Social Capital Analysis for BYU Marriott School of Business MBA Program

Step 1: Context Analysis

  • Mission and Program Overview:
    • The BYU Marriott MBA program emphasizes principled leadership, innovation, and community engagement. The program is rooted in the values of service, ethics, and collaboration, aligning closely with the social capital framework.
    • The school is known for fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose among its students and alumni.
  • Diversity and Inclusion:
    • The program promotes inclusive excellence by encouraging diverse perspectives and ensuring a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds, though it retains a strong foundation in its Latter-day Saints (LDS) values.
  • Faith-Based Education:
    • Marriott emphasizes values-driven leadership, integrating faith, ethics, and moral responsibility into its curriculum, enhancing social trust and community-oriented relationships.

Step 2: Content Analysis

  • Explicit Mention of Social Capital Themes:
    • The program frequently references teamwork, trust, service, and long-term connections as cornerstones of the MBA experience.
    • The curriculum integrates leadership projects and peer mentorship to build relational ties among students.
  • Implicit Demonstration of Social Capital Values:
    • Global Opportunities: International consulting projects and study abroad programs encourage cross-cultural collaboration and expand students’ global networks.
    • Alumni Networks: BYU Marriott emphasizes its strong and active alumni network, which supports professional growth and fosters lifelong connections.
    • Service Orientation: A focus on service projects builds trust and reciprocity among students, enhancing their ability to work effectively in teams.
  • Key Social Capital Variables Observed:
    • Trust-Cooperation Complex: Emphasis on service and ethical leadership strengthens trust within the MBA cohort.
    • Shared Values: Faith-based principles create a cohesive culture and reinforce shared goals among students.
    • Voluntary Association: Clubs, projects, and service activities foster meaningful connections beyond the classroom.
    • Heterophily: International opportunities and diverse student cohorts broaden relational ties and perspectives.
    • Prestige and Influence: The program’s robust alumni network and strong employer relationships position students for impactful careers.

Step 3: Meta-Analysis Insights

  • Strengths:
    • BYU Marriott’s focus on ethical leadership and service fosters deep, meaningful relationships and a strong sense of community.
    • The integration of international opportunities expands students’ professional networks and exposes them to diverse perspectives.
    • The active alumni network enhances career support and long-term relational capital.
  • Gaps:
    • Limited explicit mention of structured tools or frameworks for measuring social capital development.
    • The program could better showcase specific outcomes tied to social capital metrics, such as testimonials or data-driven success stories.

Preliminary Social Capital Score:

  • Website Accessibility and Clarity (9/10): Clear and user-friendly site with detailed program information.
  • Explicit Mention of Social Capital Themes (25/30): Strong emphasis on collaboration, trust, and service, though lacking explicit mention of social capital as a concept.
  • Implicit Demonstration of Social Capital Values (30/30): The program’s principles, activities, and outcomes strongly align with social capital development.
  • Innovation in Social Capital Development (18/20): Faith-based values and global opportunities provide unique social capital-building experiences.
  • Community Engagement and Alumni Integration (9/10): Strong alumni network and active community engagement enhance relational ties.
  • Total Score: 91/100

Recommendations for BYU Marriott School of Business MBA Program:

  1. Introduce Social Capital Metrics: Incorporate tools to help students measure and track their social capital development throughout the program.
  2. Highlight Social Capital Success Stories: Share alumni testimonials and data-driven outcomes that emphasize the program’s impact on professional and personal relationships.
  3. Expand Service-Oriented Projects: Broaden service opportunities to include cross-industry and cross-regional collaborations, strengthening diverse professional networks.
  4. Leverage Alumni for Social Capital Growth: Create formal mentorship programs and alumni networking events to deepen relational ties and foster career advancement.

Enhance Global Perspectives: Build on existing international opportunities by including targeted initiatives to cultivate global social capital.