Social capital’s role in the development of volunteer-led cooperatives

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Richards ◽  
John Reed
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Economic Capital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
The North ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
Capital Development

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to evaluate how social capital is developed in a third sector organisation based in the north-west of England, a small food cooperative run by volunteers. Social capital comprises the bonds, bridges and linkages that hold together societal members, and it can be considered to be a precursor of economic capital. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data were collected through interviews with key informants, observations and documents. Data were analysed using either a template or a thematic analysis to identify aspects of social capital development. Findings – A model of the interactions between and within the three main stakeholder groups involved in the cooperative is presented. This model shows how these interactions can develop social capital, and it discusses how potential deficits in social capital can occur. Research limitations/implications – The findings have practical and theoretical implications, in that they may better equip third-sector organisations to understand how social capital is developed. Originality/value – This is one of few practical studies of social capital development in a social enterprise and provides valuable insights into the processes by which this is done.

“We'll go back to a system you really do not like!” Organizational norms and structural violence in a British foodbank

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Elizabeth Bruck ◽  
Kayleigh Garthwaite
Keyword(s):  
Structural Violence ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Organizational Structures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Social Welfare Programs ◽  
Organizational Norms ◽  
Organizational Rules ◽  
The Impact

PurposeWe explore how neoliberal logic has led to an erosion of social-welfare programs and pervades organizational structures and functions of a third-sector organization. Based upon fieldwork in a foodbank in the North-West of England, we discuss the impact of economic cuts upon organizational norms of the foodbank, and the intersection with the provision of charity support and personal relationships between the staff, volunteers and visitors.Design/methodology/approachThis article analyses pervasiveness of neoliberalism on a foodbank and the impact this has on organizational norms and relationships found within the organization. It integrates themes of structural violence, neoliberal discourse in the charity sector, notions of (un)deservingness and appropriate of time.FindingsOur research finds how a hostile environment transpires in a third-sector organization under increased economic and bureaucratic pressures and from this, organizational rules emerge that ignore the lived experiences of the people it serves. Herein, visitors must learn the organization's norms and garner relationships to be able to navigate the organization to successfully access essential resources.Originality/valueThe findings in this article will be of interest to academics researching poverty and organizational norms, professionals in the charity-sector and policy makers. Rules originating from economic and bureaucratic pressures can establish barriers to accessing essential material resources. It informs the pressures felt in balancing access to support services with personal timetables, and the need to include visitors' voices in establishing norms.

How closeness matters: the role of geographical proximity in social capital development and knowledge sharing in SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pollawat Chumnangoon ◽  
Anukal Chiralaksanakul ◽  
Asda Chintakananda
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Geographical Proximity ◽  
Geographical Distance ◽  
Structural Dimension ◽  
Cognitive Dimension ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capital Development

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impacts of geographical proximity on social capital development through the inter-relationship between three social capital dimensions (structural, relational and cognitive dimension) and the knowledge sharing between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The authors empirically test a main hypothesis that the mechanism of social capital development that subsequently results in tacit knowledge sharing is different for SME buyer-supplier partners across their different geographical distances. Design/methodology/approach Multiple-group analysis in structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the research hypotheses using data collected from approximately 200 SMEs in Thailand’s food industry. Findings At a great geographical distance, the structural dimension impacts the cognitive dimension only in an indirect way through a relational dimension, which subsequently leads to knowledge sharing between SME buyer-supplier partners. At close geographical proximity, while the indirect impact of structural dimension on cognitive dimension through a relational dimension is still presented as it is in a great geographical distance, structural dimension has a positive and direct impact on the cognitive dimension as a complementary way to jointly reinforce knowledge sharing between SME partners. Among distant SME partners, the relational dimension shows a stronger impact on the cognitive dimension. In contrast, the direct influence of structural, relational and cognitive dimensions on knowledge sharing is identical, regardless of geographical distance. Practical implications The managers of SMEs can design their network-building approach in such a way that different location partners can enhance knowledge sharing. Policymakers could consider these results as a guideline when imposing SME development policies and geographical cluster policies in emerging economies. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence that demonstrates how geographical proximity between SME partners in an emerging economy influences their social proximity through the lens of social capital development mechanism and thus leads to knowledge sharing between them.

scholarly journals Measuring and assessing the impact of using volunteers in UK libraries: issues and methods

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Broady-Preston
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine a range of issues and methods in relation to measuring the impact of volunteer labour on the design and delivery of all types of library services. With the increasing use of volunteers to deliver library and information services in all sectors, managers need to assess their effectiveness and evaluate the impact of their use in relation to operational service design and delivery, and on the development of the profession and professional practice as a whole. Presented here is an initial scoping study, outlining a range of issues, methods and challenges for more detailed future investigation. Design/methodology/approach – A number of methodological challenges and perspectives are identifiable. Contemporary libraries exhibit increasing similarities with Third Sector organisations, namely a complex stakeholder community, and increasing use of volunteers to supplement or replace services delivered by professional staff. Therefore, a starting point for the research is a systematic review and analysis of the methodologies developed by the Third Sector Research Centre, and those studies in the ESRC contemporary Developing Impact Evaluation strand. As a rich picture is required, both quantitative and qualitative approaches are necessary, with the overall study adopting a mixed methods approach. Findings – This paper reports the findings of the preliminary documentary analysis, literature review and scoping aspects of a large-scale study. Originality/value – Research undertaken to date (June 2014) has failed to identify any published systematic review and examination of these issues.

scholarly journals Social care for the migrant population in Spain: needs and strengths of organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Bueno Doral ◽  
María Lara ◽  
Noelia García‐Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Third Sector ◽  
Migrant Population ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
Key Issues

