scholarly journals Social Capital and Firm Performance: The Tourism Market Case

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 025-039
Author(s):  
Svetlana Orekhova ◽  
◽  
Vera Zarutskaya ◽  

There has been a shift in the management of organizations from separation to networking among market participants. Social capital has a significant role among the enforcing mechanisms in specific markets. The study assesses the impact of the level of social capital on the effectiveness of a network-based organization. The methodological framework of the research includes a set of neoinstitutional theories and strategic management, among which the key ones are the theories of networks, social capital, and transaction costs. Research methods in the theoretical part of the paper are synthesis, typology, and content analysis. The information base of the study is a survey and statistical reporting of 101 tourist organizations of the Russian Sverdlovsk region for 2017–2020. We identify structural, relational, and cognitive components of an organization's social capital and establish the impact of the components of social capital on the growth rate of revenue and the growth rate of profitability of sales in Russian tourism for two (2017–2019) and three (2017–2020) years. There are positive and negative effects of the social capital impact in the organization. The social structure (structural component of social capital) and behavioral practices (relational and cognitive components) ensure the sustainability and growth of the business. However, neglecting market-based transaction management mechanisms risks reducing the growth of network «embeddedness» and the organization's performance.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
María Paz Sandín Esteban ◽  
Angelina Sánchez Martí ◽  
Ana Belén Cano Hila

<p class="apa">This paper addresses the importance of the diagnosis of “personal communities” as relational systems that may influence the academic pathways of young immigrants. As part of a longitudinal study of the academic persistence of young people in their transition from compulsory to post-compulsory education, a “personal network questionnaire” has been developed. This instrument allows the relational structure of students to be captured and represented, and the impact of this structure on educational outcomes to be analysed. It measures and explores the network of inter-relations with adults (family, educational and recreational professionals, etc.) and peers in different settings. The theoretical elements underpinning its design and implementation are the interweaving of the student social capital and social support system to which they have or may have access to, and the Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach as the methodological framework. This network approach is rendered highly significant and valuable for professionals in educational diagnosis to assess relational vulnerability and design programs of intervention and counseling. With graphic techniques, we can somewhat address this challenge by examining patterns in relational data, experimenting with these data and putting forward hypotheses.</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Turkan Ahmet

The past few decades of ongoing war in Iraq has had a dramatic impact on the health of Iraq’s population. Wars are known to have negative effects on the social and physical environments of individuals, as well as limit their access to the available health care services. This paper explores the personal experiences of my family members, who were exposed to war, as well as includes information that has been reviewed form many academic sources. The data aided in providing recommendations and developing strategies, on both local and international levels, to improve the health status of the populations exposed to war.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Abdulelah A. Alghamdi ◽  
Margaret Plunkett

With the increased use of Social Networking Sites and Apps (SNSAs) in Saudi Arabia, it is important to consider the impact of this on the social lives of tertiary students, who are heavy users of such technology. A mixed methods study exploring the effect of SNSAs use on the social capital of Saudi postgraduate students was conducted using a multidimensional construct of social capital, which included the components of life satisfaction, social trust, civic participation, and political engagement. Data were collected through surveys and interviews involving 313 male and 293 female postgraduate students from Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in Makkah. Findings show that male and female participants perceived SNSAs use impacting all components of social capital at a moderate and mainly positive level. Correlational analysis demonstrated medium to large positive correlations among components of social capital. Gender differences were not evident in the life satisfaction and social trust components; however, females reported more involvement with SNSAs for the purposes of political engagement while males reported more use for civic participation, which is an interesting finding, in light of the norms and traditional culture of Saudi society.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110030
Author(s):  
Lise Dassieu ◽  
Angela Heino ◽  
Élise Develay ◽  
Jean-Luc Kaboré ◽  
M. Gabrielle Pagé ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to understand the impact of the opioid overdose epidemic on the social lives of people suffering from chronic pain, focusing on interactions within their personal and professional circles. The study was based on 22 in-depth interviews with people living with chronic pain in Canada. Using thematic analysis, we documented three main impacts of the opioid overdose epidemic: (a) increased worries of people in pain and their families regarding the dangers of opioids; (b) prejudices, stigma, and discrimination faced during conversations about opioids; and (c) stigma management attempts, which include self-advocacy and concealment of opioid use. This study represents important knowledge advancement on how people manage stigma and communicate about chronic disease during everyday life interactions. By showing negative effects of the epidemic’s media coverage on the social experiences of people with chronic pain, we underscore needs for destigmatizing approaches in public communication regarding opioids.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepehr Ghazinoory ◽  
Ali Bitaab ◽  
Ardeshir Lohrasbi

