The use of social networks and social capital for volunteering with Syrian refugees in Slemani City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract

Volunteering is a prosocial behavior that benefits society in many ways. Volunteers who give of their time in this manner use social networks established in direct and indirect ways to carry out their volunteering activities. This study explores the ways in which both direct and indirect social networks become social capital for the volunteers helping Syrian refugees adjust to life in Slemani City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The research objectives are to analyze the structure of social networks among the volunteers, the type and function of the networks, and network benefits in the form of social capital. A combination of basic social network theory, structural hole theory and social capital theory is applied in this study. Social network analysis that analyzes social structures and is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology is the main method of analysis. A particular kind of social network analysis, i.e. ego-centric network analysis, is applied. Purposive sampling is used to select 20 volunteers from Youth Activity and Qandil organizations. The data are collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Friendship ties, the main type of social network discovered, have two functions: communication and interaction. By using both direct and indirect social networks to communicate and interact, the volunteers also gain benefits from the networks (i.e. social capital). These benefits include task, informational and social support benefits. Task benefits involve giving assistance in building and renovating the refugees’ shelters and maintaining good hygiene and repair services in the shelters. The networks are also used to distribute non-food items to the refugees. Informational benefits include information that helps volunteers to cooperate and give advice, conduct seminars and campaigns for the refugees, and assess the refugees’ family situations. In addition, the volunteers receive social support benefits through social gatherings to develop their friendship networks. Overall, volunteers’ direct and indirect ties provide task, informational, and social support benefits that help them carry out their volunteering activities for Syrian refugees. The theoretical and methodological implications of the study are crucial for network studies and academic scholars. The findings also provide benefits for volunteers, organizations, agencies and the Kurdistan Region Government that help Syrian refugees.