Purpose This study explores Social Capital Theory. For the benefit of the business community it examines the role of social networking sites (SNS) in the accumulation and management of social capital for Black women entrepreneurs. This research project explores whether social media and technology have enabled a previously disadvantaged minority group to overcome their obstacles, particularly the lack of access networks that offer value. Significant research has been done on academic Social Capital Theory, but what remains understudied is the link between social capital and social networking sites, especially for minority and indigenous groups in Africa. The research is also applicable to other minority groups globally - adding value to Social Capital Theory in the context of a growing interest in knowledge economies, entrepreneurship and technology. The study makes a contribution to academic research and has implications for both policy and practice. Methodology The research is exploratory in nature and therefore applies a qualitative research methodology. It applies in-depth interviews with Black women entrepreneurs from different industries, and age groups to extract quality data that is analysed against theoretical propositions derived from the literature. Findings Bridging and bonding social capital are unique in how they empower entrepreneurs. Black women are a minority group because of cultural and historical consequences. As a result women are more disadvantaged than men, and minority women are more disadvantaged than white women. Negative stereotypes prejudice Black women from getting equal access to opportunities and resources. SNS, which is geared to accumulating bridging social capital, has the ability to empower Black women entrepreneurs to overcome these challenges. However, instead of using SNS for building bridging social capital - more essential for business growth - Black women entrepreneurs tend to use SNS to deepen bonding social capital which yields support and motivation. The potential value in SNS use should encourage Black women entrepreneurs to invest more resources in learning how to optimise SNS. Although SNS and government empowerment policies are contributing to equalizing access and use of social capital between different genders and races, men and the White business community still have an advantage. Future studies should consider exploring how generation theory and various social-economic issues affect accumulation and use of social capital through SNS use for minority groups / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / zkgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Magister Artium - MA / According to migrant research in South Africa, after the advent of democracy in South Africa, in 1994, the country has received an influx of foreign migrants, more especially from the African continent. However, much focus has been on the negative outcomes of the host community and its relationship with immigrants. Recent immigration research labelled South Africa as a xenophobic nation, and much emphasis on xenophobia was in Black South African townships. Although townships in South Africa are widely known for their hostile attitudes towards African nationals, in recent years, townships like Gugulethu have become homes for many African immigrants. This study investigates the integration of foreign migrants into the South African community: a case of Zimbabweans living in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Qualitative research methods’ adopting an in-depth interpretation of the findings was used to answer the research question posed by this study. The research question posed by this study is, in the absence of a strategic plan to integrate African foreign nationals into South Africa society, how do African migrants living in Gugulethu use their social capital to integrate themselves into the local community, which is widely regarded as xenophobic? Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations and data was analysed according to the research questions by making codes and themes. In addition, the number of study participants was 30 people; 25 Zimbabwean immigrants and for comparative purposes 2 Ugandan immigrants and 3 local South Africans were also included. Both convenience and snowballing sampling techniques were used. The study found that despite the challenges faced by migrants in their host community, these migrants used their social capital in the form of social networks to integrate themselves into the host community

The thesis takes its first steps along previous theories of social capital based on the research of Bo Rothstein with colleagues contributed to the field. The thesis aims for a deeper investigation into the experiences that according to the theory have affected social trust in the minds of immigrant women in Sweden. The main aim of this thesis is to gain a better understanding and knowledge for groups that have lower social trust than others. According to earlier research on the field, immigrants that come to Sweden, especially those born outside of Europe, tend to have a lower social trust than people born in Sweden and Europe (Holmberg & Rothstein, 2016:3). This thesis therefore probes the complex topic of “how contacts with public bodies, the service such institutions offer, affect social trust among citizens depending on the ability to provide justice” (Rothstein & Kumlin, 2005:348). Two research questions are used to fulfil this purpose; the first being if immigrant women’s interpersonal trust is affected by experiences in personal contact with public bodies? The second question to be answered is how interpersonal trust can be seen to be affected by such experiences and contacts? This thesis aims to answer those questions through the method of interviews with immigrant women in Sweden. The empirical material concludes that contacts with public bodies influence the ability to trust other people and that it is possible to regain trust in another society, but also that there might be a lot more to consider for a greater understanding of immigrant women’s social trust.

