Social Capital Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Capital - Research Paper Example A review of the additional literature, in addition to the source article, will provide collaborative details to provide support for the conclusion established. The case study by Chenhall, Hall, & Smith examined how elements of a management control system can either enhance or inhibit the bonding and bridging dimensions of social capital with potential consequences on both economic and cultural capital (2010, p.2). The study attempts to highlight and provide data to support the notion that management control systems can be contradictory as they relate to social capital. The concept of social capital is used to outline a distinctive approach to understanding the relationship between management control systems and the development of social connections in and between organizations (Chenhall, Hall, & Smith, 2010). The study additionally illustrates how formal belief systems and operational controls sustain strong interior relationships and also help to establish the case organization†™s standing with peripheral organizations vital to external bridging (Chenhall, Hall, & Smith, 2010). However, there are also several limitations to the relevancies demonstrated by the study. The study was based on a limited number of interviews rather than in-depth observational data (Chenhall, Hall, & Smith, 2010). Additionally, the study indicates that efforts to use â€Å"financial controls interactively† to deal with issues of cost awareness were not successful due to the fact that they were interpreted as â€Å"incompatible† with natural advancements and threatened to bond (Chenhall, Hall, & Smith, 2010, p.2). Literature Review Social capital can be measured in a variety of ways, although obtaining a "true", definitive measurement is not possible (What is, 2011). The most popular definitions of social capital are multidimensional and incorporate numerous aspects of analysis into a comprehensive framework (What is, 2011). Attempts to measure the properties of â €Å"inherently ambiguous concepts† such as "community", "network" and "organization" has caused problems in establishing the concept of social capital (What is, 2011). Although a few long-standing surveys have been designed to gauge "social capital", they have left researchers to assemble indexes from a range of items, like â€Å"measures of trust in government, voting trends, memberships in civic organizations, and hours spent volunteering† (What is, 2011). Researchers are attempting to compile new surveys that will give the concept of social capital a more definitive meaning. There are several examples of social capital, like civic organizations, community organizations, and scholastic communities that can significantly contribute to the overall organizational platform.