Thesis (M.A.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Sociology, 2009. / "May, 2009." Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed 11/18/2009) Advisor, Rebecca J. Erickson; Faculty Reader, Clare L. Stacey; Department Chair, John F. Zipp; Dean of the College, Chand Midha; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

The aim of this dissertation is to study the conditions of and changes in sociative democracy processes at club level. One sports club is studied, Örebro Sportklubb (ÖSK), from its foundation in 1908 up to 1989. The main sources are club minutes, member magazines and annual reports. Democracy, and its twofolded relation to sport and economy processes, is the main problem area of the study. The specific question is how aspirations for economic effectiveness and sporting success influenced the democracy processes in ÖSK between 1908 and 1989. The Swedish sports movement has been described as a democratic movement. But the same movement has also been portrayed as an undemocratic movement made of men, for men. The study is based on a broad understanding of the democracy concept where issues of representativeness, influence, participation and knowledge are prominent. At a club level, the study is analysing the contents of the Swedish sports movement's democracy and its change during the 1900s. The thesis also illustrates how the pursuit of economic efficiency affected the associative democracy. These efficiencies were visible already in the 1920s, but was deepened during the 1970s. In short, the democratic range decreased, and successful sections became less and less motivated to finance the deficits of other sections. But the increased market orientation did not only represent a threat to the associative democracy. Marketisation and commercialization also preconditioned the democracy. At the club arena (Eyravallen), the members met in the clubhouse and café which, in turn, deepened the social capital and friendships within the club.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T11:52:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-08-28Bitstream added on 2015-03-03T12:06:20Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000809834.pdf: 311069 bytes, checksum: cf053bfe72547d3d6f47b505fd80c6e7 (MD5) / Hoje a escola se apresenta como um “novo cenário” de inserção de jovens que desde muito cedo se identificam travestis. Essa realidade aponta para uma transformação profunda nas características comuns que formavam o universo das travestis brasileiras, que viam na prostituição a única forma de estarem inseridas na sociedade. Regularidades tendem apontar que algumas mudanças foram primordiais para esse processo, hoje corpos mais plásticos, naturais, forjados a partir de tecnologias menos invasivas, bem como, a possibilidade de transitarem entre estar vestido de mulher ou não, prática somente possível nas gerações atuais, e que fazem com que as travestis ocupem cada vez mais espaços no cenário social Portanto, a pesquisa pretende compreender a partir de mudanças já pontuadas , como é a trajetória escolar e social de um sujeito que se intitula travesti nos dias de hoje . O recurso metodológico seguirá a Luz da teoria sociológica de Pierre Bourdieu que busca identificar o habitus primário, o capital cultura, social e econômico que asseguram nesse sujeito sua longevidade escolar. O estudo da trajetória foi realizado através da análise dos relatos desse agente e permitiu identificar as práticas, estratégias e expectativas que marcaram a sua trajetória escolar / Today, the school presents itself as a new scenario insertion of young people who identify very early transvestites. This reality points to a profound transformation in the common characteristics that formed the universe of Brazilian transvestites, who saw in prostitution the only way of being inserted into society. Regularities tend to point out that some changes were crucial to this process, now more plastic bodies, natural, forged from less invasive technologies, as well as the possibility of transitioning between being dressed as a woman or not, can only practice on current generations, and that make transvestites increasingly occupy spaces on the social scene Therefore, the research aims to understand from changes already scored, how is school and social trajectory of a guy who calls himself a transvestite today. The methodological approach will follow the Light of Pierre Bourdieu's sociological theory that seeks to identify the primary habitus, capital, culture, social and economic ensuring that your school subject longevity. The study of the trajectory was performed by analysis of reports and allowed this agent to identify the practices, strategies and expectations that marked his school career