Master of Science / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Elaine M. Johannes / For the past decade, family poverty has been growing steadily by 24.3% within the state of Kansas. The increase in poverty has inspired community-based efforts and volunteer-driven initiatives to grow to support families and to increase social connection and access to resources. Prior research has found that families in chronic poverty experience higher stress, higher conflict, and lower means of social connection. In the present study, a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was used to explore the "lived experiences" of parents and adolescents in poverty and the role of social capital and hardiness as a way to cope with the stresses associated with living in poverty. Separate semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents and their adult parents from three communities across Kansas. The research team transcribed the interview data. Qualitative data analysis through grounded theory was used to code the transcripts into separate themes. The results from the study reveal that a) building social capital (ie., bonding and bridging) is different between adolescents and parents and b) hardiness is developed through learned positive coping and the social connections with others. This research has future implications on policy development and strengths-based approaches to address the stress of living in poverty for individuals and families.

Purpose: This research was designed to contribute to a greater understanding of the characteristics of female entrepreneurs in South Africa by interrogating whether certain elements of their Social and Human Capital impact on their business performance, measured in terms of turnover and business size in terms of employee numbers. Methodology: This was an exploratory study that used quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. The unit of analysis was women business owners in South Africa that fit the criteria of owning and running businesses. The web application Survey Monkey survey tool was used from which the entrepreneurs could access the online questionnaire. The impact of elements of Human Capital and Social Capital on business performance was studied by looking for associations with a number of independent variables including education, social networking, age of business, and age and experience of the entrepreneur. Outcome: Pearson Chi-square test, and generelised linear(GLM) models revealed that Human Capital, does influence the business performance, although only on specific elements of business performance. Social Capital also influences the business performance, although only on specific Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The goal of this study was two fold. First, to investigate the determinants of soil fertility management and conservation practices in Uganda, with particular interest in the role of poverty, social capital and land tenure. Secondly, to provide an understanding of the causal relationships between social capital and household poverty in Uganda. To achieve the above goals, econometric approaches were employed using a data set collected by IFPRI, the World Bank, and Uganda Bureau of Statistics from a survey that covered eight districts in Uganda. First to investigate the impact of poverty, land tenure and social capital on adoption of SFM and conservation technologies, a multinomial logit (MNL) model was used. Choice of the MNL model was motivated by the need to address the interdependent and joint nature of the adoption decision making. Secondly to understand the influence of social capital and other determinants on poverty in Uganda, a linear regression model was used while a probit model was used to capture the determinants of group participation our measure of social capital. The results show that participation in social institutions generally tends to increase the probability of adopting most SFM and conservation practices and reducing non-adoption. Social capital also reduces household poverty. The study further shows that poverty increases the probability of non-adoption. Also, land tenure security was found to be positively correlated with adoption of fallowing and organic fertilizer use and reducing the probability of non-adoption. Other key factors that affect adoption of SFM and conservation technologies, poverty and group participation include education, road infrastructure, agro-climatic differences, and household size among others. From a policy perspective, the significance of social capital in both technology adoption and the poverty models, suggests that public investment in social capital through: capacity building programs for local groups, infrastructure support, enabling environment for their functioning (legal framework) among others would lead to poverty reduction and improved investments in SFM and conservation technologies. This can be done by incorporating social capital in key government policies such as the poverty eradication action plan and program for modernisation of agriculture. The results also suggest that poverty reduction would increase adoption of SFM and conservation technologies. Copyright 2007, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Birungi, EM 2007, The linkages between land degradation, poverty and social capital in Uganda, PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-01252008-173216 / > / Thesis (PhD(Environmental Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Payments for Environmental Services (PES) is a method of attaching market value to environmental benefits which have typically not been valued in the marketplace. This thesis investigates the impact of the government hydrological services program in two communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. Using interviews, semi structured and household surveys, I investigate the effect the PSAH has had in alleviating poverty and increasing social capital in the communities as well as investigate willingness to accept (WTA) payment for additional PES programs. The PES payments put household incomes above national poverty lines. Social capital improved both within and between communities. WTA for additional PES depends on the use of the land in question. Overall, participation in the PSAH has had a positive impact in both communities.

There is much to be said about the use of social capital in the job search patterns of graduates, however, little is researched on the use of social capital as a job search strategy. Despite the years of research that acknowledges the critical role social capital plays in determining job search outcomes, little to no research has been done to specifically understand the different ways in which graduates utilize their social capital (family, friends and acquaintances) to look for work. Human capital theory posits that education is the greatest determinant of employment in a labour market system that that awards educational credentials with occupational attainment. However, the reality is that a large number of Zambian graduates are jobless despite being educated. This study, therefore seeks to analyse the high levels of graduate unemployment from lternative theories of social capital and the job search. Knowing the different ways social capital expresses itself in graduate job search patterns provides possible solutions and a different perspective to addressing the high levels of graduate unemployment in Zambia. This study adopted a qualitative case study research design and made use of the snow ball sampling approach. Fifteen semistructured interviews were conducted and findings and emerging themes analysed in response to the central question, “how does social capital express itself in graduate job search patterns in Lusaka, Zambia?”. Through extensive thematic analyses, the researcher finds that there are eight ways in which graduates utilize their social capital to look for work and overcome challenges of the job search. This demonstrates that social capital can be a useful and beneficial job search strategy to adopt in a labour market system where educational credentials alone do not guarantee graduates successful job search outcomes.

