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Social Capital Formation: Do Ict Matter For Europe?

Author

Listed:
  • Emiliano Colantonio

    (Department of Philosophical, Pedagogical and Economic-Quantitative Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy)

  • Daniela Cialfi

    (Department of Philosophical, Pedagogical and Economic-Quantitative Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy)

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have impacted the way in which individuals, government and society interact each other. As a consequence, ICTs represent a dynamic and new way by which it could be possible to explain the countries’ development into the Knowledge-Based Society. Why is it possible to consider ICTs as a dynamic instrument for explaining this phenomenon? ICT can create networking, to connect learning experience and innovation to each other. Alongside the growing increase in ICTs, the concept of social capital in the twenty years has found interest in all sectors due to the rise of the concept of virtual community. In this context, researchers have focused on the role it could play in building communities, increasing economic productivity and contributing to country development. In this sense, ICT and social capital concepts interlink with each other in a variety of ways: social capital could contribute to the diffusion of ICT but, at the same time, ICTs could have a role in the social capital formation. Given the possible interactions between the two concepts, this paper aims to map out the relationship between ICT and social capital studying the related variables’ disparities among European countries. This paper shows evidence of the geography of this relationship in Europe. For the statistical and geographical analysis, we used a non-linear cluster neural network, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM). This tool was used to analyse the performance of European countries in 2015. The properties of the algorithm lead the SOM map to be a representation of the statistical property of the original dataset used to create it thanking the learning nature of the algorithm; the statistical dissimilarity is translated into space distance and vice versa. Also, it was possible because the dataset has been mapped onto the surface of the SOM by adding each neuron up to colour gradient. The results show the isolation of Balkan and Eastern European countries. In particular, we found that ICT may promote social capital, that is, ICT could play a decisive role in creating and developing social capital. These results prompt the formulation of new policies for European countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Emiliano Colantonio & Daniela Cialfi, 2018. "Social Capital Formation: Do Ict Matter For Europe?," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 47-53, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:ora:journl:v:1:y:2018:i:1:p:47-53
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social capital; ICT; neural networks; country performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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