Case Analysis: Vicos Project

Case Analysis: Vicos Project

Introduction

Vicos Project is seen as an economic agent of change in the history of social science interventions and transformations. The project was leaded for international development of third world countries by the Cornell University. The university intervened in 1952 in the northern Andean community of Vicos, Peru. This intervention turned to be a paradigm shift in economic development of the region and establishing a framework of resources distribution to grass root level (Cornell University, 2012). This paper presents an analysis of why Vicos Project is seen an important illustration of as community change in the history of social science interventions and transformations, lessons learned by the team of researchers, importance of understanding and respecting cultural values among stakeholders to the success of the project, and role of power in organizational behavior change.

Vicos Project and Community Change

Vicos Project is seen as an element of change because the project turned to be fruitful for the advancement of indigenous population as per 20th century standards and integrating the people to Peruvian society and market economy. Mainly, the project contributed in the allocation of resources ownership from privately held land to poor people, who were limited by resources. The project aimed at utilizing the agricultural resources as agrarian societies development is a first step towards industry globalizations. Cornell University leased a regional hospital for five years at the cost of $600 a year. However, students and faculty remained involved in Vicos Project until 1966 (Cornell University, 2012).

Vicos project was leaded in the area of Vicos hacienda. It was a failing economic state region in the contemporary Peru in mid 20th century. Only 10% region of the land was cultivated by the local residents out of 43,750 acres cultivable land. Moreover, patrons were controlling the best lands near the ...