Os ganhos competitivos adquiridos pela ação coletiva, através do fenômeno de formação de redes colaborativas, podem ser considerados respostas a uma série de pressões do ambiente econômico que limitam ou restringem a competitividade das empresas no início da era da globalização. Estruturada em torno de informações e relações sociais, a partir de 1990 vem se consolidando uma nova abordagem no campo da estratégia, que se propõem a analisar as organizações em âmbito interno, defendendo que as principais fontes de competitividade empresarial são endógenas. Um dos recursos endógenos recorrentes em estudos acadêmicos e empíricos na explicação do desempenho de comunidades e nações, ao longo das últimas duas décadas foi o capital social. Neste sentido, o capital social, torna-se um recurso marcadamente competitivo, funcionando como um potencializador da capacidade individual e coletiva mediante práticas colaborativas podendo tornar-se fonte de melhoria ou manutenção da competitividade em empresas associadas em redes colaborativas. Esta é uma afirmação essencial para o presente estudo, que teve como objetivo geral verificar a relação do capital social com a competitividade das redes colaborativas vitivinícolas da Serra Gaúcha através de estudo nas redes APROVALE e APROBELO, enquanto que os objetivos específicos foram a identificação dos fatores explicativos do capital social, e da competitividade, verificação de características empresariais que interferem na manifestação destes construtos, bem como análise das suas correlações e por fim comparação dos níveis de capital social e competitividade nas duas redes estudadas. Quanto a metodologia, utilizou-se uma survey para medição de capital social e competitividade que foi fruto do trabalho do grupo de pesquisa TSO (Teoria Social em Organizações) e como principais técnicas de análise estatística utilizou-se análise fatorial, regressão linear, correlação bivariada de Pearson, análise de variância e estatísticas descritivas. Como principais resultados do estudo estão à presença de altos índices de capital social no cluster vitivinícola da Serra Gaúcha, distribuídos uniformemente entre as três dimensões estudadas, às altas correlações presentes entre o capital social e a melhoria da competitividade, os altos coeficientes de determinação entre eles, bem como, que estes dois construtos compartilham variáveis determinantes e essencialmente subjetivas. Ainda, perante os resultados tornou-se possível afirmar que diferentes combinações de elementos vinculados aos dois construtos levam a resultados diferenciados, ou a realidades organizacionais idiossincráticas. O estudo finaliza destacando as contribuições confirmadas pela literatura pesquisada, as contribuições discrepantes em relação a literatura pesquisada, contribuições metodológicas, limitações da pesquisa e sugestões para estudos futuros. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-04-30T12:25:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Kadigia Faccin.pdf: 2805222 bytes, checksum: b192ca8b5ac4e5b149210284347b98a2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-04-30T12:25:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Kadigia Faccin.pdf: 2805222 bytes, checksum: b192ca8b5ac4e5b149210284347b98a2 (MD5) / The competitive gains acquired by collective action, through the phenomenon of collaborative networks can be considered responses to a series of pressures of the economic environment that limit or restrict the competitiveness of companies in the early age of globalization. Structured around information and social relations since 1990 has consolidated a new approach in the field of strategy, they propose to analyze organizations in the domestic sphere, arguing that the main sources of business competitiveness are endogenous. One of the endogenous resources in academic studies and empirical explanation of the performance of communities and nations, over the past two decades has been the social capital. In this sense, social capital becomes a resource strongly competitive, functioning as an enhancer of the individual and collective capacity through collaborative practices can become a source of improvement or maintenance of the competitiveness of member companies through collaborative networks. This is a key statement for the present study, which aimed to verify the relationship of social capital and competitiveness of collaborative networks of Serra Gaucha Wine cluster by studying networks APROVALE and APROBELO, while the specific objectives were to identify the factors explain the social capital and competitiveness, verification of company characteristics that influence the expression of these constructs as well, analysis of their correlations and finally comparing the levels of social capital and competitiveness of the two studied networks. For the methodology, we used a survey to measure social capital and competitiveness was the result of work of the research group TSO (Social Theory in Organizations) and the main statistical analysis used the factor analysis, linear regression, bivariate correlation Pearson, analysis of variance and descriptive statistics. The main results of the study are the presence of high levels of social capital in the Serra Gaúcha wine cluster evenly distributed between the three dimensions studied, the present high correlations between social capital and improve competitiveness, too distributed on three dimensions, the high correlation coefficients among them, and that these two constructs share determinant variables and essentially subjective. Still, before the results became possible to say that different combinations of elements linked to the two constructs lead two different results, or the idiosyncratic organizational realities. The study concludes highlighting the contributions confirmed by the literature, the differing contributions for literature, methodological contributions, research limitations and suggestions for future studies.

Background: Sweden has in the past four years experienced a large influx of refugees. Some of these refugees were arranged housing upon arrival by the Swedish state. Approximately 30 percent of the refugees that were arranged housing have within five years relocated from the initial municipality of residence.   Purpose:                  The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence refugee’s networks has on their internal migration in Sweden. Information regarding refugees residential preferences, and if location-specific social capital affect these preferences is important for policymakers to facilitate integration.   Method:                  The initial and subsequent residential locations among refugees is studied to analyze how important other immigrants overall, and other immigrants from the individual’s country of birth in a municipality affect if a refugee stays in the initial municipality of residence or not.   Conclusion:             The results suggest that refugees stay in municipalities with high a representation of inhabitants from the individual’s birth country but move away from municipalities where there is a large share of immigrants overall.

