Behavioral Development of Community Leaders’ Everyday-Life based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Mahasarakham

Abstract

Abstract

                   The objectives of this research were: (1) to determine the level of understanding and knowledge on the sufficiency economy philosophy amongst community leaders (2)  to determine the behavior of living based on the philosophy practiced amongst the community leaders and (3) to determine the factors which influenced these behaviors amongst the community leaders. The study was conducted in 3 villages in Maha Sarakham province: Ban Nong Phueak (Wapi Pathum District); Ban Lao Noi (Muang District); and Ban Huai Sai (Borabue District). The respondents were 120 community leaders. The tools used for data collection were questionnaire. The statistical analyses used were descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis (MRA).

               The findings showed that the average score on the level of understanding and knowledge regarding the sufficiency economy philosophy amongst community leaders was 8.35. Most of them had adequate knowledge and understanding about the philosophy for their position of high level community leaders. The level of living behavior based on the sufficiency economy philosophy of the respondents, as a whole, was at a very good level (= 4.58). When considered individual aspect, the best behavior types were: behavior based on moral conditions (= 4.66) behavior based on knowledge conditions (= 4.65) behavior with good immunity (= 4.58) behavior with moderation (= 4.52) behavior with good reasoning (= 4.46). Overall, the respondents achieved very good ratings on all 25 questions in the questionnaires and it was found that factors which influenced these behaviors were the knowledge gained from the training on the sufficiency economy philosophy. This factor can be used to explain the variation in their behavior amongst the community leaders with R² = 0.311 and F = 39.679 in multiple regression analysis.