BUDDHIST INTEGRATION FOR ENHANCING LOCAL POLITICIAN’S LEADERSHIP IN UBON RATCHATHANI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed:1. To study the leadership attributes of local politicians, 2. To examine factors affecting leadership among local politicians, and 3. To present Buddhist integration approaches to enhance leadership capabilities of local politicians in Ubon Ratchathani Province, conducted by the mixed research methods. The qualitative research and data were collected by in-depth interviewing 18 key informants and 8 participants in focus group discussions. The quantitative research data were collected using questionnaires with a reliability coefficient of 0.991 from samples consisted of 399 eligible voters in Ubon Ratchathani Province and analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis.

The findings revealed that: 1. Leadership qualities of local politicians in Ubon Ratchathani province were reflected through three dimensions: trustworthy and reliable personality traits, achievement motivation demonstrated through tangible project outcomes, and capability in creating local innovations. 2. Factors affecting leadership of local politicians in Ubon Ratchathani province were found that the promotion process accounted for 8.40% influencing on local politicians' leadership, while the four principles of Raja Sangahavatthu accounted for 15.90% of influence. 3. Buddhist integration for promoting leadership among local politicians in Ubon Ratchathani province consisted of four aspects: local economic promotion, personnel support, honest occupation promotion through training programs, and creative communication.