Perceptions of Community Life and Services: a Comparison between Leaders and Community Residents

Abstract

This study compares the perceptions of community leaders and the general public regarding the importance of 22 proposed community work projects as well as their perceptions of the importance of, and satisfaction with, various dimensions of community life. The two groups were found to differ considerably on specific community work projects but were found to agree on the importance of and satisfaction with seven dimensions of community. Therefore, the question of congruence of perceptions between leaders and residents must be addressed from a specific level of reference. On a general level, leaders and residents were consistent in their perceptions of community life; however, on a specific task or project level, their views differed considerably. Also, the study found that an importance-satisfaction analysis is a viable mechanism for prioritizing community issues that cannot be accomplished by viewing importance or satisfaction ratings independently.