Community Enterprise Research Articles

Farmers’ perception of rice production community enterprise’s roles: evidence from Chachoengsao Province, Thailand

Rice production community enterprises (RPCEs) have emerged in Thailand as a group initiative supported by the government to help address the challenges of rice farmers in rural areas. However, farmers still faced problems due to a lack of targeted programs and policies to improve the enterprise’s roles in the community. This study investigated farmer-members’ perception of an RPCE’s specific roles. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 201 farmers in Sanam Chai Khet District, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand. Data were analyzed using the weighted average index (WAI) method to assess the farmers’ perception of the RPCE’s roles. Results reveal that RPCE members have a strong perception of the enterprise’s role in increasing their income. Other roles such as knowledge and skills improvement, supplying inputs at a fair price, increasing social network, product competition with rivals, and provision of credit facilities, were rated as medium, demonstrating the considerable efforts exerted by RPCEs to improving its members. Moreover, a weak rating was given by members for the enterprise’s role as a saving source implying that government should further intensify its support for RPCEs in terms of promoting the saving behavior among members. This study suggests that stronger policy support should be given to upgrade RPCEs based on how members perceived them. This would encourage more member participation and secure more benefits and income for members of the community enterprise.

Building and Strengthening Community at the Margins of Society through Social Enterprise

This article theorizes how a social enterprise builds, strengthens, and legitimizes community among marginalized people. Prior work investigated social enterprises and community-led social enterprises, or social enterprises rooted in community culture. Missing are perspectives on the roles of social enterprises in community creation and support among marginalized individuals. This qualitative interpretive study draws on ethnographic and netnographic data collection of the social enterprise Familyship; marginalized entrepreneurs developed a social enterprise to address a particular social problem, thus helping other marginalized people to address their constraints and collectively legitimizing a new meaning of what family is and does as a community. The study finds five overarching themes—namely, informing, protecting, connecting, supporting, and normalizing—that characterize Familyship’s process of building, supporting, and legitimizing a community among marginalized individuals. I discuss these findings with regard to contributions to theory on social enterprise and institutional voids, as well as social enterprise and online communities.

Sustainability Indicators for Community Enterprises Producing Renewable Energy in Thailand

This study aims to propose sustainability indicators for community enterprises producing renewable energy in Thailand by applying the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) as a conceptual framework. The literature review, a survey of the community enterprise producing renewable energy, and the assessment by eighteen experts and academics were able to summarize nineteen sustainability indicators for community enterprises producing renewable energy in Thailand which could be divided into six perspectives: (1) financial perspective of three indicators (2) stakeholder perspective of three indicators (3) internal process perspective of five indicators (4) learning and growth perspective of two indicators (5) social perspective of two indicators (6) environmental perspective of four indicators. Community enterprises producing renewable energy in Thailand can use these sustainability indicators to set their operational goals or management plans. In addition, government sector and related agencies are able to use the sustainability indicators as guidelines for the formulation of appropriate policies or measures to jointly develop and support community enterprises producing renewable energy in Thailand to self-reliance and achieve more sustainable success, affect strengthening the grassroots economy, reducing the negative social and environmental impacts of non-renewable energy production and use, increasing energy security.

Strategic guidelines for community enterprise development: a case in rural Thailand

PurposeIn spite of the government’s support for small-scale rice farmers in rural areas of Thailand, several problems still affect their production and marketing performance. This study aims to assess a rice production community enterprise (RPCE) through an in-depth investigation of its problems and capabilities; and formulate internal strategic guidelines for enterprise development.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with the community enterprise leader and committee members, and focus group discussion with eight farmer-members, purposively selected in Chachoengsao, Thailand. Data were transcribed, sorted and organised to determine themes and patterns. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) matrix situational analyses were done to develop strategic options. Strategic guidelines were formulated through a final deliberation with all members to ensure strategies aligned with the enterprise’s goals and objectives.FindingsThe results have identified three main problem categories encountered by the community enterprise in the areas of membership and labour; production and milling operations; and product design and marketing. The enterprise’s main strengths and opportunities include its product certifications and support from external organisations. Strategic points were developed, and policy support programmes are recommended for capacity building and product development as most problems identified relate to these aspects.Originality/valueThe utility of this study is its focus on an RPCE. The findings will help policymakers and concerned government agencies implement better programmes and policies to develop RPCEs. Furthermore, this study will be a source for future qualitative literature that will provide helpful information to other studies aiming to develop other types of community enterprises (CEs).

