Business
Social Capital Measuring networks and
shared values
What is social capital?
Social capital describes the pattern and intensity
of networks among people and the shared values which
arise from those networks. Greater interaction between
people generates a greater sense of community spirit.
Definitions of social capital
vary, but the main aspects include citizenship, 'neighbourliness',
social networks and civic participation. The definition
used by ONS, taken from the Office for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD), is "networks together
with shared norms, values and understandings that
facilitate co-operation within or among groups"1.
Why does social capital matter?
Research has shown that higher levels of social capital
are associated with better health, higher educational
achievement, better employment outcomes, and lower
crime rates. In other words, those with extensive
networks are more likely to be "housed, healthy,
hired and happy"2. All of these areas are of
concern to both policy-makers and community members
alike.
How do we measure social capital?
There are a number of different aspects to social
capital and measuring the level of social capital
in communities can be complex. In many surveys respondents
are asked a range of questions that cover a variety
of issues. They commonly focus on:
- Levels of trust - for example,
whether individuals trust their neighbours and whether
they consider their neighbourhood a place where people
help each other.
- Membership - for example,
to how many clubs, societies or social groups individuals
belong.
- Networks and how much social
contact individuals have in their lives - for example,
how often individuals see family and friends.
What are networks?
Formal and informal networks are central to the concept
of social capital. They are defined as the personal
relationships which are accumulated when people interact
with each other in families, workplaces, neighbourhoods,
local associations and a range of informal and formal
meeting places3.
Different types of social capital
can be described in terms of different types of networks:
- Bonding social capital –
describes closer connections between people and is
characterised by strong bonds e.g. among family members
or among members of the same ethnic group; it is good
for 'getting by' in life.
- Bridging social capital –
describes more distant connections between people
and is characterised by weaker, but more cross-cutting
ties e.g. with business associates, acquaintances,
friends from different ethnic groups, friends of friends,
etc; it is good for 'getting ahead' in life.
- Linking social capital –
describes connections with people in positions of
power and is characterised by relations between those
within a hierarchy where there are differing levels
of power; it is good for accessing support from formal
institutions. It is different from bonding and bridging
in that it is concerned with relations between people
who are not on an equal footing. An example would
be a social services agency dealing with an individual
e.g. job searching at the Benefits Agency.
What are shared norms, values
and understandings?
These relate to shared attitudes towards behaviour
that are accepted by most individuals/groups as a
'good thing': examples are not parking in a disabled
parking space at a supermarket and giving up your
seat to someone who needs it more on the bus. These
norms of behaviour are understood by most members
of society. Sanctions underpin norms: fear of disapproval
might compel individuals to comply with the shared
values or norms and behave in an accepted way.
What are groups?
Groups in this context are very broadly defined and
can refer to:
- Geographical groups - such
as people living in a specific neighbourhood.
- Professional groups - such
as people in the same occupation, members of a local
association or voluntary organisation.
- Social groups - such as families,
church-based groups, groups of friends.
- Virtual groups - such as the
networks generated over the internet in chat rooms
through common interest groups.
