Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Rural communitie'
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Quarnberg, Tisah M. "Community Satisfaction, Community Attachment, Community Experience, Internet Use and Internet Access in Rural Utah Communities." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2011. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/2790.
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This study examines the impact of the Internet on rural community satisfaction, attachment and overall experience. With the geographic dispersion of social networks, the majority of the population has a greater need for long-distance social networking. The Internet has the potential to mitigate distance and connect social networks much faster than letter writing or face-to-face visits. While the Internet is available, to at least some extent, in rural communities in Utah, does it positively affect overall perceptions of community life? This study finds that this is not the case. There is a negative relationship between Internet use and community satisfaction and overall community experience. However, this study also finds that the type of Internet access available within the home has a positive effect on community attachment and overall community experience. The Internet is thus an important element of rural community life and should not be overlooked.
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Ricketts, Kristina G. "The importance of community leadership to successful rural communities in Florida." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2005. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0009802.
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Stanley, Lois A. 1961. "Community asset building in rural development : an analysis of military-base redevelopment in rural host communities." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8518.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-164).
This dissertation is about opportunities in rural development. Often we think of development as a function of location. In the pursuit of economic development, analysts and practitioners tend to consider the advantages--economic, geographic, and institutional--of one location over another. Rural areas often weigh in toward the bottom of such analyses because they enjoy few of the traditional, i.e., location-dependent, resources for development. The general question underlying this dissertation is: How do rural communities find opportunities for economic development without the traditional resources to serve as stimuli? Local responses to air force bases closures during the 1990s are examined, first, through a comparative analysis between the groups of six rural and 26 metropolitan host communities of closed bases and, second, through case studies of four host communities--three rural and one metropolitan. Principle findings included:
(cont.) *Surprisingly, the rural host communities achieved success in base redevelopment comparable to metropolitan host communities despite significant economic, geographic, and institutional gaps between the two groups in the study. *Residents mobilized in response to base-closure crises in every community. Through participation in base reuse planning activities, residents grew knowledgeable in base-related issues that, ultimately, aided redevelopment and compensated for the lack of more formal local development expertise. *Host communities capitalized upon much-needed development assets they derived from federal resources--grants, technical assistance, and base property. *By the end of the study period, the rural host communities, in particular, had improved their capacity to plan and manage future development through the accumulation and capitalization of assets derived from local and federal resources in base redevelopment.
by Lois A. Stanley.
Ph.D.
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Rivers, James. "Improving the usability and accessibility in aging rural communities: rural policy for innovation in an aging community." Kansas State University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/17748.
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Master of Regional and Community PlanningDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning
Katherine Nesse
Most adults have grown accustomed to the current design orientation of their communities; however, as adults grow older they will be hard pressed to maintain their current lifestyle and level of activity in their community. This research identifies the importance of incorporating accessibility and usability elements into the streetscape of a community to encourage the integration of seniors into community life. One of the four pillars of the Main Street approach is design. This encompasses the design of building facades, streetscapes, and public spaces. This research looks at the Kansas Main Street program and investigates its success in furthering usability and accessibility of streetscapes in rural communities experiencing an aging population and infrastructure. My thesis is if the Main Street organizations of Kansas were concerned about the access and use of streetscapes for elderly populations, their concern would be expressed in development plans and practices through their Main Street program undertakings. Through this research, I have found that while rural communities see the value in accessible streetscapes their primary barrier to creating them is a financial one.
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Ramirez, Ricardo. "Rural and remote communities harnessing information and communication technology for community development." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/NQ56291.pdf.
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White-Davison, Patricia A. M. "Rural Views: Schooling in Rural/Remote Communities." Thesis, Griffith University, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367842.
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This study is based on data collected for a large project that investigated social literacies and various aspects of the literacy culture of members of three rural communities in Queensland. This study draws on ideas from current critical literacy theory and research and post-structural writings. It reports a distinctive set of observations which aim to contribute to social and educational knowledge in respect of centre-margin relationships, literacy-empowerment relationships, the changing socio-economic and political landscape in rural Australia, and the need for a new conceptual landscape to define the foundations of a 'postprogressive pedagogy'. This study delineates some of the distinctive features of rural communities, and investigates the connections that people construct between schooling and economic change and the future, and between literacy and schooling and various aspects of the culture of the community. It interprets how schooling and literacy are socially constructed by members of the rural communities studied. One hundred and fifty-eight residents of three rural/remote communities were interviewed and their responses recorded and analysed. The residents represented the full range of ages and occupations. A selection of data from these interviews is taken for this study, based on themes and issues emerging from the data. A theoretical and empirical framework for the study is provided by reviewing current literature on rurality and rural living, on communities and schooling and cultural practices; literature on qualitative research methodology, specifically ethnomethodology, methods of interview analysis and the application of these methods, is also reviewed. Ethnomethodology is used for this study and the specific analytic procedures of Membership Categorisation Analysis. This specific type of qualitative research methodology is chosen because of its power to take the everyday conversations of community members and, through analytical procedures, to make explicit in those members accounts the interaction of their experiences with the organisational and social forces (the social realities) which permeate their relationships with one another and with the context of the community where they live, work and recreate. This study makes use of recent systematic procedures developed for interrogating interview data. It adds to the research literature on ideologies of family and community literacies and social practices in Australian rural communities. The study provides information relevant to rural development planners, and education policy developers and curriculum writers, for the purpose of enhancing schooling for rural students and better understanding of rural lifestyles. This study's focus on rural communities has highlighted the complexities and diversities of the rural communities that are studied. The different approaches and debates about 'defining rural' must continue, and researchers must avoid promoting a unidimensional category of 'rural'. The changing and developing nature of the rural communities has also been prominent in this study. The implications of these complexities and changes are that rural communities should be studied regularly so that the effects of the changes can be traced and documented. There is a varied set of understandings among rural dwellers about education. For some, education is bringing knowledge and skills to life in the rural location and enabling residents to avail themselves of the urban offerings that may enhance their occupations and leisure activities thus utilising the benefits of two cultures to their best advantage. For others, there are the expectations that education will enable them to move away from the rural areas, to go to the city, to take up other careers, to lead a different lifestyle. Hypotheses and generalisations that express negative approaches to rural cultures and to rural education must be reduced and the positive aspects promoted. Any centre-margin discourse must be scrutinised for its relevance and the feasibility of the assumptions on which it is based. Education policy developers, social researchers and rural policy planners need to re-evaluate the philosophical premises on which the current concept of success is based: success for the individual school student, success for education and schooling, and success in adult life. A number of recommendations are developed in an attempt to make a vision of excellence in rural education a central part of rural agenda. Curriculum in rural schools needs to be matched to rural resources and rural occupations and lifestyles, and to encourage enterprise. While education remains a centralised provision, it needs to provide a context for training in the communication skills that shape rural people's views of their communities. Rural secondary students may be disadvantaged by not having access to a wide range of curriculum offerings, and at tertiary level by inequities (mostly financial) of access, but technology could be used to assist in broadening the range of offerings at secondary level, and library resources across the country could be better utilised. Social and education research could benefit from further studies using this methodology, for example, studies in mining communities, rural ethnic communities, rural tourist communities.Thesis (Masters)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
School of Cognition, Language and Special Education
Arts, Education and Law
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Weierbach, Florence M. "Elder Friendly Rural Communities." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2012. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/7389.
