Cognitive Capital Research Articles

Development and validation of maternal social capital assessment tool in northwest Ethiopia

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a social capital assessment tool that considers the cultural and social realities of north-western Ethiopia. MethodsA mixed-methods approach was applied through rigorous phases. Existing measurement approaches for social capital are reviewed. Additionally, a qualitative study was conducted for domain and item identification. The domains and their items were given to panel experts and rated for content validity. Cognitive interviews were conducted with mothers who gave birth in the previous year. For psychometric validation of the tool, 400 mothers who lived in South Gondar zone participated from January 2 to 27, 2023. ResultsFive factors of structural social capital were extracted. These include group participation, emotional, social, financial, and informational support. The content validity index of the scale was 0.88, indicating that 88% of the experts rated the items of the scale as relevant. The loading of the items ranged from 0.505 to 0.858, exceeding the threshold of 0.50. For cognitive social capital, factor analysis grouped 43 items into four subscales: trust in social networks, trust in institutions, trust in the health care system, and social cohesion. The loadings of the items ranged from 0.507 to 0.913. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was excellent, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.901. ConclusionThe Maternal Social Capital Assessment Tool is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring social capital during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The application of such a tool could allow us to decipher the influence of social capital on maternal health.

Social Capital in the Patron-Client Dimension towards the Sustainability of Seaweed Cultivation Businesses in Rural Areas, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The system of livelihoods in seaweed cultivation becomes the subject of study because of the factor of production, and the distribution of the output of production requires a strategy of merging between something material and non-material that involves interaction with various actors in society. The social capital awakened by the actors in the seaweed cultivation business through the patron-client dimension is an effort to ensure the sustainability of the business. The study aims to characterize the components of social capital that bind, bridge, and connect in the context of the relationship between actors in seaweed cultivation, including the important role of the combination of these three types of social capital in the sustainability of the seaweed cultivation business. The Research methods use qualitative descriptive approaches. Data is collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed with open, axial, and selective encoding. The results show that actors in seaweed cultivation enterprises combine the social capital components of bonding, bridging, and linking selectively, depending on the interests behind each interaction with different actors. Social bonding capital is owned by seaweed farmers in their interactions to gain access to financial capital (in the form of cash and loans). The patron-client relationship pattern is the most prominent of the reciprocity relationships, where the patron is the provider of corporate capital and the guarantor of subsistence is the cultivator. The social bridging and linking capital is owned in its interaction to gain access to social assistance and political support as well as networking. Mechanisms of sale of seaweed production are dominated by marketing networks using intermediary services (middlemen) through the concept of personalized exchange. In such market trading, the symptoms of “boro” (guarantees) are detected through subscription relationships between sellers and buyers characterized by regular personality contacts and through credit mechanisms known as “take now, pay later”. Therefore, social capital plays an important role in the sustainability of seaweed farming in the countryside. In a situation of economic or environmental change, social capital can help the farmer adapt and survive in his business and household life. We found that social capital plays an important role in the rural habitat system, where access to livelihoods depends on social relationships. Thus, support is needed to strengthen the capacity of social capital in societies because the configuration of the social capital elements can inherit the cognitive social capital, the social structural capital and the social relational capital necessary for the improved social, economic and cultural development of societies.

Will the situation of Left-Behind children improve when their parents Return? evidence from China

