Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Rural Sociology and Agricultural Extension

The main objectives of this study were to: identify the services obtained by sugar beet contracted producers (SBPs); measure social capital in SBPs{u2019} network; identify the key players in SBPs{u2019} network, and; investigate the relationships among social capital dimensions and the other studied variables. A snowball sampling technique was applied to explore the actual SBPs network within predetermined natural boundaries. The total sample size was 202 SBPs; all were selected from Ariamon local unit and representing 11 hamlets (Ezba) out of a total of 17. Data was collected during individual personal interviews in February 2019 by using a questionnaire designed to achieve the study objectives. Result revealed that there were no significant correlations found between age nor years of education, and any of the components of social capital, number of services provided to SBPs and/or the productivity index. Quite the opposite, farm size and living expenses had significant and positive correlation with: trust, relational social capital, and productivity index. Findings also indicated that nearly all social capital dimensions are significantly correlated. Trust and reciprocity are positively correlated, and they are significantly correlated to degree, betweeness, and eigenvector centrality measures

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