Structural equation model of conflict management between the government and citizens regarding marine and coastal areas development projects in southernmost provinces of Thailand

Abstract

The purpose was to analyze a structural equation model of conflict management between the government and citizens regarding marine and coastal area development projects (MCP) in the southernmost provinces of Thailand (SPT). A questionnaire was filled out by 440 respondents (selected using disproportionate stratified sampling), based on a classification into roles of actors and types of project. A 5-rating scale questionnaire was used as a research instrument and consisted of 8 latent variables: attitude and role of government officials and people on the project; conflict management: economic, social, and environment; and perception of conflict: economic, social, and environment. There were 26 observed variables. The questionnaire components were tested for reliability before use (Cronbach’s alpha was .82–.95). The results of the analysis showed that the structural equation model provided a good fit with the empirical data (χ2/df = 3.00, CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.068, 90 percent CI = 0.062, 0.073, and SRMR = 0.072). Furthermore, attitudes had a positive, direct effect on economic, social, and environmental conflict management between the government and citizens with effect coefficients of 0.95, 0.97, and 0.85, respectively. Attitudes had a negative, indirect effect on the economic, social, and environmental conflict perception with effect coefficients of -0.45, -0.62, and -0.38, respectively. This study indicated that the attitudes of the government and citizens toward the projects affected conflict management between the government and the citizens. The government should focus on helping the people in the area to understand the policies, each project’s objectives, and the project benefits for the country. In order to obtain people’s acceptance of and satisfaction in the projects, the government should give importance to the well-being of the citizens in the area, provide an opportunity for the citizens to participate in projects’ operations, and listen to the people’s opinions on the projects.