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Bridges in social capital: A review of the definitions and the social capital of social capital researchers

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  • Akcomak, Semih

    (UNU-MERIT, and Maastricht University)

Abstract

There has been a recent surge of interest in social economics and social capital. Articles on social capital that are published in the last five years constitute more than 60 percent of all articles on social capital. Research on social capital is now massive and spans sociology, economics, management, political science and health sciences. Despite this interest there is still not a consensus on the definition and the measurement of social capital. This paper argues that this is due to lack of interaction between disciplines. The social capital of social capital researchers is low between disciplines. Different from other theories of capital, social capital theory has concurrently been developed by various disciplines and as such, advancements in social capital research could only be achieved by conducting cross-disciplinary research.

Suggested Citation

  • Akcomak, Semih, 2009. "Bridges in social capital: A review of the definitions and the social capital of social capital researchers," MERIT Working Papers 2009-002, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2009002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Garcia-Torres, Abraham, 2009. "Consumer behaviour: evolution of preferences and the search for novelty," MERIT Working Papers 2009-005, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
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    4. Neira, I. & Portela, M. & Vieira, E., 2010. "Social Capital and growth in European regions," Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 10(2).
    5. Stix, Helmut, 2013. "Why do people save in cash? Distrust, memories of banking crises, weak institutions and dollarization," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 4087-4106.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capital; social capital; co-authorship network; network analysis; diffusion processes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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