Spatial Distribution of Enterprise Communities and Its Implications Based on POI Data: Case of Xi’an, China

China’s residential social space has changed significantly following economic reform in 1978. Enterprise communities (ECs) are walled-off residential spaces that were built and managed mostly by the state or collectively owned enterprises to house workers during the 1950s to 1970s. Many ECs are still used in urban China, but they are primary sites for urban poverty. This paper used point of interest (POI) data, field surveys, and spatial analysis to analyze the distribution of ECs in Xi’an, China, and assess the policy implications. Results indicated that the ECs were mainly located in the inner city and were characterized by small-scale agglomeration or cluster distribution along the former major transport routes. The ECs are sites of urban poverty because of industrial transition. Their large renewal potential as construction land should be fully recognized. This study will help to better understand and optimize urban internal space and may apply to countries or regions with similar housing types and urban space. Exploring the relevant issues of postsocialist ECs through POI data can enrich and strengthen scientific research in urban residential areas.

Interpreting community enterprises’ ability to survive in depleted contexts through the Humane Entrepreneurship lens: evidence from Italian rural areas

PurposeDoing business in depleted contexts requires the adoption of an unconventional strategic orientation based on the involvement of the local community and driven by the attainment of economic, environmental and social goals. Previous studies have explored the specific nature of community enterprises (CEs); notwithstanding, little attention has been paid to the understanding of the strategic posture adopted by community entrepreneurs to overcome difficulties and make the business up. In this vein, the study aims to investigate how CEs operating in depleted contexts manage to survive, by successfully achieving multiple – conflicting – goals.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopted the Humane Entrepreneurship (HumEnt) framework as a form of institutional entrepreneurship where resources are leveraged to evolve the institutional context. This research adopts the case study strategy, focusing on Italian rural CEs.FindingsThe HumEnt approach, which takes into account both economic and non-economic and altruistic values of entrepreneurs, turned as better suited – compared to other approaches – to explain why people try to make business in such high-risk contexts. Second, the holistic approach of the HumEnt framework allowed catching up the particular mechanism that has enabled the CEs to obtain positive achievement.Originality/valueThe adoption of the HumEnt perspective enabled us to understand better the way CEs may survive and even grow where other initiatives have failed.

The Effect of Mindset on Tourist Behaviour and Mindful Consumption in a Community Enterprise in Krabi, Thailand

The research examined the mindful consumption theory, focusing on the importance of sustainable consumption in the tourism sector in the future. An exploratory factor analysis of survey responses from 400 tourists who travelled to a community in Krabi, Thailand, revealed that the mindful mindset consists of four factors and mindful behaviour consists of six factors. A confirmatory factor analysis found that the adapted model corresponded to the empirical data and confirmed that the factors identified in the exploratory analysis were accurate.

Legal regulation of the taxation regime of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine

