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Social Capital: An Update

from III - Later Foundations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2021

By
Nan Lin  and
Yanjie Bian
Edited by
Mario L. Small ,
Brea L. Perry ,
Bernice Pescosolido  and
Edward B. Smith
Mario L. Small
Affiliation:
Harvard University, Massachusetts
Brea L. Perry
Affiliation:
Indiana University, Bloomington
Bernice Pescosolido
Affiliation:
Indiana University, Bloomington
Edward B. Smith
Affiliation:
Northwestern University, Illinois
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Summary

Social capital, defined as resources embedded in social networks, is one of the most frequently employed and referenced concepts and theories in social sciences today (Burt 2019). This essay addresses the emergence of the theory, describes its measurements and research, and explores some key issues. While the essay focuses on individual-level (ego-based) theorization and research, the final section offers some suggestions on how its theoretical basis can be extended to community-level research as well.

Type
Chapter
Information
Personal Networks
Classic Readings and New Directions in Egocentric Analysis
 , pp. 504 - 518
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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