This study was undertaken to observe the development process and key success factors in three community enterprises adopting a Buddhist economic approach to development. The enterprises were established by weavers, farmers and housewives from three communities in the south of Thailand. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews and observation with representatives of the groups and their supporters as they participated in community activities. Buddhist economics differs significantly from neoclassical economics in its recognition of ethic and moral issues. In addition to the objective of production or consumption to optimise profit or utility value, Buddhist economics also recognises that many non-financial factors which contribute to an individual's quality of life are important. The key success factor in the community enterprises which were studied was the process of 'good thinking', or the constructive use of wisdom among leaders and group members through the processes of 'right understanding' and 'right thought'. Economically efficient activities were developed through the use of an external factora 'good friend', comparable with social capital-and an internal factor-the employment of analytical thinking by members, comparable to the use of human capital. Neither factor can be created from physical capital but is derived from the process of learning and reviewing.
2015),"The mediating effect of situation involvement of novelty seeking and satisfaction for Yanshuei FireworksIf you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information.
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AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that both leisure and sustainability objectives can be achieved via Buddhist economics informed agritourism. Buddhist economics differs significantly from mainstream (neoclassical) economics in its ontological underpinning. This means that assumptions about human nature are different: the core values of mainstream economics are self-interest and competition in the pursuit of maximum welfare or utility; while in Buddhist economics, "self" includes oneself, society and nature, which are all simultaneously interconnected. The core values of Buddhist economics are compassion and collaboration through which well-being is achieved, leading to higher wisdom (pañña). Because of this, the interconnectedness of activities and relationships, even those not initially obviously so linked, is crucial.
Design/methodology/approach -The theoretical argument is illustrated by a pilot study of an agritourism, package tour to visit the properties of Thai farmers involved with a project known as "running a one rai farm to gain a one hundred thousand baht return". The research is exploratory in character.Findings -A result of this study is to reveal agritourism as a significant market channel to promote sustainable agriculture. Originality/value -Agritourism can be considered an instrument for rural development with its contribution to positive economic impacts, providing economic opportunities to sustain financial security for the farming family, maintaining viability of the agricultural sector and local communities and creating jobs for rural residents together with sustainable agriculture.
Purpose-This paper aims to study parental expectations of and satisfaction with overall services of preschool centres and to determine the factors which affect parents' satisfaction in a part of one of Thailand's southern provinces. Design/methodology/approach-Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from parents of children attending 29 day-care or preschool centres in Songkhla Province, South Thailand, over a two-month period in the Spring 2014. The data were analysed mainly using descriptive statistics and some correlation analyses with subsequent logical interpretation. Findings-Given the location and non-compulsory nature of the childcare provision being assessed, it would seem fair to say that the answer to the overarching objective was fairly positive. Expectations were non-trivial; parents looked for more than "baby-minding" and expected there to be some appropriately qualified staff. The perceived satisfaction levels indicate that there is nevertheless scope for improvement. Research limitations/implications-The sample studied is from a limited geographical region of Thailand; hence, there must be some caution in making recommendations for the whole country. Practical implications-As the outcomes being delivered are seen to be mainly positive by parents and guardians, the policy implication for the Thai Government is that they should continue to promote, and ideally enhance, this kind of early years provision. Results suggest that Thai parents would be well advised to make use of childcare centres to promote the socialisation and development of their children. Originality/value-The originality of the work derives from the lack of similar systematic studies in Thailand and, in particular, for the rural southern provinces.
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