Community Enterprise Network Management Strategies with CBMC, the Cocoa Pathom Nakhon Enterprise Network, Nakhon Pathom Province

Abstract

This participatory action research aimed to develop the community enterprise network management strategies with CBMC, Nakhon Pathom cocoa community enterprise network, Nakhon Pathom Province. The data were collected by in-depth interviews, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), participatory workshops, focus group, in-depth interview, and non-participatory observation. The semi-structured interview, participatory community evaluation form, and observation form were reviewed by three experts before being used with key informants comprising 21 cases of community of practice (CoP) and three stakeholder workshops, totaling 39 people. The data triangulation was conducted for verification and content analysis was applied. The findings were presented descriptively as below. (1) Nakhon Pathom cocoa community enterprise network was established by the cocoa farmer community enterprise in the contract farming project in Nakhon Pathom province to exchange knowledge on production, processing, and marketing, as well as to find solutions for problems and obstacles. There are four approaches to develop the management of the Nakhon Pathom cocoa community enterprise network to be competitive; and (2) Strategies of management of enterprise network with community business plan (CBMC) as an organizational strategy to supervise operations to be tangible, assessable, and aiming to create positive impacts for farmer members so that they can adapt themselves to rapid changes.