Measuring social capital
There is increasing evidence that 'social capital' is an essential ingredient in civil society, economic and social development, health, safety and education.
Here are some useful tools and resources developed to assess or 'measure' aspects of social capital.
Social capital (which is similar to the idea of a community's 'social fabric') has generated considerable interest nationally, regionally and internationally:
A New Zealand Framework
A Framework For the Measure of Social Capital in New Zealand was developed by Statistics NZ in 2001.
For the purposes of this framework social capital is defined as "relationships among [people] that create a capacity to act for mutual benefit or a common purpose".
Using this definition, and drawing on the work of sociologist James Coleman, a Māori concept of social capital, and the experience of overseas field researchers, a framework of four parts is proposed:
- behaviours,
- attitudes & values,
- population groups, and
- organisations.
For each of these parts several indicators are suggested, e.g. 'giving to strangers' is suggested as a behavioural indicator of social capital. Possible ways of measuring these indicators are also presented. For further information contact Anne.Spellerberg@stats.govt.nz.
An Australian Framework & Resources
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has developed an Information Paper: Measuring Social Capital - An Australian Framework and Indicators (1378.0). This and other resources are on the ABS Social Capital Theme Page.
Possibly the best summary of Australasian resources on social capital is on Management Alternatives - an attractive and very informative web site by Paul Bullen. He is an Australian management consultant working with community-based, non-profit, church and other human service organisations.
This includes a very readable introduction to the concept of social capital, numerous resources and links, including measurement tools and approaches and a number of Australian surveys and projects:
- Families Social Capital & Citizenship Project
- Measuring Social Capital in 5 Communities
- Measuring Social Capital, Family Support Services, Neighbourhood and Community Centres
- Social Capital and Community Development in New Release Areas
- Measuring and Enhancing Community Capacity in Outback NSW
- Creating Better Communities
- Health Development & Social Capital Research Project
- Crime & Social Capital
- Social Capital & Trust in Regional Australia
International Resources & Examples
Extensive international information, links and resources on social capital and its measurement (both quantitative and qualitative) is on PovertyNet, part of the World Bank Group.
Also very useful is the Social Capital Assessment Tool web site, by the World Bank and IRIS, University of Maryland. As well as the results of empirical studies on the role of social capital in poverty reduction and sustainable development, the site offers a conceptual discussion, literature reviews, and a set of measurement and analysis tools.