The role of social capital in economic development: a proposed research agenda based on moving theory to practice

Maureen Berner, Anita Brown-Graham, James McCall and Teshanee Williams

Chapter 13 in A Research Agenda for Social Capital in Economic Development, 2025, pp 281-300 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Over the past 30 years, researchers have developed a strong, active, and expanding body of work on what social capital is, how it functions, and its positive impact on individuals and communities. The field has advanced and now, important findings on its role in economic development are being produced. At the same time, across a variety of areas—from social capital's theoretical mechanism(s) of action to more practical concerns around measurement—gaps in knowledge exist. What direction should future work take? The field needs social capital scholars to focus on moving theory to practice by asking the following questions: 1) can we clearly demonstrate the theoretical positive link between social capital created within networks and local/regional economic development; 2) practically, can local and regional public officials use social capital as a tool to promote economic development; 3) if so, can we use social capital for economic development purposes without negatively affecting it or developing other community-based negative externalities in the process; and 4) how do we do so in light of technological and geographic changes?

Keywords: Social capital; Economic development; Practical implementation; Research agenda (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035315819
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