Human Capital Investment for Labor Free Flow: Lao Skill Workers Development for Thailand and Lao PDR Labor Market

Abstract

           This study applied a qualitative research design by using multiple case studies as a research strategy to investigate the process of how to develop unskilled Lao workers in Lao PDR and to explore the benefits on the human capital investment on Laotian workers of Thailand and Lao PDR. There were five originations, two private sector TACDO Consulting Center and Lao Labor Promotion Limited and three organizations in government sector: (1) Lao-German Technical College (LGTC), Lao-Korea Skills Development Institute (LK) and Lao-Japan Human Resource Development Institute (LJ). The setting involved purposive sampling that was used to identify 37 participants who had experience involved with training program of Lao skills workers. Data were collected from in-depth interviews, focus groups, photos, video clips, and, telephone interviewing. All data methods were integrated to answer research questions. Classified and grouping over 400 photos and 20 clips VDOs to link with manual coding for data analysis. It is very useful to deep understanding. It can be one of triangulation from the difference sources of data. Finally, there were 5 main categories with about 70 sub categories. Base on the manual coding the findings were explained at this state of the research. The components of the main categories include: (1) General Process Way (2) Cooperative Way (3) Obstacles/ Problems Way (4) Development Way (5) Other Way. The Researcher reported in this dissertation made a significant contribution to our knowledge of the important human capital investment for Lao skills development in Lao and Thai labor markets.