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1 – 10 of over 76000Zhen Li, Soochan Choi and Jeffrey Yi-Lin Forrest
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of peer pressure on joint consumption decisions among emerging adults. Building on prospect theory and characteristics of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of peer pressure on joint consumption decisions among emerging adults. Building on prospect theory and characteristics of emerging adulthood, the authors propose that influence from peers (i.e. informational and normative influence) serves as a channel to understand how peer pressure shapes joint consumer behaviors at different levels of social capital.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey is distributed to the emerging adults, aged 18 to 25, in the south, west, east and middle of the USA. Construct validity and reliability are tested by using confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling is used to test the mediating and moderating effects.
Findings
The results show that social capital moderates the relationship between peer pressure and group-oriented consumer decisions, such that the relationship is positive in groups with high-level social capital but negative in groups with low-level social capital. Furthermore, such effects tend to be achieved via peer influence. And peer influence is stronger in groups with high-level social capital than those with low-level social capital.
Originality/value
The current literature has shown contradictory results: it is usually believed that emerging adults may conform to pressure and engage in group-oriented decisions; however, some research has reported the opposite result. To better understand this relationship, the authors aim at a group-level factor – perceived social capital – as a boundary condition. This research contributes to the young consumer decision-making literature by involving the interplay among peer pressure, perceived social capital and peer informational and normative influence.
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This article attempts to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the value of social networks, or social capital, within the group process towards group and team performance…
Abstract
Purpose
This article attempts to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the value of social networks, or social capital, within the group process towards group and team performance by exploring the explicit contribution of social capital towards a group or team's performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The research views the potential contribution of social capital through the perspective of the resource‐based view of organizations, where social capital's unique potential contribution to the organization's competitive advantage is highlighted. Data were collected from undergraduate student‐athletes (n=570) from 23 NCAA colleges and universities across the USA using a multiple hierarchical regression analysis.
Findings
Results show a significant connection between social capital and team performance. This contribution is above and beyond other input and process variables, such as past team performance.
Research limitations/implications
Data were limited to a cross‐sectional view of social capital and team performance. Results, however, support past theoretical models where social capital maintains a significant presence in overall group effectiveness.
Originality/value
While social capital has been connected to team performance conceptually, few research studies have made this connection explicit. This article provides justification for maintaining social capital as a viable and ubiquitous element to the dynamic group process. Findings here also provide additional support for re‐examining social capital as significant contributor to a firm's competitive advantage.
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Thomas J. Zagenczyk, Audrey J. Murrell and Ray Gibney
The aim of this article is to examine how office designs influence social capital or the value inherent in relationships. More specifically, this article attempts to better…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this article is to examine how office designs influence social capital or the value inherent in relationships. More specifically, this article attempts to better understand the level to which the value of social capital accrues, either to the individual or to the group.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review theoretical and empirical research on the physical work environment and social capital to develop propositions that relate the effects of open office environments on the development of group‐ and individual‐level social capital.
Findings
It is argued that an open‐office environment, defined as an office design that attempts to maximize functional communication among organization members by removing physical barriers that hinder the flow of work and communications, can positively affect the development of social capital within an organization. Specifically, it is suggested that open office designs will foster the development of group‐level social capital (i.e. social capital that benefits the group, the result of network closure) but reduce individual‐level social capital (i.e. social capital that benefits individuals who connect otherwise unconnected groups in the network, or structural holes).
Practical implications
By effectively managing the physical work environment, organizations can better control and/or influence the frequency and nature of interactions between employees, which may result in desirable outcomes for both the organization and employees.
Originality/value
The article integrates two streams of literature – social capital and physical work environment – and will be of interest to researchers in both literature groups. In addition, office managers and designers can benefit from the discussion in an effort to foster group level social capital.
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Megan Godwin, Judy Drennan and Josephine Previte
The purpose of this paper is to explore the meso-level social forces that influence moderate drinking in young women’s friendship groups through the application of social capital…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the meso-level social forces that influence moderate drinking in young women’s friendship groups through the application of social capital theory.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative inquiry was undertaken utilising peer-paired and small focus groups to explore young women’s drinking choices within their existing friendship groups. Guided by emic and etic perspectives, friendship groups were analysed to inform archetypical representations that illustrate group-level social capital exchanges.
Findings
The approach led to identifying four social capital and drinking archetypes. These archetypes indicate social capital-led “influencers” and “followers” and highlight the displays of capital practised by young women in alcohol consumption contexts.
Research limitations/implications
The social marketing insight drawn from this study of young women’s drinking behaviours will inform social marketers on future strategic directions about how they can use alternative methods to segment the social market of young female drinkers and develop value propositions that will motivate them towards adopting or maintaining moderate drinking practices.
Originality/value
This study contributes to social marketing theory by demonstrating the worth of social capital theory as an alternative lens for social marketers to apply in explorations of group influences that shape behaviour. The research findings in the paper demonstrate how deeper theorisation provides rich insight into the meso-level, complex behavioural influence which effect young women’s alcohol consumption.
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– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of social capital in a microfinance contract.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of social capital in a microfinance contract.
Design/methodology/approach
Systematic review of the theoretical and empirical literature on the role of social capital in microfinance.
Findings
The theoretical literature has shown using models of peer selection, peer monitoring and peer pressure that group lending with joint liability overcomes both the informational and enforcement failures present in credit markets for poor. However findings from the empirical literature conclude that social capital should not be taken as a single concept but should be considered in light of its different aspects which may be having different effects on the performance. For example, the trust between the borrowers, cultural and social homogeneity has been found to have more significant affect on repayment performance in contrast to the incentives due to peer pressure. The groups formed by family members and relatives are consistently been reported to have weakening influence on repayment.
