The Study of Social Capital in Zanjan Province

Nowadays in order to achieve sustainable development، social capital is essential as well as human capital. Because social capital can cause maximum use of different resources. This paper aimed at studying social capital in Zanjan province. Based on exploratory، analytic-descriptive method. In order to studying social capital in this area some affiliate indexes have been applied through quantitative and qualitative methods. The population of interest in this research is the people of Zanjan province. The stratified random sampling has been used to ensure that estimates had been made with equal accuracy in different counties of the province and at least 1250 samples had been selected based on population of each county. Essential data and information has been collected through documentary and survey methods including questionnaire and interview. findings have shown the membership analysis in social networks emphasize on the noticeable role of informal relationship networks in social capital forming in this province. It indicates that only half of population of interest in this study، both in urban and rural settlements، has experienced group work. Accomplishing required tasks، making religious ceremonies and charities have developed the social relations of people more than other factors in this region. According to the findings of this study major supporters of people in this community were first family members and then friends which indicate that there is no great expectation between individuals that others will in-turn support them. People of this area could achieve a balanced compound of moral and material social norms. Trust in others which affects people''s willingness to participate in social and economic activities is limited in this area which informs that social capital in this community had less opportunity to develop.