scholarly journals Trust, cell phones, social networks and agricultural entrepreneurship in East Africa: A dynamic interdependence

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (47) ◽  
pp. 5373-5388
Author(s):  
K Mehta ◽  
◽  
A Maretzki ◽  
L Semali
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Economic Capital ◽  
Agricultural Entrepreneurship

African entrepreneurs operate with in homogenous, tightly knit social networks of tru sted individuals. ‘Who you know’ networks can provide these entrepreneurs with significant advantages in social, economic or political situations. However, the challenge of expanding beyond such networks to access new knowledge, skills and resources can be met only by establishing relationships with individuals outside their existing sphere of trust. The widespread adoption of cell phone s has radically impacted the social connectedness of agro -entrepreneurs in Africa and deeply affected their social networks and livelihoods. Cell phones help to easily maintain long distance business connections as well as social ties and decrease dependency on local, face -to-face interactions. New weak social ties may be economically beneficial because they can provide access to new resources and create larger networks. The mobile phone enables and accelerates these social network transformations and helps entrepreneurs aggregate and leverage social capital. A symbiotic relationship exists between social and economic capital. Social capital is generated through the existence of trust which, in turn, encourages cooperation in the generation of economic capital. The existence f trust can promote the growth of an individual's business network which could, in turn, promote greater economic activity. Trust assumes a very important role in developing communities where there is a significant overlap between people’s social and economic networks. This paper defines the crucial role of trust in the complex interdependent relationships among social networks, cell phones and agricultural entrepreneurship. We present a diagram which illustrates that the most compelling opportunities for sustainable value creation and self -determined development in Africa may exist at the intersection of cell phone s, social networks and entrepreneurship, with the necessary condition that trust, the glue that holds these elements together, is present. A capstone case- study of a nutribusiness cooperative established in the 1990s suggests the importance of social networks and trust building in an entrepreneurial venture involving rural Kenyan women. This paper provides the context for a companion research paper on the “who you know” social and economic network knowledge systems among rural women agro- entrepreneurs in Northern Tanzania and the role cell phones play within these networks. We use secondary data, including academic publications, UN datasets, business ventures and persona l observations to describe the role of trust in the dynamic interdependence among entrepreneurship, social networks and cell phone s that is crucial for the establishment of sustainable agricultural business ventures in East Africa.

scholarly journals Tourism communities and social ties: the role of online and offline tourist social networks in building social capital and sustainable practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. Dickinson ◽  
Viachaslau Filimonau ◽  
Julia F. Hibbert ◽  
Tom Cherrett ◽  
Nigel Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Sustainable Practice

Charismatic Christianity and the Role of Social Networks

Pneuma ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 33-49
Author(s):  
Michael Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Prosperity Gospel ◽  
Religious Networks ◽  
Charismatic Christianity

This article offers a sociological examination of the role of networks among charismatic Christians, with specific attention to Catch the Fire and the Revival Alliance. Drawing upon social network theory, it shows how religious networks in global society are relational, asymmetrical, and infused with apostolic authority. A case study of Catch the Fire reveals that the network is primarily collaborative in its structure. However, there are some relationships in the network that are more important than others, as evidenced by the dense social ties among members. Furthermore, the network is structured according to gender with the benefits of social capital favoring men. The network also overlaps with other networks through key relationships, especially the New Apostolic Reformation and other charismatic ministries associated with the prosperity gospel.

scholarly journals Methods for the Geographic Representation of Interpersonal Relationships and Social Life

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Clio Andris ◽  
Dipto Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Points Of Interest ◽  
The Social ◽  
Administrative Units