Practical implications
For a same program the effect of social capital on performance can be different for different geographies and different classification of subjects and thus should be studied before initiating a microfinance program in any social setting.
Social implications
The borrowers should be encouraged to form groups with others who are more trustworthy and not with those they are just having an acquaintance with. The borrowers should be encouraged to come to aid of those who are victims of negative externalities. The positive experiences will lead to reciprocity of actions in future. The borrowers should be discouraged to form groups with family members and relatives.
Originality/value
It analyzes both theoretical and empirical literature by disentangling different aspects of social capital within groups and their effects on group performance.
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W. Randy Evans and Charles M. Carson
Functional diversity research has resulted in equivocal findings for group performance suggesting the need for theoretical clarification. A review of previous functional diversity…
Abstract
Purpose
Functional diversity research has resulted in equivocal findings for group performance suggesting the need for theoretical clarification. A review of previous functional diversity research indicates that high quality productive relationships are a key determinant in the performance of cognitively diverse groups. A theoretical framework is provided that demonstrates that assets embedded in the social structure of group member relationships impact group performance. The primary goal of this paper is to consider the concept of social capital at the group level and explain its role in mentoring the relationship between functional diversity and group performance
Design/methodology/approach
These concepts are supported by prior studies and theoretical development rather than empirical evidence.
Findings
Social capital is introduced as a moderator in the group performance model improving the group processes of communication, social integration, and coordination. Enhanced group processes in turn lead to elevated group performance. It is argued that social capital offers promise for understanding and improving the performance of functionally diverse groups.
Originality/value
This paper offers a bridge between the diversity‐group performance relationship. This bridge, social capital, offers a new and exciting means of further examining these key relationships.
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Wei-Li Wu and Yi-Chih Lee
Although the work group is the main context for knowledge exchange and combination in today’s organizations, few knowledge-sharing studies have been conducted at the group level…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the work group is the main context for knowledge exchange and combination in today’s organizations, few knowledge-sharing studies have been conducted at the group level. The purpose of this paper is to apply the concept of group social capital to determine how to promote knowledge sharing at the group level. The authors divided group social capital into two segments, conduits and resources, and argue that different group social capital conduits (i.e. work design in this study) lead to varied resources, which subsequently influence group knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, group social capital conduits included social interaction and task interdependence, and group social capital resources included group trust and a supportive climate for knowledge sharing. The authors conducted a survey on work groups in the high-tech industry using a sample of 86 work groups.
Findings
The results indicated that social interaction in a work group was positively related to group trust and that task interdependence was positively related to group trust and a supportive climate for knowledge sharing. Furthermore, group trust and a supportive climate for knowledge sharing were both found to have an influence on knowledge sharing.
Originality/value
Applying the concept of group social capital, this paper is the first research to discuss how group social capital conduits and resources influence knowledge sharing. The results of this study lead us to a better understand the relationship between group social capital and knowledge sharing.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the growth of Islamic microfinance (bila sudi-qardh) scheme in Andaman Islands and to see how Islamic microfinance sector and social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the growth of Islamic microfinance (bila sudi-qardh) scheme in Andaman Islands and to see how Islamic microfinance sector and social capital contribute to face the challenge in poverty alleviation.
Design/methodology/approach
The researcher developed a questionnaire and conducted non-random survey with the samples of Islamic microfinance group members to examine the Islamic microfinance and cash awqaf effect for the development of the local common resources (LCRs) in general; and financial, physical capital as well as social and human capital effects of the group members in particular.
Findings
This study found that collective action through Islamic microfinance groups actually helps to increase environmental awareness, economic betterment of the members and fruitful management of LCRs through Islamic microfinance.
Research limitations/implications
The paper's findings are limited to the Islamic microfinance groups' management in Andaman Islands in India.
Originality/value
The paper explores social, financial and physical capital effects such as environmental awareness, economic upliftment of the Islamic microfinance groups' members and potential for LCR management through united action of the groups.
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This paper argues for the utilization of the social capital concept in studying, evaluating, or implementing community oriented policing (COP) strategies. Social capital is…
Abstract
This paper argues for the utilization of the social capital concept in studying, evaluating, or implementing community oriented policing (COP) strategies. Social capital is helpful in measuring COP implementation effectiveness because it is central to COP issues such as trust and genuine dialogue between different groups, the ability to collectively tap into various resources, and the ability of individuals to work together to solve various problems. Findings from a study conducted in Iowa utilizing focus group and interview methodology demonstrate that COP cannot be successful without the existence of social capital building among and between the citizenry, the police, and other public and private organizations.
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Pablo Zoghbi-Manrique-de-Lara and Pablo Ruiz-Palomino
This paper aims to test whether servant leaders lead followers to socially interact more frequently, closely and personally with peers, and if this social interaction links…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to test whether servant leaders lead followers to socially interact more frequently, closely and personally with peers, and if this social interaction links servant leaders with employees’ personal social capital, both in terms of bonding (networks linking employees of a similar kind) and bridging (networks linking agents of different kinds).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 403 employees from 59 large Spanish hotels. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results reveal that servant leadership has a positive effect on bonding and bridging, which is mediated by employees’ social interactions with peers inside and outside their groups, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The findings suggest that hotel managers should adopt servant leadership to facilitate social interactions at work, thus allowing employees to individually gain personal assets that improve the hotel’s social capital resources.
Originality/value
This is the first study to analyze whether servant leadership shapes personal social capital in business settings. Moreover, it is the first to show the mechanisms (social interactions with peers inside and outside their groups) through which managerial servant leadership encourages this valuable personal asset in hotels.
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