The influence of social capital on career success for staff of the county government of Mombasa

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of establishing how social capital influences career successes of the staff at the County Government of Mombasa. The study also sought to establish how social capital influences extrinsic factors of career success; and how social capital influences intrinsic factors of career success. The study adopted a survey research design. The population of the study comprised the 2,650 staff of the county Government of Mombasa. Primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires. Analysis was conducted through the use of descriptive statistics. The results indicated that employees were able to accrue diverse network resources/social capital to varying extents. From the data, it was clear that information was the network resource that employees at the County Government of Mombasa accrued most from social capital and networks at 23%. That was closely followed by ideas and knowledge at 20% and 17% respectively. The study also found that social capital influenced both extrinsic and intrinsic factors of career success to a least an average extent or more. The study consequently concluded that; first, diverse network resource (social capital) had been drawn by employees of the County Government of Mombasa to different extents and that had added great value to career success for the County Government staff; secondly, social capital had a positive influence on intrinsic indicator of career success to a least an average extent or more; thirdly, Social capital had a similarly positive influence on intrinsic indicators of career success to a least an average extent or more. On the basis of the findings, the study recommended that social capital be nurtured at the organizational level through drafting organizational policies that are social capital – friendly. This was so that social capital may continue its value addition to both intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of career success so that employees at the County Government of Mombasa may continue realizing career success. In addition, network resources were beneficial to both individual and organisation and therefore value addition was at both levels.