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Interpersonal relationships are an important part of social and personal health. Studies of social capital show that individuals and communities with stronger ties are have an economic and health advantage. Yet, loneliness and isolation are becoming major public health issues. There is a pressing need to measure where relationships are strong and how accessible one’s social ties are, in order to learn how to better support face-to-face meetings and promote social health in society. However, the datasets we use to study people and human behaviour are most often mobility data and census data &amp;ndash; which tell us little about personal relationships. These data can be augmented with information about where people have ties, and how their relationships unfold over geographic space. The data we use to study the built environment include building footprints and infrastructure, and we can annotate these data by how (well) infrastructure supports different kinds of relationships, in order to ask new questions about how the landscape encourages relationships.</p><p> We suggest a list of methods for representing interpersonal relationships and social life at various socio-spatial levels of aggregation. We give an example of each, with an effort to span various use cases and spatial scales of data modelling.</p><p> <strong>Dyads (line) and Ego-based (star):</strong> This geometric model represents a relationship between two individuals (Figure 1A). The individuals can be geolocated to households, administrative units, real-time locations, etc. The tie can be given a nominal category such as family or co-worker, and edge weights that signify reported relationship strength, frequency of contact, frequency of face-to-face meeting, et cetera. Star models represent a central individual and his/her geolocated ties (that radiate from the centre). The star illustrates the theoretical concept of personal extensibility.</p><p> <strong>Points of Interest (points):</strong> Points of interest provide a place-based perspective (note that these entities can also be represented as polygons such as building footprints, or lines such as gradients of interaction on a subway). Certain places are better suited for fostering relationships than others (Figure 1B), and each can be annotated with their ability to foster: new ties (a nightclub), gender-bonding ties (bowling leagues), romantic ties (romantic restaurants), inter-generational ties (a religious facility), professional ties (conferences), et cetera.</p><p> <strong>Polygons/Administrative Units (polygons):</strong> These data are attached to administrative areal units (Census boundaries, provinces, zones, etc.). The data represent surveyed data on relationship-related variables in censuses, social surveys and social capital surveys. These surveys ask about trust, friendliness with neighbours, social life, belongingness to institutions, and more (Figure 1C), illustrating the social health of an area.</p><p> <strong>Aggregate Flows and Social Networks (lies and networks):</strong> This model illustrates the geolocated, social ties within a spatial extent, i.e. the social networks of a group of many people over a large extent (Figure 1D). Data can be sourced from social media, telecommunications patterns, and other declarations of relationships.</p><p> <strong>Regions (polygons):</strong> Regions, that may describe neighbourhoods within one city, or an agglomeration of cities, can be defined by social ties. Instead of commuting or economic ties, regions are defined by a preponderance of social ties within a given polygon, and a lack of ties between polygons (or between the polygon and any external area). Social regions represent a likeness and strong ties between the people that live within the region (Figure 1E).</p><p> Given these methods for representing social life and interpersonal relationships as GIS data, new questions may arise. At the <strong>dyadic level</strong>: how can we map the presence of a relationship between two people? At the <strong>ego-based level</strong>: how far and with what kind of diversity do people have ties? At the <strong>point of interest level</strong>: what kinds of mapable data can describe places’ ability to create new relationships and foster existing relationships? At the <strong>polygonal level</strong>: what kinds of mapable data can show where relationships are strong or weak? At the <strong>levels of flows and networks</strong>: what kinds of mapable data can describe systems of diffusion? At the <strong>regional level</strong>: what physical and administrative boundaries guide social ties?</p><p> For cartographers and geographic modellers looking to study social life, data acquisition, analysis, and mapping are challenges. The point of this extended abstract is to inventory the possibilities of mapping these data, open a dialog for experimenting with what kinds of symbologies, associated variables, classification schemes, visualization techniques and data collection opportunities are available for this purpose. We also hope to create spaces for comparative studies that describe the implications of these choices. In our search, we find that the major research challenges are the following: 1) privacy 2) geolocatable data 3) qualitative vs. quantitative data and 4) assurance statistically-significant samples sizes 5) analysis and modelling 6) visualization. Nevertheless, our goal is to make these indicators and data more GIS-friendly and available to geospatial analysts, modellers and cartographers.</p>

scholarly journals Oddziaływanie programu LEADER na kapitał społeczny mieszkanek wsi

2014 ◽  
pp. 55-68
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Zajda ◽  
Elżbieta Psyk-Piotrowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Local Action ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
The Social ◽  
Science Centre ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Network Component ◽  
Action Groups

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.

Participation in Social Networks as Feral Information Systems

2014 ◽  
pp. 209-226
Author(s):  
Enrico Franchi ◽  
Agostino Poggi ◽  
Michele Tomaiuolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Networks Of Practice

Social networking systems blur the distinction between the private and working spheres, and users are known to use such systems both at home and at the work place, both professionally and with recreational goals. In fact, several traditional information systems have been modified in order to include social aspects. However, in the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are used without corporate blessing, maintaining their status as feral systems. This chapter provides some background notions about theories of participation in social networks. In particular, it reviews the notion of social capital, which may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts and for organizations. Subsequently, it shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of virtual organizations, virtual teams, and online networks of practice. Finally, it describes the present situation and some possible prospects where social elements are being increasingly introduced into more traditional business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, with great promises and mixed initial results.

