The Processes of Creating and Developing Business Alliances to Level Up the Menu of Thai Folk Wisdom Food for the Elderly Healthcare

Abstract

The research aimed to study the processes of creating and developing business alliances to level up the menu of Thai folk wisdom food for the elderly healthcare in Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province. This research is a participated action research, in terms of integrations with multiple-methods of the research. This included two groups of populations. One was the target population involving restaurant entrepreneurs in Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakarn province whereas the other was the key Informants. This group was composed of 1) restaurant entrepreneurs, 2) experts, 3) government officers and local administrative officers, and 4) healthy food consumers. The data was collected through interviews, focus group discussion and brainstorming. The study was qualitative research using content analysis. The results were as follows: 1) the process of creating the business alliances to level up the menu of Thai folk wisdom food for the elderly healthcare started with the preliminary model being initiated. Then, it was conveyed to implement in brainstorming meeting of those particular groups that were mentioned previously in order to gain the intermediate model. Finally, the brainstorming meeting was resumed in order to obtain the acceptable model or the final alliance; And 2) the process of developing the business alliances started with developing the acceptable model to be affiliated and supplemented with cognitive Thai traditional medicine. This research brings about the gastronomy and levels up the cooking methods with healthy culinary styles to menu of authentic food. The findings can be a role model of food that develops life style of the people in Phra Samut Chedi district, dynamically moving the alliance along global evolution.