Villar, Ricarda B. (author), Grande, Elmer Harold O. (author), Sandoval, Robert Jr. (author), Fadri-Francisco, Rosa Pilipinas (author), Suva, Madeline M. (author), Barroga-Jamias, Serlie (author), Custodio, Pamela A. (author), Mercado, Heidi Daniela L. (author), and Department of Development Journalism, College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines at Los Banos
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
2011-12
Published:
Philippines
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 186 Document Number: D00695
Via online UI subscription, Recent research suggests that Internet usage can positively influence social capital in
rural communities by fostering avenues for voluntary participation and creating social
networks. Most of this research has examined whether Internet use is associated
with participation in local organizations and social networks but not the means by
which residents use the technology to learn about local activities. To address this
gap in the literature, the authors use a mixed-methods approach in an isolated rural
region of the western United States to evaluate how residents use their connections
to maintain local social networks and learn about local community events and
organizations. The authors show that Internet usage can play an important role in
building social capital in rural communities, thus extending the systemic model of rural
voluntary participation and community attachment. Implications for rural community
development are addressed.
