THE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION, CITY MUNICIPALITY AND TOWN MUNICIPALITY IN CHON BURI AND RAYONG PROVINCES

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to examine existing organizational cultures of Provincial Administrative Organization, City Municipality and Town Municipality located in Chon Buri and Rayong provinces and to investigate desired organizational cultures of these organizations. The data collection tool was questionnaire which was distributed to personnel working for these local governments, total of 4,225 persons. Also, an in-depth interview technique was used to collect the data from the key informants which comprised of 24 representatives of administrators and practitioners. The quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and the qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis.

The results found that an existing and outstanding organizational culture was the hierarchy culture and followed by the clan culture. Also, the clan culture was rated as a desired culture. Furthermore, the guidelines for managing cultures were (1) the local administrative organizations diminished the hierarchy culture and focused more on the adhocracy culture, (2) the local administrative organizations managed manpower preparation, created practical and concrete plans, adjusted the way of creative work process, including proactive practice, and used technology in work and service provision, and (3) the desired organizational culture were to empower working personnel, promote team-working and participation, adjust regulations to be flexible, encourage new ideas for practice, and adapt to be consistent with environment and needs of service receivers.