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Mamburu, David Nyadzani. "The evaluarion of the impact of a community empowerment programme on rural communities." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2000. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03122007-133235.
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Brooks, Kathryn Janet (Lamb), and kal@aapt net au. "Rural resilience and prosperity : the relevance of government and community networks." The Australian National University. Faculty of Arts, 2007. http://thesis.anu.edu.au./public/adt-ANU20080115.173131.
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Dominant society centred interpretations of social capital in Australia are
inadequate to explain the economic fortunes and social prosperity of rural
Australian communities. Given the continued contention over interpretations and
measurement of social capital, this research sought to assess the relationship
between different interpretations of social capital and rural communities resilience
and prosperity.
¶
Utilising both quantitative and qualitative techniques to establish the relative
levels of social capital in two communities of divergent growth, the primary
objective was to test the association asserted between levels of social capital and
prosperity and resilience in the rural Australian context.
¶
The research findings highlight three notable issues. Surveying social capital with
current instruments is only effective in establishing the well being of rural
communities which appears related to their resilience, not their ability to prosper.
Secondly, the operational frameworks and responsibilities for social capital
adopted by governments dictate the manner in, and degree to which they deem
bridging and linking networks necessary and appropriate. This significantly affects
the role social capital is perceived to play in communities. Lastly, while
interpretations of social capital regard it as a normative factor in social life, rather
than being comprised of different and dynamic elements affecting communities
ability to prosper, the concept will remain unable to effectively contribute to the
policy domain.
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Bolton, Debra J. "Social capital in rural southwest Kansas." Diss., Kansas State University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/10725.
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Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of Family Studies and Human Services
William H. Meredith Jr
Walter R. Schumm
This study addresses a social capital literature that has mostly targeted a White majority population in the United States. Hispanic audiences, especially new immigrant populations, have not been primary survey respondents in most studies. Information about the social connectedness of minorities has come from secondary sources. The goal of this study was to understand to what extent Hispanic, compared to Anglo, families in rural Kansas experienced different levels of social capital in terms of social connectedness and community involvement. This study was done in English and Spanish in order to reach the under-represented population. According to political scientist, Robert Putnam (2000), it is through experiences of face-to-face interaction with those from different backgrounds that people learn to trust each other. Connections create networks that allow social trust to spread throughout society. At the individual level, there has been strong, consistent evidence that social connectedness has positive consequences. Individuals have the capacity and the choice to build their social connectedness and community engagement. Then those assets can be shared with the collective; be it family, organization, community, state, or country. When individuals have access to networks of supportive and accepting associates, it can generate an array of personal and societal benefits that include preventing or overcoming illness, preventing crime, mitigating poverty, addressing racial inequalities, supporting child development, improving health, and addressing other social ills. When one builds a stock of personal relationships and other social connections from which he or she can call upon in times of need, it is called social capital. This study, in part, assessed social connectedness and community engagement of people in Southwest County, a rural location in Southwest Kansas which has a 30% Hispanic population. Surveys were sent to selected households in English and Spanish, and two small focus groups were conducted in the two languages. Statistical analyses indicated support for the hypotheses when the independent variables gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and community longevity were analyzed with dependent variables made up of scaled items to measure social connectedness and community engagement. Race/ethnicity, education, and income appeared to be the strongest predictors of social connectedness and community engagement. Implications of the results are discussed.
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Prior, Maria E. "Added-value roles and remote communities an exploration of the contribution of health services to remote communities and of a method for measuring the contribution of institutions and individuals to community stocks of capital /." Thesis, Available from the University of Aberdeen Library and Historic Collections Digital Resources, 2009. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?application=DIGITOOL-3&owner=resourcediscovery&custom_att_2=simple_viewer&pid=33408.
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Vasiliauskaitė, Aistė. "Kaimo bendruomenių veiklos tobulinimas Šiaulių krašte." Master's thesis, Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT), 2008. http://vddb.library.lt/obj/LT-eLABa-0001:E.02~2008~D_20080925_100224-20834.
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Magistro darbe yra išanalizuota bei susisteminta Lietuvos bei užsienio autorių mokslinė literatūra kaimo bendruomenių veiklos tematika, išanalizuota kaimo bendruomenių įstatyminė bazė bei jų veiklos finansavimo būdai, išsiaiškinamos gyvenimo kokybės gerinimo galimybės Šiaulių apskrities kaimo vietovėse dėka veikiančių kaimo bendruomenių. Tyrimo metu renkama informacija apie Šiaulių apskrities kaimo bendruomenių organizacijų veiklą, kliūtis su kuriomis jos susiduria savo veikloje bei analizuojama kokiu būdu ir kokiomis priemonėmis įmanoma plėtoti bei tobulinti kaimo bendruomenių veiklą Šiaulių regione. Esminė tyrimo problema formuluojama kaip sugrąžinti gyventojus, ypatingai jaunimą į nedidelius miestelius ar kaimus, kokiu būdu kurti darbo vietas išsilavinusiems žmonėms. Baigiamajame darbe patvirtinama suformuluota hipotezė, kad bendruomenių stiprinimas ir plėtra – tai galimybė užtikrinti Lietuvos kaimo perspektyvas, sukurti naują kaimo struktūrą, tokiu būdu įrodant, kad kaimas – tai ne tik vieta, kur gaminami žemės ūkio produktai.In the Master’s degree thesis the scientific publications by Lithuanian and foreign authors, concerning the countryside communities activities, were analysed and systematized; the legitimate basis and the ways of financial supply allotted to countryside communities activities reviewed; the possibilities to improve the quality of life in the villages of Šiauliai Country, owing to the acting countryside communities, were found out. During the process of investigation, there was collected information about the activities offered by the Šiauliai Country countryside communities and their organizations, about the obstacles that arose in their proceedings, and analysis was done, how and taking what measures it is possible to expand and improve the activities of countryside communities in Šiauliai area. In the graduation thesis a hypothesis was formulated, stating that strengthening and expansion of communities create a possibility to assure further perspectives of Lithuanian village and to create its new structure, thus proving the village to be not just a place, where agricultural products are made.
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Xu, Haiqing. "Rural industrialisation and urbanisation of the rural communities in China." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.415173.
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Sharman, Zena Catherine. "The recruitment and retention of community health workers in small cities, towns, and rural communities." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/25102.
