Factors Relating to the Growth of SME in Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate factors which relate to the growth of SME and the relationships between general characteristics of entrepreneur, organizations and entrepreneurs’ competencies on the growth of SME in Ratchaburi Province. The subjects of this study were 53 Phajoke (Cotton weaving) SME entrepreneurs and Phajoke weavers in Ratchaburi Province. The instruments for collecting data were rating scale questionnaires. The statistics used for data analysis were descriptive statistics, One-Way Analysis of Variance and Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient - testing at the .05 statistical significant level. The results of the research revealed as follows: Most entrepreneurs were female from 41 to 50 year of age, holding primary school certificate without any experience in other previous business and having been conducting this business for over 10 years. Most entrepreneurs had their own business, with business members ranging from 1-10 people selling their products at the community business centers. Core competency, managerial competency and human relation competency related to business growth in terms of production quantity positively (r= .008, r = .111 and r=.192 respectively). Core competency related to the growth of SME positively in terms of business management : profit-lose (r = 0.073) Managerial competency and human relation competency did not relate to SME business conducting : profit-lose (r = -.251 and r = -.113 respectively). Core competency, managerial competency and human relation competency related to the growth of SME positively in terms of quality product manufacturing (r = 0.070, .111 and .264 respectively).