<![CDATA[This research is motivated by the socio-economic dynamics of culinary traders in Cidu Market, Makassar City, which has become one of the most vibrant and influential culinary centers in the region. Economic activities in this area are not solely dependent on financial capital but also on the strength of social capital built through networks of trust, social norms, and reciprocal relationships among traders. The main focus of this study is to analyze the dominant characteristics of social capital among culinary traders in Cidu Market and to identify the constraints they face in utilizing it within their daily economic activities. This study employed a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, involving ten key informants who have been operating as culinary traders for more than five years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, and analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, with data validity ensured through source and method triangulation. The findings reveal that the social capital of culinary traders in Cidu Market is dominated by trust and social solidarity, internal economic cooperation networks, and strong norms of reciprocity. However, this potential is constrained by limited external networking and institutional access, social inequality between senior and new traders, and resistance to innovation and change. Overall, the study concludes that social capital plays a crucial role in sustaining the traders’ economic activities, yet it needs to be expanded toward bridging and linking social capital in order to become a more adaptive and sustainable economic force amid the development of Makassar’s modern culinary market. ABSTRAKPenelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh dinamika social ekonomi pedagang kuliner di Pasar Cidu’ Kota Makassar yang menjadi salah satu sentra kuliner rakyat paling ramai dan berpengaruh di kota tersebut. Aktivitas ekonomi di kawasan ini tidak hanya bergantung pada modal finansial, tetapi juga pada kekuatan modal sosial yang terbangun melalui jaringan kepercayaan, norma sosial, dan hubungan timbal balik antar pedagang. Fokus penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis karakteristik modal sosial yang dominan di kalangan pedagang kuliner Pasar Cidu’ serta mengidentifikasi kendala-kendala yang dihadapi dalam pemanfaatannya terhadap aktivitas ekonomi sehari-hari. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif, melibatkan sepuluh narasumber utama yang merupakan pedagang kuliner dengan pengalaman berjualan lebih dari lima tahun. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan model interaktif Miles dan Huberman dengan uji keabsahan data melalui triangulasi sumber dan metode. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa modal sosial pedagang kuliner di Pasar Cidu’ didominasi oleh kepercayaan dan solidaritas sosial, jaringan kerja sama ekonomi internal, serta norma timbal balik yang kuat. Namun, potensi tersebut menghadapi kendala berupa terbatasnya jaringan eksternal dan akses kelembagaan, ketimpangan sosial antara pedagang senior dan pendatang baru, serta resistensi terhadap inovasi dan perubahan. Secara keseluruhan, penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa modal sosial berperan penting dalam menopang keberlangsungan ekonomi pedagang, tetapi perlu diperluas menuju bridging dan linking social capital agar mampu menjadi kekuatan ekonomi yang adaptif dan berkelanjutan di tengah perkembangan pasar kuliner modern Kota Makassar.]]>
