新作坊 Humanity Innovation and Social Practice

This research note describes the process and outcomes of collaboration between local youth and university faculty on local development issues, from establishing social networks and forming long-term partnerships to accumulating experience in social practice and co-constructing regional revitalization strategies. The exploratory research reported here uses a case study approach and social network theory to examine how organic social ties between local youth and university faculty are formed.

The findings reveal the process of their long-term collaboration in promoting local development. Initially, the social connections between university faculty and local youth were weak ties, characterized by infrequent interaction and a loose relationship. Nonetheless, these weak ties gradually introduced new skills, resources, and personal connections to both parties. Through long-term cooperation, this relationship evolved into strong ties and generated bonding social capital that facilitated dialogue on local public issues and joint consideration of solutions. Furthermore, although these two heterogeneous groups have vastly different life courses, they were able to pool their respective resources and work together to channel those resources toward social innovation. Finally, by compensating for each other's resource gaps, university faculty and local youth effectively filled structural holes, thereby forming bridging social capital. This expanded and deepened the overall local social network, strengthening its capacity for collective social practice.

The paper concludes with reflections and limitations of this case study, as well as recommendations for practitioners and future research.