A Creation of Social Innovation at Baan Um-saeng Community Enterprise, Srisaket Province, Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to study the formation, process, and elements of social innovation as well as to find a guideline for the integration of social enterprise at Baan Um-saeng, Srisaket province. This research was conducted using the document analysis along with the fieldwork in-depth interviews. The key informants included members of community enterprises, community leaders, leaders of Baan Um-saeng Community Enterprise, rice dealers, and involved government officers.

The results of the research showed that Baan Um-saeng Community Enterprise, Srisaket province was formed after experiencing difficulties in rice farming, which was a part of rice farming industry. They gathered together to do organic rice farming by using the knowledge of organic farming, space management, and modern technology, integrated with the local knowledge and the philosophy of sufficiency economy. Furthermore, Baan Um-saeng Community Enterprise Center created innovative management by using a guideline from the administration of community co-operation, community enterprise, and private companies. The administration was conducted with three main mechanisms including leaders, administrative committees, and members. In addition, this center employed a mentoring system to help build up faith as well as introduce new production methods to the farmers. The center also built up the new generation leaders in the village as well as establish a good relationship with the government and international organizations. The outcome of the innovation had appeared in various forms, i.e. the change in mental model, innovative knowledge in organic agriculture, innovation in area management, innovative integration, and innovation connecting to the global market.  All these reflected a new management style focusing on strengthening the group, building careers for people in the community with sufficient living, self-reliant using cultural capital and the shared common sense of the local combined with authentic leadership.