Guidelines for promoting agricultural social enterprise: A multiple case study from Thailand
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This qualitative research aims to investigate the operational processes and success factors of social enterprises in the context of agricultural development in Thailand. The study synthesizes practical guidelines to enhance the promotion of agricultural social enterprises. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Key informants consisted of 50 purposively selected individuals, including social enterprise committee members, social enterprise group members, and representatives from relevant government agencies, private organizations, and relevant communities. Four case studies of agricultural social enterprises with varying profit-sharing models were analyzed using content analysis. The research findings revealed that the operations of social enterprises in agricultural development involve creating shared concepts among group members, developing farmer groups to become entrepreneurs, and building upon organic farming systems to generate income for communities. Success factors involved with the promotion of social enterprises include knowledge development, community participation; member relationships contribute to efficient operations because social enterprises focus on internal processes, which affect their operations or members and group management. The proposed guidelines for promoting agricultural social enterprises encompass three key phases: (1) Initial Development focuses on setting social missions and goals based on local contexts and sufficiency economy principles; (2) Operational Strengthening includes developing production processes, participatory management, and organic certification; and (3) Strategic Expansion involves building cross-sectorial collaborations, farmer networks, and sustainable marketing mechanisms. This study offers practical implications for policymakers, local leaders, and development practitioners to enhance agricultural social enterprises as a mechanism for inclusive, community-based, and sustainable rural development in Thailand.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
All rights reserved. Apart from citations for the purposes of research, private study, or criticism and review,no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any other form without prior written permission by the publisher.
References
Achavanuntakul, S., Yamla-or, P., Tunangsanakul, K., Sasunthorn, T., Ingkasit, R., Udomkit, N., Panyakamphol, C., Hiransalee, S., Wisartsakul, V., Kwawkhiri, P., Wisutthakorn, R., Chamnongsri, N., Singha-dong, N., Wasusri, T., Chaiwat, P., & Rienkhemaniyom, K. (2018). Social impact assessment research development system for social enterprises and pilot cases. Thailand Science Research and Innovation. https://digital.library.tu.ac.th/tu_dc/frontend/Info/item/dc:52212 [in Thai]
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–102. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Chamnanlertkit, C. (2014). Social enterprise in market-based system for sustainable social return on investment. Srinakharinwirot Research and Development Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(12), 70–86. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/swurd/article/view/32165 [in Thai]
Channew, M., Nuchpiam, P., & Lamlert, W. (2022). The development of legal framework to promote social enterprises in Thailand. Rajapark Journal, 16(48), 46–60. https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RJPJ/article/view/257317 [in Thai]
Chantaranamchoo, N. (2020). Development education: Diversity of paradigms for sustainable development. Watana Phanit Printing & Publishing.
Chell, E., Nicolopoulou, K., & Karataş-Ozkan, M. (2010). Social entrepreneurship and enterprise: International and innovation perspectives. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 22(6), 485–493. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2010.488396
Chulalongkorn Hospital. (2020). COVID-19 situation and social care dimensions. Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society.
Creech, H., Paas, L., Gabriel, G. H., Voora, V., Hybsier, C., & Marquard, H. (2014). Small-scale social-environmental enterprises in the green economy: Supporting grassroots innovation. Development in Practice, 24(3), 366–378. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2014.899561
Defourny, J., & Kim, S. (2011). Emerging models of social enterprise in Eastern Asia: A cross‐country analysis. Social Enterprise Journal, 7(1), 86–111. https://doi.org/10.1108/17508611111130176
Department of Agricultural Extension. (2013). Policy and guidelines for agricultural promotion for fiscal year 2014. Planning Division.
Distanont, A., Khongmalai, O., & Distanont, S. (2019). Innovations in a social enterprise in Thailand. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 40(2), 411–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjss.2017.08.005
Kongprasertamorn, W. (2013). The analysis of social return on investment of community enterprise at Samut Songkhram Province [Master’s thesis, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi]. King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi Library Network (KMUTT KLIN). https://opac.lib.kmutt.ac.th/vufind/Record/1324459/Holdings#tabnav [in Thai]
Lertklai, P., Navagitpaitoon, N., Nillakan, L., & Saichan, K. (2019). Innovation management for organization development. Journal of MCU Nakhondhat, 6(8), 3745–3757. https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JMND/article/view/218069 [in Thai]
Mali, K. (2014). Social enterprises in Thailand. Journal of Economics and Management Strategy, 1(2), 104–112. https://kukr.lib.ku.ac.th/kukr_es/SRC_ECON/search_detail/result/292319 [in Thai]
Masiri, P. (2020). Social enterprise and social problems solving in Thailand. Ganesha Journal, 16(1), 1–16. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/pikanasan/article/view/234593 [in Thai]
Muangwichian, C. (2018). Social enterprises and role of the third sector leading to sustainable social development: A case study of Khun
Mechai Viravaidya [Doctoral dissertation, Rangsit University]. Rangsit University Intellectual Repository (RSUIR). https://rsuir-library.rsu.ac.th/handle/123456789/748 [in Thai]
National Reform Council. (2015). Special reform agenda 1 Social enterprises. Secretariat of the House of Representatives.
