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Social Capital and Leadership: Rural Cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Annette Hurrelmann

    (European Commission, DG Agriculture)

  • Catherine Murray

    (Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany)

  • Volker Beckmann

    (Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

There is controversy about the potential for collective action in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). Many authors argue that the level of social capital is low in CEECs, whereas others underline that, while trust in authorities and the state may be low, interpersonal networks are present. This paper explores the issue on the basis of three case studies conducted in the project IDARI (“Integrated Development of Agriculture and Rural Institutions in Central and Eastern European Countries”). They study rural cooperation projects, i.e. production and marketing in agricultural cooperatives, a rural tourism initiative and the management of a national park. It was asked: what is the basis for successful cooperation and what are the reasons why cooperation fails? The conclusion is that two main obstacles for collective action in rural CEECs are low bridging of social capital and unclear gains from cooperation. In such a situation, well-connected local leaders who provide credible information and establish links among different actor groups and with authorities can be of crucial importance to achieve collective action. This finding is interesting because most of the literature on social capital does not acknowledge the need for a “mediating agency”but expects cooperation to happen “automatically”where enough social capital is present. However, it is also shown that leadership becomes difficult where conflicting interests, low general trust and little initiative of actors prevail. A policy conclusion is that better financial and technical support for prospective leaders in rural cooperation projects in CEECs could contribute to the success of initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Annette Hurrelmann & Catherine Murray & Volker Beckmann, 2006. "Social Capital and Leadership: Rural Cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe," Society and Economy, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 28(3), pages 219-243, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:aka:soceco:v:28:y:2006:i:3:p:219-243
    Note: This paper represents solely the views of its authors and cannot in any circumstances be regarded as official position of the European Commission.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tuna, Emelj & Karantininis, Kostas, 2017. "Cooperatives As Agents Of Social Capital: An Evidence From A Post-socialist Country," 2017 International Congress, August 28-September 1, 2017, Parma, Italy 260912, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    2. Theesfeld, Insa & Pirscher, Frauke (ed.), 2011. "Perspectives on institutional change - water management in Europe," Studies on the Agricultural and Food Sector in Transition Economies, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), volume 58, number 109519.
    3. Engjell Skreli & Orjon Xhoxhi & Drini Imami & Klodjan Rama, 2024. "What explains collective action: The impact of social capital, incentive structures and economic benefits," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(3), pages 1622-1646, April.
    4. Schleyer, Christian, 2010. "Institutional change and collective action: The case of reclamation systems in Northwest Poland," IAMO Forum 2010: Institutions in Transition – Challenges for New Modes of Governance 52706, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Central and Eastern Europe (IAMO).
    5. Jiri Hejkrlik & Petra Chaloupkova & Tetyana Sokolska, 2023. "The role of transformational leadership and leaders’ skills for new agricultural cooperatives in post‐soviet countries," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 94(1), pages 109-129, March.

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