A Study of Capability to Create Competitive Advantages of Community Enterprises in Pathumthani Province

Abstract

The aim for this research were to: (1) explore the capability to create competitive advantages of community enterprises in Pathum Thani Province, and (2) investigate the problems and obstacles in developing competitive advantages of community enterprises in Pathum Thani Province. This research was a mix-method study. The sample size of research was 283 presidents and vice presidents in community enterprises of Pathum Thani Province, which have encountered the significant change in both number and effective management. The stratified random sampling was used in this study.  Also, sixteen samples including governmental officials, academics and the presidents of progressive community enterprises were interviewed. The instrument used in this study were a questionnaire and an in-depth interview. Statistics used in data analysis composed of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.

              The results showed that (1) most of the community entrepreneurs in Pathum Thani Province had a high level of overall competitive advantages. When considering each aspect, the high level of three aspects included differentiation, flexibility, and innovation, respectively; meanwhile the low – cost leadership aspect was at a moderate level; (2) problems and obstacles in developing the competitive advantage of community enterprises in Pathum Thani province were firstly cost reduction as there was an increase of waste in the production process, and higher labor and raw materials costs. In terms of differentiation, it was found that the product was not outstanding and different from other products in the market and they were unable to create a product that meet consumers’ needs. Lastly, they had inability to adapt to changes in the external environment and lack of development of production processes with higher standards than their competitors.