Rural leadership: A case study of the factors that influence economic development in two rural communities in South Carolina

There are many factors that contribute to economically weak performing rural areas. However, one factor that was explored in this study was the impact that leadership development had on rural economies succeeding or failing. In the field of Economic Development there are very few rural leaders who really understand this industry because of its complexity to integrate multiple disciplinary sciences; in order to make quality decisions for local communities. The purpose of this study was to understand the common traits/characteristics that ten rural leaders possessed that directly or indirectly influenced their success in terms of community and economic development in two rural communities. Thus, the primary research framework of this study was based on a case study methodology that utilized a mixed methodology research design. The researcher also used a modified Guttman Scale and integrated an in-depth case study interview/protocol guide to assess the leadership traits/characteristics that influenced the success or failure of these rural leaders who lived in two rural communities in South Carolina.