The Connection between Entrepreneurial Intentions and Community Member Priorities for Asset-Based, Sustainable Development to Improve Well-Being

Abstract

This chapter analyzes survey data collected from 5487 residents across 85 communities in Texas, USA, ranging from rural areas to large urban centers. Our analysis examines the impact of a community’s degree of urbanity and rurality, as well as individual factors such as social position, values, and satisfaction with local assets, on their economic and quality-of-life development project preferences. We argue that community development processes should take a broader, multicriteria approach that considers a range of factors impacting community needs and well-being. Our findings demonstrate the viability of this human-centered approach, highlighting the opportunity to direct societal capitals toward enhancing well-being within various systems. We analyze six community development project concepts, including renovations to downtown buildings, opening a community health center, deploying high-speed internet, enhancing public libraries, offering early-college-credit programs, and creating a co-working and startup space. Our study shows that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to community development, and participatory processes can guide collaboration between experts and community members. We find that entrepreneurial intention can positively or negatively impact community development concepts and should be considered as part of a well-being strategy. However, social governance structures, both governmental and non-governmental, need to address common-cause aspects of well-being such as community health and education.