[pp.87-94]

Development of a Conceptual Framework for Measuring Social Capital

Ayako TOKO and Kaoru SAITO （The University of Tokyo）

Abstract:
Social capital concept became so popular since the nineties that too many definitions and applications appear recently. Indeed, the broader its application becomes, the vaguer what this concept captures. Alarming the tendency of too broad application of SC concept, its operation with a coherent framework is strongly recommended. Thus, this study seeks to develop a conceptual framework for measuring SC with analysing previous studies’ theoretical background. Firstly, it is clarified that SC constitutes of the structure and the content of social ties and that it functions in different social interaction scale. These dimensions of SC are to be regarded prerequisite for a research framework. Secondly, multidimensional characteristic of SC is classified into six categories, which helps to design proxy indicators more objectively. As a result, a conceptual framework with respect to i) clear, contextual definitions, ii) designs of objective proxy indicators, and iii) differentiation between SC itself and its consequences is developed. It helps to define what SC is in a context and what to be measured as SC in the context. The framework developed in this study is expected to apply in further researches in order to examine its validation.

Key Word:
social capital, definition, measurement, conceptual framework

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