GROUP MANAGEMENT UNDER THE PHILOSOPHY OF SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY: A CASE STUDY OF BAN KIRIWONG HERBAL HOUSE LEARNING CENTER (SOAP MAKING)

Abstract

The objective of this research article aimed to: 1) Study the development of the Ban Kiriwong Herbal House group on soap making from herbs; 2) Study the problem conditions of the Ban Kiriwong Herbal House group on soap making from herbs; 3) Study group management under the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. The research was qualitative research. The data was collected using in-depth interviews and participatory observation. The sample was from purposive sampling. Key informants include the primary informants from the Ban Kiriwong Herbal House group on soap making from herbs, a total of 10 people. The secondary informant was a person who promoted and supported the group management under the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, a total of one person. The results of the research indicated that the development of the Ban Kiriwong Herbal House Learning Center group (Soap making) was found to have three steps: 1) The formation stage, which derived from discussions on households and the community’s income which became the causes for formulation of the learning center; 2) The operating stage, which indicated planning, regulations, and the guidelines of the operation that specified the classification of assignments for each member and this stage also showed the beginning of soup making; and 3) The participating or expanding stage, which indicated that after the group received some feedbacks from consumers, the group started to increase the production and expanded its marketing channel. Problem conditions of the group included: 1) Production problems, which indicated that the group had to wait for materials due to seasonal problems; 2) Packaging problems, which indicated the lack of packaging quality and modernization; 3) Marketing problems, which indicated the problems from emphasizing only storefront marketing method and problems from discontinuous sale; 4) Management problems, which indicated the conflict of opinions and the lack of unity. In terms of group management under the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, it included: 1) Moderation; 2) Reasonableness; 3) Self - immunity; 4) Knowledgeableness; and 5) Morality.