Alhassan Yakubu Alhassan

• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu & Ruser, Alexander (2026). Social Capital, Definition of. In List, Regina A.; Anheier, Helmut & Toepler, Stefan (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Civil Society. Springer. ISSN 9783319996752. p. 1–8. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-99675-2_9729-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The importance of social relations to understanding social structures and dynamics has been observed and discussed by sociologists in Europe and North America and has been reflected in the rich philosophical traditions of non-Western countries. Classical Western definitions of social capital range from Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social capital as a resource for class reproduction, to James Coleman’s focus on social norms that facilitate cooperation, and Robert Putnam’s view of civic engagement as a public good that enhances democratic life. These stand in contrast to non-Western approaches that view social capital as embedded in kinship ties, spiritual values, communal obligations, and localized practices that emphasize collective responsibility and mutual care. These definitions vary in their usefulness for understanding the interplay between the unequal distribution of what can be called social capital and structural effects such as social cohesion, patterned inequality, discrimination, and social polarization.

• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2025). Rethinking participation in urban planning: analytical and practical contributions of social network analysis. Frontiers of Urban and Rural Planning. ISSN 2731-6661. 3(1), p. 1–17. doi: 10.1007/s44243-024-00052-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Citizen participation is essential in urban development, but existing participation methods often neglect the complex informal relationships among stakeholders, limiting broader engagement. This study uses a narrative review to explore how relational approaches and social network analysis (SNA) affect participation in urban planning. It proposes an analytical framework combining relational approaches and SNA to understand the role of social interactions in decision-making. Unlike traditional methods that focus on individual or group attributes, SNA emphasizes social connections and interactions. The study shows how urban development decision-makers can use SNA to foster inclusive practices, improve coordination, and build trust between planners and residents. SNA enables better information f low, addresses power imbalances, and enhances community representation, especially for marginalised groups. This approach leads to more resilient and equitable urban environments. The findings suggest that urban planners can use SNA to design more inclusive decision-making processes, aligning with the sustainable development goals.

• Ziglioli, Gloria; Banfi, Giulia & Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2025). From Tool to Partner: Exploring Common Patterns of Human-AI Collaboration Among PhD Students in Social Sciences. In Hacker, Philipp (Eds.), Oxford Intersections: AI in Society. Oxford University Press. ISSN 9780198945215. doi: 10.1093/9780198945215.003.0147. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study contributes new insights into how PhD students in the social sciences use AI tools in research, focusing on how they select and collaborate with AI to support and enhance their academic workflows. The authors conducted a survey among PhD students in eight countries (Italy, Norway, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, France, and Estonia), combining quantitative descriptive analysis with qualitative critical discourse analysis. The findings reveal that most respondents began their PhDs after 2022, coinciding with the public availability of generative AI tools. ChatGPT emerged as the most frequently used, often alongside DeepL, Elicit, and SciSpace, with use cases tailored to individual research tasks. Although most participants used the free versions, some opted for paid models. The article identifies four typologies of AI agency—teaching agent, subordinate assistant, cognitive partner, and substitutive partner—reflecting different patterns of human-AI collaboration. AI is primarily used for academic writing, with background research and literature reviews as secondary uses. While originality was rated low, translation and writing support were seen as most beneficial. These findings underscore the versatility of AI and the evolving dynamics of co-produced knowledge in academia.

• Abdulai, Abdul-Rahim; Oklikah, Desmond Ofori; Abdulai, Abdul-Salam Jahanfo; Mohammed, Kamaldeen & Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2024). State policies and smallholders politics in Ghana’s agriculture ‘Modernization’ paradigm: a policy review. SN Social Sciences. 4(11). doi: 10.1007/s43545-024-01004-6. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  State interventions are drivers of agrarian change around the world. In Ghana, scholarly attention on agrarian change and policy evolution has primarily focused on historical changes, leaving gaps in understanding contemporary policy dynamics. Hence, we conducted a qualitative thematic review of all National Medium-term Development Plans (MTDPs) and agriculture sector-focused policy documents in the Millenium (n = 6) to discuss how state policies interact with smallholder dynamics. We reveal the government’s perpetuation of the 20th-century modernization agenda, which drives agricultural practices and outcomes toward the imaginary standards of developed countries. This persistent agenda, we argue, is explicitly capitalist and productivist in ideals as it is built on (1) commercialization, market integration, and private engagements, (2) expansion and transitioning away from smallholdings towards medium/large-scale farming, and (3) intensifications of varied sorts. Pursuing this uncritical modernization partly supports and could potentially renew small-scale farming—through enhanced productivity, efficiencies, climate change resilience, and gender empowerment—but it also exposes vulnerable farmers to the rigours of the neoliberal capitalist structures. Ultimately, the restructuring of agriculture, deepening inequalities, and detachments from local socio-ecological values that emanate from this modernization are to smallholders’ detriment. Hence, though this trajectory may be wellintentioned, the politics of contrasting outcomes leave the smallholder in a dilemma, confused and uncertain about their place in today’s agriculture and into the future. The paper thus emphasizes why policy values and interventions must be evaluated on their immediate and long-term impacts on smallholders’ structures and values.

• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2024). Social Capital and Information Flow in Decision Making: A Social Network Analysis of Actors in a Road Expansion Project in Kristiansand, Norway. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society. ISSN 0891-4486. p. 1–25. doi: 10.1007/s10767-024-09488-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Information sharing is crucial for decision-makers to enhance their capacity and influence in local decision-making. However, the mechanisms of information flow among different actors in local decision-making for urban transport are not well understood. This paper utilises social capital theory and social network analysis to investigate how actors control and share information based on their position in the decision network. The position of individuals in the network is critical to understanding how they receive and share information, as well as their influence on the decision-making process. Data were collected from documents and interviews with 28 participants in the decision-making process for a road expansion project in Kristiansand Municipality, Norway. These data formed the basis for conducting a social network analysis (SNA) of two networks, focusing on meeting and information sharing among participants. The results reveal centralised networks around four main actors with the highest centralities—two planners and two politicians. The social connections and resources among those involved in the project expose imbalances and internal dynamics not solely attributed to the structure of the decision-making process. The findings have implications for local decision-making. Understanding the centralities of actors allows decision-makers to identify key influencers and opinion leaders. It is also helpful for comprehending communication and collaboration barriers among decision-makers and developing strategies to overcome these barriers.

• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2024). The tortoise in the urban development network: How social relations affect decision-making speed in a road expansion project in Kristiansand, Norway. Journal of Urban Affairs. ISSN 0735-2166. doi: 10.1080/07352166.2024.2368813. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Why do urban development projects take a long time to complete? This question is of paramount importance, both practically and academically. Practically, understanding the reasons for delays in these projects can help improve project efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance stakeholder satisfaction. Academically, the study contributes to the field of urbanization by applying social network analysis (SNA) to explore the interactions and relationships among decision-makers in urban development projects. This study draws upon original data from a road extension project in Kristiansand to illustrate and explain why the implementation of large development projects suffers from convoluted and slow decision-making processes after an overall agreement on project aims and goals has been established. This study draws on a sample of 33 actors who participated in the decisions concerning the project. I collected the data through a combination of interviews and document reviews and subsequently analyzed them using social network structural metrics and visualization techniques. The results show that the actors are connected in less dense, more centralized, and clustered networks with subgroups and low reciprocity which have hampered efficient communication, resulting in delays. The findings imply that the pattern of relationships among decision-making actors can affect the amount of time taken to reach conclusions in urban development initiatives.

• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu & Ruser, Alexander (2023). Knowledge Transfer. In Philipp, Thorsten & Schmohl, Tobias (Ed.), Handbook Transdisciplinary Learning. Transcript Verlag. ISSN 9783839463475. p. 215–224. doi: 10.14361/9783839463475. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In modern “knowledge societies” (Stehr 1994), knowledge is increasingly depicted as essential for economic growth and social and political inclusion. Consequentially, training and research facilities such as schools and universities become crucial determinants for a society’s ability to remain competitive and develop knowledge-based and knowledge-driven economies. Likewise, more recent research has identified knowledge as an essential driving force of development while pointing out that low-income countries in the Global South, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, struggle to put their domestic universities in a position to contribute to national development (Kruss et al. 2012). This apparent failure of transferring knowledge from the laboratories, academic hallways, and lecture theatres to broader society cannot be reduced to a lack of resources but often indicates a more general mismatch between academia and society (Kruss et al. 2012, 523–24), a lack of interaction or understanding between scientific and non-scientific communities.

• Ziglioli, Gloria & Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2022). Nethnography and Social Network Analysis for Studying Online Social Space. In Punziano, Gabriella & Paoli, Angela Delli (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Advanced Research Methodologies for a Digital Society. IGI Global. ISSN 9781799884743. p. 227–247. doi: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8473-6.ch015. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This chapter contributes to the current methodological debate on digital, internet-based studies in social research. Based upon an introductive analysis of the research's perspectives, trajectories, and stages that have brought the online social spaces into social research, the chapter focuses on the advantages of combining quanti-quali approaches for approaching online complexity. In particular, the authors offer a deep discussion concerning the value, the methodological, and ethical challenges of netnography and social network analysis (SNA) methods for inquiring online social research by proposing a possible emerging methodological framework guiding further empirical studies.

