Author : Vanessa M. White
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 233 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (11 download)
Book Synopsis What is the Role and Impact of Social Capital as it Relates to the Labor Market Outcomes for African American Males Living in the City of Milwaukee? by : Vanessa M. White
Download or read book What is the Role and Impact of Social Capital as it Relates to the Labor Market Outcomes for African American Males Living in the City of Milwaukee? written by Vanessa M. White and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Historically, the rate of unemployment for African American males has been double that of their white counterparts and the jobless rate for African American males living in Milwaukee has been called a “crisis” (Levine, 2007, 2008, 2010). Employment training and placement programs are part of the strategies to reduce joblessness among this group, with millions of dollars in public and private funding spent annually to support these economic development efforts. Programs include both technical and soft skills training, with the purpose of the latter to build skills proven to support retention; however, the intentional development of social capital is not a part of the curriculums. Multi-level research about the value, function, and applications of social capital is ongoing as individuals and organizations look for ways to use networks to accomplish a wide variety of goals, including employment attainment. The purpose of the study was to determine the use, effectiveness, and value of three specific social capital types- bonding, bridging, and linking- as they relate to job search and employment outcomes for African American males living in Milwaukee. A mixed-methods design was used to answer the research question: What is the role and impact of social capital as it relates to employment outcomes for African American males living in the City of Milwaukee? The sample consisted of two groups: (1) working aged African American males and (2) professionals who make hiring decisions as part of their hiring process. Study participants were asked about (a) network membership and participation, (b) use of networks in their job search, and (c) value and acceptability of specific social capital types as employment references. Frequency data provided the foundation for the quantitative analysis. The data confirmed Gowan’s (2010) assertion that the mere possession of social capital did not equate to an effective job search out come. More importantly, the data showed that employers did not accept references from bonding sources, instead requiring references from bridging and linking sources. The term social capital exemplifies the phrase it’s not what you know it’s who you know. Strategies to combat unemployment should include social capital instruction because of its ability to create pathways for the flow of information and exchange.