Institutional constraints affecting county extension agents in Arizona

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the county extension agents' perceptions of institutional constraints to the performance of their duties within the Arizona Cooperative Extension System. Study population was 66 county extension agents in the state of Arizona. They were surveyed by mailed questionnaire. Study results indicated, on the average, most of the institutional constraints affect slightly on the county extension agents' work performance. Considerable variation observed among respondents in their perceptions of severity of the constraints. Some of the other important findings include; (1) 4-H agents perceived constraints more severe than Agriculture or Home Economic Agents. (2) County agents perceived more constraints in salary and promotion more severe than county directors. (3) County agents with more than 5 years of service perceived more of the constraints in the area of Personnel Evaluation more severe than agents with 5 years or less service.