Social Impact of Participating in OTOP Product Development to Improve Product Quality

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the social impact resulting from the participation of government agencies in the development of the “One Tambon One Product” (OTOP) enterprises. A secondary aim was to investigate the factors which contributed to the success of the government’s involvement in improving the quality of OTOP products. A qualitative approach was employed, collecting information from 78 heads, and 201 group members from local enterprises in 17 Thai provinces. The results showed that the Thai government has been implementing a program of technical assistance to OTOP product producers, including training, to increase both theoretical and practical knowledge, and product development, increasing the quality of the products and their marketing. Government agencies also provide monitoring to sustain the motivation of producers and to maintain quality standards of production. Consequently, the social impact of the procedure could be divided into two parts. The first part is the impact on OTOP enterprises, such as improved production capacity and the quality of products, increasing sales and income of the group, and creating new marketing channels. The second part is the community impacts, such as generation of employment, increased income for the community, exchange of knowledge among community producers, and the return of emigrants to their home communities. Furthermore, the success factors are the strength of the producer groups, genuine motivation of the enterprises to join the OTOP program, the knowledge and skills of staff, and the on-going outside monitoring of producer groups. This study contributes to the strategies of the government and private agencies in supporting and improving the quality of future OTOP procedures.