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Abstract
Ecological and social action explanations have been used to account for the location of new firms in small communities. Using data collected for a sample of 162 small communities in Illinois, the authors attempt to determine which of these explanations differentiates the communities acquiring new firms from those not acquiring them. The contrasting explanations and findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the role of the community specialist in industrial development efforts.
The location of new firms in small towns is not associated solely with relatively fixed, ecological factors. All the social action measures used were found to be significantly related to location. That suggests that community specialists’ efforts, if they are directed toward organizing the community, coordinating activities, and mobilizing interest groups, will likely have an impact on development.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
James Williams
Mr. Williams is a graduate student and research assistant in rural sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Andrew Sofranko
Dr. Sofranko is associate professor of rural sociology in the departments of Sociology and Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Brenda Root
Ms. Root is an instructor of sociology in Aiken, South Carolina. The authors wish to acknowledge research support from The Rockefeller Foundation and the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Illinois.