Self‐Development: A Viable Rural Development Option?

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to assess locality-based development effortswhich wecall self-development-in rural America during the decadeof the 1980s, and based on that analysis, to suggest the efficacy of these locally-initiated efforts for the future. We include an examination of the factors influencing the success of such projects in order to be able to suggest appropriate policies for encouraging selfdevelopment-if indeed such encouragement is merited.Self-development is defined as the implementation of a local project, or creation of a firm (or firms), that increases income to the community and/or generates a net increase in jobs. Local self-development strategies stand in contrast to other economic development strategies based on attracting new or branch plants from outside the community. A local self-development project must include the following three charactaistics: (a) involvement of a local community organization, such as a local govemment; (b) investment of local resources (this does not preclude the use of additional outside resources); and (c) local ownership and control of the enterprise or activity (Reid, 1987, p. 10).Based on a nationwide study of self-development projects in nonmetropolitan communities, we identified more than 100 self-development projects. Information was collected on the type and location of each project, how it was implemented, obstacles to successful implementation, and project costs and benefits. This paper's findings are based primarily on in-depth case studies of eight self-developmentefforts, augmented by selected findings from survey data collected from 103 self-development communities.Recent changes in the economic structure of rural communities have generated renewed concern about the fate of rural America. In response to the restructuring of local economies, many researchers and policymakers have argued that rural leaders should broaden their development efforts. Industrial recruiunent has been criticized for not offering a realistic potential for success-especially long-term success-in many rural communities. Instead, leaders are encouraged to rely on local resources to generate economic options. Much of the recent literature on economic development suggests that communities need to move toward greater economic vitality.' Successful implementation of self-development strategies does not mean that communities will become independent of market forces, but it implies that there will be a greater reliance on local resources. MethodologyBecause there is little or no research available on self-development strategies, we undertook a study to identify and leam about self-development projects. To locate

Entrepreneurial Social Infrastructure and Growth Machine Characteristics Associated with Industrial-Recruitment and Self-Development Strategies in Nonmetropolitan Communities

“…Successful selfdevelopment generally generates fewer jobs than successful industrial recruitment efforts, although self-development jobs tend to be higher skilled than those associated with recruited, absentee-owned firms (C. Flora et al, 1991;J. Flora et al, 1992Green et al, 1990Green et al, ,1993aGreen et al, , 1993b.…”

Self-Organization and Community-Based Development Initiatives

“…More generally, researchers have identified the crisis stage as a part of the development process (Douglas in Naqvi et al, 1995;Flora et al, 1992;Gittell, Downloaded by [University of Saskatchewan Library] at 15:08 13 June 2016 1990). The most frequently cited trigger events in rural communities that lead to far from equilibrium conditions were plant closings and a downturn in a local economy (Flora et al, 1992).…”

“…The most frequently cited trigger events in rural communities that lead to far from equilibrium conditions were plant closings and a downturn in a local economy (Flora et al, 1992). Their empirical investigation of these projects found that in 54 percent of the cases, self-development projects were initiated in response to a specific event in the community.…”

Rural Perceptions of Growth Management Legislation on Rural Economic Development: Welcoming Comrade or Hostile Foe?

“…One attractive feature of industrial recruitment is its ability to generate a large number of jobs in a relatively short time period. In contrast to industrial recruitment, self-development activities foster local businesses and other entrepreneurial activities along with relying on local resources to aid in development from within the community (Flora et al 1992). Examples of self-development activities include revitalizing downtown businesses, promoting local tourism, and retaining or expanding locally owned businesses.…”

“…Researchers have distinguished between two economic development strategies that communities employ: industrial recruitment and self-development (Eisinger 1999;Flora et al 1992;Sharp et al 2002). Industrial recruitment involves efforts to attract outside firms and industries to locate to the community (Crowe 2006;Sharp et al 2002).…”