Social Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement in Rural Communites: A Case Study of U-thong Ancient City, Suphanburi

Abstract

This research is a qualitative research aiming at investigating the formation, development and mobilization of social enterprises, as well as their effects on adaptation of livelihood strategy in rural communities. The research was conducted following the case study approach in which 3 case communities were selected purposively for its investigation. These communities were situated in
U-thong Ancient City, a special area designated by the state to mobilize sustainable tourism development project. Data were collected by means of in-depth interview with 20 key informants, coupled with non-participant observation. Data analysis was done using content analysis, typological analysis, data synthesis and interpretation methods. The results of the study revealed that the formation of social entreprises in the area began when a group of leading members conducted activites commonly interested in each community. After that these groups were developed partly through state inteventions to promote social entrepreneurship under the special development project aiming at tourism development  linking with history, culture and way of life of local people. This development led to livelihood improvement in various dimensions in accordance with the social entrepreneuship approach, including production and marketing development of local products that supported the improvement of economic self-reliance. Participants in the project had adapted their livelihood strategies towards sustainability as they could reduce vulnerabibilties and increase efficiency in the management of livelihood related adssets at the household level.