The Appropriate Mode in the Application of the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy in the Environmental Management of the Industrial Sector

Abstract

This study aims to investigate success in the application of sufficiency economy philosophy of industries, to investigate factors affecting the application in environmental management and to suggest appropriate mode. Data are collected using in-depth interviews with nine businesses successfully applied the philosophy; a questionnaire surveying on samples of 400 factories; and in-depth interviews with three businesses surveyed, interested in applying the philosophy. According to in-depth interviews of the nine businesses, success in the application depends on e.g. social awareness, management's vision and policy, faith in the philosophy, knowledge and understanding of the philosophy. Factors contributing to the application in environmental management from the questionnaire are the size of the industry, policy on environmental management, access to information, opinion on the application and participation in activities involving the application. Appropriate mode in the application involves management, staff involvement, the faith in the philosophy as well as knowledge and understanding of the philosophy. Keywords-philosophy of sufficiency economy; environmental management; business and industrial sectors.