Based on Grossman’s (1972) health model and Becker and Tomes’ (1979, 1986) cognitive ability family decision-making model, this study examines the impact and mechanisms of children’s left-behind status and parental return on the accumulation of children’s health and cognitive human capital. By extending these models, we derive that changes in left-behind status have both income and separation effects on children’s human capital accumulation. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we employ a Propensity Score Matching with Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) model to investigate the impact of changes in left-behind status (either remaining left-behind or experiencing parental return) on children’s human capital accumulation. The research findings reveal the following: (1) Compared to non-left-behind children, left-behind status significantly decreases children’s health levels by 11.81%. In contrast, parental return significantly improves children’s health levels by 13.04% compared to children whose parents are away. All results are statistically significant. (2) The negative impact of left-behind status is more pronounced for primary school children, those residing in rural areas, and those with parents of lower educational levels, especially in western regions. In contrast, parental return has a more substantial positive impact on junior high school children, those living in rural areas, and those with parents of lower educational levels, particularly in western regions. (3) When analyzing the impact mechanisms, we find that although parental migration for work increases household income, leading to a positive income effect on children’s health, it does not fully offset the negative separation effect caused by parental absence. As a result, the overall effect remains negative. Based on these findings, for migrant worker parents, we propose tiered recommendations: ideally, parents should return home; alternatively, children should follow their parents. For the government, we suggest establishing comprehensive service centers for left-behind children based on actual needs. We recommend designing a holistic plan aimed at addressing the health issues of left-behind children through multi-level support measures.

Turning every disaster into an opportunity: An exploratory study on refugees’ perceived emergency management capacity and community resilience

This article explores the perceived emergency management capabilities and community resilience among refugees residing in Texas. Adopting the theoretical framework of structural and cognitive social capital, we conducted in-depth interviews with refugees from Afghanistan, Congo, Iran, Myanmar, Somalia, and Thailand. The study identifies the specific needs of the refugee community regarding disaster management and their simultaneous vulnerability and resilience. Based on our research findings, we suggest that local disaster management agencies identify and collaborate with the community leaders in refugee communities to efficiently achieve their communication goals, strengthen refugees' community resilience, and better integrate refugee communities into the local community's resilience development.

Association between bullying, childhood adversities and social capital among adolescents.

This study aims to analyze the association between bullying behaviors, adverse childhood experiences and social capital in late adolescence. Secondary school students aged 15-19 of a metropolitan region of Brazil were recruited for a sectional epidemiological survey, with a sample of 2,281 students, stratified by municipality of school location. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed from three instruments: Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, Childhood Adversity History Questionnaire and Integrated Questionnaire to Measure Social Capital, in adapted versions. The results showed that the factors associated with bullying victims were gender and adversity in childhood. The factors associated to bullying aggressors were gender, childhood adversities, and cognitive social capital. And the factors associated with bullying aggressor-victims were gender, childhood adversities, and cognitive social capital. It is concluded that bullying is associated with adversity in childhood and also with cognitive social capital and they point out the need to address the causes of violence in order to provide a healthy and safe development for children and adolescents, preventing negative outcomes for physical and mental health.

Effects of knowledge transformation and social capital on business performance

PurposeThis article delves into the antecedents of business performance. The main aim of this study is to analyze the effect of knowledge transformation on business performance in firms in the tourism industry and how cognitive and structural social capital heterogeneously moderate this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical study was conducted on a sample of 300 firms from the tourism industry in Arequipa-Perú. The analysis was performed by means of partial least squares structural equation modeling, using the Smart PLS software.FindingsOur findings show that knowledge transformation is key factor for increasing business performance. The results also highlight the significance of interorganizational relationships in this effect and the importance of analyzing each dimension of social capital separately. Thus, it is observed that cognitive social capital enhances the relationship between knowledge transformation and business performance, while (Sari and Indriani, 2023) structural social capital hinders it.Practical implicationsThe findings assist practitioners in developing a shared culture, values and goals with their contacts to improve business performance. Furthermore, firms should establish bridging ties with external agents to avoid be stuck in excessively dense networks. Relationships with institutions can act as a bridging agent.Originality/valueThis paper analyses the unresolved question of how knowledge transformation affects the business performance of companies in the tourism sector as well as how different dimensions of social capital influence in this relationship. Addressing these two critical, but as yet unresolved questions, this study draws on absorptive capacity and social capital theories as an overarching framework to present a conceptual model that integrates both theories in order to analyze the effect of knowledge transformation on business performance in tourism firms and the role of structural and cognitive capital on this relationship.

