The Social innovation for product development to commercial markets based on Circular Economy in Nong Pla Lai Sub-District Community Enterprise, Nong Prue District, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

This research aims to study the context and product development needs of community enterprises, create social innovation, and extract lessons from social innovation for product development towards commercial markets under the circular economy concept of the Nong Pla Lai Subdistrict community enterprises. It is a participatory action research using the Systemic Approach theory framework and applying Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). The population and sample were selected through purposive sampling, including members of the cricket farming community enterprise group and stakeholders involved in promoting and developing the cricket farming community enterprise. Data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean,standard deviation, and content analysis.

The research findings revealed that the community enterprise group aims to enhance and elevate community products derived from local wisdom and resources to create added value. This will be achieved through development planning, product transformation, and marketing channels. Social innovation for product development towards commercial markets under the concept of a circular economy focuses on product enhancement by driving the grassroots economy within the community, area, and province. The process involves promoting and developing operational models to increase commercial competitiveness, designing activities, and business approaches based on the circular economy. The process is executed through Design Thinking, improving existing business models, and analyzing operations using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) for the development of community enterprise groups and their members. The aim is to promote the grassroots economy and improve quality of life in economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The lessons learned from key components in managing the community enterprise group include four main elements: group management, group raw materials, human resources or members, and financial capital. These components are integrated through the involvement of stakeholders throughout the process, from problem analysis and needs assessment to development planning, product enhancement, marketing channel development, and building networks both internally and externally.

Keywords : community enterprises, social innovation,

circular economy