State Of Social Capital Research Articles

Specifying Destination-Based Networks by Governance-Mode: A Social Capital Approach to Innovative Capacity in a Rural Destination of Azerbaijan

ABSTRACT The capacity of rural tourism destinations to create new knowledge is generally considered to be at a low level - especially in an emerging country context, where inadequate networking even more impedes the acquisition, transformation and exploitation of new knowledge. Findings from knowledge-based tourism research support the idea that destinations’ innovative capacities are embedded in a juxtaposition of differently configured and co-located subnetworks whose characteristics are highly dependent on the state of social capital. The present study investigates these configurations in community destinations for differences in their suitability to foster innovation based on their specific social capital disposition. Based on a triangulated methodology, network configuration profiles further substantiate the relationships between external network characteristics, knowledge absorption processes and innovation on the case of a rural emerging country destination in Azerbaijan. Limitations arise from the cultural context dependency of the social capital dispositions which however offer a promising field for future comparative research.

Social capital of business organizations: modern trends

The article analyzes the current state, trends and problems of formation and development of social capital of Ukrainian companies. The key role of social capital in the processes of economic and financial efficiency is substantiated. The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of social capital and its components on the socio-economic development of the company in the current economic environment. The study of modern theoretical aspects of interpreting the essence of a company’s social capital made it possible to determine the actual interpretation of the concept. Diagnostics of the current state of social capital in Ukrainian companies is carried out using sociological research tools proposed by the authors. The article determined the main problems related to the formation and development of social capital at the company level, considered an increase of trust, development of leadership qualities of the leader, development of social interaction between employees as key factors of social capital increase at the organizational level. Besides, the conclusions on the directions of social capital development under current trends of social cohesion are substantiated.

SOCIAL ACTION IN LOCAL COMMUNITY

The aim of the paper is to indicate the potential of social action in generating positive changes within a local community. The special significance of the social action lies in the processes of reconstructions of societies that survived traumatic experiences which resulted in the breaking of social connections and left a deep mark in their social tissue. Phases of organisation and realisation of social action have been indicated, as well as the importance of engaging distinguished people from local community in an action. The special focus was put on social capital and its role of “connective tissue” as a basic potential for organising social actions in local community. Future research on the state of social capital in Bosnian society would be of great significance for the context of organising social actions in the first place, and then for other social activities. More active participation of citizens, by the means of social action, is a model that would help activate passive citizens’ energy which is a key factor in the process of a democratic transformation of society. Keywords: social action, local community, reconstruction, social capital

The Distribution of Mortality in the United States: The Effects of Income (Inequality), Social Capital, and Race

This article examines how absolute and relative income levels, social capital, and racial/ethnic composition interact to explain variation in age-adjusted mortality rates across the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Our data showed that social capital had a powerful, negative effect on age-adjusted mortality rates--higher social capital states had lower age-adjusted mortality rates. After controlling for other variables, median income moderately related to mortality, but unexpectedly three measures of inequality did not. Finally, states' percent African American positively related to mortality, though indirectly and mediated entirely by social capital. In contrast, the strong negative effect of percent Hispanic/Latino on mortality was partially suppressed by its negative association with social capital. Our understanding of the substantial impact of social conditions on mortality can help inform public policies and actions that may foster healthier and longer lives.

Democracy in Flux: The Evolution of Social Capital in Contemporary Society

In his national bestseller Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam illuminated the decline of social capital in the US. Now, in Democracies in Flux, Putnam brings together a group of leading scholars who broaden his findings as they examine the state of social capital in eight advanced democracies around the world. The book is packed with many intriguing revelations. The contributors note, for instance, that waning participation in unions, churches, and political parties seems to be virtually universal, a troubling discovery as these forms of social capital are especially important for empowering less educated, less affluent portions of the population. Indeed, in general, the researchers found more social grouping among the affluent than among the working classes and they find evidence of a younger generation that is singularly uninterested in politics, distrustful both of politicians and of others, cynical about public affairs, and less inclined to participate in enduring social organizations. Yet social capital appears as strong as ever in Sweden, where 40% of the adult population participate in "study circles"-small groups who meet weekly for educational discussions. Social capital-good will, fellowship, sympathy, and social intercourse-is vitally important both for the health of our communities and for our own physical and psychological well being. Offering a panoramic look at social capital around the world, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of these phenomena and why they are important in today's world.