TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring rural community agency differences in Ireland and Pennsylvania
AU - Brennan, M. A.
AU - Luloff, A. E.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Jeffrey C. Bridger, anonymous reviewers, and the editor of the Journal of Rural Studies for their reviews, comments, and helpful suggestions throughout the development of this manuscript. This project was made possible, in part, by funding provided by a Rural Sociological Society research award, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences International Programs Office and Experiment Station (project 3870).
PY - 2007/1
Y1 - 2007/1
N2 - The role of community agency in the rural community and economic development processes needs to be better understood in America and other advanced, industrialized nations. Community agency is vital to protecting, retaining, and maintaining rural communities. A comparative study was designed to explore the role of community agency in contributing to local well-being in Ireland and America. This role was evaluated through the use of a multiple method framework based on extensive key informant interviews, focus groups, and analysis of household survey data. Overall, the findings indicate social interaction was the most important explanation of community agency, followed by community attachment, social ties/networks, and sociodemographics. Important differences were noted between Irish and Pennsylvania respondents. In both nations, regression models indicated social interaction was the most important factor associated with community agency. Applied policy implications of these findings are advanced.
AB - The role of community agency in the rural community and economic development processes needs to be better understood in America and other advanced, industrialized nations. Community agency is vital to protecting, retaining, and maintaining rural communities. A comparative study was designed to explore the role of community agency in contributing to local well-being in Ireland and America. This role was evaluated through the use of a multiple method framework based on extensive key informant interviews, focus groups, and analysis of household survey data. Overall, the findings indicate social interaction was the most important explanation of community agency, followed by community attachment, social ties/networks, and sociodemographics. Important differences were noted between Irish and Pennsylvania respondents. In both nations, regression models indicated social interaction was the most important factor associated with community agency. Applied policy implications of these findings are advanced.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33751434553&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33751434553&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2006.04.003
DO - 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2006.04.003
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33751434553
SN - 0743-0167
VL - 23
SP - 52
EP - 61
JO - Journal of Rural Studies
JF - Journal of Rural Studies
IS - 1
ER -