The paper highlights the legal basis for the activities of agricultural enterprises in line with changes in tax legislation. It is pointed out that the dynamics of legal norms results in the imperfection of the legal regulation of taxation of agricultural enterprises, while the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with the law of the European Union is a necessary condition for our country's accession to the European community. Thus, as a result of the administrative reform and decentralization processes in Ukraine, communities function as the main foundations of the activities of collectives of settlements, Starostyn districts. We have established that an agricultural enterprise in modern communities is an enterprise whose main activity is the supply of agricultural goods (services) produced (provided) by it on its own or leased fixed assets, as well as on toll terms, in which the share of agricultural goods/services is not less than 75 percent of the value of all goods/services delivered during the previous 12 consecutive reporting tax periods combined. In the case of creation of a new agricultural enterprise, which operates for at least 12 months, the specified share is determined for each individual reporting tax period. In addition, this does not include taxable transactions for the supply of fixed assets that were part of its fixed assets for at least 12 consecutive reporting tax periods in total, if such transactions were not permanent and did not constitute a separate business activity. Such enterprises have the right to choose a general or simplified system of taxation. Prospective directions of further improvement of the national legislation are offered taking into account necessity of understanding of features of realization of agricultural activity, a disparity of the prices for production and means of its manufacture, dependence on natural and climatic conditions, profitability of separate branches of agriculture, prevention of discrimination between agricultural commodity producers for the taxation of small agricultural producers.

A retrospective overview of Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy from2007 to 2021 using abibliometric analysis

Purpose This paper aims to examine the pattern of publications, using a bibliometric analysis of the Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy (JEC) for the period between 2007 and 2021. Design/methodology/approach The study uses relevant bibliometric metrics and procedures. The analysis covers mainly the number of articles published in JEC, most influential years in terms of the number of publications and citations, top productive countries, most prolific authors, most influential institutions, funding institutions, co-authorship trends, keywords co-occurrence, and vital themes of JEC articles between 2007 and 2021. Findings The journal’s influential impact in terms of citations has increased over time, with 83.62% of the published works receiving at least one citation. Léo-Paul Dana has been recognised as the most prolific author by virtue of his contribution of articles in JEC, and the maximum contribution to JEC comes from the USA, followed by Canada and the UK. University of Canterbury, New Zealand and La Trobe University, Australia were the leading contributing institutions. The study identified “indigenous entrepreneurs”, “gender”, “social entrepreneurship”, “education” and “innovation” as contemporary keywords in the study of enterprising communities. These issues present a clear opportunity for research-related topics for the JEC. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive piece in the journal’s history that provides a general overview of the journal's major trends and researchers.

A Methodological Approach for Evaluating the Enterprise Community Healthy Start Program in Rural Georgia: An Analysis Using Linked PRAMS, Birth Records and Program Data.

Community Healthy Start program evaluations are often limited by a lack of robust data and rigorous study designs. This study describes an enhanced methodological approach using local program data linked with existing population-level datasets for external comparison to evaluate the Enterprise Community Healthy Start (ECHS) program in two rural Georgia counties and presents results from the evaluation. ECHS program data were linked to birth records and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for 869 women who delivered a live birth in Burke and McDuffie counties from 2010 to 2011. Multivariate logistic regressions with and without propensity score methods modeled the association between ECHS participation and maternal health indicators and pregnancy outcomes. 107 ECHS participants and 726 non-participants responded to PRAMS and met eligibility criteria. Compared with non-participants, ECHS participants were younger, completed fewer years of education, and were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black, unmarried, insured with Medicaid, participating in WIC, and having an unintended pregnancy. Models with and without propensity score weighting derived similar results: there was a positive association between ECHS participation and receiving adequate or adequate plus prenatal care (p < 0.05); no statistically significant associations were observed between ECHS participation and any other health behaviors, health care access and utilization measures or pregnancy outcomes. Rigorous evaluation of a local Healthy Start program using linked PRAMS and birth records with a population-based external comparison group and propensity score methods is an enhanced and feasible approach that can be applied in other local and state jurisdictions.

