Conversely, aspects of employment such as commuting and dual wage earner households might negatively impact participation levels. An analysis of data from 10,798 residents of 99 Iowa small towns reveals that smaller communities, those with a higher percent of residents employed full time, more college graduates, and more of their employed working in town have higher community participation levels. The association of population size, full time employment, and working in the community with participation levels is partially explained by their contribution to acquaintanceship levels in communities. Other factors may also be involved in explaining the role of full time employment and population. The impact of percent of college graduates on participation is independent of acquaintanceship levels.
Partial support is provided for social capital theory.
The cooperative model has been used around the country to provide groceries, clothing, and pharmaceuticals as well as vital services such as health care, day care, and housing for the elderly. The cooperative model also allows businesses to increase their efficiency by sharing their common costs. Understanding the characteristics and factors that determine a cooperative s success in the real world is an important potential tool for community development. Such knowledge enhances development practitioners ability to use the cooperative model as a community development or business development tool. In this paper gleaners, do-gooders, and balers are used metaphorically to suggest that certain people outside the mainstream economy are in fact contributing to employment and generating wealth while acting in a sustainable manner, thus providing an example of how sustainable principles can complement economic development in all types of businesses.