Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources

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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 (DECEMBER 2025) | Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources

Coordinated and published by The Grassroots Institute, the Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources (GJNR) is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancements in natural resources throughout the world. The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists, social scientists, policy analysts, managers and practitioners (on all academic and professional levels) all over the world to promote, discuss and share various new issues and developments in different arenas of natural resources.

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 (DECEMBER 2025)

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M – 00624Research & Analytical Article

Human Capital, Social Capital, and the Sustainability of Rural Communities: An Empirical Examination in Rural Indonesia

Gunawan Prayitno*1, Dian Dinanti2, Dimas Wisnu Adrianto3, Rahmawati4, Salsa Alifia Najid5, Mykola Biloshkurskyi6, M. Asfihan Nur Arifin7

1Regional and Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.

Email: gunawan_p@ub.ac.id | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4534-9524

2Regional and Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.

Email: dinanti@ub.ac.id | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8038-7396

3Regional and Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.

Email: d.adrianto@ub.ac.id | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9136-4747

4Regional and Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.

Email: rarahma2560@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3637-3381

5Regional and Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.

Email: salsaalifianajid@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0145-5253

6Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, Ukraine. Email: biloshkurskyi.m@udpu.edu.ua

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2826-3983

7Borneo University, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Email: pipinarifin@borneo.ac.id

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9180-771X

*Corresponding author

Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(3): 581-610. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080324

Received: 25 October 2025

Reviewed: 13 December 2025

Revised: 15 December 2025

Finally Accepted: 18 December 2025

Published: 31 December 2025


                                    

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ABSTRACT

Rural communities in Indonesia are experiencing rapid socio-economic transitions driven by agricultural modernization, tourism expansion, and shifting livelihood structures. Understanding how internal community assets, particularly human capital and social capital, shape these transitions is essential for advancing sustainable development. This study investigates the roles of human and social capital in enhancing rural sustainability and community well-being, framing the analysis within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM; n = 214) with qualitative field insights, the study compares two contrasting village contexts: an agritourism community (Sidomulyo Village) and an organic-farming community (Lombok Kulon Village). Findings indicate that human and social capital significantly shape rural sustainability through distinct, context-dependent development pathways. In agritourism village settings, social capital (R² = 0.46 (Lombok Kulon) and 0.29 (Sidomulyo))—manifested through trust, shared norms, and cooperative networks—serves as the primary driver supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by fostering collective governance and diversified local economies. In contrast, the organic-farming community relies more strongly on human capital—agricultural knowledge, skills, and adaptive capacities, which reinforces food security and ecological resilience in alignment with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The model explains 57% of community-welfare variance in Lombok Kulon and 64% in Sidomulyo. The study contributes theoretically by linking capital formation to rural transformation pathways and provides policy-relevant insights for community empowerment, sustainable rural development.

Keywords

Social capital; Human capital; Community well-being; Sustainable rural development; SDGs

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HOW TO CITE THIS PAPER?
Harvard Style

Prayitno, G., Dinanti, D., Adrianto, D.W., Rahmawati, Najid, S.A., Biloshkurskyi, M. and Arifin, M.A.N. (2025). Human Capital, Social Capital, and the Sustainability of Rural Communities: An Empirical Examination in Rural Indonesia. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(3): 581-610. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080324

APA Style

Prayitno, G., Dinanti, D., Adrianto, D.W., Rahmawati, Najid, S.A., Biloshkurskyi, M., & Arifin, M.A.N. (2025). Human Capital, Social Capital, and the Sustainability of Rural Communities: An Empirical Examination in Rural Indonesia. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(3), 581-610. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080324

ACS Style

Prayitno G., Dinanti D., Adrianto D.W., Rahmawati, Najid S.A., Biloshkurskyi M., Arifin M.A.N. Human Capital, Social Capital, and the Sustainability of Rural Communities: An Empirical Examination in Rural Indonesia. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 2025, 8 (3), 581-610. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080324

Chicago/Turabian Style

Prayitno, Gunawan, Dinanti, Dian, Adrianto, Dimas Wisnu, Rahmawati, Najid, Salsa Alifia, Biloshkurskyi, Mykola, Arifin, M. Asfihan Nur. 2025. “Human Capital, Social Capital, and the Sustainability of Rural Communities: An Empirical Examination in Rural Indonesia”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 no. 3: 581-610. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080324

AAA Style

Prayitno, Gunawan, Dian Dinanti, Dimas Wisnu Adrianto, Rahmawati, Salsa Alifia Najid and Mykola Biloshkurskyi and M. Asfihan Nur Arifin. 2025. “Human Capital, Social Capital, and the Sustainability of Rural Communities: An Empirical Examination in Rural Indonesia”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 (3): 581-610. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080324

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