Community enterprise consumers’ intention to purchase organic rice in Thailand: the moderating role of product traceability knowledge

PurposeOrganic rice forms the largest portion of the Thai organic food market. Because of its increasing popularity, marketers need to better understand consumer behaviour to address emerging concerns regarding product safety and quality and to tailor better marketing strategies relevant to the development of organic rice. As such, this study aims to examine consumers' purchase intention towards organic rice, using traceability information, and to investigate the direct and moderating roles of product traceability knowledge, using the theory of planned behaviour.Design/methodology/approachResponses were collected from 243 organic rice consumers in a farmers' market in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, following a convenience sampling approach. The gathered data were analysed using structural equation modelling to evaluate the strength of the relationship between the constructs.FindingsThe findings reveal that subjective norms, health consciousness and product traceability knowledge have a significant positive influence on consumers’ intention to purchase organic rice. This study also establishes the moderating role of product traceability knowledge in perceived behavioural control and purchase intention, indicating that elaborated product information through traceability is essential for consumers who feel capable of buying the product. However, the direct effects of attitude and perceived behavioural control are insignificant, indicating the presence of external barriers to the purchase of organic rice, and that people may have a negative attitude towards the product. In addition, the cost perception result reveals that consumers consider price as an indicator of organic product quality, thereby increasing their desirability.Social implicationsThe findings of this study will help community enterprises in Thailand develop a more effective marketing strategy based on the identified motivators of organic rice purchase intention.Originality/valueThis study develops a model that integrates important factors related to organic food consumption to generate a more comprehensive analysis of this mainstream research. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is also the first study to investigate the moderating role of product traceability knowledge to obtain a new and more focused understanding of how this factor influences purchase intention when applied explicitly to organic food. Finally, the findings provide theoretical contributions and implications for both the community enterprise and policymakers on developing strategies for organic rice marketing among community enterprises in Thailand.

National bank of Fujairah’s digital platform “NBF Connect”

Learning outcomes To understand the goals and key performance indicators of online social media marketing and the primary drivers of interaction in a social community. To analyze the challenges faced by the team during the launch of the new digital platform National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) Connect, interacting with an already online present small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) community. To analyze the concept of community marketing in an emerging country and appreciate the value of digital platforms in customer relationship management. To identify and critically evaluate insights on which ideas for marketing communication activities for NBF Connect can be built upon. To build an operational plan for NBF Connect customer engagement on online social communities. Case overview/synopsis In 2020, NBF launched a new digital platform for SMEs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) called “NBF Connect” with the purpose of redefining banking services for the small businesses sector. The digitalization wave in the UAE was revolutionizing various industry sectors. The global banking industry was already impacted by digitalization and some banks in the UAE, especially in the retail segment (Emirates NBD, 2017), had already introduced many technology-led innovations bringing more effectiveness in the processes and better customer experience. However, the SME banking segment was lagging in terms of innovation. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic situation, with compulsory lockdowns and social distancing, changed the way of doing business for entire industries and increased the pressure on banks for the provisioning of new digital products. Rose joined NBF in the first part of 2020 as Product Owner of the project NBF Connect. The new digital platform was ideated by NBF to be differentiated from other banking products. It was co-created with insights from and regular interaction with the SME community. After the deployment of the first version of the platform in April 2020, Rose realized that the user adoption and commercial results were below par. Over the next three months, only a few users were using the platform with shallow interactions. This case study looks at Rose’s journey as NBF refined and evolved its SME banking platform, including developing and positioning the digital platform in the market, identifying competitive advantages and developing the right commercial strategy to monetize NBF’s investment in the digital platform’s development. Complexity Academic Level Students are expected to have knowledge of the issues relevant to marketing and communication management, product management and business development. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 8: Marketing

Design-Driven Approaches to Enable Sustainable Entrepreneurship – Two Case Studies of Regional Textile Communities From the Philippines and the UK

This paper reports on a research project aimed at exploring how designers can activate and sustain entrepreneurial ventures within regional textile communities in the Philippines and the UK. The mindset of consumers, who believe that textiles and fashion should be cheap, has made it difficult to successfully enable regional textile communities. With this in mind, two case studies were undertaken through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved in creative enterprises within regional textile communities in the Philippines and the UK. Findings from the research demonstrate how design-driven approaches to entrepreneurship can lead to reaching an untapped market and securing consumer demand for products and services that are better for people and the planet. The original contribution of the paper lies in the development of a business model meta-canvas, informed by an original conceptual framework that, once successfully adopted, could activate and sustain enterprises in regional textile communities.

