Problems and needs of skill development for SME businesses in Chiang Rai in response to economic development in the Mekong sub-region countries

Abstract

          This research aims to study problems and needs of skill development for SME businesses in Chiang Rai in response to economic development in the Mekong sub-region countries. Mixed-method-research is used in this study based on a systematic approach to development strategies, including problem condition analysis (urgent problems, sequel problems, and target problems) from a population of 1,022. The 305 sample size was derived from the Yamane sampling methodology. The results showed that the initial potential of SME business workers in moral, ethical, and human relations have the highest scores (x̅ = 5.00 and 4.61), communication and information about products or services (x̅ = 4.33), practical skills (x̅ = 3.97), specific skills or expertise on products and services (x̅ = 4.48), and interest in seeking new knowledge (x̅ = 4.10). Opinions about issues that are important in developing professional skills, the sample groups focus on the issues in the following order. Theoretical content about professional fields was the most important (x̅ = 4.35) and followed by technique applied theory to practice that corresponds to the profession (x̅  = 4.34) with a statistical significance of 0.05 and a Cronbach's Alpha = .984. According to current condition of skill development for SME businesses in Chiang Rai in response to economic development in the Mekong sub-region countries, the sample had the opinions at the highest level on having their own professional knowledge (x̅ = 4.86), having personnel with sufficient professional knowledge (x̅ = 4.82), and being ready to transfer their professional knowledge (x̅ = 4.70).

          For future needs on skill development for SME businesses in Chiang Rai in response to economic development in the Mekong sub-region countries, the sample group with the highest level of opinions consisted of receiving professional skills development budget support from the public or private sectors with an average (x̅ = 4.58), receiving enough materials and equipment to develop professional skills (x̅ = 4.55), the materials and equipment for skills development are in usable condition (x̅ = 4.56), having support for materials and equipment for developing skills from the public or private sector (x̅ = 4.57), having enough income from occupation (x̅ = 4.51), and having new marketing targets (x̅ = 4.55).