Future Scenarios of Social Capital of Iranians in Cyber Space

Document Type : Research/Original/Regular

Authors

1 PhD Student of Futures Studies, Supreme National Defense University and Strategic Research, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty member of Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran

10.22059/jscm.2025.383624.2552

Abstract

In today’s world, social capital is deemed more important than physical capital in both organizations and societies. Social capital acts as a network of collective and cohesive relationships among people. It refers to the instrumental and supportive resources available in networks, accessible through social ties, allowing individuals to benefit from a wide range of supports. Conversely, the Internet, one of the greatest human inventions, has affected various aspects of human life with its extensive functions. By eliminating geographical distances, this technology has fundamentally transformed communication and information exchange. Meanwhile, cyberspace, especially social networks, as new forms of services, have attracted significant public attention in recent years. Therefore, considering the importance of social capital and cyberspace, this research employs a futures studies approach and the method of cross-impact analysis to identify the important and influencing factors on social capital in cyberspace. This research is applied in nature, utilizing field methods such as questionnaires and expert panels, complemented by reliable sources and document reviews. The participants included 20 experts selected through targeted sampling, who provided analytical assistance to achieve the research objectives. Finally, using MicMac and Scenario Wizard software, four of the most compatible scenarios for the future of Iranian social capital in cyberspace by the year 2031 have been presented.

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Main Subjects

References

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Social Capital Management
Volume 12, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 129-145

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