BUDDHIST INTEGRATION PROMOTES THE EFFICIENCY OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS MANAGEMENT OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY OF THAILAND

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1. study the efficiency of professional sports management; 2. examine the factors affecting the efficiency of professional sports management; and 3. propose a Buddhist-integrated approach to promoting the efficiency of professional sports management of the Sports Authority of Thailand. This study employed a mixed-methods research design. For the quantitative research, data were collected from a sample of 307 respondents using a questionnaire with an overall reliability coefficient of 0.866. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. For the qualitative research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 key informants, and the data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis. In addition, a focus group discussion was conducted with 10 participants to validate the knowledge synthesized from the findings.

The findings revealed that 1. The overall efficiency of professional sports management was at a high level ( = 3.80, S.D. = 0.42). The aspects, ranked from highest to lowest, were enhancing the standards and professionalism of professional athletes and sports personnel; strengthening professional sports organizations toward sustainability, good governance, and environmental responsibility; promoting professional sports as a means of generating economic and tourism value; and developing a digital ecosystem for professional sports. 2. Regarding the factors affecting the efficiency of professional sports management, 1. five management process factors significantly affected professional sports management efficiency at the 0.01 level: budgeting, organizing, planning, coordinating, and staffing; and 2. the Iddhipada 4 principles significantly affected professional sports management efficiency at the 0.01 and 0.05 levels, comprising Viriya (perseverance in work), Chanda (enthusiasm for work), Citta (attentiveness to work), and Vimamsa (working with wisdom); and 3. The Buddhist-integrated approach to promoting the efficiency of professional sports management of the Sports Authority of Thailand involved integrating the Iddhipada 4 principles into professional sports management, thereby contributing to successful and efficient operations. These Buddhist principles were also integrated with management process theory to strengthen the overall efficiency of professional sports management.