Research on the Harmonious Development of New Rural Communities under the Perspective of Balancing Urban and Rural Areas

On the basis of offering a definition of New Rural Communities (NRCs), the paper analyzes the values of New Rural Communities and argues that the construction of NRCs is able to contribute to the enhancement of the comprehensive agricultural production capability as well as the development of social productivity. Meanwhile the incomes of the rural residents can be boosted, which denotes the realization of a harmonious society where the achievements of China's reform and development are shared by each citizen. Moreover, the construction of NRCs facilitates the economization of land use and thus improves the overall living standard of the residents, while helping to cut the administrative cost and promote democracy at the primary level. This paper also points out various problems arising during the construction of NRCS in China: blindly following suit in accordance with the modes of the urban communities; lack of funds, which leads to the absence of the supporting mechanisms of NRCs; vague positioning and the ensuing shortage of impetus for continued development. Finally, the paper raises the corresponding measures and suggestions: first, based on reality, make overall planning and scientific arrangement; second, the government should play the dominant role while respecting the principal position of the rural residents and introducing the market mechanism; third, increase science and technology input and attach equal importance to economic and social benefits; fourth, broaden fund-raising channels while completing the supervision mechanism.

Photographic Representation of Socio-economic Development on Rural Communities in Ghana

It has come to notice that developments that take place in rural communities bring about a lot of challenges both positive and negative. However, people who try to manage these challenges use ＂text type＂ in books and through other communication media （publications）, but the effect has scarcely been effective because, most of the people living in rural communities are illiterates. The purpose of this study was to use pictorial illustrations to create awareness on how socioeconomic development affects rural communities （Cape Three Points） and the extent to which its effect can be seen on human life within the local communities （fishermen, farmers, and fish mongers） in terms of their livelihood, attitudes, education and on the general environment. Interviews were mainly used to ascertain facts on how the situation was before the new developments started. Workshops were also organized for focus groups, through which the effect of pictorial illustrations on the people were ascertained. Again, how they should prepare for the foreseen changes that will emanate from any form of rural development was also discussed. At the end of the study, it came to light that many of our rural areas face significant challenges. These challenges as a matter of fact affect their cultural practices and the socio-economic development of the people in such rural communities and the country as a whole. It is believed that these challenges and many other related concerns that have emanated from this study would be critically recognized and managed if not solved by the powers that be. Results from this study will form a basis for further discussion of socio-economic effects of rural development on rural communities and any other related effects caused by any physical change on rural environment.

Human Security, Poverty Pattern and Social Order in Igbo Rural Communities of Contemporary Nigeria

The Igbo have their homeland in seven states of Nigeria mainly Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta and Rivers. They are receptible to new ideas and adapt easily to change. The ramifications of human insecurity, poverty, social disorder, poor coherence and poor integration appear to haunt them and the gravity is felt more in the rural communities. The factors are traceable to many pathetic issues. The pathological consequences do affect Igbo stability and navigation in the Nigerian socio-economic environment. The causality constitutes the physical, human, natural, financial and social assets. It is recommended, among others, that the people should return to core values and norms, stick to their own noble identities, have a framework for tackling insecurity and hunger, target the youth in poverty reduction measures and tackle the herdsmen menace. Equally, the abused philosophies used to support dangerous and strange behavior should be tackled.

Decoding rural connections:A comparative insight into social network analysis in rural communities of China and beyond

Social Network Theory and methods have emerged as pivotal tools for dissecting intricate interdisciplinary issues in rural communities.This study aims to systematically delineate the application characteristics and trends of Social Network Analysis(SNA)in rural community research.Using a twofold approach,we integrate a traditional literature review and CiteSpace bibliometric analysis to assess the application status and evolutionary trends of SNA methods in this context.The key findings include the following:①Chinese research trends:scholars predominantly concentrate on the“three rural”issues(related to agriculture,rural areas,and small-scale farmers)and social support mechanisms for vulnerable rural populations.With policy shifts,rural revitalization,tourism,governance,social trust,and multi-dimensional poverty are poised to emerge as hot topics for the future.For further refinement,we suggest that the application of SNA in rural community research could benefit from content expansion,long-term studies,and innovative modelling techniques.②Research by international scholars has been primarily directed toward the physical and mental health of rural residents,as well as socioeconomic issues.Despite these studies covering a range of typical cases across various nations,a conspicuous lack of thorough,systematic,and prolonged efforts focused on rural community development in specific regions remains.Additionally,health issues affecting rural residents are expected to sustain long-standing and focused international academic attention.This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the current applications and potential future directions of SNA in rural community studies,both in China and internationally.

