Engbers to discuss social capital and job growth

Dr. Trent Engbers, assistant professor of political science, will present a Spring 2015 College of Liberal Arts Colloquium, "It's Who You Know: The Social Capital Determinants of Job Growth," from noon to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, in Kleymeyer Hall in the Liberal Arts Center.

Proponents of social capital theory have long argued that it is not only in the best interest of civic life to build social capital but that social capital is vital for community economic health. Yet past studies have failed to distinguish among different types of social capital and relied on inaccurate measures of economic health. This study reexamines what has become conventional wisdom by analyzing the social capital of American metropolitan areas and its impact on economic wellbeing. It improves upon past studies by examining different types of social capital and substituting the change in competitive advantage jobs from shift-share analysis for total job growth. The study finds that bridging social capital positively impacts the economic welfare of communities.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

View the Spring 2015 Liberal Arts Faculty Colloquia series schedule.

For more information, contact Dr. Melissa Stacer, assistant professor of criminal justice studies, at 812-465-7089.