abstract: This dissertation integrates research on boards of directors with human and social capital perspectives to examine board appointments. A director's appointment to a board is in part due to the belief that the individual can contribute critical resources and monitoring to the organization. The ability of a director to provide these resources and monitoring depends on his or her level of human and social capital. This dissertation more fully integrates human and social capital perspectives into our understanding of board appointment events. From these theoretical underpinnings, a model is developed proposing that several human and social capital indicators, including educational level, expertise, director experience, and access to network structural holes, affect the likelihood of joining a new board, joining a prestigious board, and exiting a current board. I also consider a number of contextual- and individual-level variables that may potentially moderate the relationship between a director's human and social capital and director mobility. Through this dissertation, I make a number of contributions to the literatures on boards, board appointments, and human and social capital. First, I offer a more comprehensive perspective of the board appointment process by developing an individual-level perspective of board appointments. Second, I contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the market for corporate directors. Third, I focus on several salient dimensions of director mobility. Fourth, I contribute to the growing literature on human and social capital at the board and director levels. Finally, I add to the growing literature on director selection. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Business Administration 2011

Master of Public Health / Department of Kinesiology / Brandon Irwin / BACKGROUND: Resource-deficient social networks can have detrimental health effects on individuals. In part, this may result from limited engagement in health-related behaviors such as physical activity (PA). PA can lower one’s risk for a variety of chronic diseases and promoting this behavior is a public health priority. Understanding the relationship between network-owned resources and PA behavior can help policymakers and health advocates develop comprehensive programs to promote health among those who are disadvantaged. Measurements of resources available through an individual's social network have previously been referred to as social capital (SC). This study set out to explore the relationship between SC and PA by testing the following hypotheses: (1) Individuals with low household income will report low levels of both SC and PA participation, (2) SC has a positive relationship with PA participation, (3) Individuals who engage in leisure-time PA with others will report higher levels of SC than those who do it alone, (4) Social support for PA mediates the relationship between SC and PA. METHODS: Data were obtained from residents of Riley County, KS (n=828) who completed a survey. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine differences in SC (bonding, bridging, total) and PA (moderate, vigorous, total, leisure-time) between different income groups. Relationships between SC and PA variables were examined using Pearson product-moment correlations, while independent sample t-tests were used to identify differences in SC between those who did or did not meet recommended PA guidelines. ANOVAs were also used to identify differences in SC among those who primarily engage in leisure-time PA by themselves, with a partner, or with a group. Finally, the Sobel test was used to examine the mediating effect of social support for PA in all significant linear relationships between SC and PA variables. RESULTS: Social capital was highest among high-income groups (p <.05). Leisure-time PA was lowest in the poorest income group (p <.05). Weak linear relationships were identified between bonding SC and leisure-time PA [r(786) = 0.09, p = 0.01], as well as between total SC and leisure time PA [r(775) = 0.08, p = 0.02]. Individuals who met PA guidelines reported higher levels of SC than those who did not (bridging and total: p <.001; bonding: p = <.01). No differences in SC were found between individuals who primarily engaged in leisure-time PA by themselves, with a partner, or with a group. The Sobel test found that social support for PA fully mediated the relationships between leisure-time PA and both bonding SC (z = 5.61, p <.001) and total SC (z = 6.01, p = <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Social capital has a positive relationship with leisure-time physical activity and influences this behavior through provisions of behavior-targeted social support. Further examination should be afforded to the relationship between social capital, income, and leisure-time physical activity. While physical activity promotion efforts that target social capital may achieve marginal improvements in physical activity levels at the population level, they are unlikely to result in significant improvements at the individual level.

