INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS ON THE PERCEPTIONS OF KRENGJAI AMONG THAI AND NON-THAI EMPLOYEES IN ACADEMIC WORKPLACES BY MISS KATESARA BOONPRASERT A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LINGUISTICS FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2016 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS ON THE PERCEPTIONS OF KRENGJAI AMONG THAI AND NON-THAI EMPLOYEES IN ACADEMIC WORKPLACES BY MISS KATESARA BOONPRASERT A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LINGUISTICS FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2016 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (1) Thesis Title INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS ON THE PERCEPTIONS OF KRENGJAI AMONG THAI AND NON-THAI EMPLOYEES IN ACADEMIC WORKPLACES Author Miss Katesara Boonprasert Degree Master of Arts Major Field/Faculty/University English Language Studies Faculty of Liberal Arts Thammasat University Thesis Advisor Assistant Professor Sawitri Hammond, Ph.D. Academic Years 2016 ABSTRACT The term krengjai (to be considerate) is frequently claimed to represent a Thai social value which is reflected in Thais' daily behaviors. Over the last decade, globalization and the integration of South-east Asian nations into ASEAN Community has accelerated international mobilization, cross- regional collaboration, as well as intercultural exchanges within various organizations especially educational institutions. Nowadays, several universities in Thailand increasingly offer international study and research programs to meet up this regional trend with international standard. Therefore, staff and faculties from diverse cultures are employed to fulfil such an international standard requirement. This diverse group of intercultural employees has to encounter daily interactions in their workplace inevitably involving how to behave krengjai manner with their colleagues. Interestingly, krengjai can affect the quality of communication and subsequently the professional relationship of the interlocutor. The purpose of the present study was to examine how krengjai –its English definitions and effects on Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (2) communication and professional relationship is perceived in multicultural environment. To investigate the perceptions towards krengjai, a mixed methodology was implemented. A combination of questionnaires and semi- structured interviews were the preliminary sources of primary data for this combined method. The participants (subjects) were Thai and non-Thai employees (staff and faculty members) from an international study program of two Thai state (government) universities. The questionnaires were collected with 201 Thais 33 Westerners and 8 Easterners. Then, 2 participants, in total of 6, from each group were chosen to participate in an in-depth interview. The findings of this study revealed that Thai and non-Thai participants provided both similar and different English definitions of krengjai from which “consideration” or “being considerate” is mostly used to interpret the term. In addition, there was no explicitly direct relationship with nationality to definitional similarity or difference on krengjai. The investigation on perceptions of krengjai effects on communication and professional relationship showed that most Thai and non-Thai participants agreed with negative effects of krengjai on communication, whereas positive effects on professional relationship. However, the qualitative findings showed that the value of krengjai binary effects was based on context and therefore perceived otherwise. The analysis of relationship between nationality and perceptions towards krengjai revealed further that the Western participants had the highest percentage of negative perceptions towards krengjai, following with Eastern and Thai participants. The study concludes that the interpretation of krengjai is based on personal experiences of participants, respectively influencing their different level of perceptions. In response, Thai and non-Thai employees should be aware of the subjective interpretation of krengjai. Moreover, any assumption of similarity/difference based on nationality can deteriorate the quality of communication and personal relationships when krengjai is displayed. To Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (3) create multicultural understanding and thus a healthy and professional working environment, a workplace should initiate intercultural training session, which entails a complete conceptual picture of krengjai. An open forum could also encourage discussion on specific issues relevant to the practice of krengjai at workplace. Keywords: krengjai, definition, Thai culture, national culture, intercultural communication, multicultural