University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Social capital and community: Findings and conclusions of neighbourhood-based studies Limerick Citizen Advocacy Project 1

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Structure 1.Social capital definitions & focus of the research 2.Contextual issues 3.Measurement of social capital 4.Selected findings – attitudes & networks 5.Conclusions 6.Implications

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Research on social capital Study (2003 & 2004 fieldwork) …. 1.Test / develop means of measurement 2.Types and variations in social capital Civic perspective … small areas / neighbourhoods “The stocks of social trust, norms and networks which people can draw on to solve common problems” (Putnam, 1995)

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Policy context & interest Social capital in public policy …  Direct (NGOs & volunteering).. –Indirect (conditions) Socio-economic / structural factors … Planning …. neighbourhoods … Institutional arrangements (decentralised structures …) Institutional ….. community development …. partnerships Local governance … “Cohesion” structures … county level

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Source: European Foundation for Improvement of Living & Working Conditions, 2003

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Source: CSO, Census of population

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Social capital Values –Trust & reciprocity Networks –“strong” and “weak” ties Outcomes / functions –social support –civic Bonding –close, homogeneous –“getting by” Bridging –horizontal, heterogeneous –“getting ahead” Linking –vertical ties … –“change …”

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Dimensions Elements Bonding Strong, homogeneous Bridging Weak, horizontal, heterogeneous Linking Weak, vertical, heterogeneous ValuesSocial trust Reciprocity Cohesion (2) Inclusion Trust community leaders Trust in community organisations Trust in institutions (7) Community efficacy Local governance (3) NetworksKnow neighbours Network density Interaction See enough of family & friends? In vol orgs-passive In vol orgs-active Religious services (Reasons for non- involvement) Aware of SC linking organisations Involved in SC linking organisations Intermediate outcomes Doing & accepting favours Social support Civic interest (news media) Civic action (voting, action on n’hood problems)

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Study neighbourhoods 2002 (CSO) AreaClassificationSocial classEducationCD & policy Tipperary TownDisadvantaged – disimprovement Overall mixed31% low qualification; 10% 3 rd level Long history, organic MoyrossVery disadvantaged – improvement Medium mobility Lower socio- economic classes 44% low qualification, 4% 3 rd level Policy support 1990’s King’s Island Extremely disadvantaged – much worse Low mobility Lower socio- economic classes 51% low qualification; 6% 3 rd level Policy support 1990’s Thurles (part)Below average – disimprovement Overall mixed24% low qualification; 17% 3 rd level Limited & very recent support Castletroy / MonaleenAffluent – disimprovement High mobility Higher socio- economic classes 6% low qualification; 52% 3 rd level No support Inner City / DockAbove average – improvement Mixed - immigrants11% low qualification, 39% 3 rd level No support

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Dependent variables Predictors 1. Social Capital 2. Bonding3. Bridging4. Linking Context - Place Neighbourhood +Tipperary T.+King’s Isl-Moyross +Tipperary T. -King’s Isl. +Tipp. T. Composition Individuals & households +Age +Education- Single parent / alone -Renting +Residence +Age -Single parent/alone +Age +Education -Single parent / alone -Renting +Age +Education -Single parent/alone Contextual conditions Facilities, services, quality, problems +Comm.Inf. +Quality +Identity -Problems +Comm.Inf. +Quality +Identity -Problems +Comm.Inf. +Quality +Identity +Comm.Inf. +Quality +Identity +Services +Safety

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Dependent variables Predictors ValuesNetworksIntermediate Outcomes (social & civic) Context - Place Neighbourhood -Moyross*-City Composition Individuals & households +Age -Renting +Education -Single parent/alone +Age -Renting +Education -Single parent / alone +Age +Renting +Education -Single parent / alone Contextual conditions Facilities, services, quality, problems +Comm.Inf. +Quality +Identity +Services -Problems +Comm.Inf. +Quality +Identity +Services +Problems +Comm.Inf. +Identity +Services +Problems**

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Conclusions Bridging & linking SC … particularly weak Policy-induced structures may help but … –Well-connected get better connected.. –Grass-roots … remain unconnected.. Not embedded.. Attitudes of trust.. –Some very distant … disadvantaged areas More affluent areas.. Lack structures More of the same won’t work… Focus on conditions –Facilities / services in communities … –Quality.. Residents want to stay… –Political opportunity structure (decentralised) Where to target efforts Where there is potential… Where it is likely to be more difficult…

University of Limerick Ollscoil Luimnigh 25 th September 2007Eileen Humphreys, HSyRC, Dept. Sociology, UL Implications Evidence of ‘institutional void’ in local governance –Dependency on small elite group … overused and.. ‘Tinkering’ v. addressing issue.. weak democratic local structures… Delivering into local communities (LA / local agency competence)… –Planning function… –Housing … Long term strategy … How to achieve a wider range of participation? –Changing structures … embed in wider social networks … –What incentives for participation.. What changes for local communities and when? What issues? –Structures + culture of participation –Information & expertise