Bowling alone: the collapse and revival of American community

Drawing on a sample of 493 respondents from 21 counties in a southeastern state, this study examines the rate of business start-ups in relation to various measures of community social capital. The measures are drawn from four of the key variables in social scientist Robert Putnam's book Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Of the four measures of social capital used--generalized trust, faith-based involvement, diversity of friendships, and civic involvement--only one, civic involvement, was found to be positively related to levels of entrepreneurship. Possible explanations for the findings are discussed.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2000
• Where: CSCW
• Authors: Robert D. Putnam
• Keywords: Civic Involvement, Community Social Capital, CSCW 2000, Social Capital, Social Sciences