Role perceptions and attitudes of Dominican Republic Extension agents

Abstract

The role perceptions of provincial Extension workers in the Dominican Republic Extension Service and their levels of job satisfaction were investigated since it was theorized that the actual role perception and behavior of agents in contrast to their normative or formal role requirements can substantially influence the success or failure of the entire organization. The research instrument utilized to secure data for this study consisted of a questionnaire reviewed and adapted to the Dominican Republic by the researcher. The population was 124 Extension agents working at the provincial level. Of this total, 95 agents or 77 percent of the total population of Extension agents provided data. Descriptive statistics were employed in analyzing and reporting data. The change in role perception of Extension agents in the Dominican Republic was revealed by an increase in importance attributed to new community groups, by an increase in subject matter areas and by a decrease in importance to agricultural and homemaker groups. All agents considered that they should perform activities in the expert/teacher and initiator/organizer in the traditional subject matter areas and liaison and initiator/organizer in the non traditional subject matter areas. The main sources of dissatisfaction for all groups of agents were salary, working conditions, and the job itself which in turn seemed to be indication of lack of resources and an inadequate communications system within the organization. The sources of satisfaction were: achievement, inter-staff relations, and factors of the job affecting personal life. The overall attitude of agents toward the Extension Service was surprisingly good considering the fact that changes were brought about in a short period and with a minimum of advance preparation in 1970. The overall findings from this study led to the conclusion that agents in the Dominican Republic realized that their role had changed largely in the scope of subject matter areas in which to provide educational programs. The majority of agents classified their role as change agents, their major function being one of education.