Politics in the Formulation of the Thai Academic Journal Quality Promotion Policy

Abstract

This research article aims to study the development of power relations in the formulation of the Thai academic journal quality promotion policy. The technique of qualitative research was employed. Data were collected using the techniques of documentary research and in-depth interview. Data were analyzed using the triangular analysis framework, coordination between state authority, academic oligarchy, and the market of Burton R. Clark.

Findings are as follows: The development of the power relations in the formulation of the Thai academic journal quality promotion policy was divided into the following three periods. (1) During the years 1844 to 2012: From 1844 to 1931, the relationship between the state authority and the market was characterized as a compromise. From 1932 to 2001, the relationship between the state authority, academic oligarchy, and the market was characterized as a compromise. From 2002 to 2012, the state authority and the academic oligarchy jointly made an effort to centralize power by determining the criteria for improving the quality of the commonly available academic journals. (2) During the years 2013 to 2020, after the centralization of power the criteria for publishing academic journals were set for the higher education institutions to observe as the same guideline through the announcement of the Civil Service Commission in Higher Education Institutions (OCSC) in the 2013 and 2019 issues. This resulted in a conflict of opinion with some claiming that such criteria were just the management quality assessment that did not truly reflect the content quality assessment. (3) During the years 2021 to 2022, the state authority established new national academic journal criteria by the OCSC. The market as the source of the publications for academic journals was allowed to operate freely in accordance with the principle of academic excellence.