Building social capital through Konbit for post-disaster recovery: A case study of rural areas in the Xaragua peninsula, Haiti

This study investigates the role of the traditional community group, konbit, in post-disaster recovery within earthquake-affected rural villages in Haiti in 2021. Despite geographical isolation and limited resources, these villages challenge assumptions about low social capital post-disaster. Utilizing a mixed-method approach combining qualitative interviews and quantitative Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the study addresses three research questions: (1) How does konbit participation influence cognitive and structural social capital post-disaster? (2) What short-term and long-term impacts does konbit participation have on community recovery? and (3) How do cognitive and structural social capital affect different phases of post-disaster recovery? Data collected from 592 households through stratified random sampling across villages reveal that konbit participation significantly enhances both cognitive and structural social capital, with cognitive capital crucial for immediate recovery and structural capital vital for long-term resilience. Konbit emerges as a versatile catalyst, driving both immediate and sustained recovery efforts. Emphasizing the importance of community-centric approaches, the findings advocate for tailored interventions leveraging the strengths of cognitive and structural social capital within konbit and similar community groups, thus advancing research in community-centric disaster recovery strategies.

Volunteer group participation and subsequent health and well-being among older adults in Japan: An outcome-wide longitudinal approach

BackgroundPrior studies have underscored the importance of studying volunteering in the East Asian context. However, no study has conducted a holistic assessment of the relationship between volunteering and the multidimensional health and well-being outcomes of East Asian populations using a strong study design for causal inference. To address this gap, this study examined the associations between volunteer group participation and the subsequent health and well-being of Japanese older adults. MethodsThree waves of data (2013, 2016, and 2019), obtained from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study—a nationwide cohort study of physically and cognitively independent older adults, aged ≥ 65 years, in Japan—were utilized. Exposure was evaluated as the frequency of volunteer group participation: ≥ 1/week, 1 − 3 times a month, a few times a year, and none (2016). As outcomes, 40 indicators of health and well-being were assessed across seven domains (2019): physical/cognitive health, health behaviors, mental health, subjective well-being, social well-being, pro-social/altruistic behaviors, and cognitive social capital. We included 47,318 respondents for four outcomes (death, dementia, and functional disability [any level and level 2 or greater]) and 34,187 respondents for the 36 other outcomes. ResultsMore frequent volunteering (≥ 1/week) was associated with higher social well-being outcomes, more frequent pro-social/altruistic behaviors and outings, and fewer depressive symptoms, even after considering multiple testing. ConclusionThroughout the three-year follow-ups, volunteer group participation was beneficial for depressive symptoms, social well-being, and other proximal outcomes.

Integrated Social Cognitive and Social Capital Theory Toward Telemedicine Acceptance During Pandemic Turbulence

Integrated Social Cognitive and Social Capital Theory Toward Telemedicine Acceptance During Pandemic Turbulence

The relationship between personality disorders and parents' social capital with the social health of children and adolescents in Yazd

Background: Considering that personality disorders and parents' social capital are two important factors that can affect the social health of children and adolescents, therefore, the present study aims to examine the relationship between personality disorders and parents' social capital with the social health of children and adolescents in Yazd. Methods: This is a descriptive_ correlational study that was done in the province of Yazd in which 1035 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 to 18 participated. These participants were selected on the base of multi-stage random cluster sampling. The social capital questionnaire and parents' personality disorders (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory - Third Edition (MCMI-III) which parents completed and the lifestyle questionnaire was completed by children and adolescents. Data analysis was done by applying descriptive statistics and calculation of odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of 1035 parents children and adolescents were enrolled, participants (44.1%) were males and (55.9%) were females. Millon's test of fathers demonstrates a significant correlation with the average scores of structural social capital, cognitive social capital, communicative social capital, and total social capital (P-value <0.001). Millon’s test of fathers had a significant relationship with total social capital in all age groups (P-value<0.05). On the other hand, Millon’s test of mothers had a significant relationship with total social capital in fathers aged 19-34 years (P-value<0.001). Conclusion: Family social capital improves children and adolescent’s social health. Consequently, caregivers have a significant impact on the social and psychological well-being of young individuals. Enhancing the level of social capital and promoting mutual understanding among parents is imperative to achieve this goal. It is necessary to strengthen the level of social capital, and mutual understanding between parents. In addition, it can be suggested to pay more attention to the psychological characteristics of parents in the process of diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of children and adolescents.

