Autori
Mazzanti, Massimiliano
Mancinelli, Susanna

Titolo
Agents cooperation and network sustainability: a note on a microeconomic approach to social capital
Periodico
Economia politica
Anno: 2004 - Volume: 21 - Fascicolo: 2 - Pagina iniziale: 299 - Pagina finale: 322

This paper investigates (i) the extent to which the emerging notion of "social capital" is definable and treatable within a microeconomic approach, and (ii) what valuable research directions exist in this field at the moment. The contribution is aimed at framing a specific conceptual model in order to indicate a research direction, thus "looking for the fire behind the smoke" which has been generated around the concept. First, after a critical examination of the recent socio-economic literature on Social Capital, a microeconomic-grounded definition, revolving around the elements of reciprocal trust and voluntary co-operation, is provided. The definition is theoretically consistent with the recent and more relevant socio-economic literature, it is self-contained and thus it represents a feasible framework for further analysis. Secondly, the implications of the definition, regarding the role of social capital investments for the development of firm network and innovative capacity, are discussed. Finally, a set of possible extensions and main critical points are sketched. The main point we raise is that the analysis on social capital will fruit-fully develop only if several self-contained and theoretically sound definitions are drawn out at different levels, even with different research aims and from different methodological perspectives. A defined and robust conceptual framing of the social capital concept is in fact a necessary pre-condition for supporting consistent applied analyses. The work intends to constitute a point of reference for future research, generating some controversy and stimulating further contributions.



SICI: 1120-2890(2004)21:2<299:ACANSA>2.0.ZU;2-X
Testo completo: http://www.mulino.it/ws/rwDirectDownload.php?doi=10.1428/14115
Testo completo alternativo: http://www.mulino.it/rivisteweb/scheda_articolo.php?id_articolo=14115

Esportazione dati in Refworks (solo per utenti abilitati)

Biblioteche ACNP che possiedono il periodico