Lessons for Women Group Enterprises Management from One Tambon One Product Rural Development Programme in Thailand

Abstract

An examination of the literature on One Tambon One Product rural economic management programme performances of Thailand shows the unequal impact between men and women with women group-based enterprises bears the major brunt. In the wake of OTOP neo-liberalist policy break-through of Thai government rural economic restructuring was instrumental for revitalising livelihood diversities and reinforcing community-based enterprises management. The present research is based on case study analysis and narrative method of field inquiry in Saraburi Province to draw evidence from women group-based agriculture and nonfarm enterprises’ experience and insights on achievements and challenges they faced. One major issue emerges from the research—need for a holistic approach to comprehend how the process of product champion competitions has contrasted the meaning of grassroots women’s collectivism, network and flow and exhibits a heightened sense of accountability in developing possible policy strategies with a feminist institutional framework to transform the intangible benefits and scale up women’s entrepreneurial capabilities.