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Officials’ Readiness for the Application of Design Thinking and an Analysis of the Perception Gap in Participation between Officials and Citizens: A Case Study of Bansuan City Municipality |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | Poonpin Thanasampatti |
| Title | Officials’ Readiness for the Application of Design Thinking and an Analysis of the Perception Gap in Participation between Officials and Citizens: A Case Study of Bansuan City Municipality |
| Contributor | Piyakorn Whangmahaporn |
| Publisher | Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Kalasin University |
| Publication Year | 2569 |
| Journal Title | Governance Journal, Kalasin University |
| Journal Vol. | 15 |
| Journal No. | 1 |
| Page no. | 169-194 |
| Keyword | Citizen Participation, Design Thinking, Co-Policy Design, Local Governance |
| URL Website | https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/gjournal-ksu |
| Website title | Governance Journal, Kalasin University |
| ISSN | ISSN: 3027-8589 (Online) |
| Abstract | This study aims to assess the level of readiness of municipal officers in Bansuan City Municipality to apply design thinking, analyze differences in readiness and perceptions of participation based on personal factors, compare perceptions of citizen participation between municipal officers and community members, and examine organizational contextual factors contributing to perception gaps in co-policy design. A mixed-methods approach was employed. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires from 262 municipal officers and 397 residents, while qualitative data were obtained from in-depth interviews with 11 key informants, including administrators, operational staff, and civil society representatives. The quantitative findings indicate that officers’ overall readiness for design thinking was at a high level (Mean = 3.55), with significantly stronger conceptual understanding than practical application, particularly in prototyping and testing stages. Readiness and perceived participation differed significantly by age and educational level (p < .05). Citizens’ participation was predominantly perceived at the levels of information provision and consultation rather than shared decision-making, reflecting symbolic participation. A significant perception gap was found between officers and citizens, especially regarding decision-making power and resource control. Qualitative findings explain that this gap is rooted in regulatory constraints, hierarchical power structures, and organizational culture, which limit experimentation and meaningful citizen engagement in local co-policy design. |