Social Capital and Environmental Performance: An Investigation in the Kenyan Meat Supply Chain

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the effect of social capital on environmental performance in the Kenyan informal meat supply chain. Social capital is categorized into three categories: structural capital, relational capital, and cognitive capital. The authors seek to understand which of the three dimensions of social capital influences environmental performance within the meat supply chain. The study was based on data collected using surveys from 85 abattoirs and 164 traders from four counties in Kenya: Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado. Statistical analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results also indicated a positive and significant relationship between structural social capital and environmental performance, while relational and cognitive capital had positive but insignificant relationships. The findings highlighted the disparities in the effect of social capital on environmental performance between formal and informal agri-food supply chains. To our knowledge, this finding presents a distinct contribution to social capital and environmental performance studies in informal buyer-supplier relationships in agri-foods. The study is one of the first to examine social capital and environmental performance in an informal agri-food supply chain with a focus on trader-abattoir relationships. The informal supply chain is an important context in which to examine the effects of social capital.

Exploring the formation mechanism of new energy vehicle industry-university-research innovation network: the role of structural, cognitive and relational social capital

Exploring the formation mechanism of new energy vehicle industry-university-research innovation network: the role of structural, cognitive and relational social capital

Social Capital and Poverty Reduction in Ethiopia: Evidence from the Amhara Region

This paper broadens the scope of research on social capital theory by offering new perspectives and empirical evidence on reducing objective poverty. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of social capital on poverty reduction among members of financial cooperatives in both urban and rural areas of the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Kothari's formula was employed, followed by multi-stage stratified, proportional, and random sampling. Primary data was collected from 348 sample members through a structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and personal interviews. Additionally, data was analyzed using multiple linear regression and logistic regression models. The study reveals important insights into the relationship between social capital and poverty reduction among members. Structural and relational social capital, family labor, physical capital, and access to credit have a positive and significant impact on poverty reduction. On the other hand, the lack of cognitive social capital, which refers to the lack of awareness regarding the common mission, goals, and shared values of financial cooperatives, has a negative and significant impact on poverty reduction. Furthermore, family size, marital status, and individual health conditions also negatively and significantly affect poverty reduction. The study emphasizes the significance of social capital in influencing poverty reduction among members in the study area. Policymakers can design targeted interventions to effectively combat poverty by recognizing the impact of different dimensions of social capital, as well as family labor and physical capital. Strengthening social capital within financial cooperatives and promoting collaboration with financial institutions are essential steps towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of poverty alleviation in the region.

Social capital of families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in South India.

To investigate the social capital of families with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in South India receiving a community-based early intervention (Enabling Inclusion®) program and to explore determinants and associations between social capital and program duration, socio-demographic factors, family empowerment, and caregiver burden. Using purposive sampling in a cross-sectional study design, 217 families (n = 71 received short Enabling Inclusion [<5 months]; n = 146 received long Enabling Inclusion [>9 months]) were recruited and completed the Short Adapted Social Capital Tool (SASCAT: cognitive, structural), measures of family empowerment, and caregiver strain. Descriptive statistics, regression, and correlations were used for analyses. In 52.1% of participants, low cognitive and structural social capital was observed. Higher odds of low structural social capital were observed for mothers with primary versus secondary education (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13-0.90; p = 0.029); and caregivers of children with cerebral palsy versus autism (OR = 4.66; 95% CI 1.02-21.21; p = 0.046). Significant associations were found between structural social capital, the child's age, and support group membership (χ2 = 6.29; 4.70; degrees of freedom [df] = 2; 1; p = 0.04; p = 0.02 respectively), as well as between cognitive social capital and other disability in the family (χ2 = 4.62, df = 1, p = 0.03). While program duration was not found to mediate social capital, mother's education and child's diagnosis emerged as key influential factors, warranting their consideration in interventions supporting families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in low- and-middle-income countries and elsewhere.