Mango and COVID-19: The impact on and coping of Namdokmai Sithong mango export farmers in Khon Kaen, Thailand during the pandemic of COVID-19

The pandemic of COVID-19 has had impacts on mango export of farmers and they must have coping strategies to survival. Ban Haet Mango Export Community Enterprise is a leading community enterprise that exports Namdokmai Sithong mango. Since 2007, the enterprise has followed the standards set by the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in four season per year, ensuring high quality of their mangoes fit for sales in export and domestic markets. For exporting, sold premium graded to distributors and export to Japan, South Korea and China. A few premium graded and a graded lower were sold in the domestic market by farmer themselves and via middlemen. However, at the end of the year 2019, the COVID-19 epidemic erupted, which later spread across the globe that heavily affected on the mango market of farmers. The severity of the impact was identified in two phases, the 1st period during 10-24 March 2020 and the 2nd period during 25 March - 31 May 2020. It was found that three main partners have suffered and their coping strategies were divided into the following two periods: (1) Impact on members and their coping strategies; The 1st period, can't sell mangoes and they put on hold the harvesting of the produce and diverted manpower for finding new markets. The 2nd period, coordinate domestic marketing channel support with relevant sectors, they were able to sell some of their produce. (2) Impact on the community enterprise and its coping strategies; The 1st period, the enterprise was not able to gather the produce from the members for distribution. They coordinated marketing channel support with relevant sectors. The 2nd period, they could gather some of the produce with price slashed by forty percent for export and fifty percent for domestic market when compared with previous year. (3) Impact on export distributors and their adjustment. The 1st period, they were heavily impacted being unable to buy the produce from the enterprise for export. They looked for ways to buy the produce and distributed it to the international market. The 2nd period, they were able to purchase some of the produce for export and the mangoes were transported throughout the chartered flights.

Tackling Problem-Solving Through the Curriculum and Community Enterprise for Environmental Restoration Project

The aim of this study is to showcase the use of incorporating problem-solving in a multifaceted, long-term investigation. New York Harbor and its estuaries are undergoing a major revitalization due to the efforts of the Curriculum and Community Enterprise for Environmental Restoration Project. Comprised of a network of local educational and business partnerships, students who have been historically underrepresented in the S.T.E.M. field are given the opportunity to delve into environmental restoration in their local communities and strategize, analyze and evaluate environmental challenges to achieve success in problem-solving. The restoration of a sustainable environment is reliant upon innovative responses to the challenges posed. Problem-solving allows the students to use advanced thinking ability and it can also be the driving force of change. The project has resulted in a deeper understanding of local environmental restoration efforts and a stronger commitment to actionable plans for the future.

Understanding the Dynamics of CSR Deep Meaningfulness in Grassroots Community Enterprise.

This study is a four years ethnography that focuses on the experience of work meaningfulness crafting in a context of grassroots CSR: What paths to meaningfulness do community entrepreneurs follow? What are the dynamics of meaningfulness over time? What challenges do these actors experience, and how do they navigate them? I answer these questions using Rosso et al.’s (2010) four paths to meaningfulness theoretical framework. I find that the four paths are followed simultaneously, showing the creative and responsible dynamics of satisfied and frustrated mechanisms of meaningfulness over time. However, I find that the need for self-concordance remains frustrated, revealing the challenges of pursuing a double calling when searching for deep meaningfulness. My findings contribute to the emerging literatures on the tensional processes inherent in the double-edge sword phenomenon of meaningfulness, and to CSR additions.

