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Factors Affecting The Relationship Between Community Organization Council and The Local Government Organization
Factors Affecting The Relationship Between Community Organization Council and The Local Government Organization
Abstract
This qualitative and quantitative study aimed to: 1) investigate and analyze the relationships between the
community organization council and the local administrative organization; 2) explore factors effecting the relations
between the community organization council and the local administrative organization The sample group in this study
consisted of representatives of the community organization council having been registered legally; representatives of the
local administrative organization; and concerned personnel e.g. academics on politics and laws and NGOs personnel.
Research instruments in this study included structured interview schedule, questionnaire, and focus group discussion.
Descriptive statistics was used with qualitative data whereas normal multiple regression was used with quantitative data.
Findings showed that there were 4 forms of relations between the community organization council and the local
administrative organization as follows: 1) support of each other; 2) coordination; 3) conflicts, and 4) self-dependence.
The difference in relations of the community organization council and the local administrative organization in each area
were affected by the following factors: individual, participation, local politics, benefits, beliefs, culture, way of
organization managerial administration, and structure.
Keywords: Community Organization Council, Local Administrative Organization
Introduction
Local governing is now playing important roles in Thai politics. It clearly reflects Thai political change both in
urban and rural communities. However, local governing in Thailand still has low development together with problems.
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Masters Student, Public and Private Organization Administration Program, School of Administrative Studies, Maejo University; Email:
eak_media168@hotmail.com
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School of Administrative Studies, Maejo University
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School of Administrative Studies, Maejo University
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School of Administrative Studies, Maejo University
Objective
1. To analyze relationships between the community organization council and the local administrative
organization.
2. To investigate factors effecting the relationships between the community organization council and the local
administrative organization.
Research Methodology
This study employed mixed method (qualitative and quantitative). Steps in this study were prepared in order to
obtain completer data which were most reliable as follows:
1. Document Research Data were collected from various concerned academic documents, the community
organization council legislation, concerned laws, recognized official documents, minutes, textbooks, research reports, and
concerned academic articles.
2. Field Research Data were collected through interview and interview schedule (structured interview).
Informants in this study were representatives of the community organization council, representatives of the local
administrative organization, and other concerned personnel e.g. academics on political sciences and laws, NGOs,
personnel, personnel of the community organization council, and representatives of various public groups.
3. Focus Group Discussion Data were collected through discussion with the informants based on specific topics.
Each group consisted of 7-12 persons selected from the target population as determined.
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the information was synthesized from the interview with key informants in Chiang Mai areas mentioned in the research methodol ogy
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Discussions
The relationships of the community organization council and the local administrative organization were found
into 4 forms as follows: 1) Supporting relationship - the two organization helped each other in some aspects. 2)
Coordination relationship - the two organizations did their tasks for community management and development focusing
on the both organization participation as well as various sectors. 3) Conflict relationship - the two organizations had
conflicts due to various factors which made the community was not developed. 4) Having each own life relationship there was not talking between the two organizations which resulted in overlapped operation. This made people did not
understand or confused about roles and duties of the two organizations. Based on results of the study, each local area had
different forms of the relationships due to different factors effecting the relationships. These factors were benefits, local
politics, personal factor, participation, organization structure, beliefs and culture, and a guideline for organization
management, respectively. This conformed to a study of Buranrak (2005) which claimed that factors leading to political
movement of the public sector and effected on community development arise from external factors. That was, there were
needs for the problem-solving in organization structure due to the problem arised form the government policies leading to
environmental problems. This include internal factors i.e. community culture on resource assembly, and the structure of
political opportunities. It was found that movement was diverse which reflected outcomes of the movement in the forms
of data interaction, knowledge and values. In fact, problems of the political movement process of the public sector arised
form internal factors i.e. 1) the process still lacked of strong leaders and member as well as diversity; 2) an idea leading to
the process occurrence as well as clear goals for the operation; 3) managerial administration. For problems arised for
external factors it comprised the following: 1) political situations (power center) which focused on democracy
representatives and party system for democracy development leading to the hindrance of political process; 2) problems in
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Suggestions
1. It should begin with understanding of the two organizations by preparing an agreement for community
development on the basis of mutual development. This was because of the following: various forms of the relationship
depending on factors and environmental context of each local area. That is, there were good relationships in some local
areas but not good relationships in other areas.
2. The local administrative organization as an organization of the government sector should support the
community organization council to participate in community development more than ever. This was in terms of
knowledge, budgets, and management coordination without any condition. Besides, it must not interrupt the process of
potential development of the community organization council.
3. The local administrative organization should improve management policies to be consistent with the policy
on local resources management. This helps the community be able to carry out development activities and resources
management effectively.
Suggestion for Further Studies
1. This study is an investigation of factors effecting the relationships between the community organization
council and the local administrative organization conducted in Chiang Mai province. Thus, further studies should be
conducted in other province in order to be at a national level.
2. It should have an investigation and existing competency development of the community organization council
in order to enhance effective work performance of the community organization council and be responsive to needs of
people I the community.
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References
Buranrak, W. 2005. Political movement process of the public sector: a case study of the environmental conservation
group, Udonthani province. Unpublished thesis, Chiangmai University.
Certo, S. C. and Certo, S.T. 2006. Modern Management. 10th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Easton, D. 1953. The Political System. New York: Knopf.
Meechai, T. 2007. Local governing - village and the community: building democracy basis. Bangkok: Phra Pokklao
Institute.
Panyadee, C. 2010. Identity and identity building of the local administrative organization as the local governing
organization. Chiangmai: A project of the School of Administrative Studies, Maejo University.
Puangagam, K. 2004. Thai local governing: principles and dimension in the future. Bangkok: Winyuchon.
Puangngam, K. and Chotchung. P. 1996. What, Why, How? - local administrative organization: democracy of people
in rural areas. Bangkok: Borpit Printing.
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