Social capital development as innovation in human resource development: A case of Technical Universities in Ghana

Abstract

Social capital expresses the social relationship between people in an organization. A good relationship between employers and employees can enhance commitment and productivity. It also makes a positive contribution to organizational performance. Universities and other higher education institutions are the main entities that create, innovate and develop social capital in a country. The development of social capital effectively allows higher education institutions to advance the economic, social and political development of a country. Institutions of higher learning in Ghana should innovate and develop human resources via social capital for the sake of the country’s socioeconomic advancement. Innovation in organizations is more likely to happen if social relations are taken into due account. This study focuses on two Technical Universities in Ghana. The assumption is that innovation in social capital can develop the human resources of academic staff, allowing them to be further committed to work, and keener to be retained. The study that emanated from the researcher’s D.Tech. research project employed qualitative research approach in the form of interviews in data collection. It was found that creating innovation in human capital development through the use of social capital can ensure staff commitment and retention; aspects Technical Universities in Ghana cannot take for granted.

Keywords:

• social capital
• development
• innovation
• human resource
• Technical Universities

Acknowledgments

This article emanated from my doctoral thesis: Akpey-Mensah,T. L. 2018. “A Talent Management Model for Public Universities in Ghana.” (D.Tech. Thesis). TUT, PTA.

ORCID

Tabita Ladzeh Akpey-Mensah http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0248-6334