The Role of Faculty Development on Social Capital In Distance Education Context (Case: Payame Noor University)

This study aimed to explain a role of faculty development on social capital in distance education. The research method was descriptive and data analysis method was SEM that Sample size was determined 181 faculty members of Tehran branch of Payam Noor University by Stratified random sampling. Faculty development made questionnaire design with the reliability [α =0/94] and social capital questionnaire of Nahapiet & Ghoshal[1998] with the reliability [α=0/92] were used to collect data. Results showed faculty development and social capital of sample size higher than the average and faculty development [r=0/71] had a significant positive correlation with social capital of sample [p<0/01]. Stepwise regression analysis showed that among the components of FD, individual development and professional development predicted 72% of social capital. The study of fitness indicators showed that the model has a relatively good fit with the data. Structural equation modeling showed faculty development on cognitive capital [γ=0/84], relational capital [γ=0/85] and structural capital [γ =0/93] has impact on social capital.