Organizational cultural values and social capital in enhancing COVID-19 response capacity of community health centres in Zhejiang, China: a structural equation modelling study

Against the backdrop of normalized COVID-19 prevention and control, this study focuses on community health service centers. Here, “Cultural values” refer to the shared beliefs, norms, and attitudes within a community or organization that shape behavior and decision-making, such as a sense of collective responsibility, mutual support, and adherence to public health guidelines. This study explores the impact of Cultural values and social capital on their COVID-19 response capabilities and proposes targeted improvement strategies. A self-designed questionnaire was used to survey 983 medical staff from 15 community health service centers in each of six cities in Zhejiang Province. Differences in COVID-19 response capabilities across centers with varying demographic characteristics were compared using t-tests and variance analysis. Hierarchical linear regression was employed to analyze influencing factors, while structural equation modeling path analysis explored the impact pathways and mechanisms of Cultural values and social capital on COVID-19 response capabilities. Cultural values have a significant impact on the COVID-19 response capability. The overall effect value, direct effect value, and indirect effect value of cultural appeal on the COVID-19 response capability of community health service centers are 0.784, 0.070, and 0.070 respectively. Social capital exhibits a partial mediating effect. Among them, the overall effect value of structural social capital is 0.094, that of relational social capital is 0.260, and that of cognitive social capital is 0.241. The influence of cultural appeal on pandemic response capability is mainly transmitted indirectly through relational and cognitive social capital, while the mediating effect of structural social capital is not significant. Cultural values and social capital positively influence COVID-19 response capabilities in community health service centers, with Cultural values indirectly affecting these capabilities through relational and cognitive social capital. Thus, centers can enhance their COVID-19 response capabilities by strengthening Cultural values, fostering social capital, integrating health resources, and establishing collaborative mechanisms, ensuring community residents’ health and safety during crises like sudden outbreaks and natural disasters.