Individual social capital and access to rural services in Northern Vietnam

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quoc Dinh Hoang ◽  
Thomas Bernhard Dufhues ◽  
Gertrud Buchenrieder
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Network Member ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Northern Vietnam ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Individual Social Capital ◽  
Rural Services ◽  
Social Network Ties

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of network-based individual social capital on the access of rural households to services. Design/methodology/approach – In the context of development economics, an innovative data collection approach is used to determine network-based social capital. The approach originates from the field of sociology and entails a personal network survey. The authors define four social capital variables according to tie strength and social distance between the respondent and his/her network member. Findings – Social network ties are not homogeneous. The econometric results suggest that social capital with weaker ties in combination with socially distant ties can potentially improve households’ access to rural services. Research limitations/implications – The empirical survey focusses on a single province in Northern Vietnam. Thus, the main limitation of the micro-study is its regional focus. A more representative sample of the whole country would be desirable to backup the policy recommendation. Originality/value – The results indicate that access to services in rural Vietnam it still too personalized and subjective. Thus, a thorough review of the access procedures and making them more objective would be better choice. This would also root out a potential alley for corruption and nepotism.

Social capital in the theory and research of LIS professionals in the light of the literature on the subject. Review of current knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Social Capital ◽  
Rural Libraries ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to present the latest scholarly trends in the field of social capital in libraries, to review research concepts published by LIS professionals and to suggest further research possibilities in this area. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a review and critical analysis of literature associated with research on social capital in libraries to highlight its importance for the development of LIS and its impact on the functioning of environments linked with various types of libraries. The goal of literature analysis was to determine the current condition of research on social capital in libraries. The main trends were identified and the need for further qualitative analyses, which are missing at the moment, was confirmed. Findings It was determined that, so far, LIS professionals have focussed mainly on the role of municipal libraries in developing social capital, the problem of building trust, especially in immigrant circles and the impact of libraries on promoting a civil society. Academic libraries, rural libraries, organisational capital in libraries and individual social capital of librarians were a much less frequent subject of research. The role of libraries in developing social capital in educational (primary and secondary education) and professional (non-university professionals) circles is practically non-existent in research, and it will require in-depth studies and analyses in the coming years. Originality/value This paper constitutes a synthetic review of the latest research concepts concerning social capital in libraries. It identifies the most important research trends and areas that so far have not been explored and suggests research methods to help LIS professionals design future research in this area more effectively.

Impact of task characteristics on employee agility: the moderating effect of enterprise social media visibility

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengyi Zhu ◽  
Yuan Sun ◽  
Anand Jeyaraj ◽  
Jie Hao
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Task Interdependence ◽  
Task Characteristics ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enterprise Social Media ◽  
Social Network Ties ◽  
And Task

PurposeThis study aims to explore whether and how task characteristics affect employee agility in the context of enterprise social media (ESM).Design/methodology/approachAdopting the social network ties perspective, this study examines how task characteristics (i.e. task complexity, task interdependence and task non-routineness) affect employee agility by promoting their social network ties (i.e. instrumental ties and expressive ties) and how ESM visibility moderates their relationships. Data gathered from 341 ESM users in workplaces were analyzed using Smart-PLS 3.2.FindingsFirst, task complexity, task interdependence and task non-routineness have positive effects on instrumental and expressive ties, which in turn influences agility; Second, instrumental ties have a stronger effect on employee agility relative to expressive ties; Finally, ESM visibility positively moderates the effects of task complexity and task non-routineness on social network ties.Practical implicationsThe findings provide guidance for organizational managers on how to use task characteristics and ESM to improve employee agility, as well as insights for social media designers to optimize ESM functions to improve agility.Originality/valueThis study provides empirical evidence to explain the roles of task characteristics and social network ties in influencing employee agility, thus clarifying the inconsistent findings in extant research. The moderating effects of ESM visibility on the relationships between task characteristics and social network ties are also examined, thus providing further insights on the positive role of ESM in organizations.

Virtuality at work and social media use among dispersed workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolis Tijunaitis ◽  
Debora Jeske ◽  
Kenneth S. Shultz
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Workers ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Technology and globalization of services have facilitated the digitalization of many processes at work. However, their impact on social capital is unknown. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between virtuality in the workplace and social capital. Design/methodology/approach Using an online survey, the authors recruited 152 female student workers using an opportunity sampling approach. Findings Participants who used social media at work (n=112) reported higher social capital overall than participants who did not use any social media to communicate with colleagues at work (n=40). This difference also presented itself in terms of the social capital subscales (network ties, shared vision and trust). Mediation analysis conducted with users of social media at work revealed that social media use was a significant mediator in the relationship between virtuality at work and social capital overall (partial mediation). Subsequent analyses with the subscales for virtuality and social capital suggested full mediation of the relationship in most instances (with the exception of work practices). Originality/value This is the first study to examine the relationship between virtuality, social media and social capital at work. The result of this study suggests that social media use at work between colleagues can play a significant role in promoting social capital in workplaces that are heavily reliant on technological application to support interactions at work and feature geographical and temporal dispersion.

scholarly journals How do enterprise social media affordances affect social network ties and job performance?

