Enterprises In Thailand Research Articles

Empowering Local Village Community Enterprises in Thailand

This paper describes a process that has been developed over the years to empower local village communities in Thailand to create sustainable community enterprises principally based on local knowledge and resources. The paper, which is written for an international audience and therefore first describes some characteristics of local communities in Thailand, then discusses research methodology and approach leading to a community enterprise learning model, refers to case study work carried out in the Central Region of Thailand, and finally discusses the community learning process. The work may be more generically applicable, and can now form the basis for a broader co-operation with similar groups conducting studies in other countries. With this in mind the research has been presented and discussed in December 2011 at The Faculty of Economics1, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China and in March 2012 with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences2 in Beijing as a basis for possible future co-operation. Further dissemination of the research into other ASEAN countries is envisaged.

Leveraging Employee Engagement Surveys Using the Turnover Stimulator Approach: A Case Study of Automotive Enterprises in Thailand

Employee engagement and retention has long been a pressing management concern in Thailand’s automotivesector. This study demonstrated how to improve the utilization of employee engagement surveys that arecustomarily conducted by many companies. An 8-item questionnaire was utilized on a sample size of 336employees from a chosen automobile distributor. Engagement mean scores were analyzed and compared forcurrent and exiting employee groups. Statistically significant differences among mean scores, if found, were thenused as the turnover stimulator. By comparing engagement mean scores for each independent factor with thestimulator threshold, the risk-prone turnover group could be identified and monitored closely. In particular, thisturnover stimulator can be used to supplement a regular engagement survey and further point out areas or groupsneeding immediate managerial attention.

Sustainable leadership: Rhineland practices at a Thai small enterprise

This paper adopts Avery’s 19 Rhineland leadership practices derived from sustainable enterprises as a framework to examine the sustainable business practices of a small enterprise in Thailand. Using a case study approach, multi-data collection methods included non-participant observations during several enterprise visits, semi-structured interview sessions with multiple stakeholders, and reference to internal information and published documentation. Evidence was found for compliance with 14 of Avery’s 19 sustainable leadership elements, but to various degrees. The elements were categorised into six core groups of practices: adopting a long-term perspective, focusing on people priority, strong organisational culture, nurturing innovation, social and environmental responsibility, and ethical behaviour. The paper concludes that Avery’s 19 Rhineland practices provide a useful framework applicable to small enterprises in Thailand to evaluate their corporate sustainability. Small enterprises in Thailand and possibly in other Asian countries that wish to sustain their organisational success could adopt Avery’s 19 Rhineland leadership grid elements to investigate their leadership practices, and adjust them to become more sustainable.

Using computer‐based continuing professional education of training staff to develop small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises in Thailand

Using computer‐based continuing professional education of training staff to develop small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises in Thailand

Relations Between Positive Impacts Of CSR, External Support, CSR Knowledge And The Degree Of CSR Practices In Thai Small And Medium Enterprises

This article investigates the relations between positive impacts from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), external support, knowledge about CSR and the degree of CSR practices according to international standards in the viewpoint of small and medium enterprises in Thailand. The survey among 262 small and medium enterprises in five sections in the northeastern region of Thailand reveals that positive impacts of CSR on internal issues have shown to be positively related to the degree of CSR practices in small and medium enterprises. While there is no clear evidence supporting the positive impacts of CSR on external issues, external support and knowledge of owners/managers of small and medium enterprises about CSR have influenced the degree of CSR practices. The results indicate that, for CSR practices according to international standards, Thai small and medium enterprises are more interested in internal issues providing tangible benefits for them. In addition, external support for Thai small and medium enterprises in CSR engagement may not be enough to have a noticeable effect on the degree of CSR practices in Thai small and medium enterprises.

What Types of Factors Can Influence the Strength of Labor Unions in Companies and State Enterprises in Thailand?