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This study focused on the recruitment and retention of community health workers (CHWs) who work outside of large urban centres in small cities, towns, and rural communities in Canada. The study had three objectives: (1) to describe what CHWs working in small cities, towns, and rural communities have to say about their jobs, their working conditions, and their roles within the health care system; (2) to investigate these CHWs’ experiences of, and motivations for, pursuing a career in the home support sector; and (3) to develop recommendations to inform the design of policies and programs for the recruitment and retention of CHWs in small cities, towns, and rural communities. The study employed a qualitative research design informed by a feminist approach to health services research aimed at fostering “bottom-up” policy development informed by the perspectives of marginalized health care workers. The research process was carried out in partnership with a regional health authority in British Columbia, Canada. Data collection took place in four Vancouver Island communities: Campbell River, Parksville, Port Alberni and Port Hardy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 participants across the four study communities. The majority of the participants (n = 17) were unionized CHWs. The other respondents included nurses, managers, team leaders, and a scheduler. All interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Study findings were later reported back to and validated by the participants.
The study found that CHWs in the study communities performed a wide range of duties that extend beyond standard definitions of home support, of particular relevance to smaller communities with limited access to other health and social services. The primary facilitator of CHW recruitment and retention was the opportunity to build positive relationships with clients. Wages were the primary barrier to CHW recruitment and retention, in particular the wage disparity between community- and facility-based workers. Other barriers included the costs associated with paying for one’s own mobile phone and using one’s own vehicle on the job, CHWs’ unpredictable schedules, and feeling isolated from other members of the health care team.
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Denker, Amy E. "Public engagement in rural aging communities." Kansas State University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/17663.
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Master of Regional and Community PlanningDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning
Katherine Nesse
Public engagement in rural, aging communities is often an after thought when creating plans, strategies, or projects in these communities. Initiatives that focus specifically on interacting with aging ruralites through new media is almost non-existent. However, engagement through web-based forums or social media is a growing trend. At the same time, older people have proven that they do not use the internet or social media as frequently as younger generations. To bridge the gap of inexperience with online forms of engagement, I investigate whether educational components introduced through traditional face-to-face forms of public engagement can increase the participation of older residents. To test this, I introduce social media and online engagement to older adults through an educational presentation at a public meeting in Council Grove, Kansas, in cooperation with the Flint Hills Regional Council. I monitored social media and online websites connected to the public meeting prior to and after the meeting to track changes in engagement that occurred due to the meeting. Though there was little change in engagement on the two websites I monitored, the survey results suggest that the people at the meeting appreciated the introduction and did have some familiarity with the internet and the online engagement environments. Unfortunately, this research does not definitively answer the question asked. It suggests that further education presented in future meetings may increase online engagement when implemented at a larger scale.
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Sandbulte, Natalie J. "Rural communities and mental health care." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 2007. http://www.tren.com/search.cfm?p088-0180.
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Florence, James, Robert P. Pack, Jodi L. Southerland, and Randolph F. Wykoff. "The Depth of Rural Health Disparities in America: ABCDE's." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2012. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/1325.
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Health-related disparities remain a persistent, serious problem across the nation's more than 60 million rural residents. Rural Populations and Health provides an overview of the critical issues surrounding rural health and offers a strong theoretical and evidence-based rationale for rectifying rural health disparities in the United States.
This edited collection includes a comprehensive examination of myriad issues in rural health and rural health care services, as well as a road map for reducing disparities, building capacity and collaboration, and applying prevention research in rural areas. This textbook offers a review of rural health systems in Colorado, Kentucky, Alabama, and Iowa, and features contributions from key leaders in rural public health throughout the United States.
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Devine, Jonathan Hugh. "Rural Community Attitudes Towards Tourism." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2006. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/DevineJH2006.pdf.
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Popkin, Karen Patricia. "Representing the imagined rural community." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.263895.
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Dzansi, Dennis Yao. "Social responsibility of SMMEs in rural communities." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 2004. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03302005-112633.
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LaBrie, Sharon L. "Forming Family: Lesbian Mothers in Rural Communities." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2008. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/LaBrieSL2008.pdf.
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Goetz, Marieta. "Mobile business models in African rural communities." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2581.
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Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.Mobile telephone subscription in developing countries has increased by more than 500 percent since 2005, with Africa experiencing the highest growth rate globally. Amongst Africa’s 306.5 million subscribers, recorded in 2008, an unexpectedly high adoption rate of the technology by poor, often illiterate rural communities is observed. Mobile telephony generally provides African rural users access to electronic communication for the first time. Providing access to communication, information and knowledge, mobile phones present a platform for economic and social interaction in rural Africa. The extent of the resulting positive socio-economic impact on the developing world has lead to mobile telephony increasingly being viewed as a potential development tool for the socio-economic upliftment of the rural poor. This thesis is inspired by the potential for value creation to end users of mobile telephony, leading to the proposition that the rapid expansion of mobile telephony in rural Africa can contribute significantly to the sustainability of these communities’ rural livelihoods. For this proposition to be valid, mobile telephony has to provide value beyond being communication tool. It has to provide value in income generating activities by increasing opportunities for access to financial and social capital with mobile business models appropriate to the rural African context. To assess the appropriateness of mobile value offerings, the rural African context was analyzed using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Through multi-level analysis, the challenges and issues that influence the lives of the rural poor were explored and the dominant livelihood strategies in terms of income generating activities were identified. Apart from agricultural income streams, waged labor, migration and micro-entrepreneurial activities provide non-agricultural income streams. Creating an appropriate mobile business ecosystem for rural Africa requires the collaboration of a complex network of actors within a value constellation to co-produce value for the end users. Three conditional factors were identified for mobile telephony and emerging mobile business models to contribute successfully to sustainable livelihoods: adaptation of the technology by providers, user appropriation to make the technology their own and the assimilation of it into their livelihood strategies. These factors were researched for validation through the study of existing literature and reported case studies. It was found that these three conditional factors were unequivocally met. Firstly, the mobile telecommunication industry active in Africa is seen to successfully adapt and innovate solutions that are relevant to African rural communities’ vulnerabilities and livelihood strategies. Secondly, African mobile phone users have successfully adopted and appropriated mobile telephony to create value for themselves in their livelihood strategies, often independent of external interventions. They are claiming ownership of the technology and not merely using it as a communication tool. Thirdly, by assimilating mobile telephony into their livelihood strategies, value-creation within their income generating activities have been made possible. This value creation is impacting users’ social and financial capital positively. This thesis concludes that mobile telephony and emerging mobile business models are contributing to increasing African rural dwellers’ income generating potential, reducing their vulnerability to shocks, and providing them with a voice; thereby contributing to sustainable rural livelihoods.
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Reitmaier, Thomas Oliver. "Designing digital storytelling for rural African communities." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11508.
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Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.
This thesis situates digital storytelling in rural African communities to enable rural people to record and share their stories and to express their imaginations digitally. We explore the role of design and the methods and perspectives designers need to take on to design across cultures and to understand the forms and meanings behind rural African interpretations of digital storytelling. By integrating ethnographic insights with previous experiences of designing these kinds of systems, we implement a method using cell-phones to localize storytelling and involve rural users in design activities– probing ways to incorporate visual and audio media in storytelling. Our mobile digital storytelling system proved to be useable and useful, also allowing users to form their own interpretations of digital storytelling and (re)appropriate our system to alternative ends.
