The effectiveness of neighborhood collective action

Urban redevelopment forces have created major and complex issues for residents in neighborhoods. Faced with such threats, many neighborhoods have become proactive and have attempted to protect and improve their environment through collective organization and social action. This paper investigates the factors that contribute to the effectiveness of neighborhood organization. A theoretical model that places emphasis on the role of local ecology, organizational complexity, and coalitional embeddedness is developed. The model is tested using data collected from neighborhood associations. Greater effectiveness is associated with socioeconomic status, neighborhood investments, and environmental threats. Organizational resources and coalitional embeddedness were found to be the most important factors explaining effectiveness.