Entrepreneurship development and career promotion based on local wisdom to increase the income of the elderly in Srisunthon Sub-District, Thalang District, Phuket Province

Abstract

This article aims to assess the needs and suggest guidelines for entrepreneurship development and career promotion based on local wisdom. The research design is a mixed-method research using the concept of needs assessment research as a research framework. The research area is Srisunthon Sub-District, Thalang District, Phuket Province. The quantitative sample consists of 384 elderly people living in the Srisunthon Sub-District and 384 customers who purchased local products from the elderly people in the Srisunthon Sub-District. The stratified selection method was used. The interviewees were 14 people and focus group discussions. There were 3 research instruments: 1) questionnaires, 2) in-depth interviews, and 3) focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and PNI modified for quantitative research. For qualitative research, content analysis was used and descriptive writing was done. Data triangulation was conducted. The results of the research found that 1) the elderly people in the Srisunthon Sub-District and customers gave their opinions about the degree of success and importance in entrepreneurship development and career promotion based on local wisdom in various aspects that are statistically significantly different at the 0.05 level, where the degree of success gives the most different opinions in the career promotion process, while the importance that should be given the most different views in the entrepreneurial skills. The study's results assessing the necessity found that the PNI Modified value was 0.28. When considering each item, the PNI Modified value was 0.30 for 3 items: entrepreneurship skills group, management skills group, and promotion of career grouping to create strength. 2) Guidelines for entrepreneurship development and career promotion based on local wisdom to increase the income of the elderly in the Srisunthon Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province should train entrepreneurship skills and new skills related to local wisdom according to the aptitude and interests of the elderly, develop products and services that meet market demands, be aware of technological changes, and promote strong career grouping with cooperation from the government sector, private sector, educational institutions, and elderly networks.