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Kurtzman, Judith A. "Utah's Rural Communities: Planning for the Future." DigitalCommons@USU, 1999. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4946.
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Two of the biggest concerns facing communities in the Intermountain West are the dichotomies of rapid growth and development as opposed to economic decline and stagnation. Numerous strategies have been developed by social and economic scientists to help communities manage the many problems associated with these concerns. One strategy recommended by many researchers and used by numerous communities to stabilize their economies is economic diversification. For many rural communities in Utah, tourism and recreation have been used as part of that diversification effort. Recreation and tourism also play a role in the dichotomies of rapid growth and development by often serving as the antecedent to rapid growth, or serving as the antidote for economic stagnation and decline.
This thesis examined four rural communities in Utah which have diversified or are attempting to diversify their economies through incorporating tourism and recreation into their economies, which also include agriculture, ranching, and extraction of natural resources, as well as other industries such as manufacturing and services. Our purpose was to examine strategies used by these communities to make recreation and tourism compatible with other activities, as well as determining what tactics they drew upon to preserve the small town atmosphere and unique characteristics of their communities. Through understanding and sharing the problems encountered and strategies used by these four communities, we hoped to assist other communities attempting to integrate tourism and recreation into their economies and lifestyles.
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Boswell, Laird Clermont Guy. "Le communisme rural en France : le Limousin et la Dordogne de 1920 à 1939 /." Limoges : PULIM, 2006. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb40238488q.
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Texte remanié de: Thèse de doctorat--Histoire--Université de Berkeley, 1988. Titre de soutenance : Rural communism in France, 1920-1939 : the exemple of the Limousin and Dordogne.Notes bibliogr. Index.
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van, Vuuren Catharina Cornelia Maria (Kitty), and n/a. "Community Participation in Australian Community Broadcasting: A Comparative Study of Rural, Regional and Remote Radio." Griffith University. School of Arts, Media and Culture, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20040720.153812.
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This study investigates the relationship between media and democracy with a particular focus on Australian community broadcasting. I put forward the thesis that the value and purpose of community broadcasting are located in its community development function, rather than in its ability to transmit alternative information. This suggests that an analysis should emphasise community rather than media. Community development promotes the empowerment of ordinary people so that they can confidently participate in management and decision-making - that is, the procedures and norms that underpin democratic practices. In the case of community media, the relationship between democracy and media is located primarily in its volunteers. To understand this relationship, I link together concepts of the public sphere and social capital. The public sphere is understood as multiple and diverse and linked to other publics via the web of relationships forged among people with shared interests and norms. I argue that a community public sphere should be understood as a cultural resource and managed as a common property. The public sphere is thus conceived to have a more or less porous boundary that serves to regulate membership. Understood as a bounded domain, the public sphere can be analysed in terms of its ideological structure, its management practices and its alliances with other publics. This approach also allows for a comparison with other similar public spheres. The study identifies two main ideological constellations that have shaped the development of Australian community broadcasting - professionalism and community development, with the former gaining prominence as the sector expands into rural and regional communities. The ascendancy of professional and quasi-commercial practices is of concern as it can undermine the community development potential of community broadcasting, a function that appears to be little understood and one which has attracted little research. The study presents a case study of three regional and remote rural community radio stations and compares them from a social capital perspective. Social capital is a framework for understanding the relationship between the individual and the community and explores this relationship in terms of participation in networks, reciprocal benefits among groups and individuals and the nature of active participation. Demographic and organisational structures of the three stations are also compared. By taking this approach, each station's capacity for community development and empowerment is addressed. The results of the fieldwork reveal that the success of a community radio station is related to 'community spirit' and demographic structure. They reveal that the community radio station in the smallest community with the lowest per capita income was best able to meet the needs of its community and its volunteers.
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van, Vuuren Catharina Cornelia Maria (Kitty). "Community Participation in Australian Community Broadcasting: A Comparative Study of Rural, Regional and Remote Radio." Thesis, Griffith University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366371.
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This study investigates the relationship between media and democracy with a particular focus on Australian community broadcasting. I put forward the thesis that the value and purpose of community broadcasting are located in its community development function, rather than in its ability to transmit alternative information. This suggests that an analysis should emphasise community rather than media. Community development promotes the empowerment of ordinary people so that they can confidently participate in management and decision-making - that is, the procedures and norms that underpin democratic practices. In the case of community media, the relationship between democracy and media is located primarily in its volunteers. -- To understand this relationship, I link together concepts of the public sphere and social capital. The public sphere is understood as multiple and diverse and linked to other publics via the web of relationships forged among people with shared interests and norms. I argue that a community public sphere should be understood as a cultural resource and managed as a common property. The public sphere is thus conceived to have a more or less porous boundary that serves to regulate membership. Understood as a bounded domain, the public sphere can be analysed in terms of its ideological structure, its management practices and its alliances with other publics. This approach also allows for a comparison with other similar public spheres. -- The study identifies two main ideological constellations that have shaped the development of Australian community broadcasting - professionalism and community development, with the former gaining prominence as the sector expands into rural and regional communities. The ascendancy of professional and quasi-commercial practices is of concern as it can undermine the community development potential of community broadcasting, a function that appears to be little understood and one which has attracted little research. -- The study presents a case study of three regional and remote rural community radio stations and compares them from a social capital perspective. Social capital is a framework for understanding the relationship between the individual and the community and explores this relationship in terms of participation in networks, reciprocal benefits among groups and individuals and the nature of active participation. Demographic and organisational structures of the three stations are also compared. By taking this approach, each station's capacity for community development and empowerment is addressed. -- The results of the fieldwork reveal that the success of a community radio station is related to 'community spirit' and demographic structure. They reveal that the community radio station in the smallest community with the lowest per capita income was best able to meet the needs of its community and its volunteers.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Arts, Media and Culture
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Masutha, Takalani (Takalani Henry). "Community forestry and rural livelihoods : a case study of the contribution of natural resources to livelihoods of rural communities in the Northern Province, South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52738.
