Asociacionismo en entidades profesionales y científicas de la sociología

Abstract

This paper analyzes the professional association context for sociologists. Three key variables, knowledge, membership and participation, lead us to explore membership in the most significant organizations: professional associations, scientific associations (for Sociology and/or Political Science) and professional specific-field associations. We have generated different types of associative profiles a according to four variables: age, sex, postgraduate education, and career development-closeness to sociology. Membership is differential according to the characteristics of each organization. Multiple-membership is also significant. Additionally, the relationships between membership and profits are analyzed under the focus of social capital approach. The results achieved point to two conclusions. First, there is a distinct profile for each subtype of organization: Professional or Scientific associations. Secondly, membership is mainly aimed at enhancing career's development rather than set in motion a career path by beginners. Thus, acquisition of social capital is oriented towards this first goal.