This research provides an empirical analysis of the factors influencing the strength of labor unions in Thailand inorder to provide long-term implications for labor unions and labor-management relations in Thailand and othercountries. The union’s presidents, board committees, and members of labor unions in nine private companies andtwo state enterprises were participated in this survey. Based on 1761 valid responses from a total population of44573 persons, our findings demonstrated that 13 factors tend to affect the strength of labor unions in companiesand state enterprises in Thailand. Represented in descending order of???? influence, the macro-level (ornational-level) factors include labor union association; mass media; cultural factors; labor relations law;economic, political, and population changes; and the role of government. The micro-level (or firm-level) factorsin descending order of importance success in collective bargaining; labor union policies; union member unity;employer policies; financial status of labor union; union president and board committees; and the relationshipbetween labor union and employer.

Sustainable leadership in a Thai healthcare services provider

Rhineland leadership practices contrast sharply with the prevailing Anglo/US business model of short-term maximization of profitability, and are said to lead to greater corporate sustainability, at least in highly developed economies. However, the applicability of Rhineland leadership to less developed economies has not yet been demonstrated. This paper sets out to compare the business practices of a social enterprise that delivers healthcare services in Thailand and Avery's 19 sustainable leadership practices derived from Rhineland enterprises. Adopting a case study approach, multi-data collection methods included non-participant observations made during visits to the enterprise, and reference to internal and published documentation and information. Semi-structured interview sessions were held with many stakeholders, including top management, staff, patients and a former consultant. In the Thai healthcare organization studied, evidence was found for compliance with 15 of Avery's 19 sustainable leadership elements, but to varying degrees. The elements were grouped into six core sets of practices: adopting a long-term perspective, staff development, organizational culture, innovation, social responsibility, and ethical behavior. One element was found to be not applicable, and no evidence was found for conformity with Rhineland principles on the remaining three sustainable practices. The paper concludes that Avery's 19 Rhineland practices provide a useful framework for evaluating the corporate sustainability of this Thai enterprise. Healthcare enterprises in Thailand and possibly in other Asian countries that wish to sustain their organizational success could adopt Avery's 19 Sustainable Leadership Grid elements to examine their leadership practices, and adjust them to become more sustainable. The relevance of Rhineland sustainable leadership principles to enterprises in less developed economies remains to be investigated. This study attempts to uncover this unknown.

A Buddhist Economic Approach to Employee Volunteer Programmes

This study was undertaken to observe factors affecting the process and impact of employee volunteer activities in three business enterprises in Thailand, using a Buddhist economic framework. Buddhist economics differs significantly from mainstream (neoclassical) economics in its ontological underpinning. This means that assumptions about human nature are different: the core values of mainstream economics are self-interest and competition in the pursuit of maximum welfare or utility, while in Buddhist economics, ‘self’ includes oneself, society and nature, which are all simultaneously interconnected. The core values are compassion and cooperation through which well-being is achieved leading to higher wisdom (panna). Employee volunteer programmes (EVPs) are regarded as one example of corporate citizenship activities. This paper explores the consequences of introducing EVPs using a Buddhist economic framework in three different companies in Thailand. When a Buddhist economic approach is adopted by EVPs, the programme can be embedded into business practices including human resource development and the organisational development process, which may lead to the cultivation of panna. This may be of value to organisations in the West.

Relative size and complexity: e‐business use in small and medium sized tourism enterprises in Thailand

PurposeThe research documented in this paper aims to explore e‐business uses in small and medium‐sized tourism enterprises compared with their larger counterparts.Design/methodology/approachFive case studies were conducted with Thai tourism SMEs to investigate their technology adoption and use experiences. For large‐sized enterprises, an extensive review of industry's practice was conducted. A comparison was then carried out based on the scope of the technology, namely inter‐organisation, intra‐organisation, and front‐end side linking to customers.FindingsIn terms of e‐business use, it is not surprising that Thai SMEs remain less advanced in utilising e‐business technology. However, size is found to be a significant factor in determining SME behaviour not only in comparison to larger travel agencies or hotels, but also with the SME sector itself. Associated with this is application complexity that is again significant and linked to relative size. Finally, the choices made by small hotels and travel agents are shown to be influenced by the technology providers.Research limitations/implicationsThe main research limitation is a limited generalisibility. Future research on SMEs in developing countries would make the comparison more sound and increase generalisability.Practical implicationsSMEs should pay more attention on strategic use of IT in order to compete with their larger competitors. At the policy level, more education on IT development skills and business potentials of IT are needed.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the literature on IT adoption in SMEs particularly with respect to size within the SME sector, the importance of complexity and the role of technology provider.

