Social Capital for Social Work
Towards a Definition and Conceptual
Framework
Martin B. Tracy, Ph.D.
Social Insurance Research International
1519 Canterbury Drive
Murray, Kentucky 42071-3250
mbtracy@murray-ky.net
Authors
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Diane N. Loeffler, M.S.W.
David Christiansen, M.S.W.
Martin B. Tracy, Ph.D.
Mary C. Secret, Ph.D.
Robin L. Ersing, Ph.D.
Sherry R. Fairchild, Ph.D.
Richard Sutphen, Ph.D.
University of Kentucky, College of Social
Work, Lexington, KY
Premise
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Social workers are currently
engaged in multiple levels of
building social capital.
Premise Continued
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Despite this activity there is little
acknowledgement or recognition of
social capital in social work
theoretical, research, or practice
literature.
Premise Continued
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Social work research, practice, and
education would benefit from an
operational definition of social
capital.
Definition
Social capital is the process of
building trusting relationships,
mutual understanding and shared
actions that bring together
individuals, communities, and
institutions. This process enables
cooperative action that generates
opportunities and/or resources
realized through networks, shared
norms, and social agency.
Permanency
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Social capital is often defined in sociology
and political science as the “social glue”
or “social fabric”, thus implying fusion and
permanency.
We suggest that this concept is too rigid
and inflexible for the constantly changing
social and economic conditions that
impact social policy and social work
practice.
A Fluid Process
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Social capital is NOT permanent.
It must continually be re-generated
and nurtured.
It is an ongoing process.
It is a resource in and of itself that
is continually changing.
Process as Outcome
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Our definition emphasizes the
sources (what it is), consequences
(what it does), and the process
(how it does it).
The measurable outcomes are the
other forms of capital in the
community that are a product of
social capital.
Five Types of Capital
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Physical (equipment, buildings, tools)
Financial (money, fiscal resources)
Human (education, training, experience)
Cultural (knowledge, music, language,
art)
Social (a relational process that generates
physical, financial, human, and cultural
capital).
Source: Richard Estes, 2003
Three Subsets of Definition
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Bonding
Micro Level of
Practice
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Bridging
Mezzo Level of
Practice
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Linking
Macro Level of
Practice
Bonding
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The individual’s capacity to generate
other forms of capital (physical,
financial, human, and cultural
capital)
Examples of Bonding in Social Work
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Family therapy
Parenting education
Child abuse prevention
Support for adoptive and foster
families
Early intervention programs
Bridging
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Social capital that an individual or family
can access in his or her community.
Connection to formal and informal
support networks within the community.
Resources (human, financial, physical,
and cultural) are realized when these
relationships are developed and
maintained.
Examples of Bridging
Relations with:
 Other parents,
 Neighbors,
 The workplace,
 Faith community,
 Social service agencies, and
 Other organizations.
Linking
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Linking social capital connects
individuals and families with external
institutions enhancing their “capacity
to gain access to resources, ideas
and information from formal
institutions beyond the community.”
Source: Allen, Kilvington, Harmsworth & Horn,
2003
Linking Continued
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Resources obtained by marginalized
populations from public policy setting
organizations, such as local government
agencies, welfare agencies, and housing
authorities.
An integration of individuals and
communities with public policy
development, enabling inclusion of
recipients in decision making.
Source: Woolcock, 2002
Examples of Linking
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Process of developing governmentNGO partnerships to delivery social
services.
Communities working with
government and NGOs for care of
at-risk populations.
Examples of Linking in International
Programs
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Linking is an integral component of
approaches by World Bank, PHARE
Program, Open Society Institute.
Many international charity
foundations:
Ford, Kellogg, Soros, Save Our
Children, etc.
Summary
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Social work is currently engaged in
social capital at micro (bonding),
mezzo (bridging), and macro
(linking) levels.
Despite this activity, social work
theoretical, research, or practice
literature does not reflect a
recognition of social capital.
Summary Continued
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Social capital is a continuing fluid
process aimed at building physical,
financial, human, and cultural
capital.
Its success is measured by its
capacity to generate and sustain
other forms of capital.
Summary Continued
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The definition is aimed at
recognizing that social capital is an
integral aspect of social work and
stimulating dialogue and research
devoted to the intersection of social
work practice and social capital
development.