AN EXPLORATION OF ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN THAILAND

Abstract

Nowadays the word sustainability is being concerned in both individual and organization level. The concept of sustainability implies policies, activities and actions of individuals and the business community that enable the future successful continuance of the economy and society and safeguarding of the environment. The concern for sustainability and the prevention and overcoming of social problems has resulted in the emergence of social entrepreneurs and social enterprises that can participate in the achievement of sustainable development goals. While the primary objective of business enterprises is to make profits from their products or services, for many social entrepreneurs, it is important to apply those profits to solve problems in society through social innovation and networking and make those changes sustainable. In Thailand, social enterprises have introduced a new business model of interest to the younger generation who are concerned about social and environmental problems. An understanding of the development of social enterprises and their intentions, actions and purposes, could help such organizations to improve their effectiveness and economic health, allowing them to pursue their goals more effectively

The purpose of this study was to develop an organizational development framework for social enterprises in Thailand. The main research question is what are key success factors of SEs in Thailand? Samples were purposively selected from social enterprises that were listed in SET (Stock Exchange of Thailand) Social Impact that have been operated more than five years. These organizations were categorized into seven groups. Each group had representatives of organization voted for the most successful organization among them. There were seven organizations and 12 participants in this study. Mixed methods were used in this study. First, participants were interviewed based on semi-structure interview questions. Then, the data was analyzed by using theory-driven method which is McKinsey’s 7s framework namely: strategy, shared value, system, structure, staff, skill, and style. There were 63 themes emerged from the interview. Next, 63 themes were use as factors in Delphi technique. In Delphi round 1, participants were asked to rate the importance and impact of each factor. Then, the researcher analyzed central tendency and interquartile range. Since the result is not consensus, the researcher conducted Delphi round 2 and analyzed the data again. There were factors that were not consensus, and then the researcher asked the participants who rate different from the others. The result from Delphi technique was 35 factors. The researcher used the 35 key success factors and develop organization development framework for social enterprise in Thailand. The recommendation for practitioners included the key success factors and also the practice during the COVID-19 crisis. Future research should be conducted in order to gain more insight of lived experience such as using phenomenology methodology.

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