Community leadership: Development and the evolution of leadership in himeshima

Abstract

Leadership is the driving force behind development and the channel through which the characteristics to improve community capacity flow. Community agents are the mechanisms through which community actions are performed and through which development subsequently occurs. This paper discusses the role of community agents and their importance in both utilising and fostering community capacity to proceed with community improvements. The case of Himeshima, a small island of Japan, highlights the individuals, key institutions, and networks that guided the community from development through rural revitalisation. This paper demonstrates the importance of community agents and that community leadership is an outcome of community capacity development. Community leadership enables members of the community to take initiative according to their shared vision to facilitate the achievement of community objectives. This work contributes to the discussion on rural development, community capacity building, and leadership progression. © 2009 eContent Management Pty Ltd.