Leadership Roles in the Development of Ban Lao Community, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to: 1) study problems and obstacles concerning actual leadership roles in the development of Ban Lao Community, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong Province; 2) analyze expected and actual leadership roles in community development; and 3) suggest guidelines for developing leadership roles in the development of Ban Lao Community, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong Province. The mixed methods research, based on quantitative and qualitative data, was the methodology used for the study. The quantitative data were collected from the sample of 185 people by using a checklist questionnaire and analyzed by the statistical tools including mean and standard deviation. The qualitative data were collected from 7 key informants by using a semi-structured, in-depth interview.  The findings were as follows: 1) Lacks of management knowledge, working skills, human resources, budget, coordination within and outside the community, cooperation in doing activities provided, participation in doing activities provided due to working schedules and understanding of the role of the self were considered to be the problems and obstacles concerning actual leadership roles in the development of Ban Lao Community, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong Province.  2) In terms of 7 leadership roles including infrastructure development, promotion of quality of life, community organization, safety in life and property, economy, preservation and conservation of natural resources, arts, cultures and tradition as well as local wisdom in the area of education, 5 roles were considered to be at a high level while 2 roles are considered to be at a moderate level for leadership in the development of Ban Lao Community.  3) The development of working skills; knowledge and understanding of rules and regulations concerned, the background information of the community and the philosophy of sufficiency economy; co-operative skills; budget seeking and management; promotion of collaboration in the community; and an application of innovations for creating jobs in the community were the key roles suggested in the guidelines for developing leadership in the development of Ban Lao Community.