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 361-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiayu Chen ◽  
Shaobo Wei ◽  
Robert M. Davison ◽  
Ronald E. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enterprise Social Media ◽  
Social Network Ties ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how four enterprise social media (ESM) affordances (visibility, association, editability and persistence) affect social network ties (instrumental and expressive), which, in turn, influence the in-role and innovative job performance of employees. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 251 ESM users in the workplace in China was conducted. Findings All four affordances are positively associated with instrumental ties, yet only the association and editability affordances are positively related to expressive ties. Although instrumental and expressive ties are positively related to in-role and innovative job performance, instrumental ties exert stronger effects on in-role job performance, whereas expressive ties show stronger effects on innovative job performance. Research limitations/implications First, additional relevant affordances should be included in an expanded model. Second, future research could examine how patterns of affordances use (unrelated, or hierarchically or sequentially related) affect organizational network ties. Third, there are likely (many) other exogenous factors affecting the model’s relationships. Fourth, the data collected are self-reported. Practical implications This study advances the theoretical understanding of the role of ESM affordances in the workplace, especially through their influences on network ties. The findings can guide organizations on how to emphasize ESM affordances to foster instrumental and expressive ties to improve the job performance of employees. Originality/value First, it provides novel views on affordance theory in ESM contexts by empirically testing four central affordances, thereby further providing preliminary evidence for prior theoretical propositions by confirming that social media affordances might be associated with or influence relational ties. Second, the study integrates an affordance lens and a social network perspective to investigate employees’ perceived performance behavior. Including social network ties can offer a more detailed understanding of the underlying processes of how ESM affordances can and do affect job performance. Third, it supports the validity of distinguishing instrumental and expressive ties in ESM contexts, thus offering a possible explanation for the inconsistencies in prior research on the impact of social networks on employee outcomes. Finally, it also shows how two kinds of organizational performance (in-role and innovative) are somewhat differentially influenced by affordances and network ties.

Tangled Roots: Personal Networks and the Participation of Individuals in an Anti-environmentalism Countermovement

2020 ◽  
pp. 073112142090888
Author(s):  
David B. Tindall ◽  
Adam C. Howe ◽  
Céline Mauboulès
Keyword(s):  
Social Movement ◽  
General Public ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Environmental Movement ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Social Network Ties

We focus on the personal networks of members of an anti-environmentalism countermovement in a small town in Canada (Port Alberni, B.C.) that mobilized against the environmental movement. Drawing primarily from social survey data, we investigate the effects of network-based mobilization processes, and contending-movement ties (ties to the environmental movement), on level of participation in the countermovement. We add to the literature on networks and social movements, and movement-countermovement dynamics by 1) comparing network processes amongst a counter movement with those amongst a corresponding social movement, and 2) comparing personal network structures and mobilization processes between countermovement members and the general public. We find a similar pattern of network-based micromobilization processes amongst movement and countermovement participant networks. We find both similarities, and key differences between the counter movement and the general public in terms of activism and social network ties. Theoretical predictions have suggested that individuals who have ties to opposing groups will moderate their participation in a social movement. However, in this study of a community countermovement organization in a small town in Canada that mobilized against the provincial environmental movement we find that the number of contending movement ties (the range of ties to environmental organizations) held by individuals in the countermovement has a significant positive association with countermovement activism, and is the strongest statistical predictor of countermovement activism. Drawing upon both theory and substantive information we discuss the implications of this novel finding.

Organizational Ecosystems

2019 ◽  
pp. 23-42
Author(s):  
Brychan Celfyn Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Social Network Ties ◽  
Main Components

The aim of this chapter is to compile an up-to-date and academically grounded study into organizational ecosystems in terms of innovation and social capital dimensions. The authors are concerned with the dimensions of innovation involving traditionally measured forms of innovation, hidden innovation and social innovation, and social capital including collaboration, cooperation, as well as bridging and bonding social capital and network ties. The methodology used involved systems model formulation following the stages of the identification of the main structures, relationships and components, model building, development of an evolved organizational ecosystem model, and analysis of the model. The research question addressed the question, What are the main components of organizational ecosystems in terms of innovation and social capital dimensions? The contribution of the chapter is to bring together findings on the characteristics of organizational ecosystems in terms of the dimensions of innovation, and social capital including trust, collaboration, cooperation, and social network ties.

