Asian Political Science Review

STRATEGIC LEVERS FOR GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY: A POST-COVID-19 SEM ANALYSIS OF LARGE THAI ORGANIZATIONS

Waewpailin PHANPHAKDI — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigates the strategic drivers of organizational growth and sustainability in the post-COVID-19 era. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on data from 680 professionals in large publicly listed Thai corporations, the research examines the interrelationships among leadership, organizational policy, employee engagement, and innovation/technology. The findings indicate that employee capabilities and innovation strongly predict both growth and sustainability. Organizational policies significantly influence growth, while leadership has a stronger effect on sustainability. These results suggest that aligning internal strategies with innovation and inclusive leadership is vital for competitiveness and resilience. The integrated framework emphasizes the central roles of employee empowerment, collaborative teams, and strategic leadership. While contextualized to the Thai setting, the results provide valuable insights for corporate managers and policymakers globally seeking to promote sustainable organizational development in a rapidly changing environment. The limitations of the study, such as its cross-sectional design and focus on Thai firms, are also acknowledged, paving the way for future research.

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT IN THAILAND'S PUBLIC SECTOR: SUCCESS FACTORS FOR NATIONAL STRATEGY 2018-2037

Noppadol UDOMWISAWAKUL — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research investigates the critical success factors for public sector organizations in driving Thailand's National Strategy 2018-2037. Through document analysis, interviews, and observations, the study identifies key challenges, including inconsistencies between policy and strategy. Findings reveal that effective leadership, adaptable organizational structures, proactive change agents, and supportive organizational cultures are crucial. The study also suggests a shift from top-down planning to participatory governance, emphasizing the role of public servants as change agents. The implications extend to public sector reforms in Thailand and other Asian nations pursuing ambitious development goals. This paper argues for strategic alignment of organizational culture, leadership, structure, and change management to realize national objectives. Recommendations emphasize visionary leadership, flexible organizational designs, engaged change agents, and collaborative organizational cultures, all aimed at enhancing public sector effectiveness. These insights inform policymakers and public managers seeking to bridge the strategy-implementation gap in the public sector.

YOUTH MIGRATION AND STATE LEGITIMACY IN POST-COUP MYANMAR: A KACHIN STATE PERSPECTIVE

Zaw Moon RA, Sasiphattra SIRIWATO — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study comprehensively examines youth migration from Kachin State, Myanmar, following the 2021 military coup, focusing on its socio-political and economic drivers and regional impacts. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews with 10 diverse participants, the research reveals that political instability, heightened safety concerns, and forced conscription by both the military junta and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) are the primary drivers of migration. Economic precarity, characterized by limited employment opportunities, low wages, rising living costs, and skill mismatches, further intensifies these pressures. While remittances offer crucial financial support to families and displaced people's businesses foster local resilience, significant labor shortages among skilled and unskilled youth hinder regional productivity and innovation, leading to brain drain. This study addresses critical gaps in the migration literature by analyzing an underexplored ethnic region, offering nuanced insights into the complex interplay between migration and state fragility and conflict. Policy recommendations are provided to restore political legitimacy, improve education, and foster inclusive economic development, ultimately leveraging migration's potential benefits.

ENHANCING ELECTORAL INTEGRITY: A PRE-POST ASSESSMENT OF POLLING STAFF TRAINING IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Adnan Skhawat ALI — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Ensuring transparent and fair elections critically relies on the competence of polling staff. This study rigorously assesses the impact of training on the electoral knowledge and skills of polling staff in Punjab, Pakistan, a crucial component for building electoral capacity. Employing a pre- and post-assessment framework, a standardized questionnaire covering electoral procedures and legal provisions was administered to a large cohort of 7,575 participants. The findings reveal a substantial and statistically significant improvement in knowledge, with mean scores rising from 72.53% pre-training to 92.47% post-training (t(16.75) = 4.25, p = 0.00079). A reduction in the standard deviation further underscores the consistent improvement in participants' electoral understanding. This research highlights that comprehensive training is not merely a formality but a powerful mechanism for minimizing procedural errors, ensuring legal compliance, and building staff confidence. The study contributes significantly to the capacity-building efforts of Election Management Bodies (EMBs), particularly in developing countries across Asia, by demonstrating the pivotal role of training in fostering freer, fairer, and more transparent democratic governance and strengthening public trust.

