Implementation Model of the Quality Criteria in Public Sector Management at Mahasarakham Provincial Public Health Office

Abstract

This action research aimed to study an operating model based on Public Sector Management Quality Award (PMQA) criteria of Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office. The sample group was stakeholders and those who involved in the study in the operating model. A total of 40 samples was obtained using a purposive sampling technique. The included samples were comprised of 1 executive, 13 supervisors/deputies, and 26 staff (every 2 staff selected from each division). Quantitative data were collected by using a questionnaire, a participatory assessment form, and PMQA criteria, while focus groups, workshops, and meetings were used to collect qualitative data. Demographic data were quantitatively analyzed by descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation (SD) and Paired t-test, a type of inferential statistics, was employed to compare a pre-and post-intervention, and content analysis was used for analyzing the qualitative data. Results suggested that before implementing the PMQA strategy of Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office, the mean participation score was rated at a medium level of 2.08 (SD=0.53), while the mean participation score after the intervention was 2.68, represented a high level (SD=0.47). After the PMQA committee had participated and played a role in the PMQA, Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office had a higher level of the participation with statistical significance at 0.05 level and gained higher self-assessment scores, based on the PMQA criteria, of section 6, focusing on operating systems. In other words, before implementing the PMQA concept, the operation score regarding “work processes” was rated at 2.8 points, and the score of “operational effectiveness” was 2.6 points (overall 2.7 points). After the implementation, these scores increased to 4.4 points, and 4.2 points, respectively (overall, 4.3 points). Additionally, after the PMQA Committee participated and played a role in improving the quality of public sector management, the assessment scores of the operations based on the PMQA criteria of Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office had increased. Factors for the success of the implementation based on the PMQA strategy of Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office included: 1) strong emphasis on the PMQA operation of the executives, 2) having participation and integrate of work, and 3) having monitor, evaluation and summary of the PMQA operations.