Towards an Understanding of Social Capital in an Online Community of Filipino Music Artists

Cyberspace has become a more viable arena for budding artists to share musical acts through digital forms. The increasing relevance of online communities has attracted scholars from various fields demonstrating its influence on social capital. This paper extends this understanding of social capital among Filipino music artists belonging to the SoundCloud Philippines Facebook Group. This study seeks to address the theoretical debate on the role of computers and the internet in mobilizing social capital.

As a frame of reference, this research explores  several dimensions of social capital  as proposed by Dudwick, et al (2006), namely, trust and solidarity, collective action and cooperation, information and communication, and social cohesion and inclusion. The study makes use of various qualitative data obtained from key-informant interviews and participant observation of online and physical encounters, analyzed using the case study approach.

 

Soundcloud Philippines has over a thousand members is composed of Filipino singers, instrumentalists, composers, arrangers, producers, multimedia artists and event managers. Group interactions are a mix of online encounters based on Facebook and SoundCloud and physical encounters through meet-ups and events. Benefits reaped from the community are informational, technical, instrumental, promotional, motivational and social support. Under the guidance of online group administrators, collaborative activities such as music productions, concerts and events transpire. Most conflicts and problems arising are resolved peacefully.

 

Social capital in SoundCloud Philippines is mobilized through (1) Recognition, wherein members appreciate and admire the talents and strengths of others and self; (2) Respect, wherein members maintain a harmonious flow of communications, make bonds and friendships, and treat others with respect, courtesy and with positive regard, and; (3) Reciprocity, wherein members offer their assistance and skills as much as they seek support from others, engage themselves in activities and collaborations and involve themselves in collective actions within the group.