Search results

The purpose of this paper was to study the information behavior of farmers regarding value adding in production and marketing. This paper is a component of a larger and more comprehensive research study of farmers and their behavior regarding the acquisition and use of information.

This research was qualitative and based on the Grounded Theory. In-depth interviews, observations and field survey recordings were conducted to collect data. Pan Tae Sub-district, Khuan Khanun District, Phatthalung Province, Thailand was selected as the research field site. The sample consisted of 14 key informants selected by the theoretical sampling technique. These informants were successful in value adding to their production and marketing process.

Farmers require information because of problems associated with low product prices and being taken advantage of by middlemen. Farmers’ information-seeking behavior includes: transfer of information from governmental academic officers and community leaders, exchanges of information among community farmers and training/study trips. Farmers use information in brand building, product differentiation and development of product quality, all with the main objective of increasing income.

Information behaviors of farmers were theoretically summarized from farmers’ development in their social and farming context. The new and expanded knowledge obtained from a Thai context will be useful for the science and profession of library and information science. This information will also improve methods of communicating valuable information to farmers, thereby improving productivity and quality of life.

The purpose of this paper is to propose the knowledge management (KM) model of the Thai “One Tambon One Product” (OTOP) community business by investigating the KM practices of the selected five‐star OTOP businesses of Thailand and identifying the KM factors that affect the success of their businesses.

A qualitative research method was used. The research units were three groups of Thai OTOP Champions with a score of five stars who have become successful in community income building, with national renown and ethnic representations. The research had three phases. Phase 1 was the study of KM practices of top OTOP businesses and factors affecting their successes of these businesses. Data were collected by in‐depth interviews, focus groups, and participatory observations. The informants were the OTOP businesses' administrators, operating staff, and members. Phase 2 involved data analysis and synthesis using content analysis. Phase 3 consisted of the development of a KM model for top OTOP businesses based on the results of Phase 1 and KM theories. The model was confirmed via a seminar technique and expert knowledge.

The findings lead to proposal of a KM model for top successful Thai OTOP businesses, with the following components: KM processes propelling the process of OTOP business management, and KM success factors including leadership, organizational cultures, man, and knowledge/intellect.

This research has developed a KM model for community business, which is based on the practices of successful national businesses. Therefore it can be applied for the management of any OTOP business in Thailand.