ROLES OF WOMEN AND FEMALE PARTICIPATION AFFECTING THE MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF SUBDISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN CHONBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The study aimed to: 1) examine the level of management effectiveness of subdistrict administrative organisations (SAOs) in Chonburi Province, 2) analyse the role and participation of women affecting the management effectiveness of SAOs in Chonburi Province, and 3) propose strategies to enhance the management effectiveness of SAOs in Chonburi Province. This was a mixed-methods study. The quantitative research involved citizens aged 18 and over residing in the SAO areas of Chonburi Province, with a population of 383,931. The sample size was calculated using Taro Yamane’s formula, resulting in 400 respondents. The qualitative research included interviews with three local administrators and 17 citizens. Research instruments consisted of a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis, while quantitative data were analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, means, standard deviations, and multiple regression analysis.

          The findings revealed that: 1) the overall management effectiveness of SAOs was at the highest level across six dimensions, with economic development ranked highest, followed by occupational development, disaster prevention and mitigation, natural resources and environmental development, community infrastructure, and community health services; 2) analysis of women’s roles and participation indicated that five variables—collaboration, empowerment of citizens, economic and industrial development, listening to opinions, and family and community engagement—had a statistically significant effect on management effectiveness at the .05 level; and 3) strategies to enhance management effectiveness should focus on strengthening women’s roles in policy-making and decision-making, promoting their participation in local activities, establishing mechanisms to gather needs from family and community levels, guiding economic and industrial development accordingly, and fostering strong collaborative networks to improve public health and community infrastructure services.