A Systems Approach to Social Impact Assessment: Two Alaskan Case Studies

This book provides two case studies that demonstrate the use of systems analysis to forecast the often far-reaching consequences of government policies and economic development for the social relations and cultural values of different communities. The case studies examine the potential effects of oil development in two rural Alaskan communities, comparing the impact of proposed oil-related activities with projected changes in the sociocultural and socioeconomic aspects of these communities under other sets of assumptions, such as the development of a local groundfish industry. Each case study begins with an ethnographic description of the community, organized along the lines of a systems model, which is then used to assess the impact of development upon economic activities, political and social organizations, religion, education, health and social services, and recreation. The systems approach to social impact assessment is a commonly used decision-making tool, and the comparisons set forth in these two case studies will allow managers and policymakers to better tailor models to suit the needs of their inquiries.

Lawrence A. Palinkas and Bruce Murray Harris are executive directors of Impact Assessment, Inc., a research corporation specializing in applied social science. John S. Petterson is president of Impact Assessment, Inc.