Capacity Development of the Ban Lao Chan Peanut Brittle Community Enterprise in Maha Sarakham Province for Sustainable Grassroots Economy

Abstract

This research consists purposes were 1. to develop the potential of community enterprises in terms of production, products and packaging and marketing and 2. to study the effects of potential development on the sustainable enhancement of the grassroots economy. This study employed a mixed-methods research design, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research instruments consisted of a questionnaire, a semi-structured interview and an observation form. The sample comprised 70 community enterprise members and relevant stakeholders, selected through purposive sampling. In addition, the target group consisted of 70 participants in the Community Enterprise Capacity Development Program, who were also selected using purposive sampling. The quantitative data collected through the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The qualitative data obtained from the semi-structured interviews and observations were analyzed using content analysis. The research findings revealed that 1) The overall development of community enterprise potential was at the highest level (x̄ = 4.65, S.D. = 0.45). Among the aspects studied, products and packaging received the highest mean score (x̄ = 4.72, S.D. = 0.41), followed by production (x̄ = 4.65, S.D. = 0.45) and marketing (x̄ = 4.58, S.D. = 0.50) and 2) The overall enhancement of the grassroots economy was also at the highest level (x̄ = 4.70, S.D. = 0.43). Income generation had the highest mean score (x̄ = 4.75, S.D. = 0.40), followed by community strengthening (x̄ = 4.72, S.D. = 0.42), sustainability (x̄ = 4.68, S.D. = 0.44) and self-reliance (x̄ = 4.60, S.D. = 0.48).