishery Group be born and still exists until now. Due to it is a small community enterprise, it faced with a shortage of raw materials in some seasons and also market restrictions. Therefore, the conditions that will enable the group to survive and grow up in the future were adding more networks of raw material sources and increasing more distribution channels to be a stable and sustainable income-generating area for the community members. Also, the study results from this work can be adapted to plan and guide the development of other community enterprises with similar contexts.