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Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Government of South Africa is faced with a mammoth task of redressing the imbalances of the past apartheid policies in the rural areas of the country. The Government has developed policies and programmes aimed at alleviating poverty in these areas. The Government has also realised the vital role that natural resources play in the livelihoods of rural people. The vision of Community Forestry as stated in the Forestry White Paper (GOSA, 1996), is to contribute to social and economic upliftment of all people, especially those in the rural areas, by promoting the sustainable utilisation of natural resources. The study was conducted in three rural villages in the Northern Province of South Africa. The three villages were chosen because of their closeness to the Kruger National Park, their remoteness and lack of infrastructure that could provide employment to the villagers. The villages were investigated using Rapid Rural Appraisal techniques and semi structured interviews with households and key-informants. The study reports on the pattern and structure of livelihoods and institutions that govern access to and control of natural resources in the woodlands that surround the three villages. It reports on the vital contribution that natural resources generate to livelihoods of the village communities by providing goods for fuel, shelter, food and medicines which are unavailable or unaffordable elsewhere for many households. The study also reports on the decline in the dependency of the communities on natural resources and the lack of cooperation between village communities and the Kruger National Park authorities, which may lead to serious management problems in the area. Lastly, recommendations based on the study findings, that may bring about possible economic and social upliftment of the communities in the three villages are put forward.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid Afrikaanse Regering staan voor die reuse taak om ongelykhede wat in die verlede onder die apartheids beleid in die landelike gebiede van die land tot stand gekom het, te herstel. Die huidige Regering het 'n beleids en programstelsel ontwikkel met die doelom armoede in die gebiede te verlig. Verder het 'n besef ontwikkel van die integrale rol wat natuurlike hulpbronne in die lewensonderhoud van mense uit landelike gebiede speel. Die visie van gemeenskaps bosbou, soos uiteengesit in die Forestry White Paper (GO SA, 1996), is om deur middel van die bevordering van volhoubare gebruik van natuurlike hulpbronne, 'n bydrae te lewer tot die sosiale en ekonomiese opheffing van alle mense, maar spesifiek die in landelike gebiede. Die studie is uitgevoer in drie landelike dorpies in die Noordelike Provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die spesifieke dorpies is gekies a.g.v. beide hulle nabyheid aan die Nasionale Kruger Wildtuin sowel as hul afsondering en tekort aan infrastruktuur, wat werksgelenthede aan die inwoners kan verskaf. Die dorpies is bestudeer m.b.v. die Rapid Rural Appraisal tegniek en semigestruktureerde onderhoude met huishoudings en sleutel-informante. Deur middel van die studie word verslag gelewer op die lewensonderhouds patroon en strukture van huishoudings, sowel as die instellings wat toegang tot en gebruik van natuurlike hulpbronne beheer in die boslande rondom die drie dorpies. Dit dui die lewensbelangrike ondersteuning wat natuurlike hulpbronne aan huishoudings in die gemeenskap verskaf aan. Die ondersteuning word gevind in die vorm van materiaal vir vuurmaakhout, skuiling, kos en medisyne wat elders onbeskikbaar of onbekostigbaar is vir baie huishoudings. Verder word verslag gelewer oor die dalende afhanklikheid van gemeenskappe van hierdie natuurlike hulpbronne en die tekort aan samewerking tussen dorpsgemeenskappe en die bestuur van die Nasional Kruger Wildtuin. Dit mag wel tot bestuursprobleme in die nabye toekoms lei. Laastens word voorstelle, gebaseer op die bevindinge soos bespreek in die studie, gemaak wat mag lei tot die moontlike sosiale en ekonomiese opheffing van die gemeenskappe in die drie dorpies.
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Silburn, Linda Helen. "Rural women as leaders and decision-makers within rural family enterprises and communities." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2005.
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Lowndes, Theresa Maria. "Privatisation, rural railways and community development." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/2178.
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This thesis examines two separate, but interrelated, issues, namely rail privatisation and rural dependency on the availability of rail transport. The thesis was based on the proposition that rural accessibility permits the development and sustainability of the social and economic lives of a community and that this interrelationship is currently threatened by rail privatisation and the associated risks of line closures or service cutbacks. To test this proposition a thorough investigation into the theory and practice of privatisation was completed, together with a comprehensive survey of the travel arrangements of people living in rural communities served by branch line railways. A variety of research methods were employed, including desk-top studies involving literature searches, qualitative investigations to assist questionnaire design and the use of self-administered questionnaires by sample populations. The empirical results are presented and discussed against the background of introductory chapters which review the policy of privatisation, the evolution of rail privatisation and the role of the rural branch line. The concluding chapters present three different scenarios for the future of rural branch lines, ranging from closure to revitalisation, and outline areas where future research may be carried out. The main findings were that a substantial number of people depend on the branch lines to enable them to carry out a wide variety of journeys and it was concluded that branch line railways do indeed play a vital role in the development and sustainability of the rural community. Furthermore, it was concluded that rail privatisation may indeed pose a threat to the future provision of branch line services and as such could have far-reaching impacts on the future well-being of the rural community.
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Andoh-Arthur, Johnny. "Perception of Psychological Sense of Community among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study of Rural and Urban Communities in Ghana." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Psykologisk institutt, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-13604.
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The construct psychological sense of community has assumed prominence in research within the field of Community Psychology. Many have studied the construct in a variety of settings with different groups of people to understand how the construct means in such settings for such people. While admitting that this has contributed to deepening understanding of the construct in the scholarly world, not much has been done regarding how the construct is perceived within non - Western contexts especially Africa. Although the construct has been found to hold the same relevance for adolescents as for adults, little has been done to replicate this finding using adolescents as referents. This study aimed at qualitatively exploring perception of psychological sense of community among adolescents in rural and urban areas of Ghana. Data was drawn from the experiences of thirty (30) adolescents in Ghana through focus group interviews and personal interviews with the aid of a semi-structured interview questionnaire. Results from the analysis using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), revealed three interrelated themes: perception of community, belongingness, and effect of community on persons, as underlying adolescents’ perception of psychological sense of community in Ghana. The findings are discussed in the light of relevant theories and concepts as well as related studies. Implications for community psychology praxis and further studies are also discussed and conclusion given.
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Ripplinger, David. "Organizing Transit in Small Urban and Rural Communities." Diss., North Dakota State University, 2012. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26729.
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The justification of government support of rural transit on the basis of the presence of increasing returns to scale and the most efficient regional organization of transit is investigated. Returns to density, size, and scope at most levels of output were found. Cost subadditivity, where a monopoly firm can provide service at a lower cost than two firms, was found for many, but not all observations. The presence of natural monopoly in rural transit in a strict sense is rejected. The findings and implications are directly applicable to rural transit in North Dakota and should be helpful in informing future federal policy as well as rural transit policy, service design, and operation in other states.
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Andre, Alex Nicholas. "Does Disassociation from the Majority Religious Affiliation Affect Community Desirability?" BYU ScholarsArchive, 2020. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/8465.
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How do predominantly religious rural communities influence members who are not associated with the dominant religion? Does disassociation with the majority religious affiliation impact community desirability? Current community literature has shown that religious affiliation identification can influence community sentiment (Jennings and Krannich 2013; Kan and Kim 1981; Stinner, Van Loon, Chung, and Byun 1990; Mattarita-Cascante, Stedman, and Luloff 2010) while other studies suggest the possibility of either mixed or inconclusive results (Adams 1992; Andrews 2011; Flagg and Painter II 2019; Reitz, Banerjee, Phan, and Thompson 2009). Using data from the Rural Utah Community Study in 2017, the current study will examine the association between religious affiliation and community desirability in a unique setting. I find that even when accounting for length of residence, age, and the perception of local services, religious affiliation continues to be associated with community desirability. These findings have potential implications for other communities with a majority religion.
