Upgrading OTOP Community Products

Abstract

          The objectives of the research were to 1) study problems and needs of upgrading community products of community enterprises which produce OTOP products of Mahasarakham Province, 2) study the development of upgrading community products toward standards certified in each type of OTOP products, and 3) study the results of knowledge sharing of the development of upgrading OTOP community products of community enterprises. The research employed quality research methodology, having the scope of research as follows: (1) the research settings comprised 5 community enterprises in Mahasarakham Provinces; (2) The 13 key informants comprised (2.1) chairpersons of the community enterprises, (2.2) village learned persons, (2.3) group members, and (2.4) academicians involved in community enterprises. The research instruments consisted of (1) a structured and unstructured interview form, (2) a guideline for focus group questions and a focus group record, (3) a survey form for problems and needs of upgrading community products of community enterprises, and (4) an observation form for participation and non-participation. The research results were presented through a descriptive analysis.

The results were as follows:

1) The study of problems and needs of upgrading community products of community enterprises which produce OTOP products of Mahasarakham Province revealed that the community enterprises had the following problems and needs: (1) the community enterprises’ process of production toward the standard of each type of OTOP products, (2) building network markets, (3) administration and management of the group.

2) The results of the study of the development of upgrading community products

toward standards certified in each type of OTOP products revealed that the following aspects were developed: (1) transmission of the body of knowledge, the process of production and making new products to be certified according to the OTOP standard in clothing, items for use and food, (2) network market building, and (3) using technology and information.

3) The results of the study on knowledge sharing of the community enterprises showed that there were 3 methods of knowledge sharing: (1) transmission of the body of knowledge between the researchers, trainers and the community enterprise groups, (2) the focus group discussion with representatives of the community enterprise groups, and (3) dissemination of OTOP community products.