Strategy Formulation for Enhancing Personnel Competencies to Support Digital Era Tasks at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education

 Strategy  Formulation  for  Enhancing  Personnel  Competencies  to  Support  Digital  Era  Tasks at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education
 

Nittaya Jantungyai,*¹  Narin Sungrugsa^,2 & Wannawee Boonkoum³ 

Faculty of Education, Silpakorn University, Thailand^1,2

Faculty of Management Sciences, Silpakorn University, Thailand³

 

ASEAN Journal of Educational Vol.10 No.1 (January – June 2024)

วิเคราะห์และนำเสนอบทความ โดย  Wannarasmi  Chanthakut

Abstract

This policy research aimed to: 1) study the circumstances and expectations of personnel competencies required to support digital era tasks within the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; 2) propose strategies for enhancing personnel  competencies;  and  3)  present  and  endorse  these  strategies.  Qualitative  research and the Ethnographic Delphi Futures (EDFR) technique were employed. The  research  process  comprised  three  steps.  Firstly,  30  academic  experts  and  stakeholders  were  interviewed,  and  their  responses  were  analyzed  using  content  analysis, SWOT analysis, TOWS Matrix, PESTEL analysis, and 7's MCKINSEY analysis to assess personnel competencies. Secondly, the three-round Ethnographic Delphi Futures technique was utilized to propose strategies for enhancing personnel competencies,  involving  25  experts  in  reviewing  the  drafted strategy.  Thirdly,  a policy meeting was conducted with 30 participants, including administrators, experts, academics,  and  practitioners,  to present and endorse  the  draft  strategy,  with  data  collected analyzed using content analysis. The research findings were as follows:1.  Personnel  competencies  exhibited basic  abilities  and  understanding  of  digital  technology  but lacked  comprehensive  analysis  of  development  needs,  hindering optimal performance. Additionally, budget constraints limited personnel development coverage across all job positions. 2. The strategy for personnel competencies comprised four draft strategies:  1)  Enhancing  personnel abilities,  skills,  and competencies in digital technology for job tasks;  2)  Cultivating  cultures,  mindsets,  values, and  attitudes fostering self-development in digital technology to adapt to evolving trends; 3) Developing flexible, modernized personnel management systems to address digital era tasks; 4) Improving digital technology systems, mechanisms, and infrastructures to enable efficient digital task performance. These draft strategies received significant endorsement from experts.3.    The strategy and its endorsement  were unanimously agreed upon by stakeholders, indicating consensus on its faultlessness, appropriateness, probability, and feasibility for implementation at the highest level.

 

Research Objectives

1. To study the circumstances and expectations of personnel competencies required for digital-era tasks at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.
2. To develop strategies for enhancing personnel competencies.
3. To present and endorse the strategies for improving personnel competencies.

Principles, Concepts, and Related Literature

Policy research focuses on analyzing and developing strategies to adapt to the changes in the digital era. Key frameworks and concepts include:

• Competencies: Developing knowledge, skills, and motivation of personnel.
• Strategic Management: Formulating and adjusting strategies to meet long-term needs.
• Digital Skills: Using digital technology to improve work efficiency.

Conceptual Framework

The research adopts a conceptual framework that integrates qualitative research methods with the Ethnographic Delphi Futures Research (EDFR) technique, emphasizing:

1. Analyzing circumstances and expectations.
2. Developing draft strategies.
3. Presenting and endorsing strategies.

Research Methodology

Population and Sample

The study involved 85 participants, including:

• Experts in human resource management and digital technology.
• Personnel from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.

Research Tools

• In-depth interviews: Designed to collect qualitative data.
• Questionnaires: Using a 5-point Likert scale to measure participants' opinions.

Validation and Testing of Research Tools

• Tool Reviewers: The research tools were reviewed by three experts with experience in human resource development and policy research.
• Review Process:
1. Assessing the appropriateness of the questions and content coverage.
2. Providing recommendations for improving clarity and alignment with research objectives.
• Testing the Tools:
1. Conducting a pilot test with a small group of 10 participants resembling the target group.
2. Analyzing the data to evaluate the validity and reliability of the tools.
3. Refining the tools based on analysis results and feedback from the pilot test group.

Analysis Techniques

• Utilizing SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, and TOWS Matrix to synthesize data from interviews and questionnaires.
• Applying the EDFR technique to refine and improve the strategies.

Research Steps

1. Studying the current circumstances and expectations.
2. Developing and reviewing draft strategies.
3. Presenting and endorsing the strategies.

Key Findings

1. Personnel demonstrated basic competency levels but lacked advanced skills in digital technology.
2. Four draft strategies were proposed:
• Enhancing digital skills for job performance.
• Promoting a culture of self-development.
• Modernizing personnel management systems.
• Establishing digital systems and infrastructure to support work processes.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The proposed strategies were endorsed by experts as feasible and practical. Recommendations include:

• Allocating budgets for digital skills development.
• Promoting learning and development through online courses.
• Establishing evaluation and monitoring systems for personnel development.