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TitleStakeholder perceptions on the role of community development corporations and resident participation
NameGaynor, Tia Sheree (author), Schachter, Hindy L. (chair), Jett, Quintus (internal member), Van Ryzin, Gregg (internal member), Kloby, Kathryn (outside member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - Newark,
Degree Date2011-05
Date Created2011
SubjectPublic Adm. (SPAA),
Community development corporations--Citizen participation
DescriptionCommunity Development Corporations (CDCs) were formed in the United States to address issues in urban communities and often work with municipal governments on these issues (Keating, 1997; Jennings, 2004). In some neighborhoods, CDCs seek to rebuild and revitalize communities that suffered from social unrest, while others react to the lack of government or inadequate programming addressing the economic and social maladies of urban communities. The work of CDCs requires the involvement of all community stakeholders – particularly city residents and public administrators. Does the
dual relationship CDCs have with residents and local government suggest that they bring both closer together? This research studies this phenomenon by using Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation to examine the role CDCs play in cultivating citizen participation.
Specifically, this study seeks to examine how community stakeholders perceive the role
CDCs play in fostering resident participation in local government. As a primary methodological tool for studying individual and group perspectives,
Q-method was employed to empirically study community stakeholder perceptions of
CDCs. Key research findings suggest that: a) community stakeholders believe that CDCs
are currently working to maintain the status quo of participation and advise that the Context of Conventional Participation (1995) is present, b) stakeholders overwhelmingly believe that CDCs should work to encourage participation that incorporates partnership, and c) there should be less distance between residents and decision making, thereby increasing opportunities for engagement. Through the exploration of the subjective, this study exposes the perspective of
residents on citizen participation and identifies the need for a new direction of theory development that examines the creation of consensus and partnership building in
community development organizations and initiatives. Furthermore, Conditions for Ideal Participation emerges from the data providing a practical guideline for strengthening participation in municipal government. Conclusions from this study have both theoretical and practical implications to the scholarly and administrative work comprised of public administration.
dual relationship CDCs have with residents and local government suggest that they bring both closer together? This research studies this phenomenon by using Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation to examine the role CDCs play in cultivating citizen participation.
Specifically, this study seeks to examine how community stakeholders perceive the role
CDCs play in fostering resident participation in local government. As a primary methodological tool for studying individual and group perspectives,
Q-method was employed to empirically study community stakeholder perceptions of
CDCs. Key research findings suggest that: a) community stakeholders believe that CDCs
are currently working to maintain the status quo of participation and advise that the Context of Conventional Participation (1995) is present, b) stakeholders overwhelmingly believe that CDCs should work to encourage participation that incorporates partnership, and c) there should be less distance between residents and decision making, thereby increasing opportunities for engagement. Through the exploration of the subjective, this study exposes the perspective of
residents on citizen participation and identifies the need for a new direction of theory development that examines the creation of consensus and partnership building in
community development organizations and initiatives. Furthermore, Conditions for Ideal Participation emerges from the data providing a practical guideline for strengthening participation in municipal government. Conclusions from this study have both theoretical and practical implications to the scholarly and administrative work comprised of public administration.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
NoteIncludes vita
Noteby Tia Sherée Gaynor
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10002600001.ETD.000061057
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - Newark Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.