Administration development for expressway authority of Thailand

Abstract

This study is quantitative and qualitative research which mainly aims at studying the development of present Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) administration. The research conceptual framework can be broken down into five areas of study: General Administration, Project Management, Operating Performance, Public Service Evaluation, and Other Expressway Organization Evaluation. The examination of General Administration will investigate seven knowledge of management functions which are General Management, Marketing Management, Accounting Management, Financial Management, Operations Management, Human Resources Management and Development and Environmental Management. Project Management will explore existing expressway projects, projects currently under construction, and future expressway projects. Operating Performance will investigate not only the financial performance of EXAT but also its non-financial performance as measured by user complaints and accidents. The Public Service Evaluation will trace employee perceptions and the expressway user satisfaction as to the current level of EXAT service. Lastly, the characteristics and performance of Other Expressway Organizations will provide supporting information to help determine the future administrative structure model. The study has been able to obtain primary data by interviewing EXAT staff, road users, a member of the EXAT board, and a Deputy Governor. Examination of all of these factors has enabled the researcher to propose a more effective organization management structure for EXAT. After analyzing the data collected from EXAT employees and customers, it was found that current EXAT administration (especially in the area of Human Resources Management and Development concerning performance assessment issues) needs to be developed in order for EXAT to become an effective organization. Additionally, the study has proposed an EXAT administration model which is similar to that of Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited in Japan. The administrative structure proposed is that EXAT be restructured into a Holding Company which invests in the necessary subsidiary companies. By applying this organization structure to EXAT, the EXAT targets should better be able to be achieved. Finally, other policy and management recommendations as well as recommendations for future research are offered.