Knowledge Management of Local Wisdom at Benjarong Village, Tambon Don Kaidee, Krathumban District, Samutsakorn Province
Research Title : Knowledge Management of Local Wisdom at Benjarong Village, Tambon Don Kaidee, Krathumban District, Samutsakorn Province
Researcher : Assist.Professor Dr.Pensri Chirinang
Office : Southeast Asia University
Research Grants : Research and Innovation for Transfer technology to Rural Community Project
Year : 2011
Abstract
The research on knowledge management of the indigenous wisdom at Benjarong (polychrome chinaware) Village, Tambon Don Kaidee, Krathumban District, Samutsakorn Province is aimed for 1) the study of the context surrounding the Benjarong production at Don Kaidee Benjarong Village, 2) the study of Benjarong production and the transformation of knowledge in producing Benjarong, and 3) the study of knowledge management on local wisdom in producing Benjarong products. The qualitative research method was utilized by collecting a number of information obtaining through the interviewing , participative as well as non-participative observation, and group discussion. The major informants are the members of Benjarong Village, Don Kaidee local administration deputy, and the concerned individuals in the community. The data analysis starts with the organization of categories with related concepts in order to lead to the interpretation of various factors pertaining to the knowledge management of the folk intelligence at Don Kaidee Benjarong Village. For the contextual analysis, the research revealed that Don Kaidee Benjarong Village has descended from two particular ancestral groups: 1) the original Chinese clan residing in the area of Klong Madur and producing Benjarong products, and 2) the former employees who used to work at Satheinraprab chinaware factory (which is now already out of business). With the knowledge gained during the employment at the said factory, these groups of employees have come together and set up a small village producing Benjarong products. The production processes are composed of the preparation the items (known as a whiting process), gold coated, color painted, circular gold coated, kilning, inspection, and packaging. The research also discovered that the Benjarong production knowledge is passed down to the younger generation in the community and to the neighboring areas where interested individuals to whom are eager to learn and to develop their skills in order to become a skilled professional and also, as a result, to improve their sense of well-being. For the indigenous knowledge management aspect, the research found that there is the OTOP center at Don Kaidee Benjarong Village where the group committee would provide detailed information on historical background and step-by-step production processes to inculcate and welcome the visitors. Besides, there is also a small and cozy guesthouse located in the heart of the village in which the tourists can get the first-hand, real life experience of the local well-being and, at the same time, have a rare but prolific opportunity to learn how to paint the Benjarong products and to observe the production processes.