Purpose – In the last two decades, researchers have paid much attention to the role of cultural values on economic and social development. In particular, the crucial role of different aspects of culture on the development of innovation has been stressed in the literature. Consequently, it is vital to understand how social capital, as a core cultural value, affects the innovation process and the innovative performance at the national level. However, to date, the impact of different dimensions of social capital and innovation has not been properly portrayed or explained. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of four different dimensions of social capital (institutional and interpersonal, associational life and norms) on two of the main functions of national innovation system (NIS) (entrepreneurship and knowledge creation) based on over 50,000 observations in 34 countries. Design/methodology/approach – In this regard, national-level data from the World Values Survey database was employed to quantify social capital. Entrepreneurship is, in turn, assumed to consist of three sub-indexes and 14 indicators based on the Global Entrepreneurship Index. Knowledge creation is also measured through US Patent Office applications. Also, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling approach were used to build the measurement model and investigate the impact that each factor of social capital had on entrepreneurship and knowledge application, respectively. Measurement and structural models were built and their reliability and validity were tested using various fit indices. Research findings suggest the strong positive effect of institutional trust and networking on entrepreneurship. Also, interpersonal trust and networks were shown to have high influence on knowledge development at the national level. Norms appear to have naïve to medium negative effects on both functions. Findings – Research findings suggest the strong positive effect of institutional trust and networking on entrepreneurship. Also, interpersonal trust and networks were shown to have high influence on knowledge development at the national level. Norms appear to have naïve to medium negative effects on both functions. Originality/value – However, to date, the impact of different dimensions of social capital and innovation has not been properly portrayed or explained.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-196
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska

PurposeSocial capital, understood as intangible community values available through a network of connections, is a factor in the development of societies and improving quality of life. It helps to remove economic inequalities and prevent poverty and social exclusion, stimulate social and regional development, civic attitudes and social engagement and build a civic society as well as local and regional identity. Many of these tasks may be implemented by libraries, which, apart from providing access to information, may also offer a number of services associated with social needs. The purpose of this paper is to present the roles and functions that libraries may serve in local communities in terms of assistance, integration and development based on classical social capital theories.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the classical concepts of social capital in the context of libraries. It analyses the findings of Pierre-Félix Bourdieu, James Coleman, Francis Fukuyama, Robert Putnam, Nan Lin, Ronald Stuart Burt, Wayne Baker and Alejandro Portes. Based on their respective concepts, the paper analyses the role of the contemporary library in the social life of local communities. In particular, it focuses on the possible new functions that public libraries may serve.FindingsA critical review of the concept of social capital revealed certain dependencies between libraries and their neighbourhoods. With new services that respond to the actual social needs, libraries may serve as a keystone, namely they may integrate, animate and engage local communities. This, however, requires a certain approach to be adopted by the personnel and governing authorities as well as infrastructure and tangible resources.Originality/valueThe social engagement of libraries is usually described from the practical perspective (reports on the services provided) or in the context of research on the impact of respective projects on specific groups of users (research reports). A broader approach, based on original social theories, is rarely encountered. The paper draws on classical concepts of social capital and is a contribution to the discussion on possible uses of those concepts based on an analysis of the role of libraries in social life and in strengthening the social capital of local communities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Husam Alfahl

