Effects of Social Network on Human Capital of Land-Lost Farmers: A Study in Zhejiang Province

Rapid urbanization in China has resulted in the inability of land-lost farmers, who are considered to lack sufficient human capital. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of social network and land expropriation on the human capital of land-lost farmers. Therefore, effective improvement of land-lost farmers’ human capital remains unknown. To address this gap, this study investigates the effects of social network on the human capital of land-lost farmers and the moderating effects of land expropriation with the case of Zhejiang Province in China. Regression is used to examine the effects of social network, which is measured by network scale (NS), network intensity (NI), and mutual trust (MT), on human capital. Hierarchical regression is used to examine the moderating effects of land expropriation, which is measured by land location (LL) and settlement mode (SM). The study indicates that NS, NI, and MT have more positive effects on human capital under the moderating role of LL. However, only NS and NI have more positive effects, yet MT has insignificant effects on human capital under the moderating role of SM. The results indicate that land expropriation scenarios affect the relationship among social network and human capital to some extent. The findings can facilitate the local governments formulate appropriate policies that promote human capital among land-lost farmers through enhancing social network.