Influence of Social Capital on Rural Tourism Development

In order to explore the relationship between social capital and rural tourism development effect and improve the development of rural tourism,this study takes Liutai Village in Shandong Province,9 villages of Mangxin Township and Yuanyi Village in Xinjiang as examples and conducts empirical research.The result of exploratory factor analysis shows that social capital is divided into bonding type and bridging type,which have different characteristics and functions.The result of multiple regression analysis shows that social capital of both the two types has a significant positive impact on the development of rural tourism.In the current process of rural tourism development,the positive influence of bonding social capital is greater than that of bridging social capital.Based on the results of the empirical analysis,this paper puts forward the countermeasures and suggestions for the development of rural tourism.

An Extended Fuzzy-DEMATEL System for Factor Analyses on Social Capital Selection in the Renovation of Old Residential Communities

China has been promoting the renovation of old residential communities vigorously.Due to the financial pressure of the government and the sustainability of the renovation of old residential communities,public-private partnerships(PPP)have already gained attention.The selection of social capital is key to improving the efficiency of the PPP model in renovating old residential communities.In order to determine the influencing factors of social capital selection in the renovation of old residential communities,this paper aims to find an effective approach and analyze these factors.In this paper,a fuzzy decision-making and trial evaluation laboratory(fuzzy-DEMATEL)technique is extended and amore suitable systemis developed for the selection of social capital using the existing group decisionmaking theory.In the first stage,grounded theory is used to extract the unabridged key influencing factors for social capital selection in the renovation of old residential communities.Secondly,by considering the impact of expert weights,the key influencing factors are identified.The interactions within these influencing factors are discussed and the credibility of the results is verified by sensitivity analysis.Finally,these key influencing factors are sorted by importance.Based on the results,the government should focus on a technical level,organizationalmanagement abilities,corporate reputation,credit status,etc.This study provides the government with a theoretical basis and a methodology for evaluating social capital selection.

Zakat, Local Social Organization, and Social Capital in Rural Economic Development

Zakat as a source of development funding encourages well functioning of local organizations and social capital formation. Zakat management conducted by an organization with a set of norms promotes the development of local community organizations＇ function for the rural economic development activities. A case study was conducted in the Village of Patila, South Sulawesi Province. The community in this village successfully managed the selfsupporting development of social and agriculture infrastructures. Data collected were the activities of local organization of the board members of the mosque and educational development foundations, farmer group, and collective stall group. The results showed that a community truth on the mosque and educational development foundations was formed by the social infrastructure development of mosque and schools through the effectiveness of the zakat payment by rules （norms）. Both development foundations could function well through the network with villagers who migrate to other island as a potential zakat payer. Strengthening the social development organization supported the development of collective stall and pump farming system. The process of social and economic development in the Village of Patila as well as social capital formation encouraged people to carry out selfsupport development activities.

The impact of social capital on children's (6–12) use of ICT in urban communities: A field survey from Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

Purpose： This paper focuses on the impact of social capital on urban children＇s use behavior of information communication technology （ICT）.Design/methodology/approach： Using the field survey and in-depth interviews, we interviewed 40 children aged 6 to 12 and their parents from a staff residential quarter of the Zhengzhou University--＂Shengheyuan＂ community （SHY）, and a commercial residential quarter--＂Wanfenghuicheng＂ community （WFHC） in the high-tech zone of Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. We used the social capital theory to analyze the interviewees＇ record.Findings： In urban communities, social capital is the most important factor for children （aged 6 to 12） in their ICT use. Our findings indicate that children in families with higher levels of social capital, such as internal resources, family income, parent educational backgrounds and parents＇ social network, have more-highly developed ICT skills. Personal motivation and obstacles, such as lack of access to computers on a regular basis, also have an impact on children＇s ICT use. External social capital, including schools, libraries, and public service institutes, have little impact on children＇s ICT use, if not combined with internal social capital factors.Research limitations： Our research samples were collected from two communities within the same city, which may influence the generalization of this research result.Originality/value： To explore the social capital＇s influence on children＇s ICT use, we used field observation for ICT use of children aged 6 to 12 in urban communities in China, and studied the children＇s ICT behavior from the perspective of internal and external social capital.

