INTEGRATED SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY PHILOSOPHY, INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY LAW TO ENHANCE THAILAND’S CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) Analyze the current status and interrelationships among the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), technology innovation management, and technology law within Thailand’s construction materials industry; 2) Investigate the relationship between these factors and industrial competitiveness; and 3) Propose strategic approaches to enhance competitiveness. A mixed-methods research design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through stratified multistage random sampling from 350 representatives of organizations in the construction materials industry nationwide, based on the sample size table of Krejcie and Morgan. (1970). The survey instruments underwent content validity assessment using the Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) from five experts and demonstrated internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.70. Qualitative data were gathered using the Delphi technique from 18 experts representing the public sector, private enterprises, and civil society. Data analysis incorporated content analysis, triangulation, and strategic synthesis through SWOT and TOWS Matrix frameworks.

The findings reveal that the integration of SEP, technology innovation management, and technology law positively influences the competitiveness of the construction materials industry, particularly in terms of sustainability, cost reduction, innovation efficiency, and systemic risk management. The study proposes four strategic approaches: 1) Promoting green innovation through resource mobilization by large-scale enterprises, 2) Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) via government policy mechanisms, 3) Applying SEP to risk management under market volatility, and 4) Advancing research and development (R&D) alongside regulatory reform to ensure more practical implementation of technology laws. These approaches can be adopted as policy instruments to sustainably strengthen the competitiveness of Thailand’s construction materials sector.