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Oncescu, Jacquelyn. "The impact of a school's closure on rural community residents' lives." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/24094.
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In this dissertation, I use a single qualitative case study methodology, participant observation, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews to explore how a rural school’s closure influenced the lives of residents in one rural farming community: Limerick, Saskatchewan, Canada. Three “stand alone” papers comprise this dissertation. In the first paper, I investigate the impacts of the school’s closure on rural families. In the second paper, I explore the ways Limerick School’s closure affected adults without school-aged children. In the final paper, I assess school closure’s impact on gendered volunteer roles. Using social ecological theory and socialist feminist theory, I argue that the school’s closure had far-reaching implications for community members and that these implications varied depending on stage of life, gender, and roles within the family and community contexts. Together, these papers not only make a contribution to filling the gap in existing literature pertaining to rural school closures, but they also strengthen our scholarly understanding of the school-community relationship in the rural context.
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Munshaw, Vernon G. "Interdenominational local church mergers in rural Saskatchewan communities." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq21872.pdf.
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Holden, Anna Dean. "Organizing Rural Communities for Effective Citizen Science Programs." The University of Montana, 2007. http://etd.lib.umt.edu/theses/available/etd-04252007-134546/.
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Citizen science, or the use of volunteers for scientific projects, is becoming a popular way for agencies and organizations to collect data. The benefits of citizen science include saving the agency or organization resources, educating the community about conservation issues, and promoting land stewardship. Currently, many citizen monitoring organizations are based in urban areas, whereas their projects are located near more rural towns. Research shows that demographics such as area of residence can be a factor in the publics attitude toward any scientific or land management project (Williams et al, 2002; Kellert, 1978, 1985; Vaske et al, 2001). This fact was supported by a citizen science project, led by the author, on the Clearwater National Forest. Currently, no citizen science organizing manuals address the issue of rural/urban difference in volunteer recruitment. Additionally, the question of what qualities citizen science must have to be used by government agencies must be determined so that non-governmental organizations can produce useful data. I interviewed 11 successful urban-based citizen science conservation organizations in order to establish the characteristics of successful volunteer recruitment and retention. Additionally, I interviewed five state or federal agencies that used citizen science data in order to establish the characteristics of effective citizen science programs. Using Glesne (1999) as a guide, interviews were numbered and coded. Results showed that successful recruitment methods differ between rural and urban areas, with word of mouth and local newspapers as most effective. Citizens must believe in the program, have a social atmosphere associated with the program, and have a personal relationship with the project organizer in order to volunteer again. There is a difference in rural and urban communities, having to do with different values, priorities, and environmental awareness. Effective citizen science programs share three main characteristics: a proper training program, scientific accuracy, and a quality control program.
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Vyas, Krutarth J. "HIV Stigma Within Religious Communities in Rural India." ScholarWorks, 2015. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1725.
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This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of HIV/AIDS-related stigma within religious communities in rural Gujarat, India. This study used the hidden distress model of HIV stigma and the HIV peer education model as conceptual frameworks to examine a rural population sample of 100 participants. Regression analysis was conducted to test if school education had a moderating effect on the relationship between illness as punishment for sin (IPS) and HIV stigma. Religiosity was tested for mediating effects on the relationship between early religious involvement (ERI) and HIV stigma. The results of this study indicated that single unemployed men under the age of 28 were more likely to relate religiosity, IPS, and ERI to HIV stigma. Furthermore, education did not significantly moderate the relationship between IPS and HIV Stigma, and religiosity also did not mediate the relationship between ERI and HIV stigma. However, an additional mediation analysis showed that IPS did mediate the relationship between religiosity and HIV stigma in this study. The results of this study suggested that HIV/AIDS awareness programs may need to focus on young unemployed men because they may be the most susceptible to stigmatic thinking. It can be concluded that IPS was a major contributor in the proliferation of HIV stigma for participants in this study. Further research is needed to understand how belief in an authoritarian God could increase IPS, and how education initiatives may aid in decreasing IPS among inhabitants. This study strived to add to the existing body of knowledge and help improve the lives of those infected with HIV in rural parts of India.
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Beatty, Kate, Michael Meit, Emily Phillips, and Megan Heffernan. "Rural Health Departments: Capacity to Improve Communities' Health." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2017. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/6838.
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Local health departments (LHD) serve a critical role in leveraging internal and community assets to improve health and equity in their communities; however, geography is an important factor when understanding LHD capacity and perspective. LHDs serve a critical role in leveraging internal and community assets to improve health and equity in their communities; however, geography is an important factor when understanding LHD capacity and perspective. Data were obtained from the NACCHO 2013 National Profile of Local Health Departments Study. LHDs were coded as “urban”, “micropolitan”, or “rural” based on Rural/Urban Commuting Area codes. Results demonstrate that rural LHDs differed from their urban counterparts. Specifically, rural LHDs relied more heavily on state and federal resources and have less access to local resources making them more sensitive to budget cuts. Rural LHDs also rely more heavily on clinical services as a revenue source. Larger rural LHDs provide more clinical services while urban health departments work more closely with community partners to provide important safety net services. Small rural LHDs have less partners and are unable to provide as many direct services due to their lack of human and financial resources. LHDs residing in urban communities were 16.6 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3-52.3) and micropolitan LHDs were 3.4 times (95% CI, 1.1-11.3) more likely to seek PHAB accreditation than rural LHDs.
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Mangokwana, Andries Mphoto. "Makgotla : a vehicle for development in rural communities?" Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14278.
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Bibliography: leaves 136-141.This is an exploratory study using a qualitative approach. This study attempts to explore the nature of makgotla found in the rural community of Ramokgopa. It examines the structure and operation, nature of services rendered, successes, areas of concern as well as the role of makgotla played in community development. The primary objective was to assess the viability of makgotla as a vehicle for development in rural communities. Data was collected via in-depth interviews, and using a community-forum approach. Eleven headmen/key members and five consumers of services were selected for interviewing. Two community meetings were also held for the same purpose. The study found that makgotla have taken initiatives and efforts to develop their own community. This is in spite of the fact that there are areas of concern like gender sensitivity that need to be addressed. The study concludes with some recommendations, one of them being that local government officials be made aware of the presence of makgotla and how best to engage in a dialogue which will reap benefits for the community.
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Chappell, Darian Edward. "Prisons Used as Economic Development in Rural Communities." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1341089902.
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Scott, Jacqueline L. "Role strain and employed mothers in rural communities /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1998. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9924954.
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Welker, Lauren ELizabeth. "Rural Inequality in the Republic of Karelia: Considering Nonfarm Communities in Russian Rural Studies." The Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1293723070.
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Hirmer, Stephanie. "Improving the sustainability of rural electrification schemes : capturing value for rural communities in Uganda." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2018. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/277685.