Human Capital of Family and Social Mobility in Rural Areas-Evidence from China

This research focuses on the impact of family＇s human capital on social mobility in China＇s rural community.Empirical research is conducted based on data from surveying a typical rural community in the past 20 yr.The study indicates that social mobility in rural area is active in the past 20 yr,and the human capital of family,represented by primary labor＇s education level,has played an essential role in mobility of low social class.Meanwhile,socio-economic development and the change of supply and demand in labor market dims the signaling role of degree education,but the impact of occupational training is increasingly remarkable.Therefore,the change from sole degree education to multi-leveled education including occupational education and training is a main way for China＇s rural families in low class to realize social mobility.

Impact Measurement of Community Development Using the Development Wheel： A Case of Madhuwani VDC, Lumbini, Nepal （With Reference to Rural Tourism）

Recent trend on ongoing changes has unfolded the truth that people are the actors of environmental and social changes. The decade following the restoration of multi-party democracy witnessed a number of economic reforms and development initiatives. The adoption of a liberal, market-oriented development strategy led by private sector has helped to stimulate investment and growth. Nonetheless, development efforts have been largely unsuccessful in integrating the vulnerable and marginalized groups. The governance system has remained non-functional because deeply rooted processes of exclusion have compounded failures at the institutional level and in implementation process. The impacts of development may be measured by several means. This research is an earnest effort to bring new innovations in impact measurement of social inclusion programs. The rigorous processes of finding changes over a period of time and assessing the changes in a ＂wheel＂ are interesting parts of the people lead development in the twenty-first century. Indicators of the development wheel are designed by development professionals of Nepal and rating is done by local stakeholders of Lumbini themselves. The study is based on exploratory and descriptive research design. It follows sequences of appreciative inquiry and development wheel preparation to compare the changes that are in vogue in Nepal. The changes are quantified in three continua that depict the community development programs implemented from 2003 through 2006. This measurement invites rigorous planning and inputs （man, money and time） but it is quite easy for local stakeholders that where they are （in development） and in which direction the currently available and future resources should be streamlined.

Relationship between Social Capital and Cognitive Functions among Community-Based Elderly

The concept of social capital encompasses all relationships and networks among people in a local community or society as a whole. It has been found to be associated with the health and daily living status of people. Furthermore, an association between social capital and cognitive functions among the elderly has been suggested in recent years. However, the number of such reports is very few. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the relationship between social capital and cognitive functions among the elderly living in a local community in Japan. A questionnaire survey was administered to 192 elderly individuals belonging to 10 neighborhood elderly groups. A regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between cognitive functions and the level of engagement with the local community, after adjusting for age, gender, and symptoms of depression. Valid responses were collected from 145 participants (mean age: 75.3 years). An analysis of the data concerning the level of engagement with the local community revealed a significant difference in the cognitive function scores between the group of people who indicated that they had someone they could consult (n = 69) and the group that indicated they had no one to consult (n = 76) (regression coefficient: -0.61, p = 0.0038, 95% confidence interval: -1.02 to -0.20). This result indicates the existence of a significant correlation between social capital and cognitive functions of the elderly living in a local community. In future studies, we need to investigate the same with a larger number of participants from a wider geographical area, and by incorporating more indicators for a comprehensive evaluation of social capital.

Corporate Social Responsibility Projects by Transnational Oil Corporations in Nigerian Niger Delta Region： The Experiences of Selected Oil Producing Communities

A well-known fact about the Nigerian Niger Delta region is incessant conflicts between the oil transnational corporations （Oil TNCs） and the oil producing communities. This could be attributed to the fact that the activities of Oil TNCs have continued to unleash untold devastation on the environment of the oil producing communities and its consequences on the local economy and by extension the total obliteration of the livelihood of the inhabitants of the area. Therefore, the Oil TNCs are increasingly becoming conscious of their devastating impact on the ecology of the area and their blatant disregard for the socio-economic development of the host communities. Consequently, the Oil TNCs have come to embrace the idea of executing Corporate Social Responsibility （CSR） projects as a vehicle to intervene meaningfully in order to mitigate the adverse effect of their operations in host communities. This paper attempts a review and analysis of CSR practices of the two major Oil TNCs in Bayelsa State： Shell and Agip in six host communities： Olugboboro, Olugbobiri, Ikebiri 1, Oporoma, Angiama, and Peremabiri in Southern ljaw local government area. The key question explored in this study is： Has the practice of CSR in the Nigerian Niger Delta region by Oil TNCs brought about socio-economic development and drastic reduction in conflict between the host communities and the Oil TNCs？ The paper argues that CSR projects of transnational oil corporations in Nigeria are driven by short-term expediency rather than the long term development needs of host communities through the provision of poor quality social amenities to these communities in order to secure social license to operate. For transnational oil corporations to make positive impact in the Nigerian Niger Delta Region, their CSR projects should be long tern in nature, taking into consideration the sustainable development needs of the local communities. The CSR projects should be in the form of high quality social amenities and environmental rehabilitation and protection, which could serve the needs of the present and future generations.