• Abdulai, Abdul-Rahim; Tundyiridam, Roland & Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2016). Mechanisms and Strategies for Mobilisation of Property Rates in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of Ghana. International Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research. ISSN 2313-0423. 6(6), p. 113–123. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Property rates are important revenue items to local government units all over the world. This is due to the fix nature of its components, which makes it predictable. However, local governments find it difficult to effectively mobilise revenues from this important source. This study thus examined mechanisms and strategies adopted towards mobilisation of property rate, in the specific context of Kassena-Nankana Municipality of Ghana. Adopting a case study, data was collected through interviews with key officials of the Municipality and randomly selected revenue collectors and property owners. The study revealed that, property valuation was carried out in 2009, which was used to rate items for taxation. Revaluation, which is due every five years by statutory provision, was however not carried out in 2014 due to limited resources and lack of expertise. The study further revealed that, the Municipality employs many mechanisms in order to maximise revenues from the already flawed property rate system. Some of these included instituting a property rate task force; sensitisation of the public through radio discussions and announcements; sanctioning of tax defaulters; regular training of revenue collectors; intensification of street naming and property addressing system; designing of revenue database; and outsourcing collection of certain property taxes to private entities. Despite these mechanisms and strategies, property rate mobilisation was still hampered by the absence of professional valuation officers; low commitment and lack of political will to enforce regulations; lack of will to pay among property owners; and incomplete administrative set-up for property rate mobilisation. To improve property rate mobilisation at the local level, monitoring and supervision of processes must be made more regular and effective by relevant institutions; institutions responsible for mobilization must be equip with adequate logistics; local property rate database must be setup and updated regularly; political interference in tax mobilization should be minimized, and government should make efforts to train more valuation officers in the country by revamping the National Valuation School.

• Abdulai, Abdul-Rahim,; Adam, Abdul-Wadudu Mohammed & Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2016). Indigenous industries in the face of growing competition in textile markets: a study of smock/fugu industry in tamale metropolis, Northern Ghana | International Journal of Development Research (IJDR). International Journal of Development Research. ISSN 2230-9926. 6(2), p. 6826–6833. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There has been a decline in the textile industry of Ghana in recent years. This is attributed largely to the growing competition posed by imported products. This competition affects the entire industry with the traditional sub sector being no exception. With smock, and for that matter, the smock industry, which is a traditional textile based in the Northern Regions of Ghana gradually gaining recognition in the broader textile industry, this study examined its state in the market.The study aimed at assessing the industry to determine whether it can survive global competition within the broader textile industry. This paper aims to contribute to knowledge by making recommendations to inform policies towards the survival of traditional textile products in Ghana. The research employed the exploratory design. Stratified sampling, purposive sampling, accidental sampling and the snowballing technique were adopted. In all, the research covered a total of 272respondents comprising 120 smock merchants, 50 craftsmen/weavers of smock textile, 100 smock users and two (2) institutions in the smock industry. The paper found that, the industry is in good state despite the growing competition in the broader textile industry and key actors do not see the industry at risk. The industry has survived the growing competition by virtue of the cultural tag given to it and its responsiveness to changing demands by the users. The industry is faced with many challenges and problems like inadequate finances to operate, inadequate supply of materials to the merchants, poor marketing, lack of regulation and continuous lack of political will to develop the industry. It is recommended that, patronage of indigenous textile products should be encouraged and smock makers should exhibit their products during fairs to create more awareness, the smock industry should be well integrated into government policies aimed at promoting the textile and garment industry.

• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu; Abdul-Rahim, Abdulai & Akaabre, Paul Boniface (2016). Knowledge, Awareness And Perceptions Of Females On Clandestine Abortion In Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana. European Scientific Journal. ISSN 1857-7881. 12(12), p. 95–112. doi: 10.19044/esj.2016.v12n12p95. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Clandestine Abortion will continue to be an integral part of human society as long as people continue to accept and engage in sexual activities without being prepared to give birth. Despite the risks (death and other health complication) involved in clandestine abortion, people continue to engage in the act. The central inquiry is; why do people continue to do clandestine abortions despite its associated risk? Do people have knowledge on abortion concerning its legalities and associated risks? This paper thus seeks to clarify the above questions by examining the knowledge, awareness and perceptions of females on abortion, with focus on clandestine abortion in the Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana. The paper reveals that, though most females have little knowledge on the 1985 abortion law, they are aware of the risks associated with criminal abortion. Despite being aware of the risks, circumstances such as unwanted pregnancies, poverty, desire to pursue education and career goals, and job related issues compel most to abort pregnancies through dangerous means. The paper therefore calls for public education on abortion laws in Ghana to be intensified and possibly, consider shifting the existing paradigms of the abortion law in order to curb clandestine abortions and its associated fatalities.

