The Management Mechanism of Points-based Elderly Care Service for Low-income People in China: An Innovative & Social Exchange Approach

Abstract

Elderly care services represent a new cultural paradigm, a lifestyle shift, an avenue for economic development, and a reflection of the values of modern civilization. These services offer a variety of support designed to assist older individuals in daily living and enhance their well-being. To improve the quality of life for the elderly and ensure the sustainability of care systems, a points-based elderly care service model was introduced, enabling points to be exchanged for care services within the community.

This research aimed to identify factors influencing a points-based management mechanism’s potential success and develop practical recommendations for creating a sustainable framework for such a model. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative analysis through a questionnaire survey (512 responses) and qualitative insights from in-depth interviews with 10 participants, including low-income individuals, caregivers, university instructors, and government officials. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SPSSAU was applied to analyze the data.

The findings revealed: 1) Social Exchange of Points (SEP) significantly and positively impacts the Potential Success of the Points-based Management Mechanism (PSPMM); 2) SEP significantly and positively influences Diffusion of Innovations (DOI); 3) DOI has a significant positive impact on PSPMM; 4) DOI serves as a crucial mediating variable in the relationship between SEP and PSPMM, with a mediating effect accounting for 86.57% of the total impact, alongside a smaller but positive direct effect.

These results highlight DOI’s importance in transmitting SEP’s effects on PSPMM, suggesting the need to strengthen innovative mechanisms within the points-based elderly care service system to ensure sustainable development.

Keywords: social exchange, diffusion of innovations, management mechanism, mediating effect, elderly care service

6319200002 Tan Youmo, Advisor: ดร.บุรินทร์ สันติสาส์น – Dr. Burin Santisarn, ดร.กานต์จิรา ลิมศิริธง – Dr. Karnjira Limsiritong, ดุษฎีนิพนธ์ (Dissertation), – The Management Mechanism of Points-based Elderly Care Service for Low-income People in China: An Innovative & Social Exchange Approach, ตีพิมพ์ในวารสาร (Journal Name), International Journal of Sociologies and Anthropologies Sciences Review, ปริญญาเอก (Doctorate Degree), บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย (Graduate School), ปรัชญาดุษฎีบัณฑิต สาขาวิชาการจัดการ – Doctor of Philosophy Program in Management, ปร.ด. การจัดการ – Ph.D. in Management, Siam University, Bangkok, Thailand – มหาวิทยาลัยสยาม กรุงเทพมหานคร ประเทศไทย