Purpose In the past months, the authors have experienced an exceptional global situation that especially affects the most vulnerable population. This paper aims to analyse the needs, strengths and good practices of the organisations that have continued to study with the migrant population during the health crisis. The main objective was to determine how the health, social and communication crisis has affected the management of the organisation itself, the communications with its direct beneficiaries, the communications with the rest of society, as well as the perception that organisations specialised in migration have about how media has communicated the information of COVID-19 and migrant population. Design/methodology/approach The authors have circulated a questionnaire with open questions that covered the four dimensions previously mentioned. Findings The results show the analysis of the answers of 11 of the most important national and international organisations in the field of migration and refuge that operate in Spain. Originality/value Key issues have emerged related not only to the principal management concerns, internal digital communication, the adaptability of external communication and the major effort required to provide information about migration but also to innovative good practices. That other third sector organisations focussed on migration will be able to apply in the future and in other geographic areas.

Knowledge heterogeneity, social capital, and organizational innovation

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu-Sheng Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Heterogeneous Knowledge

Purpose Observing across four comparative case organizations, the purpose of this paper is to identify two sources of contingency (i.e. construct and contextual contingency) for the relationship between knowledge heterogeneity and innovation. Design/methodology/approach The contingencies was explored by conducting a comparative case analyses with rich qualitative data extracted and interpreted from four case companies. Findings First, the construct contingency is examined by refining knowledge heterogeneity into three dimensions: domain, process, and context heterogeneity. Specifically, the author proposed that knowledge heterogeneity in domain is associated with innovation in an inverted U-shape, while heterogeneity in process and context dimensions both negatively influence innovation. Second, contextual contingency is studied. The author proposed that: trust positively moderates the relationship between knowledge heterogeneity and innovation; depending on the knowledge owner attributes, centralization positively or negatively moderates the relationship between heterogeneous knowledge and innovation; shared knowledge vision positively moderates the relationship between knowledge heterogeneity and innovation. Originality/value The influences of knowledge heterogeneity on innovation have yet been inconsistent. The present study set to reconcile such inconsistency with a solution of contingencies that intervene the heterogeneity-innovation relationship. These results offer useful references for future large-scaled, quantitative studies.

Nigeria's security chiefs may not ease north-east woes

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Displaced Persons ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
Border Regions ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
General Elections

Significance Although many recent jihadist attacks have occurred in border regions with Niger (to the north of Borno State) or Cameroon (to the east of Borno and neighbouring Adamawa State), the Maiduguri attack underscores that security in Borno’s major towns is tenuous. Impacts Already faltering efforts to resettle displaced persons could be further complicated if the security situation degrades in Maiduguri. The new service chiefs’ attention will be overstretched as they also attempt to respond to worsening insecurity in the north-west. With general elections in 2023, there is no immediate political outlet for public frustration with authorities’ poor handling of security.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Phage PhiG17

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muyiwa A. Akindolire ◽  
Bukola R. Aremu ◽  
Collins N. Ateba
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome Sequence ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Genetic Features

Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of bacteriophage PhiG17, which is virulent to Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains and was isolated from cattle feces in the North West province of South Africa. This report presents the major genetic features of the phage PhiG17 based on its whole-genome sequence.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequences of Potentially Pathogenic Clostridium perfringens Strains from Environmental Surface Water in the North West Province of South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (32) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Cornelius Jacobus Fourie ◽  
Tomasz J. Sanko ◽  
Cornelius Carlos Bezuidenhout ◽  
Charlotte Mienie ◽  
Rasheed Adegbola Adeleke
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province

Surface water systems in South Africa are experiencing a major decline in quality due to various anthropogenic factors. This poses a possible health risk for humans. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of three Clostridium perfringens isolates obtained from a fecally polluted river system in the North West province of South Africa.

Influence of remittances oncapital endowment of Tibetan refugees in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-309
Author(s):  
Tenzin Namgha ◽  
Ganesh L. ◽  
Amalendu Jyotishi
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Least Square Method ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ordinary Least Square ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Tibetan Refugees ◽  
Capital Development

PurposeAn issue concerning Tibetan refugees in India is the poverty and unemployment among Tibetan youth. This often leads to households adopting a strategy of sending one of its members abroad towards North American or European countries in search of better income opportunities. Incomes in the form of remittances from these forward migrants have numerous impacts on living standard of left behind families. This study aims to focus on the influence of forward migrant’s remittances on livelihood in terms of human, financial and social capital development of Tibetan refugees in India.Design/methodology/approachThe paper includes 400 households from high-economic and low-economic-access regions of Tibetan settlements in India. Ordinary least square method was used to study these impacts.FindingsFindings show that remittances have significantly influenced human and financial capital development. However, it was found to be statistically not significant for social capital development.Originality/valueThe present paper is original work.

Algerian turmoil threatens the local motor industry

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Firms ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
State Support ◽  
Chief Executives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Motor Industry ◽  
The Government ◽  
Local Motor

Subject Auto manufacturing and corruption. Significance The government on August 25 appointed judicial administrators to manage three major companies whose chief executives were detained as part of a wide-ranging anti-corruption drive, including the Tahkout Manufacturing Company, which produces cars. Local auto manufacturing -- a flagship industry under ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika -- has been badly affected by the anti-corruption campaign, with some companies struggling to pay staff and import parts. It is also threatened by concurrent new regulations introduced by the government. Impacts In the longer term, a re-evaluation of the programme of state support for the industry could threaten all manufacturers. Projects underway to build new Nissan and Peugeot plants by 2020 may be delayed or cancelled. Damage to the industry poses particular risks to the economy of the north-west, where most factories are located. Foreign firms in other sectors will be reluctant to invest in Algeria, fearing that local partners could be caught up in criminal cases.

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