Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences

This research aims to study the patterns and levels of Thai public participation in the drafting of the three most recent constitutions of Thailand through qualitative research and by collecting data from secondary documents. The research then employs the International Association of Participation’s five-level criteria to analyze and compare patterns and levels of public participation. Research has found that the constitution-making process in Thailand is in a transition period from representative democracy to participatory democracy, and people must participate in the constitution-making process to express their will under self-government. In the constitution-making of the state Constitution 1997, the Constitution 2007 and the 2017 Constitution of Thailand, public participation in drafting the constitution was low. Only the 1997 Constitution was initiated by the political elite with the support of the civil society sector. The 2007 and 2017 constitutions were clearly influenced by the coup d’état. The communication process in drafting the constitution, although all three processes of drafting the constitution used two-way communication, did not bring the results of public communication to the drafting of the constitution. The public’s participation in the content of the constitution was limited by the organization that drafted the constitution, which was under the control of military and political elites. The referendum, which was the final decision-making power of the public, indicated the highest level of participation in drafting the constitution but was an incomplete referendum. The study concluded that participation in drafting all constitutions was a form of limited participation, while the public’s participation in drafting the 2007 and 2017 constitutions was only symbolic. Despite attempts to improve the form and level of public participation in drafting the Constitution, Thailand’s constitution-making process still faced problems related to constitutional legitimacy.

Keywords: Constitution-making, Public participation, Thailand

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.63.42

The importance of the rule of law is being increasingly emphasized in debates on public administration and governance because it is acknowledged to be essential to the effectiveness of society. This study explores the impact of legal frameworks on the accessibility and quality of public services by examining the relationship between the rule of law and service delivery. The main research question investigates how much the rule of law affects the accessibility and quality of public services. On the other hand, theoretical frameworks such as public administration and bureaucracy theory provide analytical lenses for understanding the relationship within governance structures. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive evaluation of how strong rule-of-law institutions directly influence public service outcomes, for example, efficiency, transparency, and citizen satisfaction. The findings emphasize a positive correlation between robust legal institutions and improved public service quality. However, the study also identifies challenges, particularly in developing countries’ contexts, where bureaucratic obstacles and resource limitations complicate the relationship between legal frameworks and service effectiveness. Ultimately, the study offers new insights into governance strategies by emphasizing the crucial role that legal principles play in shaping public service delivery and enhancing the overall effectiveness of governance.

Keywords: Rule of Law, Public Services, Governance, Democratic Process, Bureaucracy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.63.41

This study aims to improve the performance of companies in the traditional medicine sector by utilizing an ecosystem model and scenario planning based on the TAIDA (Tracking, Analyzing, Imaging, Deciding, and Acting) framework. The objectives are to evaluate the current state of the traditional medicine industry, identify factors affecting its growth, and develop scenario planning for its future development. This research uses a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative techniques such as descriptive statistical analysis and SEM-PLS analysis with qualitative methods including literature review, focus group discussions, interviews, and scenario planning. The sample comprises 33 traditional medicine companies located in West Java, with company leaders serving as respondents. The findings indicate that innovation, raw material availability, networking, both external and internal environments, and agile strategies significantly enhance company performance. Additionally, government policies and the involvement of academic institutions play a crucial role in influencing these factors. This study underscores the importance of technological advancements and efficient interagency collaboration to enhance operational efficiency and resilience. The results suggest that adopting flexible and adaptive strategies that incorporate logistical, technological, and collaborative efforts can significantly benefit the traditional medicine industry. This research provides new insights into the industry’s development in Indonesia and offers alternative strategies to enhance performance and adaptability during future crises. These insights can also inform strategies to strengthen national defense capabilities in similar contexts, thereby improving the industry’s overall resilience and effectiveness.

Keywords: Ecosystem Model, Traditional Medicine Industry, Scenario Planning, Tracking, Analyzing, Imaging, Deciding, and Acting (TAIDA) Model

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.63.40

This study highlighted the importance of African countries in implementing AI policies for the full use of technologies in their development. The study used a desktop research technique. This includes various literature sources for analyzing the current state and potential of AI policies in African countries. The study identified that AI policies in Africa are in their infancy stages, and very few African countries have AI policies in place. At present, only 8 countries in the continent have implemented AI policies. Countries such as Nigeria and South Africa do not have AI policies in place. The study also identified the lack of robust AI policy frameworks in African countries as a significant barrier to leveraging AI for development. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and technology stakeholders in African countries. Furthermore, it will be beneficial for researchers and scholars interested in AI and AI policy and those contributing to scholarly literature in this field. Regarding field relevance, this research pertains to the disciplines of technology policy, public policy, development studies, sociology, and public administration. This study offers perspectives on what African countries should consider when developing their AI policies. The study also highlighted challenges that have undermined the adoption and effective implementation of AI policies across the continent. This study emphasized the necessity of collaborative action, visionary leadership, and evidence-based policymaking to create effective AI policies in Africa.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Africa, Development, Innovation, Technology policy.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.63.39

This study aims to determine the development of research publications on the themes of "e-voting," "electronic voting," “digital voting,” and “internet voting.” The objective of an e-voting bibliometric study is to offer a thorough and data-based overview of the field. By examining articles ranging from the early 2000s to the present, this study can discern enduring trends and patterns in e-voting research. This quantitative investigation employed a literature review utilizing the Scopus database to identify studies pertaining to electronic voting. The VOSviewer software processed the graphically represented outcomes. The findings of this study indicate that 2020 has the highest number of e-voting research publications. The United States contributes the most to research publications. The predominant publication domains are computer science, methodologies, and information systems. The study analyzes an extensive collection of papers from Scopus to ensure a comprehensive representation of the voting literature as the platform provides a range of metrics for assessing research impact and collaboration features such as author profiles and a collaboration network. The keyword analysis revealed that the terms “e-voting” and “blockchain” dominated the researcher domain. Keywords like “electronic voting” and “voting machine” form a dense cluster, which indicates their central importance in the field. Emerging trends, such as e-voting, cryptography, and voting systems, should be considered in future research.

Keywords: Electronic voting, Internet voting, Blockchain, Internet of things.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.63.38