Social Networks and Social Capital: Rethinking Theory in Community Informatics

A group of community informatics studies which frame their analyses in either social capital or social network theory suggest that in fact both of these are necessary for local communities both to initiate and to sustain the use of information technologies.

Abstract

One important theoretical focus in community informatics is based on the convergence of two established bodies of theory, social networks and social capital. First we summarize them both. Then we define community informatics and explore its origins. Finally, we review a group of community informatics studies which frame their analyses in either social capital or social network theory. How the frames are constructed focuses each study on either technological change or historical continuity. Taken together, the studies suggest that in fact both of these are necessary for local communities both to initiate and to sustain the use of information technologies.