Knowledge Conversion Processes in Thai Public Organisations Seen as an Innovation: The Re-Analysis of a TAM Study Using Innovation Translation

Introduction: Thai Public Organisations

In 2003 in Thailand a Royal Decree on Principles and Procedures for Good Public Governance (B.E.2546, section 11) set the way for the development of a knowledge-based agency:

The Government then promoted knowledge management (KM) as part of its development strategy (2003-2004) (OPDC, 2004), prompting the public sector in Thailand to transform itself into a learning organization and a knowledge-based agency. The main objective of this strategy was to modify processes and working procedures so as to raise the competency and working standards of Thai Government service units to an international level by using good governance practices. The objective of good governance is ensuring the Government’s mission of efficiency. It also involves leveraging cost benefits by reducing redundant operational processes and offering end-to-end solutions. Thailand lags, however, in terms of KM execution compared with other developed countries as the processes for knowledge management are still currently being researched. The principal unit of the government sector in Thailand responsible for identifying and evaluating the benefits of ICT and KM is the Ministry of Commerce (MOC). This Ministry has authority and responsibilities regarding trade in goods and services, intellectual property rights and other duties as assigned by laws. The MOC was the first government unit to initiate and execute this KM project and have since established an independent group to work exclusively on KM, called the ‘KM Group’, whose role is to analyse KM and communicate to other units in the organisation the importance of KM along with its benefits and uses. This unit works closely with the ICT unit of the Ministry of Commerce to develop efficient KM strategies that are in line with the Government’s service development plan and the Government’s goals (Charnkit, 2011).