Social Innovation for Local Development Promoted and Supported by Subdistrict Municipalities in Chiang Mai

Abstract

This research aimed to study promoting and supporting innovation for local development of Sub-district Municipalities in Chiang Mai, as well as social innovation for local development promoted by Sub-district Municipalities in Chiang Mai. The research was divided into 2 steps. Step 1 was related to the survey research and applied the questionnaire as an instrument. The respondents were 78 Sub-district Municipal Clerks. Step 2 was the case study research to collect data on social innovation and applied the interview as an instrument. The informants were people playing important roles in the social innovation project according to the result of Step 1 as the social innovation project promoted and supported by 45 Sub-district Municipalities in Chiang Mai.     

                 The result showed that a total of 80 social innovation projects were promoted and supported by Sub-district Municipalities in Chiang Mai. However, there were 4 projects most promoted and supported the social innovation by Sub-district Municipalities and 33 Sub-district Municipalities did not participate in promoting and supporting the social innovation. Roles of Sub-district Municipalities in promoting and supporting the social innovation could be divided into 5 aspects in descending order: 1) roles in supporting budget, 2) roles in supporting the knowledge management forum, 3) roles in supporting academic and information, 4) roles in supporting building and expanding the social innovation network, and 5) roles in supporting appreciation/awarding. Moreover, the study on social innovation could be divided the social innovation projects into 6 types, i.e., 1) developing and promoting quality of life and social welfare, 2) promoting community economics and occupation, 3) promoting/conserving traditions and cultural arts, 4) managing natural resources and environment, 5) public health, and 6) peacekeeping and community security. 

                The recommendations of the research are that the Local Administrative Organization, which is considered the governmental units closest to the public and has a direct mission to respond to the local needs and solve the local problems, should take earnest roles in promoting and supporting social innovation for local development in every dimension more than as it is. Especially, it should be a model of innovational organization, as well as creating atmosphere for people in the community to develop important qualification in being social innovators, that is, having public mind, being ready to implement what is beneficial to the public, and being able to transfer concept and body of knowledge to others. These further lead to the well-being of the society and the nation.