Introduction

This chapter investigates librarianship in the area of research data management (RDM) through the lens of social capital theory. If social capital theories and concepts have the potential to bring to light the invisible or non-quantifiable value of academic library services (Bracke 2016; Corrall 2015), we postulate that they will lend a generative lens to explore the symbolic, network and normative effects of engagement within the academic library. Using librarian- and archivist-authored RDM literature as a case study, we will explore the dynamic relationships between network structures and the effects of functional librarianship on the social capital of academic libraries.

User studies of scientists and case studies of library RDM programs (Perrier et al. 2017) are common in the literature, but their underlying theoretical frameworks are limited to individual behaviourism (Fecher, Friesike & Hebing 2015), normative and historical institutionalism (Akers et al. 2014; Zenk-Möltgen et al. 2018), ‘wicked problem’ theory (Cox, Pinfield & Smith 2014) and organisational subculture theory (Cox & Verbaan 2016). Insights about the unique positionality of libraries within the academic community (Gold 2007) and potential leadership opportunities (Flores et al. 2015) have been mentioned but have yet to be clearly theorised to the level of a useful framework for deeper analysis or practical application of RDM research.

A social capital perspective will offer a theoretical framework which contextualises the potential benefits born of functional engagement, including access to information attributed to network positionality and bridging connections, mutual supports found in communities with dense ties and group cohesion, and agency for enhancing reputation (Lin et al. 2001). As the presence of social capital can be used as a predictor of healthier institutional, disciplinary and departmental climates, this examination will highlight opportunities for strengthening social capital in libraries. We will also suggest modalities for libraries and related organisations to more consciously transform themselves using identified relationship building strategies.

We provide a review of current RDM literature which summarises the existing theoretical assumptions applied in the research to describe the development of RDM services and solutions in light of existing challenges. This is followed by an introduction of classic symbolic, normative and network views of social capital theory, which are synthesised and applied to our sample during our coding exercise.