The Comparison Effects of Community-based Rural Enterprises, Thailand

In mid-1997, Thailand's high dependency on foreign capital, technology and market economy had experienced severe financial and economic crisis creating high debts and financial difficulties leading to bankruptcy of many businesses. The contagious effect had also impact on the grassroots level economy which contained majority of Thai population. Started in 2001, OTOP has been one of the projects of the RTG to recover and stimulate economy at a grassroots level. A number of community-based rural enterprises could effectively utilize intensive support from the RTG while many others still find it difficult to sustain their enterprises. This study comparatively assesses linkage between the organizational structure and management of two community-based rural enterprises with different level of success and their economic, social and institutional effects to the rural people as well as their households and communities. The study should be useful to policy makers, development practitioners, academicians and many others who are interested in utilizing the findings to promote or develop effective community-based rural enterprises' promotion programs.