Social relationships are central to the concept of social capital. Relationships link people together, providing the opportunity and ability for the outcomes of social capital to occur. Relationships also enable or facilitate social interaction, which is essential to creating and maintaining predispositional aspects of social capital. Social relationships involve simply involve people knowing each other. They can be referred to as relationships, connections, and networks.
Social relationships often form in close geographical proximity, evident in connections within the same village or neighbourhood. Other relationships emerge as unintended consequences of various interactions, whether within organisations or through patterns of market exchange. In organisational settings, social links are frequently defined by roles and arise as by-products of operational activities. Beyond this, relationships can result from participation in personal, political, or civic interests, spanning areas such as sports, advocacy, or community groups.
While a general correlation exists between increased social connectedness and stronger social capital, the configuration of how people are connected is also important. Not all relationships contribute equally to positive outcomes. For instance, a network characterised by dense relationships within social organisations but limited connections between these organisations may not foster the desired outcomes.
The potential for desirable social actions is not just a matter of the quantity of social relationships; the configuration of connections is also important. This idea is expressed by the popular categorisation of social capital into bonding, bridging, and linking functions.
Bonding social capital characterises a closely-knit community where relationships are robust and supportive. Relationships are often with people who are similar or who are in similar positions in society. It tends to involve strong relationships and regular social interaction. While crucial for social support and navigating day-to-day challenges, bonding social capital may have limitations when it comes to broader aspirations or career transitions. In short, it can be great for “getting by”, but not so good for “getting ahead”.
Bridging social capital involves connections that traverse beyond one’s immediate social groupings. These connections, often described as ‘bridges,’ offer opportunities to advance and “get ahead” by providing access to resources and connections that extend beyond one’s usual social setting. Bridging social capital becomes a pathway to diverse opportunities and a broader network that can be instrumental in achieving long-term goals. A related function is linking social capital that takes this a step further by connecting individuals with those in different positions within the social hierarchy. This function of social capital provides access to power and influence, creating possibilities for achieving significant outcomes by tapping into diverse perspectives and resources.
Therefore, having an extensive network with individuals who share similar experiences and resources may not yield the same potential outcomes as cultivating a diverse network comprising people from different social circles and positions in the social hierarchy. It underscores the importance of strategically diversifying social connections to leverage a spectrum of opportunities and resources, highlighting that the nature of connections within a social network is as crucial as their sheer quantity.
