George M. Beal

Some Effects of Intangible Goals on Resource Development Programs

AbstractThe goals associated with activities concerning community resource development are considered by some as generally intangible. Warner and Havens indicate that goal intangibility not only affects the feedback process but in addition leads to goal displacement. Case studies are used here from two multicounty development areas in Iowa. Observations indicate that important linking variables between goal intangibility and both feedback and goal displacement are: role specification and performance of the professional extension staff as well as cooperating local leaders; resource allocations; interorganizational relationships; and information back-stopping procedures. Suggestions are offered for the specification of development goals for future extension programs.