ผลกระทบและการปรับตัวจากการระบาดของโควิด 19 ของอู่ซ่อมรถยนต์เฉพาะอย่างในจังหวัดเชียงใหม่

Abstract

The purpose of this independent study was to study the impacts on operations and adaptation of specialized car repair garages in Chiang Mai Province. By analyzing the external environment that affects the business by using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the business. And analyzed the internal business using the Business Management Concept, the Key Success Factors Concept and the Adaptation of Entrepreneur Concept. Then analyzed the consistency of all 7 aspects, including the assistant from government and relevant organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary data was collected by in-depth interviews with specialized car repair garages in Chiang Mai Province who had survived the COVID-19 pandemic and were characterized as 15 small and medium-size businesses for analysis and presentation of the study results. The results showed that most entrepreneurs had more than 10 years of business experience. The nature of the business was coating and work on the automobile chassis. The size of the business was a small enterprise. The business structure had an operation controller and was divided into departments. There was a variety of operational strategies. Entrepreneurs focus on taking care of employees and controlling operations to ensure the quality of work. Applied the program to use in the operation within the business. Sending employees for training to improve their skills. Allocating the number of employees according to the amount of work and arrange meetings with employees to ensure if they acknowledge their responsibilities, helping each other to solve the problems and making sure they understood the culture within the organization. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, there weren't many factors that affected the business, compared to during the pandemic. The external environment factor that had the greatest impact on business was the economic factor which causing product prices to increase resulting in higher operating costs for businesses. Customers were careful in spending and working capital within the business had decreased during the pandemic. Entrepreneurs had to invest more money to support their business. The internal business environment factors that had the greatest impact were human resource factors. Due to the problem of absenteeism of employees and a limited number of employees which cannot work as a replacement. Business strengths such as experienced and skilled employees. Business weakness such as technicians with specific expertise were hard to find. Opportunities that support the business, such as the creation of a network in specialized car garages. Increase the opportunity by exchanging the experiences and supportive. Business threats, such as some employees and operators being infected with COVID-19, caused operational disruptions and delays. In addition, from the point of view of entrepreneurs, the factors that made the business successful were the services that create an impression, a good care and attention, not taking advantage of customers and work efficiently. During the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs had been affected by the increasing cost of business operations, especially the price of equipment prices. As a result, working capital and liquidity within the business decreased. In addition, people were strict in spending. Slow down the use of cars for service and lifestyle changes. Living indoors more and avoiding using the car. Causing the number of cars to use the service in the business decreased. The entrepreneurs tried to adapt during the pandemic by controlling the expenses within the business. Reviewed the accounts and turnover to reduce unnecessary expenses. Checking information and contact certain groups of customers who had been in touch but have not brought their cars in for service yet. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such customers had reduced car usage and would have time to bring their cars into service. Prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace by spraying disinfectants before and after car repairs. Separated the areas between customers and staff, arrange employee meetings to find the solution with the problems that happened during the pandemic. Asked for the loan and took out the reserved funds to enhance liquidity into business. Conduct marketing communications about preventing the spread of COVID 19 to build confidence for customers in bringing cars for the service. Entrepreneurs need the government and relevant agencies to help in the matters of tax payment rate, minimum wage increase, organize a meeting to create an agreement between a specific car garage and an insurance company on the price of labor for car repairs, organize a skill development project and establish a project to help medium and small-sized businesses.