Knowledge management of local wisdom for community product development sustainability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge management of local wisdom. This qualitative research was mainly conducted at Bang-Khurat Subdistrict, Bangbuathong, Nonthaburi. The research tools were in-depth and focus group interview. The statistical data analysis was SWOT and content analysis. The results were found as follows: 1. Community products: Bang-Khurat’s local products were commercially available including 1. traditional Khao-Chae 2. plastic basketry 3. clay artificial flowers 4.silk artificial flowers 5. genuine leather/patent leather bag products 6. magnetic mobile 7. leather bags 8. silk-lined pottery 9. organic riceberry 10. water spinach farm groups 11. OTOP Nawatwithi tourism community, Khlong Ta-Chom Village moo.9, Bang-Khurat Subdistrict. 2. The SWOT analysis of Bang-Khurat products: It was revealed as following: 1. Strength: There were good leaders, well-qualified staff and high-quality materials found in the local community. 2. Weakness: Most of the staff did not have enough money and lack of IT marketing and public relation knowledge. The last problem was ignorance of younger generation. 3. Opportunity: As a result of today's many more lines of businesses, the community had opportunities to do E-commerce, establish a small and micro community enterprise (SMCE) to earn their living, increase income and build their brand. Moreover, the government sectors were ready to support the community. 4. Threat: According to the community discussions, their main obstacles were production, marketing and technology. 3. Bang-Khurat 's knowledge management: The source of knowledge came from their ancestors, knowledgeable persons, experts from the outside communities, autonomy learning and study visit. 4. Body of knowledge’s process: The characteristics of local wisdom were both traditional and developed, mostly starting from acquiring the knowledge, experimenting, adapting and improving the original products to the new ones. 5. Knowledge transfer: The knowledge was transmitted both formally and informally to their offspring, interested neighbors, students and youth in the community. 6. Knowledge management plans: They included family businesses, group member training, taking knowledge notes, online teaching and providing some learning courses for local schools and academic institutions. 7. Knowledge management problems: According to the community discussions, there were lack of continuity management and coordinators, no official grouping, limited scope of knowledge, ignorance of younger generation and lack of inheritors.