Dominican Republic rural development management project

Special evaluation covers the period 6/81-6/83; methodology is not described. Due to delays in P.L. 480 counterpart funding and difficulties in recruiting a senior management advisor, most activities have been delayed 6-12 months. The project goal of 118 case studies in rural development management is probably not attainable. Only 28 case studies and 11 teaching exercises have been prepared to date, but both quantity and quality are satisfactory - given the inadequacy of available data, the lack of a case method tradition in the Dominican Republic, the short supply of case leads, and the difficulties posed by working with public, as opposed to private, institutions. ISA has offered 9 special seminar programs (attended by some 525 persons) and one 7-week management program (now an integral and popular offering for ISA students but a highly inconvenient length for clients). The new 5-month degree program which will be offered when CADR officially opens devotes too much time to "soft" subjects (e.g., group dynamics) and too little to such topics as marketing, international economics, finance, and management control. CADR facilities should be completed by mid 1984, approximately one year behind schedule; the buildings are excellent in both design and construction. Seven ISA faculty are enrolled in U.S. Master's programs, but most are not in programs which use the case method. Given the low ISA salaries, the biggest challenge ISA/CADR will face will be to retain faculty who have returned with Master's degrees. It is recommended that CADR develop: (1) close relationships with government, business, and academic communities, as potential sources of both clients and cooperation; and (2) expertise in a few priority areas (e.g., in marketing, finance, and policy in the sugar, coffee, cacao, and tobacco industries).