The Integration of Buddhist Principles and Good Governance in Local Government Administration

Abstract

This research entitled The Integration of Buddhist Principles and Good Governance in Local Government Administration Thailand aimed to: (1) study the level of integration of Buddhist principles and good governance in local government administration; (2) examine factors affecting such integration; and (3) develop an integrated model of Buddhist principles and good governance for local government administration. This study employed a mixed methods research design. Quantitative data were collected from 400 samples and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 20 key informants and analyzed by content analysis.

The findings revealed that: (1) the integration of Buddhist principles and good governance in local government administration was at a high level overall; (2) moral leadership, organizational culture, citizen participation, and administrative policy significantly affected such integration, while Buddhist principles had positive effects on good governance and administrative effectiveness; and (3) the study developed the BGGI Model (Buddhist Principles–Good Governance Integration Model) as a new body of knowledge in Buddhist good governance, integrating Buddhist principles, good governance, and administrative innovation to enhance local government effectiveness and sustainable local governance.