Investigation Relationship between Social Capital and Efficiency (Case Study: Saffron Producers of Ferdows County)

Abstract

Purpose: According to importance of efficiency and role of social capital as complementary another kinds of capital such physical and finance capital in this study investigated relationship between efficiency and social capital variables in saffron producers in Ferdows County that has most scale and efficiency advantage index in khorasan Jonoobi Province. Methodology: A survey was conducted through questionnaires. The required data was collected from the saffron producers of Ferdows County, of whom 263 were selected using simple random sampling. Validity of the questionnaires was confirmed by a panel of experts and its reliability for various items, using Cronbach alpha, was estimated between 0.76 and 0.85. Finding: The result of this study showed that efficiency whit constant and variable return to scale was respectively 80 and 92 percent. The results showed that has significant correlation between the efficiency and variables of social capital such as social trust, solidarity, shared values and norms, voluntary participation and relations network. The results of stepwise regression showed that factors associated with participation, solidarity and trust into the regression equation in three steps by a total of 34.8 percent would account for efficiency changes. Research limitation: According to extent of social capital's definition, offering a index that be comprehensive and comply with the farmers conditions and complete the questionnaire are the main limitations of this study. Practical implication: due to role of social capital, in order to increase efficiency considering software elements and social capital is necessary. In this purpose the government should participants of people in designed making and enhancement nongovernment organization increase the social capital. Original/value: In this study investigate the relationship between social capital variable and efficiency in farm level and the results can be usage guide for planners and policy makers to planning toward increase efficiency and optimum use of inputs in this county.