Social capital in the theory and research of LIS professionals in the light of the literature on the subject. Review of current knowledge
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-08-2020-0108 |
| Published date | 25 February 2021 |
| Date | 25 February 2021 |
| Pages | 709-731 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information in society,Information literacy,Library & information services |
| Author | Maja Dorota Wojciechowska |
Social capital in the theory and
research of LIS professionals in the
light of the literature on the subject.
Review of current knowledge
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Department of Faculty of Languages, University of Gda
nsk, Gda
nsk, Poland
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of the paper is to presentthe latest scholarly trends in the field of social capital in
libraries, to review research concepts published by LIS professionals and to suggest further research
possibilitiesin this area.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper presents a review and critical analysis of literature
associated with research on socialcapital in libraries to highlight its importance for the development of LIS
and its impact on the functioningof environments linked with various types of libraries. The goal of literature
analysiswas to determine the current condition of researchon social capital in libraries. Themain trends were
identifiedand the need for further qualitative analyses, whichare missing at the moment, was confirmed.
Findings –It was determined that, so far,LIS professionals have focussed mainly on the role of municipal
libraries in developing social capital, the problem of building trust, especially in immigrant circles and the
impact of libraries on promoting a civil society.Academic libraries, rural libraries, organisational capital in
libraries and individualsocial capital of librarians were a much less frequent subject of research.The role of
libraries in developingsocial capital in educational (primary and secondaryeducation) and professional (non-
university professionals)circles is practically non-existent in research,and it will require in-depth studies and
analysesin the coming years.
Originality/value –This paper constitutes a syntheticreview of the latest research concepts concerning
social capital in libraries.It identifies the most important research trends and areas that so far have not been
explored and suggests research methods to help LIS professionals design futureresearch in this area more
effectively.
Keywords Trust, Libraries, Immigrants, Social capital, Civil society, LIS research,
Local communities
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
Social capital is a relatively young concept deriving from social and economic sciences,
which, in recent years, hasgained the interest of researchers in various disciplines, including
LIS professionals. The originalinterest in social capital was triggered by the fact that not all
behaviours or phenomena could be explained by the laws of economics. Classic economics
mainly focussed on such factors of development as: land, labour and capital. Meanwhile,
research on individual and team efficiency has shown that it depends not only on material
and financial factors but also on intangible ones, such as, for example, qualifications or
competencies. Consequently, the concept of social capital has developed and it is now
actively exploredwithin management and information sciences (Becker, 1975).
However, the concept of human capital did not answer all the questionsabout the causes
of the development of teams, organisations,societies or individuals. Thus, political, cultural
LIS
professionals
709
Received5 August 2020
Revised29 November 2020
Accepted1 January 2021
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.71 No. 8/9, 2022
pp. 709-731
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-08-2020-0108
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/2514-9342.htm
and social factors became theobject of scrutiny, too. As a result, the concept of social capital
was formulated. In this concept, the society is no longer regarded as a set of isolated
individuals, individually examined and evaluated and pursuing success on their own, but
instead as a social network that, thanks to access to specific tangible and intangible
resources (money, knowledge, etc.),is able to help and support its members, thus becoming
more effective in achieving common goals (Coleman, 1990, p. 300). The size and nature of
those networks may differ –these may be networks of professionals,networks built by the
local community, family and friends networks or networks centred around an institution.
Based on numerous studies and analyses, social capital was recognised as an important
factor of the development of societies, alongside economic, human, cultural, symbolic and
psychological capitals(Table 1). It is also becoming of interest in the context of libraries and
knowledge sharing.
Social capital –basic theoretical approaches
In recent years, social capital has become largely popular, not only in the field of sociology.
The concept was introduced in scholarly deliberations to explain associations between
social life and other disciplines: economics, geography, anthropology, political sciences,
pedagogy, cultural science and LIS. According to the social capital concept, being in touch
with other people as well as regularly undertaking common activities aimed at achieving
group goals, rather than only individual goals, coincidence and support of social network
members, in the broad meaning of the term, lead to positive and often lasting effects for
individuals and communities engaged in the processes. It was observed that a group may
support individuals (financially, materially, emotionally, organisationally, etc.), helping
them to develop or to go through difficult life situations. Well-organised and integrated
groups that share common beliefs, norms and principles and enjoy a high level of trust are
more efficient thanindividuals working on their own.
Over the years, social capital has been the topic of numerous analyses and
interpretations, and its advantagesand limitations have been widely discussed. Apart from
classical approaches, critical approaches developed, demonstrating the shortages and
immaturity of the theory of social capital.It is worth noting here the basic findings that laid
the foundations for subsequentresearch on social capital.
The forerunners and most important popularisers of the social capital in the scholarly
world include: Bourdieu (1986),Coleman (1988,1990) and Putnam (1993). It is also worth
noting the publications of Portes (1998),Woolcock (2001),Lin (2001) and Fukuyama (1995).
Table 1.
Forms of capital
Type of capital Description
Economic capital Tangible assets: money, buildings, machines, devices, etc.
Human capital Individual human potential, such as qualifications, competencies, experience, skills, traits
of character, attitudes, physical vitality, health, etc.
Cultural capital Knowledge,behaviours, skills, linguistic competencies, talents, including habits and
customs, cultural tradition, value orientation, ethos (religion, morality), styles of cultural
participation, life aspirations and openness to new experiences (directions of mobility),
etc. It may take an embodied (as speech or body posture), objectivised (as products of
culture, e.g. works of art) or institutionalised form (as educational institution diplomas)
Symbolic capital The ability to use symbols to create ideological justifications. A source of social prestige
Psychological
capital
A sense of self-efficacy, optimism, hope, psychological resistance of an individual
Social capital Social relations and social networks in which an individual participates
GKMC
71,8/9
710
To continue reading
Request your trial