Network density and dimensions of social capital: an integration of the closure and openness argument

Abstract

The article reports a study that examines the effects of network closure on social capital. The openness and the closure argument were integrated by distinguishing between personal support social capital and prestige and education related social capital. Two different measures for network density were used: core network density and wider network density. Data from the first wave of the Survey of the Social Networks of the Dutch (1999-2000) was used to investigate the expected relations. The expected underlying mechanisms were also tested using measures for core network heterogeneity and core network trust. The results of the regression analyses did not support the openness and the closure argument. An interaction effect of core network heterogeneity and education on prestige and education related social capital was found. An interaction effect of core network heterogeneity and education on prestige and education related social capital was found. In line with various previous articles educational level, occupational prestige and occupational prestige from the father are found to be significant predictors for prestige and education related social capital.