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To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9906.2010.00524.x Byline: KARIEN DEKKER (1), BEATE VOLKER (2), HERMAN LELIEVELDT (3), RENE TORENVLIED (4) Abstract: ABSTRACT: This article aims to explain variations in the participation of civic organizations in neighborhood projects. In particular, we inquire into the impact of the social networks of more than 400 local civic organizations on their participation in neighborhood projects in two Dutch cities. Two strands of literature constitute the basis for our arguments. First, there is much research on the determinants of individual participation showing that tenure, social-economic status, and being a member of the majority matter considerably. Second, network studies demonstrate that the structure and content of one's relationships substantially influences successive actions. Our expectations are based on both bodies of knowledge. We survey the civic organizations in eight neighborhoods and analyze the impact of their social networks using multinomial logistic regression models. The results show that the actual number of relations in the network and the density of the networks are positively associated with participation in neighborhood projects. Furthermore, we show that organizations with high proportions of ethnic minorities provide less support, despite their networks. Finally, organizations with many professionals working for them participate more if their networks are taken into consideration. Author Affiliation: (1)ICS Utrecht University (2)ICS Utrecht University (3)Roosevelt Academy in Middelburg (4)ICS Utrecht University Article note: Direct correspondence to: Karien Dekker, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Science, ICS Utrecht University, P. O. Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail: k.dekker@uu.nl.

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9906.2007.00374.x Byline: KARIEN DEKKER (1), RONALD VAN KEMPEN (1) Abstract: ABSTRACT: The participation of residents in improving their neighborhood, and especially variations in participation between places, has been the topic of research in various articles published in the last few years. What is still missing in these studies is an international comparative perspective, since national differences might be expected to account for at least part of the variation in participation. This article, therefore, includes an analysis of national differences. We assess how much relevance these national differences have in comparison with the influence of individual and neighborhood characteristics. Using multivariate modeling procedures, we address the following questions: To what extent can differences in participation be ascribed to neighborhood level variations (share of unemployed, share of ethnic minorities, share of owner-occupied housing, average experience of problems, share of residents active in a social organization)? And to what extent do national context variables (democratic history, empowerment policy) account for these differences? The findings suggest that both neighborhood and national context variables have explanatory power. The article provides an important starting point for a closer study of the role of national level factors. Author Affiliation: (1)Utrecht University Article note: Direct Correspondence to: Dr. Karien Dekker, Faculty of Social Science, Department of Sociology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, the Netherlands. E-mail: k.dekker@uu.nl.