Measuring Social Capital: The Case of the Technium Network in Wales

Abstract

This chapter will offer a unique insight to the existence of different forms of social capital at the Technium network. The exploration of the wider Technium network outcomes such as social capital is likely to be of benefit to private sector firms, innovation policymakers, and innovation program managers. As a result, this offers a distinctive insight to the desirable intangible facets of innovation policy. Arguably, activity at Technium centers contributes to less tangible objectives of creating virtuous circles of social capital. In particular, evidence of bridging social capital is exposed. The work helps to develop conceptual and theoretical foundations for identifying different forms of social capital. The chapter will offer a unique analysis of the Technium network. The analysis of technology policy via a measurement of resultant social capital has not been previously undertaken. As a result, this chapter offers a distinctive insight to some of the desirable intangible facets of technology policy.