The level of individual social capital and social activity among librarians and managerial personnel

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 132-148
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Social Capital ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The One

PurposeThe purpose of this paper i to determine which group – the managerial personnel or the directors of libraries – had a more extensive social network and were more eager to engage in cooperation, in other words – had the qualities believed to be important in managerial positions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the results of research on the levels of individual social capital, as well as the social activity among librarians in 20 countries across the world, which are important for integration with the local community and development of library services.FindingsThe research confirmed that library directors are more active than managerial personnel or line workers, although there were areas in which line workers and managers scored higher than directors. In some areas of civic activity, line workers and managers, rather than directors, led the way.Research limitations/implicationsThis is the first research into the social capital and social activity of the managerial personnel of libraries conducted on such a large scale – in 20 countries across the world. The electronic survey resulted in the total of 6,593 valid responses, which were analysed statistically. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics were calculated, and the chi-square test of independence and the Mann–Whitney U test were applied. The level of individual social capital was calculated on the basis of a resource generator – Questionnaire for the Measurement of Individual Social Capital (KPIKS).Originality/valueThis is the first research into the social capital and social activity of the managerial personnel of libraries conducted on such a large scale – in 20 countries across the world. The electronic survey resulted in the total of 6,593 valid responses, which were analysed statistically. The one-way ANOVA statistics were calculated, and the chi-square test of independence and the Mann–Whitney U test were applied. The level of individual social capital was calculated on the basis of a resource generator – Questionnaire for the Measurement of Individual Social Capital (KPIKS).

Exploring the influence of social media on employee work performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiongfei Cao ◽  
Xitong Guo ◽  
Douglas Vogel ◽  
Xi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Synchronicity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of social media on employees’ work performance, as well as the underlying mechanism for how they create value at work. Design/methodology/approach – Based on media synchronicity and social capital theories, the authors propose that social media can foster employees’ social capital and subsequently facilitate knowledge transfer. Both social capital and knowledge transfer help promote work performance. Specifically, the authors adopt shared vision, network ties and trust to represent, respectively, the cognitive, structural and relational dimensions of social capital. The research model is tested using data collected from 379 Chinese working professionals. Findings – The empirical results reveal that social media can promote the formation of employees’ social capital indicated by network ties, shared vision and trust, which, in turn, can facilitate knowledge transfer. Shared vision and knowledge transfer positively influence work performance. Although network ties and trust do not have a direct impact on work performance, the influence is partially mediated by knowledge transfer. Practical implications – For organizations that wish to build knowledge networks in the workplace, connecting experts with various social media can effectively complement other knowledge management technology. Further, managers should encourage employees to consciously exploit the byproducts created via social media, e.g., social capital, to promote knowledge exchange. Originality/value – The integration of media synchronicity and social capital theories offers a new theoretical lens and reasonable explanations for investigating communication performance. The research offers empirical evidence regarding how the influence of social media on work performance is transmitted through social capital and knowledge transfer. The authors quantify social media’s benefits for organizations, providing managers an impetus to deploy them in the workplace with optimistic expectation.

How can WeChat contribute to psychosocial benefits? Unpacking mechanisms underlying network size, social capital and life satisfaction among sojourners

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1362-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Pang
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to systematically unpack whether and how WeChat network size is correlated with perceived social capital and life satisfaction among Chinese overseas students in Germany. Design/methodology/approach Based on a web-based survey data collected from 218 sojourners, zero-order correlation analyses and structural equation modeling were separately implemented to tackle the complicated research questions. Findings Findings demonstrate that an individual’s WeChat network size significantly and directly influences bridging, bonding and maintained social capital. Importantly, a path model demonstrates that these distinct dimensions of social capital are all significant predictors of life satisfaction. Furthermore, the empirical evidence reveals that bridging, bonding and maintained social capital can mediate the association between network size and well-being outcome. Research limitations/implications Theoretically, the paper is an initial attempt contributing to the previous studies on estimating the influence of WeChat friendships on social capital and life satisfaction. Practically, these findings will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of effect of personal network characteristics derived from the dominant media interaction on social connectedness and life quality. Originality/value Despite WeChat is immensely prevalent in Mainland China, only few studies have concentrated on the role of WeChat network size in fostering individuals’ social and psychological development. The work provides unique evidence that number of friends on the emerging technology could indirectly benefit sojourners’ satisfaction with life through processes involving diverse categories of social capital in a trans-cultural environment.

scholarly journals Access to Medical Technologies: Do Gender and Social Capital matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-31
Author(s):  
Mickaël Géraudel ◽  
Katherine Gundolf** ◽  
Beate Cesinger ◽  
Christina Constantinidis
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Network Ties ◽  
Private Practitioners ◽  
Medical Technologies ◽  
Social Network Ties ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Better Than

We explore the relationship between the characteristics of social capital, the speed of access to medical technologies and the role of gender in a private practice context. Our findings from a sample of 98 German private practitioners show that: (a) being a woman has an overall negative impact on the speed of access to medical technologies; (b) private practitioners with strong social network ties obtain quicker access to medical technologies than do those with weak ties; (c) men relying on their weak ties perform better than women who do so. In contrast, we observe that women relying on strong ties outperform their male counterparts in terms of speed of access to medical technologies.

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