Does Size Matter？ How Firm Size Affects Social Externalities and Community and Regional Development

This study shows how family firm size affects the extent to which bus and coach operators in Australia interact with and contribute to their community by quantifying the value of eight social externalities and presenting the results, using the number of staff and the number of buses per operator as the denominators. The study highlights how a transaction between the government, as buyer, and the bus operator, as seller of services, can affect an external factor that being community and regional development. The results suggest that the small- and medium-sized family firm bus operators are the governance models most likely to contribute toward achieving community and regional development outcomes, which in turn, highlights the importance placed on the achievement of the non-financial goals of family firms and the socio-emotional wealth of the community in which it is embedded. This study suggests that it is possible that contracting bus-services for social value, rather than just lowest price, would create greater benefit for the community and this would offset any gains in economic efficiency achieved by large and non-family firms.

Research on the Development Strategy of Community Education Based on Reverse Socialization

The exploration of China's community education development practice is well-aligned progressing,community education for improving the quality of the whole people and promoting social development is of great significance.Reverse socialization plays an important role in alleviating intergenerational estrangement,providing new development direction and promoting balanced development of community education.To Promote the development of community education under the effect of reverse socialization,"the younger generations should influence the elder"so as to improve the cognition of community education;Optimize the policy,"new insights transforming the old concepts"so as to act well in community education publicity;At the mean time,the construction of characteristic community education work should be done as well.

Study on Tourism Development and Community Participation in Villages of the Minorities ——With the Dong Village in Zhaoxing,Southeast Guizhou Autonomous Prefecture of Miao and Dong Nationalities,China

Based on basic theories of community participation in tourism development,questionnaires were designed for the field investigation in one of the largest Dong Villages in China,the Dong village in Zhaoxing.Community participation in tourism development of the Dong Village was analyzed from the perspectives of residents' participation in decision-making and management,reception and catering services,group performance,making and selling ethnic artworks,protection of village tourist resources and environment.And meanwhile,problems were pointed out as "still maintaining in the early stage of its tourism development,fewer opportunities for its residents participating in tourism development,resource protection being divorced from tourism benefits and so on",on the basis of which corresponding solutions were offered as "expanding the field of participation,improving the level of participation,increasing benefits of local residents;insisting on the principle of "not participating intentionally is the best way of their participation,guaranteeing economic compensation for rural residents;enhancing infrastructure construction;establishing a museum of folk-custom materials;creating a favorable atmosphere of folk cultures;enhancing cooperation with its neighboring villages in tourism development,and creating a "local industrial chain";establishing a research center of cultural tourism development of the Dong Minority.

Inquiry of Modernization Management of Rural Community Self-organizing on the Perspective of Social Work

The current rural community self-organizing of China is closely related with the rural social stability as well as economic and social development. However, the current rural community self-organizing construction falls far behind the requirements of realistic practice all over China, which greatly affects the advancement of the rural modernization of China. On the other hand, social work provides a unique perspective and method to deal with these problems. Its service philosophy of selfservice as well as its humanitarian value and practical working methods provide reality conformity for the intervention into rural community self-organizing, making it conductive to improving the social relations between rural community residents and possible to realize the mutual development of rural community and rural community residents.

