Designing a Model for Development of Social Capital in Universities with Emphasis on Imam Khomeini’s Viewpoints

Social capital is among the most important sources of power in human groups and societies. University is one of the main contexts for the formation of social groups and development of social capital. University functions as a fundamental institution, which can be a basis for learning how to produce social capital. Imam Khomeini considered the role of university and seminary as a very important one in developments and growth of social capital, where the correction or corruption of the society takes place. The objective of the present research is to study and identify the factors influencing the development of social capital in the universities with emphasis on Imam Khomeini’s viewpoints, and, also to design a model for its development. This research is qualitative and its statistical population consisted of university professors and experts. The sample was selected through targeted sampling method until saturation (50 interviews). Theism, Islam-centrism, service for the sake of God, belief in divine supervision as well as abidance by law, religion and ideology are among the factors that constitute the foundation and requirements for the development of social capital in the universities. These factors were codified under causal conditions. The findings of the research indicate that based on Imam Khomeini’s viewpoints, trust, participation, accountability, social solidarity, security and preservation of Islamic values are among the consequences of the adoption of appropriate strategies in evaluation and development of social capital in the universities.