Mueller & Tickamyer: Rural Support for Natural Resource Development

In A More Complete Picture: Rural Residents’ Relative Support for Seven Forms of Natural Resource-Related Economic Development the authors, J. Tom Mueller and Ann R. Tickamyer (Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, Pennsylvania State), conduct a study to examine the influence of perceived impacts of development, industry trust, and perceived industry power on general support for the seven forms of natural resource-related economic development.

First, the authors review the empirical research and theoretical frameworks used to assess support for natural resource development in rural communities. Then, to conduct the study, the researchers develop and test models of drivers of support using a sample of rural Pennsylvanians. The motivation behind this study is primarily based on the social exchange theory.

In the case of support for a given form of development, social exchange theory means that if an individual perceives the benefits of development to be greater than the costs, they will support it. Therefore, authors use this theory to test rural Pennsylvanian’s support for the ever-present influence of natural resource development in seven forms: commercial logging, natural gas, mining, real estate, wind energy, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

This study’s findings vary amongst the different variables; however, overall, the authors found community support for most suggested forms of development. Interestingly, the researchers found that perceived economic impact was only the third largest predictor of relative support, and the fifth strongest predictor of general support. This is significant because it suggests a possible different approach for policy makers or planners in their attempt to engender support for certain forms of natural resource development. This research found that the primary drivers of support are trust in the industry and other quality of life impacts.

In sum, this research found that emphasis on elements such as life quality and trust may be the most effective way to implement natural resource development in rural communities. The authors suggest these findings demonstrate the importance of viewing rural economic development as a social exchange, and not just an economic transaction. Finally, the authors suggest that further research based on this study’s findings should explore concepts such as place attachment, place meanings, social identity, political ideology, and environmental value orientations.