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The purpose of the study was to examine the role of EMEDO in enhancing social and economic
development to local communities. The study was guided by 4 specific objectives which were to
underscore the extent to which social economic development was enhanced by EMEDO among
local communities, to assess perceptions of local communities towards the functioning activities
by EMEDO, to document the social and economic impacts of organizations in the context of
social development and to assess how local communities can best identify and address the issues
of social economic development.
Before conducting the study, the researcher went through various literatures in order to find out
what other researchers had covered on the subject, and what research gaps needed attention.
Two theories namely, expectancy theory and Institutional theory, guided this study. The
institutional theory consists of being aware of the legal and institutional conditions which exist
outside a company but intensely affect its performance and ability to achieve legitimacy which is
necessary for its survival. This theory examines the role of social influence and social conformity
in shaping organizations.
Expectancy theory is about the mental processes involved in making choices. In organizational
behavior, expectancy theory holds how motivation shapes the individuals decision to behave in a
certain way because they select a behavior over other behaviors due to the expected results of the
selected behavior.
Methodological triangulation was used to get reliable and evident results in order to enhance
confidence in the resulting findings. Data was collected using in-depth interviews and survey
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questionnaires and was examined, analyzed and presented by tables and charts and description
was made for clarity. The researcher employed a non-equivalent group design under quasi
experimental design where respondents were separated in a treatment group and a comparison
group. Sample size was 74 respondents.
The major finding of the study was community empowerment and capacity building was the
solution to sustain the social and economic development programmes, enhanced by EMEDO to
local communities. However self-realization to fight poverty was another important aspect for
sustainability, in regard with capacities to manage the programmes from their initial stages to the
outcomes.
The study recommends the following: first the capacity building and community empowerment
programmes should be engaged in Local Government Authorities budgets for implementation
from grass root levels, second, NGOs should network and advocate for social and economic
development as a stand-alone agenda, lastly social and economic enhancement should be
progressive and goal oriented with particular regards of self-development. |
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