DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR ADVANCING PHETCHABURI TOWN MUNICIPALITY TOWARD A LIFELONG LEARNING CITY

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) examine the current conditions and readiness of Phetchaburi Town Municipality for development into a lifelong learning city; 2) study on integrated management for driving a lifelong learning city of Phetchaburi Town Municipality; and 3) develop an integrated management model for Phetchaburi Town Municipality. A mixed-methods research design was employed. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 25 key informants selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire administered to a sample of 392 participants selected through stratified random sampling. The developed model was evaluated by 10 experts. Data were analyzed using content analysis, descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicated that Phetchaburi Town Municipality demonstrated a high level of readiness for development into a lifelong learning city. However, further improvement was required in several areas, including vision and policy, mechanisms, collaboration, public participation, resource integration, and monitoring and evaluation systems. The overall level of integrated management was high ( = 4.17, S.D. = 0.56). The seven management factors collectively explained 68.40% of the variance in the development toward a lifelong learning city (R² = .684, Adjusted R² = .678, p < .001). Leadership and policy commitment had the strongest predictive relationship (β = .238), indicating that policy formulation by local administrators is a key mechanism for developing a lifelong learning city. These findings led to the development of the Phetchaburi Integrated Learning City Governance Model (PILCG Model). The experts rated the overall suitability of the model at the highest level ( = 4.66, S.D. = 0.38). The model integrates relevant management factors and provides a framework for the governance and development of Phetchaburi Town Municipality toward a lifelong learning city.