Office of Agricultural Economics. (2019). Annual report 2019. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-JSeh2iZGm1aOB4-MwzkWTXfd5u2-a5S/view [in Thai]
Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO). (2023). White paper on mechanisms for promoting and developing social enterprises to create sustainability through higher education, science, research and innovation [White paper]. https://www.nxpo.or.th/th/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/WhitePaper_SocialEnterprise_2023.pdf [in Thai]
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB). (2018). Thai social situation report, first quarter 2018, 16(2), May 2018. Social Database and Indicator Development Office.
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). (2022). The thirteenth plan national economic and social development (2023–2027). Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Office of the Prime Minister. https://www.nesdc.go.th/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/article_file_20230307173518.pdf [in Thai]
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). (2023). Provincial and provincial group development indicators 2023. Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Office of the Prime Minister. [in Thai]
Office of Social Enterprise Promotion. (2023). Action plan for promoting social enterprises for fiscal year 2023. Research and Policy Division, Office of Social Enterprise Promotion. [in Thai]
Poolsawat, S., Ruensook, P., Chanprasert, S., & Saiyawut, S. (2019). The study of role and approach to supporting social enterprise operations in small business, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Final report. Research and Development Institute, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi. https://research.rmutsb.ac.th/fullpaper/2561/research.rmutsb-2561-20191206162204598.pdf [in Thai]
Powrel, P. J., & Mishra, S. (2023). Social entrepreneurship and sustainable agriculture. Just Agriculture Multidisciplinary e-Newsletter, 4(1), 6–11. https://justagriculture.in/files/newsletter/2023/september/02%20Social%20Entrepreneurship%20and%20Sustainable%20Agriculture.pdf
Rotjanawong, W., & Khongmalai, O. (2018). Development of guidelines to support social enterprise operations in Thailand. Suan Dusit Graduate School Academic Journal, 14(1), 1–17.
Saatci, E. Y., & Urper, C. (2013). Corporate social responsibility versus social business. Journal of Economics Business and Management, 1(1), 62–65. https://doi.org/10.7763/JOEBM.2013.V1.15
Sakhonwasee, S. (2020, April 5). Social enterprise in the agricultural sector. MJU smart and precision agriculture, Maejo University. https://mjusmartfarm.wordpress.com/2020/04/05/ [in Thai]
Sanprasert, T., Choocharoen, C., Lertsiri, S., & Chintapitaksakul, P. (2020). Factors affecting satisfaction in group membership of rubber farmers in Sanam Chai Khet district, Chachoengsao province. Agricultural Science Journal, 51(3), 248–258. http://agscij.agr.ku.ac.th/phocadownload/2563-51-3/AJAS-51-3-4.pdf
Sawasdee, W., & Masae, A. (2020). Potentiality development of tourism social enterprises in Thailand. Journal of Social Development and Management Strategy, 22(2), 1–22. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jsd/article/view/249231
Schreier, M. (2012). Qualitative content analysis in practice. Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529682571
SDG Move. (2018). Basic information about SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University.
Singhalert, R., & Jongwutiwes, N. (2018). A model of community development for sustainable self-sufficiency: A case study Dondang village, Kantharawichai district, Maha Sarakham province. Journal of Technology management Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, 5(1), 133–144. https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/itm-journal/article/view/140240 [in Thai]
Social Enterprise Promotion Act B.E. 2562. (2019, May 22). Royal Thai Government Gazette. No. 136 Section 67 A. pp. 32–56. https://sme.go.th/uploads/file/20230925-233931_download-20190613095028.PDF [in Thai]
Supavititpattana, P., Sanguanwongse, V., Thoraneenitiyan, N., Suebpongsakorn, A., Sowawattanakul, P., & Seemanon, K. (2021). The study for Bangkachao community sustainable conglomeration. Research Community and Social Development Journal, 15(2), 118–130. https://doi.org/10.14456/nrru-rdi.2021.30 [in Thai]
Thongthanakul, S. (2020, October 10). Social businesses more active: Opportunity for new-generation people to create value. Manager Online, Green innovation & Sustainable development. https://mgronline.com/greeninnovation/detail/9630000103662 [in Thai]
Tiamboonkit, S. (2016). An exploratory study of the development social entrepreneurship: Principles, concepts, characteristics, roles and factors affecting the success of social business in Thailand. Academic Journal of Institute of Physical Education, 8(1), 135–146. https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNSUJournal/article/view/256809 [in Thai]
Tsai, J. Y., Santanam, R., & Shao, B. (2013). Information systems and technology sourcing strategies of e-Retailers for value chain enablement. Journal of Operations Management, 31(6), 345–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2013.07.009
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2021). The least developed countries in the post-COVID world: Learning from 50 years of experience. The Least Developed Countries Report 2021, United Nations. https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ldc2021overview_en.pdf
Villis, U., Strack, R., Bruysten, S., & Yunus, M. (2013). The power of social business: Lessons from corporate engagements with Grameen. The Boston Consulting Group. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2013/corporate-social-responsibility-poverty-hunger-power-social-business
