Creation and Returns of Social Capital. A new Research Program

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-26
Author(s):  
Henk Flap
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Political Sciences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Relational Resources ◽  
New Research ◽  
Recent Theoretical Development

A recent theoretical development within the social sciences has been the emergence of the social capital research program. This is a program on relational resources, their creation, use. and effects. It took shape first within sociology and anthropology, nowadays it is also growing in popularity within political sciences and economics.

Concluding Summary

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Figdor
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Research ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
Conceptual Confusion

Chapter 10 provides a summary of the argument of the book. It elaborates some of the benefits of Literalism, such as less conceptual confusion and an expanded range of entities for research that might illuminate human cognition. It motivates distinguishing the questions of whether something has a cognitive capacity from whether it is intuitively like us. It provides a conceptual foundation for the social sciences appropriate for the increasing role of modeling in these sciences. It also promotes convergence in terms of the roles of internal and external factors in explaining both human and nonhuman behavior. Finally, it sketches some of the areas of new research that it supports, including group cognition and artificial intelligence.

Social Capital: Old Hat or New Insight?

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Healy
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Empirical Measures ◽  
Proxy Variables ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
Irish Context ◽  
The Social

Following work by James Coleman and Pierre Bourdieu in the 1980s, social scientists from different disciplinary backgrounds have engaged in a debate about the meaning and application of social capital. Questions arise about the coherence, novelty and analytical purchase of the term: there is a risk of overstretching the concept to include too much. Moreover, empirical measures and proxy variables are only very approximately matched to the underlying concept(s). Some applications of the concept lump together different strands of social behaviour and attitude and treats these as universally equivalent or ‘outside’ specific cultures, institutional settings, historical contexts and power structures. It is suggested that these problems cannot be entirely resolved and have parallel examples in all areas of empirical research in the social sciences. However, suggestions are made for greater trans-disciplinary research, dialogue and connection to policy and community practice in an Irish context. We can sum up our position as follows. Social capital has several adolescent characteristics: it is neither tidy nor mature; it can be abused, analytically and politically; its future is unpredictable; but it offers much promise.

scholarly journals El discurso sobre el poder en la intervención profesional: otro caso de la colonización del trabajo social por el régimen de verdad de las ciencias sociales

2011 ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Rubens Ramón Méndez
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Social Practices ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Social ◽  
Necessary Truths ◽  
Trabajo Social ◽  
Use Of Knowledge

Cuando el Trabajo Social comenzó a sistematizarse y a organizarse a partir de Mary Richmond, se proponía como un programa de investigación distinto dentro de las Ciencias Sociales (Lakatos, 1999). Distinto porque toma los planteos teóricos dados en las Ciencias Sociales desde �las circunstancias históricamente determinadas y existencialmente posicionadas; creando nuevas perspectivas sobre esos planteos teóricos� (Méndez, 2006) y porque con su práctica profesional, evalúa y muestra el problema de las consecuencias efectivas y potenciales de la utilización de los conocimientos (Dewey, 1967) en la construcción de las prácticas sociales (discursivas o no discursivas).Presentar la emergencia de un discurso propio de las personas y documentar lo real de las prácticas sociales, mostrar cómo es que a algunos enunciados que no son en sí mismos ni verdaderos ni falsos, se les otorgan el �estatuto de verdad�; es lo que hace que el Trabajo Social deba ser vigilado y desarmado en sus efectos.Si el discurso no es el medio por lo que se establecen las luchas en esta sociedad de discursos; sino que es por el discurso, por lo que se lucha. Si el discurso es �aquel poder del que quiere uno adueñarse� (Foucault, 1983), las Ciencias Sociales no podían dejar al azar el discurso del Trabajo Social.When Social Work became systematized and organized after Mary Richmond, it was described as a different research program within the social sciences (Lakatos, 1999). It was different because it considered the theoretical propositions in the social sciences from �historically determined and existentially positioned circumstances, thereby creating new perspectives on those theoretical propositions� (Méndez, 2006) and because through professional practice Social Work assesses and highlights the problem of the real and potential consequences of the use of knowledge in the construction of social practices (Dewey, 1967), whether discursive or non-discursive.As Social Work presents the emergence of people�s own discourse and documents the reality of social practices while it also presents statements which are neither true nor false as necessary truths, Social Work should be watched and disarmed in its consequences.Discourse is not the means through which fights are established in our discourse society; it is discourse that is fought about. If discourse is �that power we wish to get hold of� (Foucault, 1983), then the social sciences should not ignore the discourse of Social Work.

