"This book is about the management of social capital processes as they are accomplished-understood, experienced and shaped-by owner-managers. The aim of the book is to develop a deeper understanding of these management processes, and thereby to contribute to a greater congruence between lived social capital perspectives and experiences, and theoretical and empirical literature. The book argues that social capital processes are context dependent and hence cannot be fully understood within an economic understanding of rationality. It follows that claims for the universality of the economic way of looking at life, and for looking at social capital processes are over-stated. Predicated on this insight the book investigates economic notions of rationality, as well as other perspectives on rationality in the management of social capital processes."

"Paul Manning's book on social capital is a very welcome contribution to the canon, not least because it has one of the most detailed summaries of key protagonists of social capital that I have seen. The well crafted text also focuses on an extremely important but under researched perspective, that of small and medium sized enterprise owner-managers. I look forward to recommending this book to those working on the topics it covers so ably." Laura J. Spence, Professor of Business Ethics, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. "This book is a very timely and well researched piece of literature which throws up and debates many contemporary issues in relation to the significance of rational notions in the management of social capital processes and considers low and non-rationality amongst other areas. The author is a renowned international authority in this area as he has a wealth of experience in industry and academe and this is illustrated in abundance throughout the work." Professor Ruth Ashford, Executive Dean, Business, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Grosvenor Chair at the University of Chester "Professor Manning has produced a text of great awareness, insight, value and originality on human factors in social capital management contexts. His focus on the owner-manager perspective is particularly valuable as this widespread sphere is often, and misguidedly, overlooked in the field. The study offers a rounded backdrop of pertinent literature (Bourdieu, Coleman, Putnam, Fukuyama, Burt and Lin) and builds on this to examine, in detail, a series of important themes and dimensions. This book will be attractive to a range of reader audiences including: undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students; NGOs, public bodies and think-tank agencies. It is an intelligent, principled and timely contribution to an important domain." Professor Peter Stokes The University of Chester.