Institutional Legacy and Community Enterprise Development

Institutional Legacy and Community Enterprise Development

STATUS AND BARRIERS OF COMMUNITY FOREST ENTERPRISES IN MID-HILLS: A CASE STUDY FROM THREE CFEs OF KASKI, PARBAT AND TANAHUN DISTRICTS

This research study examines financial status, policy and institutional barriers and possible intervention for effective functioning of Community Forest Enterprise (CFEs). The study was carried out in three CFEs: NamunaBanpale Community Forest Enterprise, PargatisilAllo Enterprise and Mountain Tanahun Community Bel and Fruit Processing Industry of the Kaski, Parbat and Tanahun districts with the objective of exploring current cost and revenue of CF enterprise, barrier faced by CFEs and identify possible interventions for effective functioning. Key informant interview and focus group discussion were carried out to collect required information. The data recorded were analysed by using Microsoft-Excel. The study revealed that the forest-based enterprise establishment by the initiative of community forest user group barely get success unless an external donor agency support their programs specially during establishing years. The study found that the establishment of enterprises provides income opportunities, improve living of poor family however, the income generated is significantly low compare to its investment. Among the enterprises, Bel enterprise was found to be functioning well compared to other two. The study also assessed that enterprise operated by a group reduces responsibility of each individual towards the enterprise which is higher when operated by single individual. There are no any incentives for community forest enterprise in the policy level, no any mechanism to regulate market, providing access to the market for the enterprise in the remote area, discounts in taxes. People involved in the enterprise were found slowly losing their interest and expectation from the enterprise as inefficient management of the enterprises to bring all members together. To minimize the declining interest of people in the enterprise and to incorporate them together in the enterprises the study found out the seasonal enterprise should extend and need to operate in regular base this would increase people participation as they don’t need to focus on other activities to make their living. Furthermore, the entrepreneurs of CFEs should aware about the market demand, marketing information, efficient and effective techniques, managerial techniques, and record keeping.

Strengthening Bumdes through Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty as the Defense of the Bumdes Business in Indonesia Post-Covid-19

This study aims to determine the direct effect of product quality and service quality variables on customer satisfaction which is moderated by customer loyalty as well as a source of internal strength for the Mekar Sari Village Business Unit in running its business, another goal that is expected from this research is the Mekar Sari Village Community Enterprise as a company owned by the village community, especially the managers. Bumdes Mekar Sari that product quality, service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty are important factors in marketing and become a benchmark for determining the success of a refill drinking water depot business. This research includes quantitative descriptive research, the sample in this study is a loyal customer of Bumdes Mekar Sari Selat Besar Village which has been a member for 1 year as many as 130 customers, the determination of the sample in this study applied purposive sampling. Collecting data in this study using primary data (questionnaire) which contains questions regarding the indicators of product quality, service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty variables. To solve the problems studied, data analysis techniques used path analysis with SPSS and AMOS applications. From the results of research and hypothesis testing, it was found that product quality has a direct effect on customer satisfaction, service quality has a direct effect on customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction has a direct effect on customer loyalty. Product quality has an indirect effect on customer loyalty through customer satisfaction. Service quality has an indirect effect on customer loyalty through customer satisfaction.

Leader-Preneur: A Key to Successful Independent Character Education for Small and Medium Enterprise Practitioners Within a Village-Owned Enterprise Community in the Malang Regency

This study aimed to reveal how the village head and the management of the Bumdes Village-Owned Enterprises internalize entrepreneurial values and support Small and Medium Enterprises in the community, and the supporting and inhibiting factors. A descriptive qualitative approach was used to study Bumdes Maju Bersama in Malang Regency, and data were collected through case studies, in-depth interviews, observations and review of supporting documents. The data were analyzed using the 6P simultaneous stages, namely approach, extracting, deepening, matching, interpreting and presentation. The results of the study found that entrepreneurship education became meaningful if it was carried out by instructors who, in addition to having a position as the highest formal leader, were also experienced in the field of business and could provide examples and concrete solutions to participants. To succeed, community businesses needed support and assistance from top leaders. The supporting factors needed were individual motivation, intensity of interaction and communication between business units, as well as good expectations for future business development. The main challenge in managing SMEs in the Bumdes community was the mental attitude of wanting to be successful but being too lazy to learn new things.&#x0D; Keywords: Leader-preneurship, entrepreneurial values, the success of village-owned enterprises