Leadership and Peacebuilding Skills of Local Leaders in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to address three key objectives: 1) To examine social factors and leadership in relation to peacebuilding skills, 2) To investigate demographic variations impacting leadership and peacebuilding skills, and 3) To explore strategies for enhancing leadership and peacebuilding skills. The study employs a quantitative research approach, utilizing a sample group of 400 individuals in Northeastern Thailand.The research instrument is a meticulously designed questionnaire, crafted through a comprehensive review of documents, theories, and relevant literature. This questionnaire is tailored to align with the conceptual framework, covering source and dependent variables corresponding to the study's content and objectives.

    The findings indicate that, across all four aspects of social factors, the average weight is 3.06 with a standard deviation (S.D.) of 0.89, signifying a moderate level. Notably, factors related to acceptance, environmental considerations, and support emerge as the top three with the highest mean factor weights (3.09, 3.07, and 3.04, respectively), suggesting a level of significance at the moderate range (S.D. values of 0.84, 0.99, and 0.94). In terms of leadership factors, the average weight is 3.07 with an S.D. Emotional and skill factors dominate with mean values of 3.12 and 3.09, signifying high and moderate levels, respectively (S.D. values of 0.85 and 0.84). On the contrary, attitude factors show the lowest average weight (2.99) with an S.D. value of 0.90, placing it at a moderate level. For peacebuilding skills across five aspects, the average weight is 3.07 with an S.D. Learning skills lead with a mean weight of 3.11 and an S.D. value of 0.95, indicating a high level. Development follows with an average weight of 3.08 and an S.D. value of 0.91, classified as a moderate level. The remaining aspects - adjustment, speaking, and performance - all exhibit moderate average weights and S.D. values, ranging from 3.05 to 3.07 and 0.88 to 0.92, respectively. This research provides valuable insights into the nuanced relationships between social factors, leadership, and peacebuilding skills, offering a foundation for future interventions and development strategies in this context.