INNOVATION AGAINST CORRUPTION: A DIGITAL RISK-ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK FOR REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IN THAILAND AND THE ASIAN CONTEXT

Kajohnsak CHAOKROMTHONG, Nittaya SINTHAO — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Corruption and misconduct remain persistent barriers to good governance in Thailand's regional government agencies, notably in procurement and licensing processes, thereby weakening fiscal discipline and public trust. This study, "Innovation Against Corruption," develops and evaluates a Natural Language Processing (NLP)-based digital risk-assessment framework to strengthen governance and reduce corruption risks. Utilizing a mixed-methods design, including online surveys of 160 officials, focus group discussions, and 24 in-depth interviews across four pilot provinces (Chiang Mai, Chainat, Ubon Ratchathani, and Trang), the research integrates NLP with a COSO-ERM-based risk matrix. Key findings reveal procurement as the highest-risk domain, reflecting structural vulnerabilities and entrenched patronage networks. The developed platform proved effective in automating risk scoring, reducing administrative burden, and enhancing transparency, with user feedback indicating high satisfaction with its usability, accuracy, and perceived benefits. This study significantly contributes to the digital governance and anti-corruption literature by linking technological innovation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 (Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions), 9 (Industry, Innovation), and 11 (Sustainable Cities). It highlights the platform's pivotal role in fostering integrity, accountability, and public trust. Future research should address current limitations by expanding the geographical scope and exploring advanced technologies.

POLICY PROSPECTS FOR ADVANCING DIGITAL E-READINESS IN TOURISM SMES: A CASE STUDY OF PATTAYA CITY, THAILAND

Waewpailin PHANPHAKDI, Phatrapim THONGWAN — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The rapid digitalization of global tourism necessitates "smart tourism cities," yet small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies face significant barriers to adopting information and communication technology (ICT). This study applies the Perceived E-readiness Model (PERM) to evaluate the e-readiness of tourism SMEs in Pattaya City, Thailand, considering internal (organizational awareness, human, business, and technological resources) and external (market forces, government support, and supporting industries) determinants. Utilizing a three-round Delphi process with a multi-stakeholder expert panel, the research identified feasible strategies and policy priorities. Findings reveal high ICT awareness among SMEs, but substantial capability gaps persist due to financial constraints, insufficient digital skills, and inadequate technological infrastructure. External enablers, particularly robust government interventions and collaborative industry support, are crucial for driving digital transformation. The study underscores that e-readiness is co-produced by firm-level readiness and external environmental support. Policy recommendations emphasize local government's role in enhancing digital infrastructure, providing financial incentives, and implementing tailored capacity-building programs. Fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration is vital for sustainable digital transformation, offering a scalable roadmap for innovative tourism development in other emerging economies.

THE EVOLVING ONLINE PUBLIC SPHERE: REIMAGINING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines the profound transformation of citizen political participation in the digital era, focusing on the emergent "online public sphere" and its implications for democratic governance. It analyzes how traditional engagement is complemented and challenged by digital activism, social media, and online discourse. Synthesizing scholarly literature (2005-2024), this review examines evolving dynamics of online participation, identifying critical shifts and novel forms of citizen action. It investigates how socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education, socioeconomic status) influence access, engagement, and impact in this digital realm. A novel conceptual framework is introduced—encompassing accessibility, inclusivity, interaction, impact, and feedback—advocating multifaceted approaches to evaluating democratic processes. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, activists, and scholars to promote inclusive participation strategies in a digitized landscape. Ultimately, this research redefines political participation, emphasizing the online public sphere's significance for 21st-century deliberation and civic engagement, and adapting models to digital citizenship.

LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND ELDERLY WELL-BEING: DEVELOPING THE RICHES MODEL FOR RATCHABURI'S AGING SOCIETY, THAILAND

Wachirawachr NGAMLAMOM — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Thailand faces a critical demographic transition, necessitating innovative local governance strategies, particularly for its rapidly aging population in Ratchaburi Province. This study aimed to develop an integrated model to enhance older adults' capacity in this context. Employing a Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Design, the research combined a quantitative survey of 400 participants with qualitative interviews involving 36 key stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive data collection. The study's central outcome is the RICHES Model (Readiness Integrated Community-based Holistic Elderly Support), a six-component framework comprising Readiness Assessment, Integrated Support System, Community-Based Local Wisdom, Holistic Health and Well-being, Enhanced Technology Integration, and Sustainable Network and Monitoring. RICHES addresses older adults’ diverse needs, from tailored interventions and resource mobilization to leveraging local wisdom for economic empowerment, promoting holistic health, fostering digital literacy, and ensuring long-term program sustainability. This model aligns with the provincial context by integrating social, cultural, and economic capital. It offers a strategic framework for local administrative organizations and policymakers to enhance the dignity, health, and financial contributions of older people through a community-based, sustainable approach, significantly advancing existing frameworks and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.