The Nature of Returns: A social Capital Markets Inquiry into Elements of Investment and The Blended Value Proposition

The term “Social Capital” is used by academics and practitioners to describe various elements that interact to steer and create societal or community value. Before addressing the specifics of social capital investment and returns as they will be discussed in this paper, it should be recognized that there are many types of capital. At a minimum, there is financial capital, physical capital, human capital, social capital, natural capital and manufactured capital. It is important to understand that current social capital discussions take place within this larger capital context. Our attention will focus upon the nature and interaction of two forms of capital: financial and social.