Social Capital and Cross-Border Venture Capital Investments in China

In the context of the Chinese market, foreign cross-border venture capitalists have devised specific strategies to mitigate the challenges associated with the liabilities of foreignness, such as risks and information asymmetry. They have strategically leveraged social capital to not only decrease investment risk but also to influence their investment preferences and behaviors. To investigate the influence of different types of social capital on the investment decisions of cross-border venture capitalists, hypotheses are proposed and tested using regression analysis. Our research reveals several key findings in this regard. Firstly, cross-border venture capitalists with a robust structural social capital network exhibit a greater propensity to invest in early-stage companies. This suggests that well-established connections and partnerships within the Chinese entrepreneurial ecosystem provide a level of comfort and confidence when investing in ventures at their infancy. Interestingly, relational and cognitive social capital, though undoubtedly valuable, do not significantly impact the decision to make early-stage investments. Furthermore, we have observed that venture capitalists with higher levels of structural and cognitive social capital are more inclined to form syndications. Collaborative partnerships and shared knowledge networks seem to be crucial factors that drive syndication decisions. Lastly, venture capitalists endowed with substantial structural and relational social capital tend to allocate larger investment amounts, signifying the influence of business or personal relationships and network connections on the scale of their investments.

Understanding the role of organizational intellectual capital on developing absorptive capacity to strategize innovation ambidexterity

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of organizational intellectual capital (IC) components on absorptive capacity (ACAP) such as potential absorptive capacity (PACAP) and realized absorptive capacity (RACAP). Furthermore, it attempts to investigate the mechanism through which PACAP and RACAP jointly influence innovation strategies (i.e.) exploitative and exploratory innovations.Design/methodology/approachThis is an explanatory research using a deductive approach. This study uses survey data from 184 manufacturing export firms analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results have found that the cognitive and social capital of a firm positively affects PACAP and RACAP, whereas relational capital has a significant effect on RACAP. Moreover, the study reveals that both potential and realized absorptive capacities considerably lead to the development of organizational exploitative and exploratory innovation strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focused on two driving factors, i.e. IC components and ACAP dimensions, and overlooked how each component of IC and ACAP influences ambidextrous innovative strategy.Practical implicationsProviding managers with insights about the critical role of developing IC to facilitate the transfer and exchange of crucial absorptive capacity necessary for ambidextrous innovative strategy.Originality/valueThis study makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by highlighting the importance of ACAP and provides useful insights for firms in developing economies to improve their exploitative and exploratory innovation capability. This study likewise reveals the significance of the four dimensions of IC, which can facilitate bringing in knowledge from developing economies.

Training and Development, Work Performance, and Social Capital Constructs of Library Personnel in the South Manila Educational Consortium

Libraries play a crucial role in promoting information access and intellectual growth. To ensure library personnel thrive and meet diverse client needs, it is essential to understand their professional development and performance. There is insufficient research in a library working environment that integrates training and development, work performance, and social capital among personnel into a unified paradigm. This study is being carried out in this context to assess all three variables from library personnel and the findings will serve as a basis for improving training and development programs, enhancing work performance, and fostering social capital among library personnel, thus leading to informed decision-making processes related to human resource development and organizational strategy for optimizing library personnel performance and promoting a conducive working environment. The study utilized descriptive quantitative methodology, collecting data through a structured survey questionnaire from the South Manila Educational Consortium Libraries. Sixty-one (61) questionnaires were completed and returned from the total population, and SPSS was used for analysis, interpretation, frequency distribution, percentages, and mean. The findings showed that seminars, conferences, and workshops were the most available and widely used interventions of the respondents. The study also found that inadequate funding hinders training and development, with library funding being a key strategy to enhance them. Furthermore, respondents demonstrated above-average task and contextual performance, excellent counterproductive work behavior, and high levels of structural, relational, and cognitive social capital. Based on the notable results, it becomes evident that the training and development interventions of respondents were not significantly available. Additionally, it was observed that most of the library personnel made full use of the available interventions. Also, the study discovered positive work performance and the presence of social capital in the examined population. Keywords: Academic Library, Training and Development, Work Performance, Social Capital, Library Personnel