Le but de cette thèse était d'étudier les différences entre la France et les Etats-Unis (E.U.) dans l'usage de Facebook et notamment la manière par laquelle les étudiants dans chaque pays adaptent leurs usages aux valeurs culturelles. Les recherches sont organisées en deux axes composés de deux études. Le premier axe cherche à mettre en évidence les différences dans l'usage de Facebook entre la France et les E.U. concernant la composition du réseau, les styles de communication (public vs. privé) et le capital social (CS). Les résultats ont montré que, comparativement aux français, les américains ont des réseaux plus étendus et hétérogènes, utilisent la communication davantage publique et accumulent du CS à partir de liens distants autant que des liens proches. Le deuxième axe vise à examiner l'usage spécifique à chaque pays. Premièrement, la prévalence des « liens dormants », les personnes avec lesquelles on ne communique jamais, et leur influence sur le CS a été examinée aux E.U. Il apparaît que les réseaux des américains se composent de 40% de « liens dormants » et sont associés à moins de CS. Deuxièmement, une étude a examiné si la tendance des français à utiliser Facebook, surtout avec leurs proches, pouvait aider les étudiants à s'adapter socialement à l'université. Il a été trouvé que la communication à partir de Facebook avec un nouvel ami au début du semestre était associée positivement à l'adaptation sociale quelques mois plus tard. Les résultats ont été discutés à partir des styles d'usage de Facebook qui sont adaptés à différents contextes culturels pour, finalement, souligner des limites des études réalisées et délimiter quelques perspectives de recherches. / The aim of this dissertation was to study différences between France and the United States in Facebook use and the way students in each country may adapt their usage to their cultural values. We then present two lines of research each containing two studies. The first line of research examines différences in Facebook use between France and the U.S. concerning network size, network composition, communication styles (public v. private), and the collection of social capital. Results show that Americans have larger, more heterogeneous networks, use more public forms of communication, and garner social capital from distant as well as close ties. French students have smaller, more homogeneous networks, use more private forms of communication, and garner social capital primarily from close ties. The second line of research aims to deepen our understanding of the différent styles of use in each country. First, the prevalence of latent ties, ties with whom one never communicates, was examined and their effect on social capital in the U.S. Results showed that Americans' networks were composed of 40% latent ties and these ties were associated with decreased social capital. Second, French students' tendency to communicate primarily with close ties was examined to see if it could help them adapt socially to university. Results showed that Facebook communication with a new close friend at the beginning of the semester was positively associated with social adaptation mid-semester. Results are discussed in terms of which types of Facebook use are adaptive in différent cultural contexts along with limits and future research perspectives

Social media networks such as Facebook enable advertisers to embed social connection information within advertisements. The purpose of this study was to better understand how social cues in social media advertising contribute to consumers’ brand attitudes and purchase intentions. Two theoretical constructs guided the study: social impact theory and social capital theory. Social impact theory suggests that the number, relational strength, and immediacy of individuals exerting social influence determine its effectiveness. Social capital theory posits that our social networks are a product of the relational capital we have invested in them, with two forms of social capital: bonding and bridging. Bonding is associated with our intimate, "strong ties," and bridging is associated with our larger circle of acquaintances, or "weak ties." Using an experiment (N = 211), it was determined that while social context cues included in social media advertisements did influence brand attitudes, the strength and intensity of cues did not have an effect. Furthermore, bridging, strong-tie social capital positively moderated the relation between advertisement attitude and social media sharing of the advertisement as well as the relation between brand attitude and purchase intentions.

Doctor of Philosophy / Environmental Design and Planning / Timothy D. Keane / Kenya has been adversely affected by soil erosion due to population growth, changes in land use and land cover, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Issues related to land degradation cost the Kenyan government approximately $390 million or 3 percent of the country’s GDP yearly (Government of Kenya, 2013). Despite extensive land degradation, many attempts to encourage the use of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices have been unsuccessful. The study focuses on Merigi Ward, Kenya. Merigi Ward lies within the Mara River Basin (MRB), an ecologically and economically important river basin that has experienced extensive erosion problems. Increased agricultural activities driven by population growth in the area and changes in land use and land cover have degraded the landscape. SWC practices are greatly needed to mitigate the effects of erosion and conserve the natural resources within the MRB. Past studies suggest that social capital may increase the adoption of SWC practices (Knowler & Bradshaw, 2007; Nyangena, 2008). This study defines social capital as the groups and networks, trust and reciprocity, formal and informal rules, and information that informs the interactions among persons that lead to collective action. Twenty-five smallholder farmers within Merigi Ward were interviewed and the relationship between the adoption of SWC practices and social capital was explored through a qualitative analysis. Additionally, the MRB is home to the Mau Mara Serengeti Sustainable Water Initiative (MaMaSe). The MaMaSe initiative is a public private partnership (P3) with the goal to promote sustainable water use, economic growth, and environmental conservation within the basin. The effect the MaMaSe initiative had on the level of social capital amongst the study participants was also investigated. Findings suggest that social capital is an important aspect of SWC adoption in Merigi Ward. Groups and networks provide farmers with implementation support and information. Particularly, the local farmers’ cooperative provides farmers with implementation assistance and links (bridging capital) to experts at the MaMaSe initiative and the Ministry of Agriculture. Strong bonding capital works in the favor of this community allowing for high levels of trust. Thus, farmers collaborate to help one another implement practices and exchange information, materials, and experiences. In general, social capital has helped facilitate better environmental conservation awareness and the use of SWC practices. The largest impact the MaMaSe initiative had on the community’s social capital was expanding networks (particularly bridging and linking capital) and providing in depth information and guidelines for SWC practice use. The P3 has also helped the farmers integrate environmental conservation into their daily lives and has helped promote a shared understanding of the importance of conservation. The findings of this study will help environmental conservation professionals understand how to use social capital to strengthen natural resource management.