Network Analysis and Appraisal of Social Capital of Beneficiaries for Rural Sustainable Development (Case Study: Bazijan Village, Mahalat County, Markazi Province)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture & Natural Resources Campus, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Extension & Public Participation Bureau, Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization, Tehran, Iran.

3 PhD Candidate, Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture & Natural Resources Campus, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

Abstract

Social capital is a fundamental prerequisite for local sustainable development and social empowerment. The present study is an attempt to analyze the bonding of social capital of local beneficiaries in the Bazijan village of Mahalat County. Regarding the importance of adaptive co-management and reinforcement of social capital, the trust and participation ties of beneficiaries need to be explored. Accordingly, these aspects were investigated through network analysis questionnaire and direct interviews with all local beneficiaries (present as rural development micro-groups). It was found that the level of trust, participation, cohesion, and social capital elevated from a low state prior to project implementation to an optimum level post project implementation. The speed of trust and participation transfer among actors also increased following project implementation. This project also led to a higher unity among individuals such that social empowerment was realized desirably in this village. Thus, it can be asserted that the implementation of this project resulted in a higher bonding of social capital, which further results in less social seclusion, higher social welfare, and extensive collaboration of residents.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Rural Research
Volume 7, Issue 2
September 2016
Pages 406-421

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 March 2016
  • Revise Date: 23 March 2016
  • Accept Date: 21 May 2016

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