“If Somebody Needed Help, I Went Over”: Social Capital and Therapeutic Communities of Older Adult Farmers in British Columbia Floods

Older adults in disaster contexts are often thought of as a passive, vulnerable population that lacks agency and capacities to cope in the aftermath. However, it can be argued that older adults may have underrecognized strengths that can be utilized pre-, peri-, and post-disaster. One of these strengths is older adults' unique social capital that stems from long-standing connections with other members of their respective communities. Using data from in-depth, semistructured interviews with farmers in British Columbia 3–11 months after the 2021 floods, this research explored the experiences of older adult farmers' recovery. The farmers discussed how they leveraged their social capital to aid in their recovery efforts from the flood event. By using their bonding social capital, older adult farmers transformed their existing, deep-rooted connections into post-disaster assistance. This, in turn, generated the idea of the therapeutic community, helping community members cope in the aftermath. This research indicated the need to further examine how older adults in disaster settings can be viewed as assets with community knowledge and skills as opposed to solely as a vulnerable population.

Role of Community Health Practitioners in National Development: The Nigeria Situation

This is a review paper that brings to focus, concepts of Community Health Practice that connect Community Health Practitioners’ Roles to National development in view of its composite index improvement measure of social welfare services provision among others for the citizens of a country over time, with particular emphasis on medical care component of such index aimed at reduction in diseases and poverty in the population. The objective of the review work is to determine the extent to which Community Health Practice, particularly by Community Health Practitioners is capable of ensuring National Development in democratic governance or otherwise, in the context of our country, Nigeria. The methodology applied was traditional review of published literatures concerning the subject and findings of operational research of programme implemented by Community Health Practitioners at the Primary Health Care facilities and household level in the communities. This paper emphasizes on Primary Health Care services delivery contribution to National Development, since it is the level where Community Health Practitioners are mainly commissioned to render their services. Home-Based Care Strategy for Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health piloted in three (3) local government areas (Ahoada West, Etche and Oyigbo) in Rivers State, Nigeria, in 2012 and implemented by Community Health Practitioners, aimed at reducing maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality by 20% by 2015 in line with the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, had been shown to achieve an average of 26% improvement in utilization of maternal and newborn health services, an average of 27% overall reduction in maternal malnutrition status, an average of 14% overall improvement in under 5 years malnutrition status among others in 2013 on comparing with baseline indicators. Nigeria also attained 80% coverage in routine immunization in most vaccine preventable diseases except Tetanus Toxiod (TT) 2 (54%) in 2013 to achieve herd immunity of the community to prevent transmission of disease pathogen to cause a disease. Community Health Practitioners are the frontline Primary Health Care Professionals charged with the responsibility of implementation of immunization programmes in Nigeria and therefore contributing significantly to the prevention and control of targeted vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria Health System. Our findings on factors militating against Community Health Practitioners’ Roles in National Development as elicited in this paper may form basis for empirical studies to determine the level of significance of each of these factors. In conclusion, it is when the Community Health parameters are adequately addressed that we can ensure sustainable National Development and we can say we have succeeded in our various strategic agenda of government at whatever level that makes up the complex whole. This brings to fore, the importance of the roles of Community Health Practitioners in health care delivery to National Development in the context of our country, Nigeria.

Examining the Impacts of Key Influencers on Community Development

In this research,we aim to identify and investigate the impacts of key influencers on community formations and developments.We assess the impacts of key influencers by analyzing the activities and structure of the social media presence of a local community.Results of our analysis show that key influencers play important roles in connecting the community,transferring information,and improving overall sentiment of the community members.Our findings suggest that community practitioners can apply social network analysis to identify value-added influencers and discover strategies for improving the community and keeping leadership roles.

Facilitative Institutional Infrastructure to Optimise Productive Participation of Rural People in Local Development Processes: South Africa

Pervasive low levels of education and weak civil society activism in poor rural communities are cited as constraining factors for participatory development (PD), resulting in technical capacity for participation being skewed against the community participants. This paper highlights the outcomes of a research study that examined the applicability of the participatory development concept in conditions characterised by low levels of education and weak civil society. The research was undertaken in two rural villages in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, utilising both quantitative and qualitative approaches entailing interviews with 18 key informants followed by two focus group discussions each with seven participants respectively. The research found that rural communities were not aware of the government policy placing people participation at the centre of rural development interventions;and that they would not support it as they believed it was government's role to champion their development. The research also found that the government officials that lead the implementation effort of the rural development programmes did not believe that the participation policy was practical, citing capacity limitations among rural communities. The researcher recommends a moderated rural people participation process, which features creation of a facilitative institutional infrastructure to optimise productive participation of rural people in local development processes.