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This research investigates what rural villagers perceive as important and develops recommendations for improved electrification project implementation centring on user-perceived values (UPVs). UPVs capture more than the basic definition of value in the sense that they include benefits, concerns, feelings and underlying drivers that vary in importance and act as the main motivators in the lives of project beneficiaries as perceived at a given time. Low access to energy continues in rural sub-Saharan Africa despite significant investment by the development community. One fundamental reason is that energy infrastructure adoption remains low, as evidenced by the lack of project sustainability. To counter this, the challenge for energy project developers is to achieve sustainable long-term interventions through the creation of value for beneficiaries, rather than the traditional approach of focusing on short-term project outputs. The question of what is valuable to people in rural communities has historically not played into the design and diffusion of energy infrastructure development projects. This research drew on design and marketing approaches from the commercial sector to investigate the UPVs of rural Ugandans. To better understand the UPVs of rural villagers a new method, consisting of a UPV game and UPV framework, was developed. This method is suitable for capturing, understanding and mapping what rural populations perceive as important. Case study analyses were carried out in seven villages across rural Uganda. The case studies included the UPV game supplemented by non-energy-specific and energy-specific interviews with villagers. Additionally, interviews with experts were conducted to verify the UPV framework and to identify the gap between experts’ opinion and villagers’ perception of what is important. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of the UPV game in deducing the values of rural villagers. The findings demonstrate a disconnect in the ability to accurately capture and design projects which resonate with and respond to the UPVs of recipients of rural electrification projects. A comparison between the villagers’ statements and experts’ opinion regarding what is most valuable to rural communities reveals striking differences that point to a fundamental misunderstanding of rural community UPVs which are likely to be contributing to widespread electrification project failure.
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Smailes, Peter John, and peter smailes@adelaide edu au. "Redefining the Local: the social organisation of rural space in South Australia, 1982-2006." Flinders University. Geography, Population and Environmental Management, 2006. http://catalogue.flinders.edu.au./local/adt/public/adt-SFU20061005.151832.
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This thesis brings together a series of existing and ongoing pieces of research, conducted over a period of some years. There are five primary aims.
The first is to construct a coherent empirical picture of the social organisation of space in rural South Australia by the early 1980s, at the outset of a period of turmoil and rapid change. The second is to bring together two relevant but disparate levels of theory (globalisation/structural change and localism/place attachment), to understand the impact of the rural crisis of 1984-94 on rural communities, families and individuals. The third is to trace the context and development of the crisis itself, the resultant poverty, demographic change, and reduced socio-economic viability of communities. Fourthly, the theoretical and empirical findings are applied to the search for an altered accommodation between society and space, through which a modified and regrouped but still essentially intact rural society can survive beyond the crisis. Finally, I reflect on the methodological contribution and limitations of the thesis, and also on the ethical concerns and values confronting an academic researcher reporting on a local- or micro-level social tragedy, concealed and rationalised by national macro-level success.
Chapter 1 deals with fundamental concepts and epistemology.
Chapter 2 sketches the evolution of the South Australian rural habitat up to the 1980s.
Chapter 3 examines macro-level theory on globalisation in the structuralist and political economy traditions, which seek to explain the forces changing the politico-economic ground rules within which rural communities have to operate.
Chapter 4 examines theory relating to the world of the individual person and his/her most immediate social reference groups - family, neighbourhood and community. It presents a model of place-making, and evaluates the contributions of various disciplines towards understanding specific aspects of this process, particularly rural sociology, social and humanistic geography, structuration theory and theory relating to human territoriality.
Chapter 5 reveals how individuals and local social groups actually occupied space and developed place-attachment in rural South Australia in the early 1980s. It draws on field studies carried out between 1979 and 1986, and on a 1982-83 postal sample survey of 2000 rural households.
Chapter 6 traces the course of a decade of almost continuous rural crisis, from about 1984. It shows how the global economy and political decisions (international, national and State) flowed through to rural people and places. Demographic and economic impacts are examined at State level, with a regional example.
Chapters 7 (quantitative) and 8 (qualitative) examine the changes wrought by the crisis on rural society and the social organisation of space. They draw on a 1992/93 replication of the previous postal survey to demonstrate the persistence and continuity of major features of the rural society, but also the fragility of the current spatial organisation. The widespread rural poverty in the early 1990s and its impact on the state of rural morale are demonstrated, along with perceived changes in key community characteristics, and divergence of the economic from the social organisation of rural space.
Chapter 9 assesses requirements for a socially sustainable rural Australia, in the light of the last ten years� developments in rural research. It argues the need for the focus of localism to be re-defined upwards from individual community to regional level
Finally in Chapter 10, I reflect on the contribution and limitations of the thesis, and on the wider problem of the role academics could, should and do play in relation to the deeply meaningful social transformations we purport to study.
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Baloi, Votumi Arone. "Community perceptions and attitudes towards integrated wildlife/livestock land-uses : the case of Greater-Giyani rural communities, Limpopo, Province." Thesis, University of Limpopo, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1515.
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Thesis (M. Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016Livestock production in communal areas is faced by a myriad of challenges such as environmental degradation, poor markets, stock theft and disease. This has drawn interest towards wildlife-based land-use practices as an alternative or complement to livestock production. Wildlife-based land-uses have potential to generate incomes and create employment in wildlife rich areas. On the other hand, several problems such as human-wildlife conflict have been identified in wildlife rich areas. This study investigated perceptions of rural households in areas adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP) regarding integrated wildlife/livestock land-use practices. Data were collected from 130 households in nine villages alongside KNP in Giyani. Respondents were stratified into cattle owning households and non-cattle owning households, to determine differences in perception towards wildlife. Chi-square and Cramer`s V tests were used to test if there is an association and relationship between the households` opinion and cattle ownership. For empirical analysis, factor analysis and multinomial logistic regression models were run with SPSS. Attitudes and perceptions were analysed by the Likert-scale numbered from 1 to 4. High scores (i.e. 3 and 4) indicated negative attitudes and low scores (i.e. 1 and 2) indicated positive attitudes. The factor analysis managed to reduce the number of attitude variables fitted into the model from 29 to 9 factors (components), that were used in the multinomial logit model analysis. Results from the multinomial regression indicated that demographic factors such as age, gender, education, occupation, marital status, monthly income and cattle ownership had a significant impact in distinguishing between pairs of groups and the contribution which they make to change the odds of being in one dependent variable group rather than the other. Results from factor analysis (component variables or factors) also had a significant impact on the dependent variables when applied to multinomial logit regression. About 59% of the sampled households showed positive attitudes towards integrated wildlife-based land-use practices, and indicated willingness to participate in it. Those who had negative attitudes and were not likely to participate were 13%; and those who were uncertain on whether or not to participate were 28%. Looking at the results of the empirical analysis derived from regression analysis through multinomial logit, several factors were found to have influenced whether or not households were likely to participate in the integrated wildlife/livestock land-uses. Variables: damages caused by wild animals on crops and vegetables; giving land and stopping farming to allow for wildlife conservation; roles and opportunities of wildlife in the community; roles and opportunities of livestock in the community; age of household head; occupation of household head; gender of household head; cattle ownership; Access to market, income earned from sale of livestock, and state of grazing area, were found to be significant (at different significant levels 1%, 5% and 10%) in determining whether or not households were likely to participate in the integrated wildlife/livestock land-uses. However, variables: Government support and the number of people benefiting from livestock, Interest in wildlife protection, Relationship between wildlife, human and domestic animals and land ownership were found to be insignificant in determining whether or not households were likely to participate in the integrated wildlife/livestock land-uses. Most of the households showed interest in participating in wildlife-based land-uses irrespective of whether or not they own cattle. Some households indicated dislike of the proposed land-use practice, mainly those who practiced cattle and crop production, as they perceived wild animals as a high risk to their stock. However, this negative attitude can be managed if benefits to households and community are clearly defined and compensation for loses from wildlife are made a priority. Cooperation of all stakeholders (for example, community, government, conservationists and foreign donor’ agencies) is recommended for implementation of wildlife-based land-uses.
