Beyond collectivism: uncovering the dynamics of individual-level social capital mobilization within agricultural cooperatives in Nepal

Abstract

This study explores the process of individual-level social capital mobilization among members of agricultural cooperatives in Suryabinayak Municipality of Nepal. A constructivist grounded theory methodology was employed for both data collection and analysis. Primary data were collected through in-depth personal interviews and focus group discussions using open-ended questions over a period of approximately seven months. In addition, secondary data were gathered from cooperative records and documents. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were analyzed iteratively using systematic coding procedures following the grounded theory methodology. This process generated emergent conceptual categories and themes, which were integrated into a substantive theoretical framework. The framework comprises four components: causal conditions, strategies, outcomes, and intervening conditions. Findings reveal individual social capital mobilization as a dynamic and strategic process in which cooperative members actively invest in relationships within cooperative social network to achieve personal livelihood goals. Sustained mobilization depends on continuous engagement in building trustworthy and reciprocal relationship within the cooperative social network. The study contributes to theoretical understanding of the social capital mobilization process from an individualistic perspective by developing a novel grounded theoretical framework to explain the process. The study recommends further research in other regions or with different types of cooperatives to refine and expand the theoretical framework.