The impact of a scholarship programme on social capital formation among university students: An economic experiment at the University of Pretoria, South Africa
Eric Chikwalila, M. Willinger, S. Farolfi, E. Mungatana, D. Jourdain
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study uses an online laboratory experiment and a post-experimental survey to test whether the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) scholarship programme causally influences the creation of cognitive social capital among University of Pretoria recipients. Cognitive social capital, which is based on commonly shared norms among subjects, leads to honest and cooperative behaviour. It is necessary for ease of information flow, a reduction in transaction costs, and allowing communities to deal with social dilemmas like common-pool resource management. The study used incentivised economic experiments on randomly selected subjects drawn from a control group (non-MCF students) and a treated group (MCF students). The experimental results from the two groups were compared to check the differences in terms of levels of trust, reciprocity, altruism, cooperation, in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination. Our results show that the scholarship programme has a significant impact only on levels of in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination. The post-experimental survey showed that MCF and non-MCF subjects were similar in terms of stated pro-social behaviour perceptions and in-group social capital creation.
期刊介绍:
The African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AfJARE)/Journal Africain d’Economie Agricole et des Ressources (JAEAR) is a publication of the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE). The journal publishes original research about how African agriculture interacts with local and global economic systems and policy regimes in its impacts upon people. The scope of the journal covers the roles of markets, technology, policy, institutions and the natural environment in shaping the lives of well being of Africans engaged in agricultural activities. The journal strives to nurture and enhance the capacity of African professionals to conduct and publish scientific research and provides a venue for communicating and disseminating their findings. Multi-disciplinary, problem-oriented articles are encouraged. Submissions may deal with teaching, research extension, consulting, advising, entrepreneurship and administration. The Chief Editors and Editorial Board, under the general direction of the AAAE President, Executive Committee and Council are charged with implementing Journal policy to serve members of AAAE. The main section of the journal publishes technical research articles while a small section is devoted to publishing brief notes with important policy content and book reviews. The journal is a quarterly publication.