Participation in Social Networks as Feral Information Systems

2015 ◽  
pp. 1947-1962
Author(s):  
Enrico Franchi ◽  
Agostino Poggi ◽  
Michele Tomaiuolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Networks Of Practice

Social networking systems blur the distinction between the private and working spheres, and users are known to use such systems both at home and at the work place, both professionally and with recreational goals. In fact, several traditional information systems have been modified in order to include social aspects. However, in the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are used without corporate blessing, maintaining their status as feral systems. This chapter provides some background notions about theories of participation in social networks. In particular, it reviews the notion of social capital, which may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts and for organizations. Subsequently, it shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of virtual organizations, virtual teams, and online networks of practice. Finally, it describes the present situation and some possible prospects where social elements are being increasingly introduced into more traditional business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, with great promises and mixed initial results.

Online Sisterhood

2016 ◽  
pp. 208-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane J. Utomo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Personal Income

Across developing countries, the role of social networks and social capital in facilitating women's access to income is well documented. However, less is known about how networks facilitated by social networking sites (SNS) may transform women's economic opportunities in these regions. In this chapter, I draw upon a relatively recent phenomenon of the use of SNS as a medium of trade in urban Indonesia. In 2010, I conducted preliminary interviews to examine the dynamics of Facebook-facilitated trade among urban middle-class married women residing in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. The interviews highlighted beneficial links between social media, social capital, and productivity – by means of increased personal income. However, this effective link between SNS and income-generating social capital is likely to be a rather distinctive example, as it depends largely on the class, gender, and cultural specificities that shape the nature of online and offline social interactions among my target group.

Role of Habits in Cell Phone-Related Driver Distractions

2020 ◽  
Vol 2674 (12) ◽  
pp. 254-262
Author(s):  
Braden Joseph Hansma ◽  
Susana Marulanda ◽  
Huei-Yen Winnie Chen ◽  
Birsen Donmez
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Cell Phone Use ◽  
Voluntary Engagement ◽  
Driver Distractions

Despite increased media attention and legislation banning some forms of cell phone use while driving, drivers continue to engage in illegal cell phone distractions. Several studies have used the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain why drivers voluntarily engage in cell phone distractions, and found that TPB constructs (attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioral control) predict intentions to engage in cell phone distractions while driving. Given that cell phone use is ubiquitous, habits that have formed around their general use may lead to automatic engagement in cell phone distractions while driving. This differs from voluntary engagement, in that habits are carried out automatically, with little thought given to the action or its consequences. Thus, in addition to the TPB constructs that explain intentions, habitual factors should also be considered in understanding why drivers use cell phones. A few studies have examined the role of habits in this context, but they only focused on texting behaviors. An online survey was conducted with 227 respondents to investigate the role of habitual cell phone use in driver engagement in a variety of illegal cell phone tasks (e.g., social media, email). Habitual cell phone use was found to explain unique variance in self-reported engagement after controlling for TPB constructs. Overall, the findings indicate that cell-phone-related distractions may not be entirely voluntary; instead, cell phone habits developed outside of the driving context appear to have a significant effect, suggesting that cell phone use while driving may have become automatic to a certain extent.

scholarly journals The influence of intangible forms of capital on farms 

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 251-262
Author(s):  
M. Lošťák
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Types Of Knowledge

Intangible issues, which are often very difficult to be quantified become more and more the field of interest of social sciences. There are many research works demonstrating that various types of knowledge, institutions, social networks, and social relations have a great influence on human activities as for efficient achievement of the actors&rsquo; goals. This paper relates expert knowledge (shaping professional qualification) to human capital and tacit knowledge (understood as a broader, general, and contextual knowledge) to cultural capital. Both forms of capital exist in their primary form only in concrete individual persons. Concerning collective persons (firm, community), cultural and human capitals are transformed into intellectual capital. Work with specific knowledge, tacit knowledge and capitals corresponding to them shows the role of social networks and social capital in their organization. Using the analysis of two farms based on natural experiment, the paper demonstrates the role of tacit knowledge and cultural capital (opposing to the overestimated role of expert knowledge and human capital). The conclusions outline social determination of both types of knowledge through social networks and social capital needed for an efficient work of a farm.&nbsp;

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