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• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2024). Data: Social networks among decision making actors in an urban development in a Norwegian Municipality. doi: 10.18710/DKZAFO. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The data contains two networks extracted from the meeting notes and data collected about information among the participants in the project. The meeting network contained 33 actors with 55 links and the information network contained 33 actors and 189 links. The data also includes description of the actors including the sector they work for, their gender, age, level of education, the length of time they have worked in their employment and their attitudes towards the project.

• Halvorsen, Anne & Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2024). Praksis i samfunns­vitenskapelige studieprogram — bare for noen utvalgte? [Journal]. https://www.khrono.no/. Full text in Research Archive
• Alhassan, Alhassan Yakubu (2024). Uncovering the Social Fabric of Urban Governance : A Social Network Analysis of Actors in a Road Expansion Project in Kristiansand. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284272320. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Urban development is a complex process that requires the participation of many stakeholders, such as government officials, developers, and community groups. These actors often have different interests and priorities, which can lead to conflicts and delays when making decisions. Moreover, increasing urbanization in Norway, as in other countries, raises the stakes for decision-making in cities with large and often more diverse populations. Against this background, fair and inclusive participation plays a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of urban development endeavors. Previous studies have predominantly focused on individual-level characteristics as predictors of participation in urban development decisions. Limited attention has been given to the structural aspects of the relationships and networks among decision-makers and their influence on participation processes. In this dissertation, I attempt to fill this gap and provide practical insights for urban development. It aims to improve the understanding of how interpersonal relationships and interactions among stakeholders unfold and investigate their implications for decision-making. To achieve these goals, this dissertation examines the influence of social networks among decision-makers on the decision-making process in local urban development initiatives. It addresses three key questions: How can social networks contribute to inclusive decisionmaking? How do power relations among decision-makers impact decisionmaking? How does the structure of social networks contribute to decision-making delays? This study will equip urban planners, policymakers, and professionals involved in urban governance with the knowledge to navigate these challenges effectively. The sample for this study comprised participants in decision-making for the Gartnerløkka road expansion project in Kristiansand Municipality. The project started in 2011 and aimed to enhance traffic flow by expanding the E18/E39 Gartnerløkka-Kolsdalen from two to four lanes, spanning approximately 1.4 kilometers. After 12 years of deliberation, construction commenced in 2024 with an expected completion date of 2029. Although not an outlier in urban development decisions in Norway, this project faced significant controversy within the municipality compared to similar projects due to the large number of individuals affected by it, leading to a prolonged decision-making process. This dissertation draws on social capital theory and advanced social network analysis (SNA) methods to examine original data from official documents and interviews with key stakeholders in the project. By combining these data sources, this study analyzed the interactions among actors and their effects on power relations, information sharing, and decision-making timelines. The results are presented in three research papers that comprise this dissertation. The papers are the results of independent studies but contribute to an overall understanding of the Gartnerløkka project in Kristiansand by focusing on different aspects of the urban development decision-making process. In the first paper, “Rethinking urban futures,” I present an overview of analytical and practical contributions of SNA to inclusive urban development decisions. In this study, I explored the potential of SNA to identify patterns of exclusion and inclusion in urban development processes and suggest strategies for promoting inclusivity. In the second paper, “Uncovering the web of influence in urban governance,” I employed SNA to examine the case of the Gartnerløkka urban road expansion project in Kristiansand Municipality. In this paper, I aim to investigate how power relations among the actors influence decision-making and identify central and influential actors in decision-making, thus revealing patterns of inclusion and exclusion. This paper exemplifies the added value of SNA methods, as it uncovers latent patterns and underlying forces that shape decision-making processes in urban development. In the third paper, “Tortoise in the urban development network,” I explored the impact of social connections among the actors in the Gartnerløkka project on decision-making time in the project. The results from the paper demonstrate that extended communication lines, low network density, and high centralization hinder effective collaboration and timely decision-making, suggesting a need for more distributed decision-making networks to improve efficiency. By reconstructing information flows in the project, the paper identified privileged actors and “information brokers” who can steer (and delay) crucial decision-making. Overall, this dissertation contributes to a growing body of literature that focuses on relational perspectives to understand social phenomena. Specifically, it shows the importance of considering social networks in urban development decisions. It thus adds to current debates in urban sociology, urban planning, and social science methods. In addition to being an academic endeavor, the findings have the potential to provide practitioners in local development projects with essential insights into the sometimes concealed network dynamics that drive concrete decision processes.

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