Correlates of Commitment to Community Development Efforts

Abstract

A "vested interest" theoretical perspective was created to explain the relationship of perceived benefit and commitment of resources to community development programs. The theoretical model was tested in the context of rural industrial and outdoor recreation development. The study was conducted within five counties in southeastern Ohio. The findings demonstrated that people are motivated to commit resources to development programs when they believe that they will benefit from the development action. The findings are discussed in terms of how action agents can use the results of the study during the implementation stage of development activities.