Social capital development and configurations within advisory and innovation support programmes on the island of Ireland

Bibliographic Data

ID19220523
AuthorsSuzanne Kelly (0000-0003-1126-7205, University of Ulster, corresponding author), Barry Quinn (0000-0002-7722-1296, University of Ulster), Áine Macken-Walsh (0000-0001-8803-0674, Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority), Sandra Moffett (0000-0002-2585-4825, University of Ulster), Kristel Miller (0000-0003-0202-1828, University of Ulster)
Year2026
Volume125
Pages104216-104216
Publication date2026-05-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Rural Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0743-0167 • E-ISSN: 1873-1392
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jrurstud.2026.104216
OpenAlexW7160839807
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited87

The development of social capital, networks and knowledge exchange in farming and agriculture has received growing attention in rural studies and extension literature over the past two decades. In this context, the role of Advisory and Innovation Support Programmes (AISPs) in fostering social ties and network development is increasingly recognised. Despite significant transitions towards more facilitative and innovation-brokering approaches, less attention has been paid to how the organisational design and delivery of AISPs actively shape the development of social capital among farmers. This paper addresses this gap through a qualitative multiple-case study of seven AISPs across the island of Ireland, operating within contrasting AKIS contexts in Ireland and Northern Ireland (NI). We explore how forms of social capital (bonding, bridging and linking) manifest and inter-relate within these advisory settings. Bonding ties created early cohesion, which was then extended through bridging ties that introduced new knowledge, and linking ties that connected farmers to wider institutions. However, differences emerged between Ireland and NI, partly explained by contrasting macro and meso-level advisory arrangements and institutional embeddedness. In Ireland, longer established and more continuous advisory systems strengthened linking ties, whereas in NI more fragmented arrangements constrained them despite strong peer bonds. The paper extends research on social capital development in advisory settings within AKIS, highlighting how programme design, organisational structure and institutional context shape the formation and balance of social capital relationships. • AISPs foster various forms of social capital (bonding, bridging and linking) within farmer groups. • Bonding ties build early group cohesion, while bridging ties introduce new ideas and perspectives that enhance learning. • Programme structure is essential, but not sufficient, for building social capital. • Contrasting arrangements in Ireland and NI influence levels of institutional trust and the strength of linking capital. • Understanding how programmes configure forms of social capital offers insights for AKIS policy

Capital (architecture) · Social capital · Social change · Social impact · Migration, Policy, and Dickens Studies · Regional Development and Policy · Social Capital and Networks

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access