Community Enterprises and Community Businesses: A Structural Analysis of Grassroots Economic Development
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Abstract
More and more individuals think that grassroots economic development is a smart method to alleviate inequality, make communities stronger, and support economic growth that benefits everyone. Government regulations in Thailand and many other developing nations have heavily supported community companies to help people in rural areas make a living and make things locally. But many of these groups have issues with their structure, like relying on institutions, having trouble with governance, and not being very competitive in the market. Consequently, the concept of community enterprises has emerged as an innovative model that integrates community ownership with entrepreneurial autonomy and market-driven methodologies. This research rigorously analyzes the structural characteristics of community enterprises and community businesses, evaluating their potential for enduring grassroots economic development. The study utilizes a qualitative documentary research methodology, analyzing policy documents, academic literature, legal frameworks, and development reports. The analysis utilizes thematic analysis, critical discourse analysis, and comparative structural analysis, guided by Critical Political Economy, Institutional, Social Enterprise, and Community-Based Development theories. The findings indicate that the two models have very divergent architectures. Community enterprises are usually part of state-supported institutional frameworks that are run by the community and have goals that are focused on welfare. These frameworks encourage people to get involved in their communities, but they may also make it harder for businesses to be flexible in their strategies. Community businesses, on the other hand, focus on being competitive in the market, producing money, and being led by entrepreneurs. This makes them more adaptable and able to recover. The research delineates a complete conceptual framework demonstrating that sustainable grassroots economic systems require the strategic integration of social objectives, market competitiveness, and entrepreneurial leadership.
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