The use of mobile devices and smartphones is increasingly becoming a critical part of many people’s lifestyle. Such usage can vary from playing games to accomplishing work-related tasks. Being able to use organizations’ persuasive technologies via mobile business services or to achieve work-related tasks ubiquitously at any time means that such devices provide a valuable service, especially for employees who are working online. This paper explores the impact of mBusiness on the social life of employees. In the research, structural equation modeling was applied to validate the research model. Employees in Saudi organizations were surveyed to test the research hypotheses. The research results confirmed that there are some negative effects of using mBusiness technologies on the social life of employees. Based on the analysis, the findings revealed that addiction to mBusiness technologies significantly increases the perceived work overload, which also significantly increases work-family conflict. The paper concludes with some implications of this research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-390
Author(s):  
Luan VARDARI ◽  
Rrezarta GASHI ◽  
Hana GASHI AHMETI

Mass production, which started with the industrial revolution, caused both the unconscious consumption of the resources and the damages to the ecological system after the production. In this respect, the concept of sustainability, which is one of the most important conception of responsibility, is gradually gaining value in terms of protecting resources and transferring them to future generations. (Mori and Christodoulou, 2012: 94-106). Sustainability In the first place, it has started to be used mostly in the management of natural resources; later, it was used in different fields such as sectoral practices and energy tourism (Diaz - Baltciro, Voces, Romero, 2011: 761-773). Today, the expectations of the society from the enterprises have changed compared to the past. These changing expectations lead businesses to new searches. The most important concept that guides these quests is to be sustainable. The concept of sustainability for enterprises gains a new dimension in the form of corporate sustainability”. For corporate sustainability, it is possible for organizations to achieve individual results only to a certain extent. Because companies are affected to a great extent by all kinds of economic, social and even cultural formations occurring in their environment (Kuşat, 2012: 238). The most important benefit of sustainability indices is that it leads to improvements in transparency without the need for regulations, better understanding of the social and environmental impacts of companies and guiding them to reduce the negative effects of company activities. The BIST Index serves as a guide for companies on what to measure, what needs to be developed and what can be explained. Thus, it creates opportunities for companies to see social and environmental risks and opportunities and to manage their sustainability performances correctly. The index, on the other hand, provides information to investors and the community about the sustainability performance of companies. The aim of this study is whether the BIST Sustainable Index makes a difference for companies compared to BIST 100. "Does the BIST Sustainability Index really make a difference?" will be examined. In this context, data between 2014-2018 of BIST Sustainability and BIST 100 index will be examined. Based on the results obtained in the study, it shows that there is no strong evidence of the impact of inclusion in the BIST Sustainability Index on the stock returns of companies. At the same time, the BIST Sustainability Index has been shown to have similar returns to the BIST 100 Index. Key Words: Sustainability Index, BIST, Corporate.


2021 ◽  
pp. 47-58
Author(s):  
Şerafettin KELEŞ

In this study, the factors affecting the request and action of migration are examined with empirical method within the scope of neoclassical economic theories and behavioral economic thought. A survey of a selected sample was analyzed with structural equation modeling. There was a linear relationship between migration and economic expectation, social capital and hope. It was found that the Economic Expectation Variable had a very strong negative effect on individuals' decision to immigrate and desire to migrate (γ = -0.99; t = -17.87). Hope variable has a very strong negative effect on individuals' migration decision and desire to migrate (γ = -0.96; t = -13.66). The Social Capital Secret Variable has a negatively moderate effect on individuals' decision to immigrate and desire to migrate (γ = -0.48; t = -8.19). It was seen that economic and political conjuncture was effective in the decision of migration of individuals.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Zajda ◽  
Elżbieta Psyk-Piotrowska

In the article there is an analysis of the impact of the LEADER approach on the social capital of rural women involved in the local action groups. The aim of the article is to characterize the features of this capital taking into consideration the capital belonging to men involved in these organizations. The question is whether the role of local action groups as far as the social capital is concerned equally applies to women and men associated in these structures. On the basis of the research carried out in 2011–2013 (on a sample of 238 women and 327 men) within the framework of the project entitled: “Structure and determinants of social capital of local action groups” (National Science Centre grant) women social capital analysis was made (with its definition by R. Putnam). In the social survey distributed surveys technique was used. The result of the analysis is a statement that women social capital differs from men social capital mainly in the area of trust component and network component.


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