The resettlement of immigrant and refugee populations poses specific challenges to new host communities. Municipalities must find resources to assist these populations in transitioning into a new culture. Immediate needs are often adequate housing, health care, and primary schooling. While this transitioning process is still in play, the search for employment begins; often at the cost of consideration of longer-term needs, such as English or other host country language acquisition and planning for long-term career goals. Theorists in the field of social capital postulate that bonding and bridging social capital offers benefits for populations adjusting to new communities. Connections to like-minded individuals or pre-existing ethnic ties (bonding social capital) can provide support important to the well-being of individuals going through difficult social adjustments while connecting with new social groups (bridging social capital) can provide new information leading to expanding opportunities. The concept of bridging social capital for immigrant and refugee populations is the subject of this research study. It is situated within the context of our digital age in which information communication technology (ICT) is the primary mode of access to information and services. For the purpose of this thesis, the capability to exploit this mode of communication is thus identified as “digital capital.” As more and more governmental, educational, and social services are distributed within a technological environment, it is necessary to examine this mode of connection to information as a form of capital which can be viewed in a similar framework to other types of social capital. Access to technology and ICTs has been considered an integral element of the Development Goals as adopted by the United Nations for the Year 2000 Millennium Goals. Though later debates have questioned how ICTs may have benefited development goals, the pervasiveness of this form of information flow continues. Within Development Studies, Sen’s theory on the Capability Approach offers a valuable opportunity of connecting digital capital to development. Just as the Capabilities Approach accommodates the diversity of human values, characteristics, and functionings, so can digital capital provide flexibility through adaptation by the users to tailor the medium to meet specific needs. It is this freedom to adjust to individual needs and goals that allows this mode of bridging capital to hold a distinct advantage for immigrants and refugees who are searching for effective links into new social networks in the job search process. The role of the community college system has been at the forefront of providing educational training and social acclimation for this population in their quest for economic self-sufficiency in the resettlement process. A greater understanding of the role that technology plays in the success of immigrant and refugee resettlement is vitally important for the well-being of communities undergoing dynamic demographic change.

This thesis explores how individuals and households experience the places in which they live and examines the potential impact of those places on outcomes across a range of life careers. Residential neighbourhoods have been variously framed as sites of personal expression or alternatively as locations of multiple deprivation that limit the life chances of the local population. This thesis however, argues that the limited framework within which existing studies of housing and residential choice are developed provides only a partial account of the complex and multidimensional nature of the relationship people have with the places in which they live. It addresses this gap by drawing on a wide range of theoretical ideas and by moving away from the deficit model of housing that dominates much academic work. In doing so it opens up the subject to scrutiny from a variety of perspectives and lays bare the varied and competing influences on decisions about housing. Use of quantitative information in the form of detailed housing biographies addresses a gap in existing knowledge by placing housing decisions in the context of past experience and other life careers. The introduction of qualitative techniques to a discipline dominated to date by large scale surveys supplements this evidence with the rich, nuanced data of personal experience. Three key elements of housing practices are identified, demonstrating the extent to which they are inextricably interconnected with a range of other life careers. Despite the recent ascendency within geography of a relational sense of place at the expense of the territorial, both are seen to be important. Savage et al’s (2005) concept of elective belonging is clearly identified as residents construct a narrative of fit between self and neighbourhood. Multiple strategies of social distinction are observed, each of which serves to transform the house and the neighbourhood into a home. Secondly notions of community remain an essential element of residents’ sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. The research reveals highly focussed personal networks that serve to produce and sustain location specific capital. An un-reflexive immobility is the result, where settled households perceive little need to consider residential alternatives. Finally, the physical and social infrastructure provided by the neighbourhood is identified as an important means of mediating the demands of home, work and childrearing. As such women, as primary care-givers, show greater investment than male partners in the ‘right’ residential choice. The thesis reveals liveable place to be complex and multifaceted, difficult to reduce to a simple economic or social variable. Whilst there are constant characteristics which appeal across the social scale, it highlights divergent experiences according to class, gender and life course stage. Choices and outcomes are embedded in social structures so that the research demonstrates the on-going impact of liveable place in the accumulation of social, cultural and economic capital to those who live there. Whilst liveable place is seen to mean different things according to class, gender and age, those trapped in neighbourhoods they do not consider liveable are potentially excluded from this accumulation.