We investigate whether the levels of social capital in US counties, as captured by strength of civic norms and density of social networks in the counties, are systematically related to tax avoidance activities of corporations with headquarters located in the counties. We find strong negative...

An increasingly prominent approach to school reform emphasizes the possible benefits of creating smaller schools. Proponents argue that small schools are more effective than large schools at promoting student achievement, in large part because they have positive effects on the engagement and...

Distinguishing private action from government action is the first question of constitutional law. The distinction blurs most when the government and private actors jointly cause harm. Not surprisingly, then, the Supreme Court's cases in this gray area have been inconsistent. For example, state...

This empirical study investigates the dynamics and the determinants of social capital in Europe over the period 1990-2008, using empirical data from EVS. Methodologically, factor analysis and regression analysis are implemented. The analysis covers 20 Western-European countries, 10 new member...

In this study, we examine whether the social capital surrounding the firm’s corporate headquarters mitigates managerial self-dealing in the form of opportunistic insider trading. We find strong evidence that the level of social capital in the region surrounding the firm’s headquarters is...

We examine the effect of social capital on buyer-supplier relationships. We report evidence that firms make larger relationship-specific investments when their supply chain partners are headquartered in states with high social capital. This result is more pronounced in environments where supply...

This paper provides an introduction to the concept of social capital, and carries out a critical review of the empirical literature on social capital and economic development. The survey points out six main weaknesses affecting the empirics of social capital. Identified weaknesses are then used...

In every social transaction there is an element of trust. The degree to which we trust others, called generalized trust, is assumed to benefit from interaction with different social groups. In the trust literature, it is opposed by particularized trust, which represents our mutual confidence in...

The underlying social framework in which we live seems to becoming less social. The connections we have between individuals, businesses, and government has become impersonal and distant. If this is a valid trend of society then our connection with our elected officials may be a lot less...