2023/10/25 by Roza Meuleman, Gerbert Kraaykamp · 1 voice · 4 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Capital (architecture) #Cultural Industries and Urban Development #Cultural capital #Economic capital #Economic growth #Economics #Finance #Geography #Human capital #Individual capital #Labour economics #Occupational prestige #Position (finance) #Psychology #Social Capital and Networks #Social and Cultural Dynamics #Social capital #Social science #Socioeconomic status #Sociology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/esr/jcad064
published in European Sociological Review 40(5), 887-902 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 2023/10/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
Abstract Adding to a growing body of research, this study examines the intragenerational conversion of cultural capital into occupational attainment. More specifically, we argue that cultural and economic network resources constitute an important—yet understudied—explanation for why individuals’ cultural capital yields returns in the labour market. To test our expectations, we collected unique panel data in the Netherlands with information on individuals’ cultural capital (i.e. highbrow participation), offline core, and extended networks, and occupational outcomes. In line with theoretical notions of communicating cultural match, signalling competencies, and enhancing emotional returns, our results show that cultural capital is positively associated with a higher overall occupational position. Besides, individuals’ access to network resources largely explains the association between cultural capital and a higher occupational position. Interestingly, cultural resources in the extended network play a more important role than economic network resources in the conversion of cultural capital into a higher cultural occupational position. Conversely, economic core network resources are more important than cultural core network resources in the conversion of cultural capital into a higher economic occupational position. Our study thus provides strong support for the idea that the conversion of cultural capital into occupational returns, via social capital, is field-specific.