Social Capital and Performance of Women Owned Enterprises in South Sudan: A case of Bentiu IDP Camp

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of social capital on the performance of women-owned enterprises within the Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in South Sudan. Grounded in Network Theory and the Systems Theory Input-Output Model, the research explores three dimensions of social capital—bonding, bridging, and linkages—and their respective impacts on entrepreneurial success. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 144 women entrepreneurs through structured questionnaires. Findings reveal that all three forms of social capital significantly enhance business performance, with linkages having the strongest predictive power, followed by bridging and bonding. Bonding social capital provides emotional and financial support through close relationships, while bridging capital facilitates access to diverse networks and resources. Linkages, involving professional contacts and institutional relationships, offer critical access to finance, mentorship, and market opportunities. Regression analysis confirms that social capital explains 70.9% of the variance in business performance. The study concludes that strengthening social networks is vital for improving the sustainability and growth of women-owned enterprises in fragile contexts. Recommendations include targeted interventions by NGOs and policymakers to foster inclusive networking, mentorship, and financial access for displaced women entrepreneurs.