A Model for Developing Young Social Entrepreneurs Through Social Engineering Process Integrating Design Thinking to Create Added Value for Community Products

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1. to develop a model for fostering young social entrepreneurs through the Social Engineer Process 2. to integrate Design Thinking processes into the value creation of community products and 3. to analyze the impact of innovation on the community. This study employed a qualitative research design. The research instruments consisted of in-depth interviews and non-participant observations, guided by the Design Thinking process. Data collected from the research instruments, together with relevant documentary sources, were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed the following 1)A development model for next-generation social entrepreneurs, comprising four core processes 1.1) Building foundational social engineering skills, transforming learners’ roles into active observers through the use of tools such as the Divine Tool, Life Clock and Developmental Timeline, which support systematic reflection and situational awareness 1.2) Decoding and managing community knowledge, employing value chain analysis and fishbone diagrams to systematically identify root causes of community problems 1.3) Innovation synthesis through the M.I.C. Model integrated with Design Thinking, facilitating the development of problem-solving approaches via Modification, Improvement and Creation and 1.4) Prototyping and scaling toward social enterprises, emphasizing innovation prototyping and real-user testing to develop sustainable business models that deliver shared value back to the community 2) The integration of Design Thinking processes in enhancing value-added community products, focusing on the integration of Design Thinking with the M.I.C. Model strategy to generate added value for community-based products. The results indicated that 2.1) Modification contributed to reducing supply chain waste through collaborative raw material management with local agricultural networks 2.2) Improvement enhanced the consistency of organic soil production standards while reducing environmental impacts and 2.3) Creation led to the development of an innovative ready-to-use planting soil packaged in biodegradable materials, supporting environmentally sustainable product innovation and 3) and social impacts within the community. Environmentally, it created value through the development of a high-quality organic soil product packaged in biodegradable, eco-friendly materials, designed for residents in limited living spaces such as condominiums and student dormitories, thereby aligning with urban lifestyles. The product was developed through an efficient production process and achieved reliable organic agriculture certification standards. Socially, the innovation facilitated the transfer of knowledge and production technologies to local community members, enabling independent business operations and strengthening sustainable community self-reliance