Evaluation of Strategic Potential and Capability of Organization in Preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015: A Case Study of the MAI (Market Alternative Investment: MAI) Listed Companies

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the influence of type, education level, and age of employees on the preparation for the AEC in 2015 among the MAI listed companies, to examine the overall images of investment, credit limit, operation, capability of foreign language use, knowledge about the AEC member countries, and knowledge and understanding of operating a business in the AEC in preparation for the AEC in 2015, and to determine the influence of the corporate, marketing, production or service, human resources, finance, and technology or innovation strategies on the preparation for the AEC in 2015 among the MAI listed companies.

The statistical data analysis was conducted using the descriptive statistics and the inferential statistics including t-test, One-Way ANOVA, Chi-square test, and Multiple Regression Analysis. The sample group included 724 operational employees of the MAI listed companies. Questionnaires were used as the data collection tool, with a reliability value of 0.864. The results of the study showed that different types of employees, education levels, and ages had an influence on the preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Also, there was a correlation among the overall investment, credit limit, operation, capability of foreign language use, knowledge about the AEC member countries, and knowledge and understanding of business operating in the AEC in preparation for the AEC in 2015. Lastly, there was an influence of marketing and human resources strategies on the preparation for the AEC in 2015. Specifically, the most influencing factor was the marketing strategy, followed by human resources strategy. However, the corporate, production or service, finance, and technology or innovation strategies had no influence on the preparation for the AEC in 2015.