Introduction
Capitals can either be tangible or intangible. While the tangible capital includes the physical wealth and assets such as plant, equipment, physical cash (capital) and financial capital among others (Adler & Kwan, 2002:19), intangible capital refers to the human and social capital mainly presented by individuals, human presence, intellectual property, skills and expertise availability to the organization. Human and social capital in the organizational context therefore is shaped by the degree of professionalism, skills and human expertise, intellect that is greatly entrenched in the career training and experience of the various human resources available to the organization (Brian, 2007:2). This paper therefore looks into how career engineering can contribute both social and human capital for the others in the society.
Engineering (definition)
According to Adler & Kwan (2002:19), engineering is a career field or profession in which individual acquire and apply technical, scientific and mathematical knowledge in designing and put into practice beneficial materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes in a manner that enables them, others, organizations and institutions to realize their objectives or invention of goals in the most ideal and safe way. Specifically, human capital is the bank of knowledge. Consequently, pursuing a career in engineering as well as practicing engineering does not only lead to acquiring and accumulation of knowledge, but it also help an individual to develop essential such knowledge through continued practicing and experience that results from the later.
Contribution of engineering career to the human capital
Human capital is generally the capital that is presented either to a country’s institutions or to a business enterprise by the individual, personnel or rather human resources that belongs to it. As such, it is defined as the bank of knowledge, skills and expertise accumulated by an individual or worker and which increases his or her ability, efficiency, and effectiveness to perform the tasks that he or she is supposed to (Brian, 2007:4). Being a career and a profession, engineering contribution of capital resources to the society is virtually immense. First, the knowledge that is in possession of an engineer is very vital to the society both economically and socially. For instance, virtually all aspects of the economy and its well being entirely depends on the amount of engineering expertise that it posses. The sectors of the economy such as transport & telecommunication, physical planning and infrastructure development, incorporation of technology in sectors of governance, industrialization and trade development among others directly relies on engineering expertise.
Consequently, engineering is one of the most important sources of human capital that drives the economy of a region. In addition, all aspects of the manufacturing sector cannot do without engineering expertise. Also, business today are being run from an engineering perspective, where technological advancements, innovations and invention, technological incorporation, automation of organizational operations and the resulting efficiency have since formed points of distinct competencies in business and competitive advantage. As such, engineering expertise is a potential source of this vital human capital (Brian, 2007:2).
Career in engineering and social capital
Social capital refers to the social networks and interactions that exist in a societal context as well as the rules and sanction that govern them. The importance of social capital rests in its potential or ability to foster individual and societal action, especially in solving problems that affects the society as a unit. Application of engineering expertise in the society helps in the designing of system that facilitates the flow of information and knowledge, improves relationships, enhance teamwork, and coordination both at work and in the society, increases individual dedication and suppleness, creates normative incorporation and promotes shared culture, enhances innovation and organizational liveliness, increases efficacy, effectiveness, and reduces operation costs, improves economic performance and the likelihood of organizational success all of which are contribution of engineering to social capital development and application for a better community (Adler & Kwan,2002:27). Also, Engineering enhances efficiency in communication networking and provides mechanisms of identifying and applying skills and experiences both for personal and societal development. In addition, it provides ways via which systems can be developed to facilitate access to development.
Use of engineering expertise in societal transformation
The allocation of engineering expertise in the developing of both human and social capital poses an ideal approach to transform the society both economically and socially. The economic growth and development depends greatly on the technological richness and access to such technical expertise. For instance, economic powerhouses such as the United States of America, China and Japan have benefited economically a great deal from the huge technical human capital provided by the many citizens with engineering know-how. In effects therefore, I would use my engineering career and knowledge to spearhead innovations aimed at establishing systems that will make life more efficient socially and economically. As such, directing the engineering oriented social capital toward streamlining of leadership to meet societal goals would be a priority here.
Conclusion
Capital is one of the key factors of production and which is very vital for economic development. As such, capital can either be tangible or intangible. While tangible capital is represented in the physical capital such as financial, and physical asset, intangible capital consist of both human and social capital that are possessed by personnel or human resources. Engineering therefore as a career profession and a discipline contribute immensely to both human and social capital through building of technical knowledge, skills and ultimate expertise via professional training and building of experience. While social capital refers to knowledge and ability to build social networks for effectiveness in social problem solving (Bolino, Turnley & Bloodgood, 2002:512), engineering expertise contributes to human capital via building of technical knowledge that aid in economic and business development.
References
Adler, P. & Kwan, S. (2002) social capital: prospects for a new concept. The Academy of Management Journal, 27(1), 17-40.
Bolino, M. C., Turnley, W.H., & Bloodgood, J.M (2002) Citizenship behavior and the creation of social capital in organization. Academy of Management journal, 27(4), 505-522.
Brian, K. (2007). OECD Insights; Human Capital. Web.