A Model for Empowering Informal Elderly Workers to Promote Careers and Generate Income in Local Administrative Organizations, Ang Thong Province

Abstract

          The purposes of this research were to 1) examine the context and challenges in empowering informal elderly workers to promote careers and generate income in local administrative organizations, 2) identify the factors influencing the empowerment of  informal elderly workers in these organizations, and 3) develop an empowerment model for informal elderly workers aimed at career promotion and income generation. The study employed a mixed-method approach. For the qualitative research, 21 key informants, including local administrators, community developers, and community leaders, were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews and focus groups and analyzed using content analysis. For the quantitative research, 400 informal elderly workers in Ang Thong were selected through accidental sampling. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument, and statistical analyses included percentage, mean, standard deviation (S.D.), and multiple regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at .05 level.

            The findings revealed the follows: 1) the empowerment of informal elderly workers significantly affected career promotion and income generation in local administrative organizations. Key influence factors included financial incentive, suitable career, career training, occupationally collaborative, funding access, and material support. However, several challenges were identified, such as a lack of learning motivation and new skill, health problems, unsustainable occupational, and limitations in financial resources, materials, career-related technology, and distribution channels;   2) The motivation of elderly workers, executive leadership, and community strength moderately influenced the empowerment of informal elderly workers in career promotion and income and generation, and 3) a model for empowering of informal elderly workers in local administrative organizations in Ang Thong province (EFSC) was developed. It comprises four key components: Enhancement, Facilitation, Support, and Collaboration, along with four success factors: Motivation, Leadership, Management and Community Strength.