Structural social capital of workers of Russian industrial enterprises: an empirical evaluation

This article presents the author's concept of researching social networks of workers, which constitute the structural basis of an organization's social capital. The authors of the article have conducted sociological research at large industrial enterprises in Perm and give an overall description of social relationships between employees, as well as analyze the interactions that arise while overcoming difficulties conjointly, and characterize the size and composition of the networks of instrumental support. The structure of production collectives is presented in terms of the position of workers in the processes of aid exchange and analysis of its links with the socio-demographic characteristics of workers. The research results indicate that the principles of relationships established in organizations contribute to the development of social ties between workers. Social networks are used by workers to solve the problems that accompany the production process. The workers included in the network have the opportunity to replenish resources that are lacking at the individual level. The authors managed to distinguish four groups of workers, differing in their participation in resource exchange processes. The percentage of workers who lend support to their colleagues is less than in the early 1990s, but employees involved in the networks of instrumental support still constitute the majority. The composition of networks of instrumental support indicate that they are generating both «bonding» and «bridging» social capital. The high level of managers' participation in the networks contributes to the formation and development of the «linking» social capital.