Success Factors of Community Enterprises and Enhancing Strategies: Experiences from 4 Case Studies in the Central Region

Abstract

     This research reflects the learning experiences of community enterprises based on four case studies. The main objectives were to analyze factors contributing to the success of community enterprise and to delineate enhancing strategies. A qualitative approach of multi-case study was employed. Data were collected from four communities located in 3 provinces in the central region, namely, Ayudhaya, Ang Thong, and Chai Nat. The four community enterprises were related to food/handicraft production. Field data were collected by the following methods: documentary analysis, in-depth interview, focused group interview, non-participant observation, survey by structured questionnaire, and expert assessment. Conclusions were as follows:

     1. Factors contributing to the success of community enterprise were: 1) group and community potentials, namely, group formation and cohesion, group leadership and management, and production potentials; 2) local wisdom and learning process through various channels, namely, family learning tradition, formal schooling, production process and marketing, community forum, and community learning centers; and 3) external support from development organizations and educational institutions in group formation, financing initiation, training, product development, and marketing promotion.

     2. Strategies to enhance the success of community enterprise were: 1) developing appropriate technology and production supplies, 2) structuring organizational management with good governance and leadership, 3) sustaining the richness of local wisdom through formal and non-formal education, 4) strengthening group cohesion, and 5) reorienting positive views and roles of concerned development organizations.