Vahl, Martha (2006) Community operations and the need for research: a case study in building capacity of individuals and collectives. OR insight, 19 (2). pp. 11-17. ISSN 0953-5543

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Abstract

The paper explores the development of languages (or communication systems) that support individuals in improving their quality of life. Such languages help create and recreate social collectives. A case study of Research and Capacity building with disabled and disadvantaged people in Lincolnshire (UK) is used to illustrate the issue. The original project's assumption was fairly traditional: to frst identify the needs of target groups and next to satisfy these needs (training, forum type interaction, etc). The notion of needs was quickly shown to be quite restricted and even too problematic. Firstly, needs often change faster than the tools intended to meet them. Secondly access to such tools tends to be prevented by the very way communication with the service providers that present them is designed. An alternative approach developed in the project has been to support people in developing social collectives that are able to act as strong actors in the wider community and hence also in relation to service providers.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The paper explores the development of languages (or communication systems) that support individuals in improving their quality of life. Such languages help create and recreate social collectives. A case study of Research and Capacity building with disabled and disadvantaged people in Lincolnshire (UK) is used to illustrate the issue. The original project's assumption was fairly traditional: to frst identify the needs of target groups and next to satisfy these needs (training, forum type interaction, etc). The notion of needs was quickly shown to be quite restricted and even too problematic. Firstly, needs often change faster than the tools intended to meet them. Secondly access to such tools tends to be prevented by the very way communication with the service providers that present them is designed. An alternative approach developed in the project has been to support people in developing social collectives that are able to act as strong actors in the wider community and hence also in relation to service providers.
Keywords:	Social collective, Community
Subjects:	L Social studies > L380 Political Sociology
Divisions:	College of Social Sciences > Faculty of Business & Law > Lincoln Business School
Depositing User:	Jill Partridge
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2007
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2013 08:24
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/872

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