3. Methodology
The study was divided into five phases:
Phase 1: Literature Review. Involved the study of
KM literature for basic concepts and definitions as well
as relevant models. Formulated the conceptual
framework used to generate the KM model for Thai
self reliant communities.
Phase 2: Focus Group Selection. Two villages
were selected, Ban Nam Kliang and Ban Lao Rat
Phatthana. These villages were selected because they
had established community organization groups and
had begun self reliant community development
activities but had not implemented KM. Additionally,
eight community organizations were selected for the
study: agricultural cooperative group, mulberry and
silk raising group, biofertilizer group, Thai traditional
massage group, toxin-free rice production group,
herbal Thai noodles group, cultural conservation
group, and savings group. The requirements for group
selection included three dimensions: establishment,
sizes, and activity types. Establishment dimension had
2 types: established by the state and established by
each community itself. Size dimension had large size,
medium size, and small size. Dimension of activity
types had various types such as cooperative,
occupation group, and local wisdom.
Phase 3: KM Process Model Development. A
tentative process model for KM in self-reliant
communities in Thailand was generated based on the
research conceptual framework generated in phase 1
2
Proceedings of the 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences - 2010
and based on the scope of major activities for KM [12],
[14]; [24]. The tentative KM model was submitted to
five experts for review based on appropriateness,
feasibility, and congruence with KM plans and group
development plans. Their comments were used to
revise the KM model for self-reliant communities in
Thailand and improve it.
Phase 4: Implementation of the KM process in the
two villages.
Phase 5: Assessment of the effectiveness of the KM
Process Model. Eight community organizational
groups were selected to be surveyed for opinions on
the effectiveness of the implemented KM process
model: 1) agricultural cooperative group of Nam
Kliang Wiang Chiang, 2) mulberry and silk raising
group, 3) biofertilizer group, 4) Thai traditional
massage group, 5) toxin-free rice production group, 6)
herbal Thai noodles group, 7) civic-society--cultural
conservation group, 8) and savings group. Forty
evaluation/questionnaire forms were sent to the
identified group members. There were 20 group
members in each of the two villages: Ban Nam Kliang
and Ban Lao Rat Phatthana. A total of 34 responses
were received; 16 responses from Ban Nam Kliang and
18 responses from the Ban Lao Rat Phatthana. Eight