THE RISE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THAILAND: A STUDY OF YOUNG THAI SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

Abstract

This thesis aims to study the rising trend of social entrepreneurship in Thailand and particularly draw attention to young Thai social entrepreneurs to understand factors that drive and influence them into the social entrepreneurship sector and their social entrepreneurial behaviors. The thesis uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods by conducting questionnaire survey and interview from August 2014 – February 2015. The data was obtained from documents, questionnaire survey with a sample size of 31 by snowball sampling technique, and interview of young Thai social entrepreneurs and related people as key informants. The survey was conducted both in person and online. The online questionnaire links were distributed to young Thai social entrepreneurs via electronic mail and social media. Findings of the research reveal the demographic information and featured characteristics of young Thai social entrepreneurs. They have both high levels of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and empathy self-efficacy, which lead to their social entrepreneurial intention. However, the effect of role model on their intention is not significant. Their intention to be social entrepreneurs emerged when they were college students or employees and the high level of needs such as self-actualization motived them to finally establish their own social enterprises. Their friends and peers play important role in young Thai adults’ social entrepreneurial activities. They are dealing with various social problems such as education inequality, career preparation, poverty and so on across diverse sectors with the use of focus strategy of their social enterprises. According to the findings, the exposure and closeness to the social problem of young Thai adults have a close relationship with the identification of their social enterprises’ opportunities. Furthermore, although facing many barriers, young Thai social entrepreneurs have high level of job satisfaction. Lastly, related competition or contest is very important to promote the public awareness of social entrepreneurship in Thailand.