SOCIAL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITY BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORKING ACTIVITIES IN LITHUANIA

Abstract

The scholar literature on simultaneous using of social capital explore knowledge and identity resources as well as actions and interactions benefiting the community through personal bonds of individuals; issues of common trust; and adapting the current understanding in new situations. In this article, we instead examine rural community influence on social capital building of adult person in a virtual community. A quantitative survey was done in 246 local rural communities in Lithuania which reflected their community activities on a virtual basis. From the data of 500 informants we found that rural community (human social network) members were also active in the virtual communities. Research participants from rural communities expressed their will to be the part of a virtual community and virtually solve various local community issues. Active members of virtual communities actively participated in live community activities. Local community members peer-learned while sharing knowledge and experience in virtual communities. We argue that belonging to a virtual community inspire rural community members to train their virtual and live communication skills and peer-learn. Virtual community could contribute to self-regulated learning by stimulating sense of sociality and identity of rural community members. Virtual community could operate as self-regulated learning space for rural community members. Social capital development would be more intensive when the members of rural community actively engage in social communication, cooperation and exchange of information, and mentor each other. This survey highlights the virtual community influence the social capital building of rural community members in Lithuanian context.

Keywords: adult person, belonging, rural community, social capital development, virtual community

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.129