Roles and Adaptivity in Udon Thani Vietnamese Association Transitions Roles and Adaptivity in Udon Thani Vietnamese Association Transitions

Abstract

This article aims to depict the role of the Udon Thani Vietnamese Association on the Vietnamese and other communities in the city through transitions in the economy, society, and culture. In addition, this research  
helps explain adaptations, succession-building, and inter-organizational interactions, including strategies for sustaining the association. The data were collected from in-depth interviews and group meetings with 17 key informants. The data were analyzed by using a thematic analysis approach. The research searched for themes from interview data and then interpreted those themes into an explanation based on the conceptual framework.

The results showed that the prominent roles and the adaptivity of the Vietnamese Association in Udon Thani province in this transitional     period included important aspects as follows: 1) cooperation among
association members, 2) a location for coordinating and building a business network of Thai-Vietnamese people, and 3) the association’s ability to adapt to the current social context. These processes bring benefits to members. Young Thai-Vietnamese members were included to serve as representatives of each Vietnamese community in the area. Importantly, the senior members of the association trained and supervised the new young members to serve as future functionaries of association management. The association is run prudently, and the inclusion of all groups of people can serve as a role model for management in other associations.