COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS FOR CULTURAL TOURISM SITE DEVELOPMENT IN KOH SICHANG, CHONBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the current state and problems of the community knowledge management process for developing cultural tourism on Si Chang Island, Chonburi Province, and to propose guidelines for its improvement. A qualitative research methodology was employed, including document analysis, observation, and in-depth interviews. Key informants consisted of 31 participants, including community leaders, entrepreneurs, local wisdom experts, community members, teachers, and government officials. In addition, a focus group discussion with five tourism development experts and interviews with three knowledge management experts were conducted to validate the proposed guidelines.

          The findings reveal that: (1) the community knowledge management process remains unsystematic, lacking key stages such as knowledge organization and refinement. As a result, most knowledge remains tacit and dispersed among individuals, leading to a “knowledge transition gap” within the community; and (2) the proposed development guidelines emphasize establishing an integrated knowledge management system that incorporates people, technology, and processes to support the systematic storage, transfer, and utilization of community knowledge in a sustainable manner. These findings highlight structural limitations of knowledge management at the community level and lead to the introduction of the concept of the “knowledge transition gap” as a novel contribution for explaining challenges in managing knowledge within the context of cultural tourism.