Conceptual and Theoretical Foundations of Social Capital

2009 ◽  
pp. 18-42
Author(s):  
Ben Kei Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
The Social ◽  
Scientific Legitimacy ◽  
Basic Understanding ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Conceptual Foundations ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

Social capital is a complex multifaceted and litigious theory, discussed in the Social Sciences and the Humanities. It is a theory increasingly researchers questioned its scientific legitimacy and yet paradoxically many other researchers continuously use it as a conceptual and theoretical framework to explain the structural and functional operations of communities. This Chapter discusses work done on the theory. It covers some of the theoretical controversy with a goal of aligning its conceptualization and distinguishing it from other types of capitals. The Chapter is organized first the basic theoretical and conceptual foundations of social capital are described. The aim is to present the reader with a basic understanding of what constitutes social capital, by opening discussion about various forms of capital(s)—as discussed in the disciplines of Economics and Sociology. Second, the Chapter discusses the origin of the theory as well as the work of key scholars who have contributed to the development of the theory. Furthermore, in order to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of the theory, the Chapter provides the reader with analysis of benefits and shortcomings of social capital both as a theoretical and analytical tool for studying communities.

Condorget: Politics and Reason

1978 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 110-139
Author(s):  
Ian White
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Mathematical Treatment ◽  
Political Sciences ◽  
Fundamental Significance ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mathematical Discipline ◽  
The Common ◽  
Universal Applicability

From the time of its clearest origins with Pascal, the theory of probabilities seemed to offer means by which the study of human affairs might be reduced to the same kind of mathematical discipline that was already being achieved in the study of nature. Condorcet is to a great extent merely representative of the philosophers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries who were led on by the prospect of developing moral and political sciences on the pattern of the natural sciences, specifically physics. The development of economics and the social sciences, from the eighteenth century onwards, may be said in part to have fulfilled and in a manner to have perpetuated these ambitions. In so far as the new sciences have been susceptible of mathematical treatment, this has not been confined to the calculus of probabilities. But there is a temptation at every stage to ascribe fundamental significance and universal applicability to each latest mathematical device that is strikingly useful or illuminating on its first introduction. It is the theory of games that enjoys this position at present, and shapes the common contemporary conception of the very same problems that preoccupied Condorcet.

scholarly journals Social Capital, Well-Being and Municipality: Salaspils Municipality (Latvia) Case

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75
Author(s):  
Inga Jēkabsone ◽  
Biruta Sloka
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Political Sciences ◽  
Participatory Techniques ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract During the last three decades, social capital has gained prominence throughout the social sciences. The concepts has been analysed in various manners (from perspectives of economics, political sciences, sociology, anthropology etc.) providing wide range of theoretical conceptualizations. The aim of paper is to analyse the relation of social capital and possibility to improve the well-being of the municipality’s citizens using co-responsibility approach. In order to achieve the aim, the tasks are formulated as follows: 1) to review theoretical background for concept of social capital and subjective well-being, 2) to analyse the factors of social capital at local level, and 3) to use the results of conducted empirical research at Salaspils municipality in analysing the correlation of level of social capital and possibility to improve well-being implementing inclusive local management. Research methods used: Scientific literature studies, several stages of focus group discussions, statistical data analysis, SPIRAL methodology, scenario method. The main findings of the paper - there are evidences on relation of social capital and possibility to improve the well-being of the municipality’s citizens. In municipalities with sufficient level of social capital are good opportunities to use participatory techniques for achieving higher level of overall well-being. The paper consists of practical value how to mobilise the social capital of the municipality in order to ensure the inclusive management of the territory.