Relationship characteristics within the supply chain of Small and Medium-Sized Construction Enterprises in Thailand

The Small and Medium-sized construction Enterprises (construction SMEs) in Thailand face challenges like high fragmented structure and low productivity. Many industries improved their business performance using the supply chain integration. This research was conducted by interviewing 14 small and medium Thai building contractors to understand the features and relationship characteristics of the supply chain of construction SMEs. The study reveals that the linkages between the small and medium general contractors and other supply chain members are based on personal trust rather than contract laws, there is no systematic procedure to manage the relationship with clients during the project execution, and social connections help to maintain long-term relationship with clients. Based on the working behaviour and commitment to long-term relationship, six forms of relationship with supply side members are proposed. Finally, improvement measures for the supply chain integration of the construction SMEs in Thailand are presented.

Strategic Element that Affect Electronic Business Adoption Level of Small and Medium sized Enterprises in Thailand: A Case study of Auto part Manufacturing Electric, and Electronic Industries

This research was carried out with three major purposes: 1) to study the effects of organization characteristics, attitudes toward technology, and external pressure from outside organizations on electronic business adoption levels among small and medium sized enterprises, 2) to study the effects of attitude toward electronic business on trust in electronic business technology, and 3) to study the influence of trust in electronic business on electronic business adoption levels among small and medium sized enterprises. The study was based on survey research. The sample was drawn from small and medium sized enterprises listed in the auto part manufacturing, electric, and electronic industries in Thailand. The questionnaire was developed and used in the data collection process. Ordinary least squares and partial correlation analysis techniques were adopted to test the hypotheses. The research results show that 1. Most small and medium sized enterprises adopted electronic business at the web level. On average, they had used computer technology for 9 years but had used the Internet technology for only 4 years. 2. Organization size, pressure from customers, and the trialability dimension of attitudes toward technology had positive effects on levels of electronic business adoption. The pressure from suppliers as well as the complexity dimension of attitudes toward technology had negative effects on electronic business adoption levels. In addition, the relative advantage and observability dimensions of attitudes toward technology had positive effects on trust in electronic business technology. The implication of this research is that the small and medium sized enterprises association should provide strategic support on electronic business adoption as well as the development of customer relation management. The association should get involved in extending the organizational learning boundary in the area of supply chain management, building trusted relationships, exchanging and transferring knowledge in supply chain management as well as providing support for adopting higher levels of electronic business. บทคดยอ การวจยครงนมวตถประสงคเพอ (1) ศกษาถงผลกระทบของลกษณะองคการ ทศนคตทมตอเทคโนโลยและ ภาวะกดดนจากสภาพแวดลอมภายนอกองคการทมตอ ระดบการประยกตนวตกรรมธรกจอเลกทรอนกสของ วสาหกจขนาดกลางและขนาดยอม (2) ศกษาถงผลกระทบ ของทศนคตทมตอเทคโนโลยธรกจอเลกทรอนกส ทมตอ ความเชอถอเทคโนโลยธรกจอเลกทรอนกส (3) ศกษาถง ผลกระทบของความนาเชอถอของธรกจอเลกทรอนกสทม ตอระดบการประยกตใชนวตกรรมธรกจอเลกทรอนกส ของวสาหกจขนาดกลางและขนาดยอม การวจยครงน เปนการวจยเชงสารวจ โดยมกลม ตวอยางทใชในการวจยครงน คอ วสาหกจขนาดกลางและ ขนาดยอมในอตสาหกรรมผลตชนสวนยานยนต ไฟฟา และอเลกทรอนกสในประเทศไทย เครองมอทใชในการ วจย คอ แบบสอบถามและใชวธวเคราะหถดถอยพหแบบ ปกต (Ordinary Least Squares) และวเคราะหความสมพนธ เชงสวน (Partial Correlation Analysis) ในการทดสอบ

