Confirmatory factor analysis of collaboration model in nonformal higher education management in southern Thailand

Abstract

     This study aims to provide exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of collaboration model between Local Administrative Organizations (LAOs) and Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in non-formal higher education management in southern Thailand. The study was conducted in eighteen CLCs using questionnaires with participants of 450. Those participants divided into 4 groups: LAOs chiefs, teachers, CLCs committees, and students. The confirmatory factor analysis was run. The findings of the factor analysis showed that the components of collaboration was comprised of four main-factors: (1) the standardization main-factor shows the relationship between the organization's standards, (2) the formalization main-factor refers to the relationship of the organization's formality, (3) the reciprocity main-factor showed the exchange of resources with each other for a good organization's relationship, (4) and the intensity main-factor explains the increase in the intensity of the organization's relationship. Therefore, the collaboration between LAOs and CLCs in non-formal higher education management will improve if the four main-factors have been employed.