BUDDHIADHAMMA INTEGRATION PRINCIPLES TO PROMOTE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE VILLAGE HEADMEN AND SUB-DISTRICT HEADMEN OF KHUN PHITHAK SUBDISTRICT AT DAMNOEN SADUAT DISTRICT IN RATCHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the performance level of village headmen and sub-district chiefs in Khun Phitak Subdistrict, Damnoen Sawat District, Ratchaburi Province; 2) study the relationship between the Six Principles of Virtue and their integration to enhance the performance of village headmen and sub-district chiefs; and 3) propose the integration of Buddhist principles to enhance the performance of village headmen and sub-district chiefs in Khun Phitak Subdistrict, Damnoen Sawat District, Ratchaburi Province. A mixed-methods research approach was used. Quantitative research involved collecting data from a sample of 358 people in the area using questionnaires, analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Qualitative research involved in-depth interviews with 9 key informants, analyzed using descriptive content analysis.
The research findings revealed that:
1. The overall performance level of village headmen and sub-district chiefs was at the highest level. The aspect of developing awareness and morality had the highest mean, followed by community relationship building, problem solving and decision making, and knowledge and skills development, respectively. Conversely, time and resource management had the lowest mean.
2. The Six Principles of Harmony and Virtue have a strong positive correlation with the enhancement of the performance of village headmen and sub-district headmen (R = 0.852), which is statistically significant at the 0.01 level.
3. The integration of the Six Principles of Harmony and Virtue, which consist of sharing, using polite language, performing beneficial services, and maintaining consistent conduct, can be effectively applied to enhance leadership and public trust at both the community and national levels.