Leadership with Success of SMEs in Entering the ASEAN Economic Community: A Case Study of Songkhla

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the leadership of entrepreneurs of small and
medium-sized enterprises applicable for business management in entering the ASEAN Economic
Community, to determine the relationship between leadership and success in business management
and to investigate the readiness of business management in joining the ASEAN Economic Community.
The key informants in the research were 15 entrepreneurs and the sample for the study consisted
of 289 entrepreneurs, both of which were drawn according to the convenience sampling. The
instruments used in the research were an interviewing schedule and a questionnaire. The data
obtained from interviews were analyzed with the content analysis. Data from the questionnaire were
analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results of the research revealed
that business executives strongly agreed that leadership should be applied in business management.
In particular, supportive leadership should be used primarily in business management. In addition,
leadership of business entrepreneurs was correlated with success in business management. And
most business operators were prepared to manage their businesses when entering the ASEAN
Economic Community, highly prepared to produce and develop quality products.