Conditions Conducive to Local Government Innovation in Thailand

Abstract

Local government is a decentralized form of public administration that allows for decision-making and innovation made by local citizens with aim to solve problems in their locality.  The current study aimed to classify types of local innovation and examine conditions that contribute to local innovation in Thailand. The authors employed a documentary research design and analyzed 90 documents published in 2006-2015 and related to innovations created by local administrative organizations (LAOs) across the country.

          Findings reveal that there are three major types of innovations created by LAOs: innovative administrative approaches and procedures, innovative products, and innovative services.  Conditions contributing to local innovation include: application of new technology, public participation, networking, knowledge sharing, organizational structure, budget allocation, policy support, leadership, and organizational culture.  Public participation and leadership appear to be the first and second most common conditions which contribute to the creation of 39 and 24 percent, respectively, of all innovations studied.  In order to promote local innovation, it is thus essential for LAOs, especially the executives, to enhance civic engagement and open to inputs from local residents.  At the same time, the executives should be able to identify ideas and opportunities that help foster local innovation.