Social capital and the success of community welfare management A case study of the Community Welfare Fund, San Don Kaeo Subdistrict, Mae Tha District, Lampang Province

Abstract

     The purpose of this research is to study and analyze the relationship between social capital and success factors in fund management, as well as to synthesize and propose appropriate and concrete approaches to strengthen social capital. To enhance the strength of the management of the Sandon Kaew Sub-district Community Welfare Fund. A purposive sampling method was employed to select 57 participants, comprising 25 fund chairpersons and committee members, 25 fund members, 5 community leaders, and 2 Sirirat Subdistrict Municipality officials; these individuals were selected based on their direct involvement in the operations. The research instruments were divided into two parts. The qualitative component employed semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and brainstorming sessions to examine the fund's context and management, utilizing descriptive content analysis. The quantitative component utilized a five-point scale questionnaire to measure opinions regarding success factors and social capital; data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis) at a significance level of 0.05.
     The results showed that The San Don Kaeo Subdistrict Welfare Fund was established to encourage a daily savings habit of one baht, with the proceeds used to provide welfare support for community members from birth through to the end of life. It is managed by a committee comprising community representatives, local administrative organizations, and partner agencies, with Sirirat Subdistrict Municipality serving as an advisor; the fund received a district-level award in 2024. The five factors that contributed to the success of the fund's operations were the multilateral management system, member participation, and transparency in operations. Financial sustainability and benefits system that spans the entire life cycle. Social capital is the driving mechanism in three aspects: the trust of members; Norms of mutual aid and resource management under community rules.
     Guidelines for the development of the fund to strengthen include the integration of existing social capital with innovations according to the times, such as technology and applications for money management to reduce fatigue in the work of the Board of Directors. Building morale by awarding certificates, improving the Fund's regulations and using CIPP performance evaluation to help people in the community have a good quality of life