workplace, perception, nationality, Thais, Westerners, Easterners Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (4) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Don’t be overwhelmed with your data; be selective. Don’t try to be perfect” (Hammond, 2015). Without these words of my thesis advisor, this study would not be completed. I express my heartfelt gratitude to my thesis advisor, Asst. Prof. Dr. Sawitri Hammond, for her academic guidance and valuable comments, kindness and understanding when I was in hard times and hours of reminding me to overcome the fear of not writing perfectly enough. I equally extend my gratitude to Asst. Prof. Dr. Apisak Pupipat as the chair of my thesis committee, for his direct and constructive feedback on my work. I also express my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Malinee Prapinwong in accepting to be my thesis defense committee member and for her kindness and sympathy for my panic disorder. This study would not have been possible without the academic guidance and encouragement of all the instructors in the English Language Studies Program. Without their provision of the highest possible quality knowledge and dedication, I would not be able to enhance my academic skills. All teachings will be in my remembrance and truly a significant part of my contribution to society. I am particularly thankful to Ajarn Martin Perenchio who got me interested in the area of intercultural communication studies, for his frank and direct discussion in class and valuable time to review my thesis proposal. My special thanks also go to my former boss at Chula Global Network, Professor Dr. Suthiphand Chirathivat, who was kind and sympathetic about my situation especially when I was having hard times to balance work and study. I also express many thanks to all of ELS staff, especially Waraporn as well my classmates, especially Sathinee, Supassorn, Pakkawadee, Pornthep, Patpong, Boonjira and Jaruyot, for sharing tears and joy throughout this long and memorable journey. I am also thankful to Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (5) Somtam for being attentive in class. Despite being with us for only a certain period, she has never forgotten us as her classmates. I also feel grateful to all my friends, especially Arnut, Pavas, Natthama, Pannipa, Areeya, Pornpimol, Sureerat, Nuthiyaporn, Dirin and Dr. Phenwisa, for their understanding and sharing laughs and tears throughout this priceless journey. It is truly an honor to have them all in my life. Last but never least; I would like to express my utmost gratitude to my parents and sisters, who have given me their true endless love, moral support, understanding and sacrifices. They have always had faith in me and have taught me to be a fighter. Indeed, they have been a light even in my darkest moment. Without my parents and sisters, I would not have accomplished this academic journey. Miss Katesara Boonprasert Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (6) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT (1) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (4) LIST OF TABLES (10) LIST OF FIGURES (12) CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background of the study 1 1.2 Statement of the problem 6 1.3 Purpose of the study 9 1.4 Research questions and hypotheses 9 1.5 Scope of the study 10 1.6 Definition of key terms 11 1.7 Significance of the study 11 1.8 Conclusion 13 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 14 2.1 English definitions of krengjai 14 2.2 Impacts on communication and interpersonalrelationships 21 2.2.1 Krengjai and communication 21 2.2.2 Krengjai and professional relationships 24 2.3 Culture influencing perception (towards krengjai) 26 2.3.1 National culture 26 2.3.2 Specific analysis of Thai cultural characteristics 31 2.4 Research on perceptions towards krengjai 35 Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (7) 2.5 Conclusion 38 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 39 3.1 Research design 39 3.1.1 Research questions 39 3.2 Participants 40 3.2.1 Population 40 3.2.2 Sample size 42 3.2.3 Sampling design 42 3.3 Instruments 44 3.3.1 Questionnaire 45 3.3.2 Interview 47 3.3.3 Survey reliability 47 3.4 Data analysis 48 3.5 Conclusion 50 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 52 4.1 Demographic information 52 4.1.1 General information 52 4.1.2 Socio-cultural information 53 4.1.3 Interviewed participants’ information 56 4.2 English definitions of krengjai 58 4.2.1 General findings 58 4.2.2 Comparative findings on krengjai 66 4.2.2.1 In-depth interviews 71 4.3 Effects of krengjai on communication practices and professional relationships 78 4.3.1 Easterners' perceptions of krengjai at work 81 4.3.1.1 Qualitative analysis of the Easterners’ perceptions of krengjai at work 83 Ref. code: 25595306040238XBM (8) 4.3.2 Westerners' perceptions of krengjai at work 89 4.3.2.1 Qualitative analysis of Westerners’