Harnessing the digital seas: the influence of ICT on blue social capital in maritime communities development

This quantitative study explores the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on blue social capital within maritime communities, encompassing social trust, social networks, community capacity, community resilience, and community civic involvement that enable collective action. The study is prompted by the increasingly vital role of ICT in these communities and its potential to shape collaborative efforts. The main objective of this research is to understand how the integration of ICT tools affects the formation and utilization of blue social capital and its implications for maritime community development. By focusing on participants aged 18 to 60 and above from three coastal states, namely Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan, a sample size of 215 individuals has been statistically determined to ensure the research's credibility. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and inferential analysis, are conducted on survey data to identify the relationship between ICT usage and indicators of blue social capital. This study reveals that the independent variables, such as Online Social Trust, Online Social Networks, Online Community Capabilities, Online Community Resilience, and Online Civic Engagement, exhibit a significant association with the dependent variable, which is Community Development. However, there isn't a substantial connection between social trust and social networks leading to community development. Therefore, maritime communities tend to have reduced trust in individuals online but actively engage in online social interactions. This study offers significant benefits to policymakers and development practitioners by providing guidance on utilizing ICT to support social capital and promote sustainable development initiatives within maritime communities, especially in the coastal community in Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan.