Multicultural Leadership Models for Facilitating Participatory Administration in Local Government: Evidence from Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand

Abstract

Local government administration in Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province, faces increasing challenges arising from growing cultural diversity. Although previous studies suggest that multicultural leadership can enhance decision-making quality and reduce conflict, its application within the northeastern Thai local government context remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by developing and testing a multicultural leadership model designed to promote participatory administration among local administrators.The objectives of this research were to: (1) analyze the components of multicultural leadership among local administrators; (2) develop a leadership model that facilitates participatory administration; and (3) evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of the proposed model. A mixed-methods research design was employed. The study population consisted of 45 local governance stakeholders, including administrators, community leaders, and public representatives, selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Research instruments were validated for content validity and reliability by experts. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.The findings identified four key components of multicultural leadership: multicultural vision, cross-cultural communication, acceptance of diversity, and conflict resolution. Local administrators demonstrated high levels across all components. The developed leadership model was rated as highly effective in facilitating participatory administration, particularly in terms of trust-building, organizational commitment, shared goal setting, and administrative autonomy. The model also received high evaluations for feasibility and practical utility within the local context.The study concludes that multicultural leadership plays a critical role in promoting effective participatory administration in culturally diverse local governments such as Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province. The proposed model offers a practical and empirically grounded framework with strong potential to enhance transparency, public trust, and citizen participation. The findings contribute to local administrator development and provide policy-relevant insights applicable to similar multicultural governance contexts.