Developing an Innovative Competency Model for Agricultural Extension Officers in Driving Community Enterprises Toward Sustainability

Xinyi Zhang; Snit Sitti; Weena Nilawonk; Pawinee Areesrisom

ผู้แต่ง

Xinyi Zhang Doctor of Philosophy in Resources Management and Development, Maejo University, Thailand
Snit Sitti Doctor of Philosophy in Resources Management and Development, Maejo University, Thailand
Weena Nilawonk Doctor of Philosophy in Resources Management and Development, Maejo University, Thailand
Pawinee Areesrisom Doctor of Philosophy in Resources Management and Development, Maejo University, Thailand

คำสำคัญ:

Innovative Competency, Agricultural Extension Officers, Community Enterprises

บทคัดย่อ

This study aimed to (1) examine the innovative competencies required of agricultural extension officers in driving community enterprises toward sustainability and (2) develop an innovative competency model that can be applied to enhance the capacity and sustainable management of community enterprises. The research employed a quantitative design, with a sample of 181 agricultural extension officers from eight northern provinces of Thailand, selected through simple random sampling. The research instrument was a five-point Likert scale questionnaire, validated for content validity by three experts, with a reliability coefficient of 0.911. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, and standard deviation), Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis.

The findings revealed that the overall innovative competency of agricultural extension officers was at a moderate to high level, with a total mean score of 3.87. The highest mean scores were in creative thinking and innovation development ( $\bar{X}$ =4.01) and collaboration and networking ( $\bar{X}$ =3.92), while knowledge management and research scored the lowest ( $\bar{X}$ =3.72). Multiple regression analysis indicated that work experience (β=0.35), organizational support (β=0.29), and participation in professional development training (β=0.24) were significant predictors of innovative competency, collectively explaining 48% of the variance. The study suggests that developing the innovative competencies of agricultural extension officers should be implemented through practical training workshops, supportive policies, and the establishment of innovation extension networks. Such efforts would enhance their capacity to drive community enterprises toward sustainability and align with the development of the country’s grassroots economy.

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