TY - JOUR
T1 - The social capital accumulation in the contemporary era
AU - Chan, Gloria Hongyee
PY - 2022/11/2
Y1 - 2022/11/2
N2 - Purpose - Traditionally, demographic factors have been recognized as important factors of social capital accumulation. Owing to the differences in social structure and relationships resulted from the Internet development, the social capital accumulation mechanism is likely different. Hence, this study investigated the significance of the demographic factors and the Internet-related factors (Internet mobilization, collective identity, and digital literacy) of social capital accumulation nowadays, so as to understand the factors contributing to social capital accumulation nowadays, and reflect upon the applicability of traditional social capital accumulation mechanism. Design/methodology/approach - There were 1,747 participants aged between 13 and 30 taking part in this quantitative study. Correlation analysis was performed to find out the relationship of participants' demographic background and Internet-related factors with offline and online social capital. Structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression analysis, and mediation analysis was performed to investigate how these factors were related to the social capital accumulated from the Internet. Findings - Results showed that demographic background and engagement in Internet activities affected the acquisition of social capital from the Internet. Digital literacy displayed the largest mediating effect on online social capital accumulation. Corresponding implications were discussed. Originality/value - Informed by the literature and theories of social capital, this study investigates the mechanism of online social capital accumulation by exploring its contributing factors.
AB - Purpose - Traditionally, demographic factors have been recognized as important factors of social capital accumulation. Owing to the differences in social structure and relationships resulted from the Internet development, the social capital accumulation mechanism is likely different. Hence, this study investigated the significance of the demographic factors and the Internet-related factors (Internet mobilization, collective identity, and digital literacy) of social capital accumulation nowadays, so as to understand the factors contributing to social capital accumulation nowadays, and reflect upon the applicability of traditional social capital accumulation mechanism. Design/methodology/approach - There were 1,747 participants aged between 13 and 30 taking part in this quantitative study. Correlation analysis was performed to find out the relationship of participants' demographic background and Internet-related factors with offline and online social capital. Structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression analysis, and mediation analysis was performed to investigate how these factors were related to the social capital accumulated from the Internet. Findings - Results showed that demographic background and engagement in Internet activities affected the acquisition of social capital from the Internet. Digital literacy displayed the largest mediating effect on online social capital accumulation. Corresponding implications were discussed. Originality/value - Informed by the literature and theories of social capital, this study investigates the mechanism of online social capital accumulation by exploring its contributing factors.
KW - Online social capital
KW - Internet mobilization
KW - Collective identity
KW - Digital literacy
KW - Demographic background
KW - STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELS
KW - DIGITAL DIVIDE
KW - INTERNET SKILLS
KW - ONLINE
KW - COMMUNICATION
KW - INEQUALITY
KW - COMMUNITY
KW - EDUCATION
KW - NETWORKS
KW - GENDER
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85129203827&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://gateway.isiknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS&KeyUT=000779851600001
UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/pubmetrics.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85129203827&origin=recordpage
U2 - 10.1108/INTR-12-2020-0711
DO - 10.1108/INTR-12-2020-0711
M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal
SN - 1066-2243
VL - 32
SP - 1930
EP - 1951
JO - Internet Research
JF - Internet Research
IS - 6
ER -