Community social capital in managing the simanuk-manuk village forest in forest management unit region iv balige, toba regency

Social capital is a collection of resources owned by individuals and communities, which are used in social interaction and community building. This study aims to identify the social capital in Simanuk-Manuk Village Forest (VF) in Forest Management Unit (FMU) Region IV Balige, Toba Regency. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and literature study. Social capital was analyzed qualitatively which categorize into structural (roles and rules) and cognitive (norms, values, attitudes, beliefs). The results showed that community’s social capital contributes to VF management, encouraging them to preserve the forest. In structural social capital, the Village Forest Management Institution has statutes that regulate community’s roles and rules in managing forest. Communities are involved in preparation and implementation activities. In cognitive social capital, norms are still adherence including unwritten rules such as rituals when entering forest referred to as mamele (praying to ancestors). Customary traditions strengthened the value of social capital and maintain cultural sustainability. The community’s attitude in utilizing forest doesn’t cause social inequality. They believe that forest is a vital component of life, particularly as a provider of clean water and air. They also believe that forest has sacred and spiritual values that encourage them in preserving forest from degradation.

Community social capital and self-rated health among older adults in urban China: the moderating roles of instrumental activities of daily living and smoking

Abstract Scholars have not yet explored the relationship between community social capital and self-rated health (SRH) among older adults in China in depth, including potential moderators in this relationship. In response to this gap, this study aimed to investigate the association between community social capital and SRH among urban Chinese older adults and the moderating roles of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and smoking. We used a quota sampling method to recruit 800 respondents aged 60 years and older from 20 communities in Shijiazhuang and Tianjin, China. SRH was used as the dependent variable. Binary logistic regression models with interaction terms were used to analyse the data. The results showed that trust (a cognitive social capital indicator), volunteering (a structural social capital indicator) and family social capital were significantly associated with SRH when controlling for other social capital indicators and covariates. Difficulties with IADL and smoking significantly moderated the association between community social capital and SRH. Cognitive social capital was only positively associated with SRH health among respondents who did not experience difficulty with IADLs. The positive association between citizenship activities and SRH was only significant among those who experienced difficulty with IADLs. The number of organisational memberships was negatively associated with SRH among respondents with a history of smoking. Volunteering was positively associated with SRH in respondents with a history of smoking. These findings highlight the important role of social capital in promoting SRH among older adults in urban areas of China and notably identify within-population heterogeneity in the associations between social capital and SRH. This study offers insights useful for developing social capital policies and interventions to meet the specific social needs of older adults with varied levels of difficulty with IADLs and health behaviours.

Microenterprise performance amidst environmental turbulence and resource scarcity: an integrated capital approach

PurposeMicroenterprises in emerging economies are known to operate in turbulent and resource-scarce environments. We test our hypothesis that a more comprehensive “Integrated Capital-Based Model” (ICBM) is needed when explaining the performance of microenterprises in such an environment. The model combines traditionally researched financial, human and social capital with more recently emphasized psychological and cognitive capital, providing greater explanatory power than models using only the traditional types of capital.Design/methodology/approachWe use a pooled linear regression to analyze an existing survey of more than 900 independent business owners who were interviewed seven times between 2008 and 2012 in the Accra and Tema marketplaces in Ghana. We measure the performance of microenterprises using three dependent variables (revenue, profits, and productivity). We contrast the explanatory power of ICBM models against the more traditional models.FindingsThe ICBM has significantly higher levels of explanatory power over the traditional models in examining the performance of these microenterprises. These results highlight the importance of psychological and cognitive capital in emerging economies.Research limitations/implicationsWe advocate for a more comprehensive view of capital as shown in our ICBM. However, the data were gathered only in an urban setting, which limits the generalizability to rural parts of emerging economies.Practical implicationsThese findings suggest the utility of government and appropriate agencies finding ways to enhance the level of psychological and cognitive capital of microenterprise owners.Originality/valueThis paper's originality stems from hypothesizing and empirically confirming the higher predictive efficacy of ICBM against more traditionally researched capital sources.