Date of Publication
4-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies
Subject Categories
Development Studies
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department/Unit
Political Science
Thesis Advisor
Maria Divina Gracia Z. Roldan
Defense Panel Chair
Ador R. Torneo
Defense Panel Member
Christiane F. Collantes
Francisco A. Magno
Maria Milagros Regina I. Lomotan
Marie Lisa M. Dacanay
Abstract (English)
This dissertation addresses the question, ‘How does social capital enable rural social enterprises to be sustainable?’. Specifically, it examined the social capital ties employed by rural social enterprises and how these networks are leveraged to drive financial sustainability, organizational sustainability, and social impact. Employing a multi-case-based theory-building by Eisenhardt (2021), the study investigated a carefully chosen theoretical sample composed of six rural social enterprises, divided into three matched pairs according to the three global models of social enterprises (Defourney and Nyssens, 2017, 2023), namely entrepreneurial non-profit, social cooperative, and social business. The study found that rural social enterprises across the three pairs employ and maximize their structural and relational social capital networks, focusing on both bonding and linking ties, in order to thrive. High-performing social enterprises leverage both formal and informal networks to achieve desired outcomes, drawing from internal trust and stability. Average to low-performing social enterprises exhibit moderate to weak structural, cognitive, and relational ties, which impact their likelihood of sustainability. Drivers of financial sustainability, organizational sustainability, and social impact align with the structural and relational social capital dimensions as illustrated by the high-performing sample. A set of theoretical propositions is forwarded to enable the sustainability of rural social enterprises through social capital. Sustainable rural social enterprises are internally stable, have a strong trust base, are civic-engaged, actively participate in the social capital network beyond community organizing, embrace collective participation, and demonstrate dynamism to address emerging local needs. The study aims to contribute to the social capital and social enterprise discourses in rural settings and the Global South, highlighting the centrality of sustainable social enterprises to local economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Abstract Format
html
Abstract (Filipino)
Ang disertasyong ito ay tumutugon sa tanong na: “Paano nakatutulong ang social capital sa pagpapanatili (sustainability) ng mga rural na social enterprise?” Sinuri nito ang mga ugnayang panlipunan (social capital ties) na ginagamit ng mga rural na social enterprise at kung paano napapakinabangan ang mga network na ito upang maisulong ang pinansyal na pagpapanatili, organisasyonal na pagpapanatili, at panlipunang epekto. Gamit ang multi-case-based theory-building approach ni Eisenhardt (2021), sinuri ng pag-aaral ang isang maingat na piniling teoretikal na sampol na binubuo ng anim na rural na social enterprise. Hinati ang mga ito sa tatlong pares batay sa tatlong pandaigdigang modelo ng social enterprise: entrepreneurial non-profit, social cooperative, at social business (Defourny at Nyssens, 2017, 2023). Natuklasan sa pag-aaral na ang mga rural social enterprise sa tatlong pares ay gumagamit at pinauunlad ang kanilang structural at relational social capital networks, na nakatuon sa parehong bonding at linking ties, upang makamit ang tagumpay. Ang mga social enterprise na mataas ang pagganap ay epektibong ginagamit ang parehong pormal at di-pormal na network upang makamit ang inaasahang resulta, na hinuhugot ang lakas mula sa panloob na tiwala at katatagan. Samantala, ang mga katamtaman hanggang sa mababang pagganap na social enterprise ay nagpapakita ng katamtaman hanggang mahihinang structural, cognitive, at relational ties, na may implikasyon sa kanilang kakayahang makapagpanatili ng kanilang katayuan sa lipunan. Ang mga salik na nagtutulak sa pinansyal at organisasyonal na pagpapanatili pati na rin sa panlipunang epekto ay umaayon sa mga dimensyon ng structural at relational social capital, gaya ng ipinakita ng mga high-performing na kaso. Naglatag ang pag-aaral ng isang hanay ng teoretikal na proposisyon upang maisulong ang sustainability ng rural na social enterprise sa pamamagitan ng social capital. Ipinakita rin na ang mga nanatiling rural social enterprise ay may mga sumusunod na katangian: panloob na katatagan, matibay na pundasyon ng tiwala, aktibong pakikilahok sa sibikong gawain, pakikibahagi sa mas malawak na social capital network lampas sa community organizing, kolektibong partisipasyon, at kakayahang umangkop sa mga umuusbong na pangangailangan ng lokal na komunidad. Layunin ng pag-aaral na mag-ambag sa diskurso hinggil sa social capital at social enterprise sa mga rural na konteksto, partikular sa Global South, at bigyang-diin ang mahalagang papel ng mga sustainable na social enterprise sa lokal na pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at pagsulong ng Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Keywords
Social entrepreneurship; Social capital (Sociology); Sustainability
Recommended Citation
Bustos, R. B. (2026). Enabling rural social enterprises: Social capital as a sustainability mechanism. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdd_polsci/9
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Embargo Period
4-15-2027
