Social Capital as a Driving Process for Thai Community Enterprises

Abstract

This article aims to presents a study of the role of social capital toward community enterprises, focusing on strengthening and developing these enterprises. This paper also examines the process of utilizing social capital in the management of community enterprises. The study employed document analysis            by reviewing research and theories related to social capital, particularly concepts from scholars concerning social network building and community enterprise development.

              The study revealed that social capital played a significant role in community enterprises. Various types of social capital were identified, including physical capital, cultural capital, human capital, relational capital, and network capital. Each form of social capital contributes to the establishment, development, and sustainable growth of community enterprises, leading to their success. Furthermore, the study found that the key factor in the process of utilizing social capital in the management of community enterprises was local knowledge and wisdom, which is a form of social capital in the community. The use of social capital can create a competitive advantage for community enterprises in three main aspects: 1) community participation, 2) forming enterprise community, and 3) applying local knowledge and wisdom. However, the use of social capital may also serve the interests of specific groups such as using social capital to gain support in local elections, which could lead to the influence of groups with more social capital than others.