The development and validation of a Multitarget Affective Commitment Scale

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Schoemmel ◽  
Thomas Skriver Jønsson ◽  
Hans-Jeppe Jeppesen
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analyses ◽  
Data Collections ◽  
Recent Theoretical Development ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

Purpose – In order to contribute to the understanding of affective commitment towards distinct workplace targets, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a Multitarget Affective Commitment Scale (MACS) through two data collections. The MACS uses similarly worded items for distinct targets and reflects the most recent theoretical development of affective commitment. Design/methodology/approach – In the first data collection, items from previous commitment scales were tested through the social network service Facebook (n=305). The second data collection was conducted in the healthcare system of Denmark (n=496) using survey questionnaires. Findings – In Study 1, exploratory factor analyses were conducted to reduce the items based on the Facebook data. In Study 2, the authors confirm the findings of Study 1 and further reduce the items based on the healthcare sample. The healthcare sample is also used in Study 3, where the authors validate the MACS by investigating its relationship with predictors, correlates, and outcomes. Originality/value – The results suggest that the MACS are a reliable and valid measure of affective commitment compatible with the diverse targets to which affective commitment often occurs. Consequently, the MACS is applicable for research investigating multiply affective commitments, thereby advancing the understanding of interactions between affective commitments and diverse targets, among other applications.

Through the lens of social capital: a research agenda for studying IT outsourcing

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beena George ◽  
Rudy Hirschheim ◽  
Alexander von Stetten
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Past Research ◽  
It Outsourcing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Research ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

Purpose – This paper proposes a new research agenda for information technology (IT) outsourcing,motivated by the belief that the social capital concept enables IT outsourcing researchers to capture more of the nuances of the client–vendor relationship in IT outsourcing arrangements. Design/methodology/approach – The paper builds a comprehensive framework of social capital based on Nahapiet and Ghoshal (1998) to examine the IT outsourcing life cycle. Past research on IT outsourcing is examined applying the parameters of the framework to identify issues that have been addressed in research on IT outsourcing and to uncover the gaps in past research. Findings – The social capital framework is applied to IT outsourcing which suggests new avenues for future outsourcing research. Research limitations/implications – While past research has identified success factors for IT outsourcing, a significant number of outsourcing arrangement still fail to meet expectations. The research agenda presented in this paper encourages an examination of IT outsourcing from a different perspective to determine how to successfully manage IT outsourcing. Originality/value – The paper provides a new framework that is useful for identifying the relationships among past research in IT outsourcing as well as for identifying potential topics for future research.

scholarly journals CORRELATION OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AND POVERTY FARMERS IN ACEH

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saifuddin Yunus ◽  
Suadi Zainal ◽  
Fadli Jalil ◽  
Cut Maya Aprita Sari
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Poverty Rate ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose of the study: This study tried to examine the correlation between social capital and the poverty level of farmers in Aceh. It was linked to the uneven agricultural development of some rural areas in Aceh had caused the poverty rates in villages are higher than in the urban areas. Hence the social capital is important as other capitals in development and become the energies for the development and decreases the rate of poverty. Methodology: This research used a quantitative method by distributing the questionnaire to 300 respondents in Aceh Tamiang, Pidie Jaya and Aceh Tengah, Indonesia. The data analyzed by using the Spearman correlation with the assistance of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to determining the relationship between two variables; social capital and poverty in farmers. Main Findings: This study found that there is a positive and significant correlation between social capital and the level of poverty. Famers who have a higher stock of social capital are found to be lower in the poverty rate. Applications of this study: The finding of this study is useful for the government of the Aceh government to explore and strengthen farmers' social capital to empowering their economies. It would be relevant to decreasing the poverty rate according to farmers in Aceh. Novelty/Originality of this study: The case of poverty in Aceh was widely explained by the numbers of the researcher. But there is no recent publication that has explained the relationship between poverty and social capital in Aceh. Therefore a strong level of social capital will be able to significantly reduce poverty in Aceh.

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