Social Capital and Its Role in Sustainable Development: Comparative Field Study of Public and Private Universities

Abstract

It is a fantasy that humans live in isolation from other members of society, without interaction or communication. Developments and technology have enhanced the process of interaction and communication through smartphones and social media. These social relationships are widespread in all societal organizations, both formally and informally. This constitutes the foundation of social capital, the presence of which impacts the achievement of sustainable human development. Given the novelty of the concept of social capital and the limited coverage of this concept in studies and literature, the current research attempts to analyze social capital to understand its contribution to achieving sustainable development.

Social capital represents the capabilities, skills, and knowledge that enable the human element to perform its duties effectively. It is one of the best and most valuable forms of capital, contributing to social and economic development as a key and influential variable in the production process. Its importance continually increases with the successive changes that society undergoes. Therefore, social capital is one of the factors that contribute to the success of societies in general.