Promotion of a Healthy Work Life at Small Enterprises in Thailand by Participatory Methods

The major problems of small enterprises include unfavourable working conditions and environment that affect safety and health of workers. The WISE (Work Improvement in Small Enterprises) methodology developed by the ILO has been widely applied to improve occupational safety and health in small enterprises in Thailand. The participatory methods building on local good practices and focusing on practicable improvements have proven effective in controlling the occupational hazards in these enterprises at their sources. As a result of applying the methods in small-scale industries, the frequency of occupational accidents was reduced and the working environment actually improved in the cases studied. The results prove that the participatory approach taken by the WISE activities is a useful and effective tool to make owner/managers and workers in small enterprises voluntarily improve their own working conditions and environment. In promoting a healthy work life at small enterprises in Thailand, it is important to further develop and spread the approach.

Ownership and its Impact on Coping with Financial Crisis: Differences in State-, Mixed-, and Privately-Owned Enterprises in Thailand

Corporate turnarounds have been studied widely in Western contexts, but few empirical studies detail turnaround experience in non-western countries, especially those undergoing or recovering from financial crisis. An assumption in recent privatization policies has been that change in ownership triggers a form of performance reversal or turnaround. Here, we compare firms with three different forms of ownership two years after the financial crisis in Thailand. This study assesses the impact of ownership differences on the level of corporate entrepreneurship, human resource management practices, and worker effort among state-, mixed- and privately-owned enterprises in Thailand. The results suggest cautious optimism about changes in ownership as a potential means for triggering organizational changes that lead to increased productivity for threatened economies. Mixed ownership may be an effective substitute for private ownership or, alternately, an effective transitional form of restructuring state enterprises in preparation for private ownership.

Cultural influences on the ABC implementation in Thailand’s environment

The activity‐based costing (ABC) system of the USA has been adopted by organizations in Thailand and elsewhere. Many cross‐cultural studies provide evidence that, because of cultural differences, successful accounting techniques and practices in one country need to be modified for effective use in another country. Using in‐depth interviews and questionnaires, this study examines the effects of cultural differences on the resistance against the ABC system in the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) – the three largest state enterprises in Thailand. It finds that the resistance is high for a system that causes empowerment and redistribution of power. This finding is different from what was found for the USA. The difference can be explained by cultural differences, especially in the power distance dimension, in the two countries. So, Thailand’s implementation of the ABC system must recognize this fact, and system modifications are necessary.

Comparison of current practice and expectations inoccupational health services between corporatephysicians' and managers' perspectives inlarge-scale enterprises in Thailand

Comparison of current practice and expectations inoccupational health services between corporatephysicians' and managers' perspectives inlarge-scale enterprises in Thailand

B305 タイ進出多国籍企業における安全衛生マネジメントの現状と課題

B305 タイ進出多国籍企業における安全衛生マネジメントの現状と課題

Corporate planning for Thai state enterprises

This article explains the background to state-owned enterprises in Thailand and it explores the process by which corporate planning has been introduced into the system. At this stage only an initial evaluation of the success of the process can be made, but the authors describe the problems encountered in the transfer of a western technology and the difficulties in designing and implementing radical new systems for Thailand which now require a solution.

Corporate planning for Thai state enterprises

Abstract This article explains the background to state-owned enterprises in Thailand and it explores the process by which corporate planning has been introduced into the system. At this stage only an initial evaluation of the success of the process can be made, but the authors describe the problems encountered in the transfer of a western technology and the difficulties in designing and implementing radical new systems for Thailand which now require a solution.

The crisis of state enterprises in Thailand

The crisis of state enterprises in Thailand