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Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa. "Exploratory study on empowering rural communities of O.R Tambo District with special reference to Mqanduli." Thesis, Walter Sisulu University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009453.
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The aim of the study was to explore development of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area. The exploratory study was further conducted to examine delivery of service to these rural communities. One of the objectives was to empower rural communities for purposes of improving their daily living standards and also to bring about social change.In determining the sample size, forty (40) respondents were selected from Mqanduli Administrative Area. Out of the forty (40) respondents, thirty (30) respondents were selected from the Mqanduli community members, five (5) were O.R.Tambo District Municipality stakeholders and the other five (5) were Social workers from Mqanduli Administrative Area. The instrument utilized to collect data was a questionnaire. Data was analysed using the quantitative and qualitative measure. The outcome of the study indicates that the majority of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area were in dire need of empowerment which will enable these disadvantaged communities towards development and social change.
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Bennett, Amanda Dawn. "Project GENESIS: Community Assessment of a Rural Southeastern Arizona Border Community." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/194342.
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Purpose/Aims: The aim of this study was to understand the health issues of a rural Southeastern Arizona border community. More specifically, this study used community assessment with ethnographic principles to: 1) Conduct a community assessment centered on definitions of health, access to care, quality of care, and health needs in a rural Southeastern Arizona border community; and 2) Compared the findings of this study to previous studies, models, and theories of rural nursing and rural health.Background: It is important to understand that each community has a unique set of health priorities that are dictated by these factors; making every rural community different. Much of the work that has been done in rural America has been performed in the Midwest, Southeast, or Northern states. There is limited information regarding Arizona or even Southern US border communities and whether previous work can be generalized to areas that have not been studied.Sample and Methodology: This study utilized community assessment with ethnographic underpinnings through the use of focus groups, key informant interviews, participant observation, and secondary data analysis of existing community data. Sampling for the focus groups and key informants was purposive. Focus groups included: 1) participants who use local health services and 2) participants who do not.Analysis: Lincoln and Guba's (1985) guidelines for rigor in qualitative studies was utilized. Thematic analysis and thick description were used to analyze data. Theoretical triangulation was performed between individual, group, and community level data with theoretical linkages made to community capacity theory and rural nursing key concepts.Implications and Conclusions: The location of this project, rural Arizona community, near the US-Mexico border, posed an interesting contrast to the proposed concepts widely being used today. From this study, healthcare leaders in this community are better equipped to provide relevant, high-quality, and safe services; but an informed community emerged that has an interest in promoting the health and well-being of the community as a whole.
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Miller, Debra Joan. "Children with ADHD in a rural community." Thesis, Montana State University, 2005. http://etd.lib.montana.edu/etd/2005/miller/MillerD1205.pdf.
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Markham, Claire Louise. "The public house in the rural community." Thesis, University of Lincoln, 2014. http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/23378/.
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This thesis seeks to explore and understand how people perceive and experience the village pub. There has, over the course of time, been a general decline in the social and economic importance of the village pub as well as in their number. The decline in number has accelerated in recent years and been the focus of much media attention with some reports claiming that it has negative consequences for rural life (see, for example, Hill, 2008; Scruton, 2006). Despite this there has been very little social science research conducted on this topic. This research helps to fill this knowledge gap. By using empirical data, principally collected in villages in Lincolnshire and from various groups (mainly newcomer residents, long-standing residents and publicans) to explore multiple representations of the village pub this thesis provides an in-depth exploration and interpretation of the values underpinning the research participants’ representations and experiences of the village pub. In doing this, the thesis shows that village pubs are seen and experienced as adding value of different kinds – economic, social, and cultural, and that the different groups attach different levels of importance to these kinds of value. It also shows that, whilst the different kinds of value can work in the Bourdieusian interpretation as capital, and be self-expanding and inter-convertible, they can also work to undermine one another. By showing how the village pub is seen through the lens of nostalgia and the rural idyll and that contradictions exist between how the village pub is remembered or imagined and how it ‘really’ is, this thesis contributes to rural studies literature and, more specifically, to that which engages with the cultural turn as well as to pub literature. The thesis also offers a contribution to practice. It does this first, by imparting knowledge, to different groups, on the types (economic, social and cultural) of diversification that can be used to help sustain village pubs, especially in Lincolnshire; and second, by showing those groups that beliefs and practices around diversification have important consequences for the sustainability of village pubs.
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Cobbinah, J. E. "Barriers in community participation and rural development." Thesis, University of Bradford, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/5263.
Full textAbstract:
The concept of participation seems to reflect in most development programmes that involve people at the grassroots level. In Ghana, the introduction of the decentralization programme in the late 1980s that aimed at promoting effective, comprehensive and rapid development, more especially in the rural areas also adopted participatory approach. The approach led to the introductory of district assembly system which was to enhance the involvement of people at the grassroots in participatory activities. However, since the introduction of the decentralisation system to promote grassroots level participation, the people are still inactive and the level of involvement in development decision-making still remains weak. To clearly understand these problems, the thesis has aimed at answering the following research questions; how are rural people involved in participatory practice in the development activities in their area; what barriers affect and hinder the active participation of rural people and how could these be addressed? Answers to those questions helped to examine the nature of participation at the grassroots level; understand how the district assembly adopt participatory practice and to ascertain the nature of barriers that hinder effective participatory practice. Using a case study approach for the investigation, an interpretivists and constructivists were the philosophical underpinnings of the investigation. The data was gathered through the use of focus group discussions and one-to-one informal interviews. It was observed that, participation continues to reflect in most rural development programmes, but there are key barriers that still continue to hamper the effectiveness of participatory practice. Power relations, threats, intimidations and more especially the use of juju and witchcraft which never featured in most development literature are among the major barriers that continue to weaken local people readiness to actively participate. Most rural people feel threaten to participate for the fear of being bewitched or killed through the use of juju, witchcraft or black magical powers. Without critically and effectively addressing those bottlenecks and barriers, and put community members at the pivot of decision-making, the use of outsiders' knowledge and ideas alone to address the problems of participation with the hope of improving the lives of the rural people will not yield any significant result.