framework for the measurement of social capital in new zealand rachael milicich general manager...
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Framework for the Measurement of Social Capital in New Zealand
Rachael Milicich
General Manager
Geography, Regional and Environment
Why measure social capital?
• Interest from central and local government as agencies expressed interest in determining whether knowledge of social capital could assist them in their work
• Many people involved in policy development in NZ increasingly recognised that the concept of social capital could contribute to a broader analysis of policy options and issues
Conceptual issues
• Types of capital– Human
• Education, skills and knowledge that reside within individuals
– Cultural• The set of values, history, traditions
and behaviours which link a specific group of people together
– Social• The social networks that help
society to function effectively
• Individual vs. collective returns• Increase/decrease in social
capital
Definition of Social Capital Used
• “Relationships among actors (individuals, groups, and/or organisations) that create a capacity to act for mutual benefit or a common purpose”
• It can be accumulated over time and then drawn on in the future for use in achieving certain goals
• Is a collective resource rather than accruing to an individual
• Circumstances may result in having access to greater or lesser stocks of a community’s social capital
How is Social Capital Used
• Access to social capital can be said to have three key functions:– Processing information– Assessing risks– Exploring situations, individuals
and agencies
• Implications for measurement– Focus is on quality and quantity– Identify aspects of social life that
relate to social capital and can be measured to some extent
Aspects of Social Capital
• Conceptual framework was based on the work of James Coleman and his theoretical synthesis “Foundations of Social Theory”
• Coleman (1994) described what it was about social relations that could constitute useful capital resources for individuals.
• A Maori concept of Social Capital
Development of the framework
• Incorporation of key aspects– Norms and sanctions– Mandate and authority– Organisation– Sources of information– Obligations and expectations
• Review of work by others internationally– Six international research
projects chosen and reviewed
Development of the framework
• Stocks and flows– Ideally both are required– Involves different implications for
measurement as well as user requirements
– Stocks involve determining the various factors that indicate high or low levels of social capital
– Flows involve measuring the actions that can increase or deplete social capital
– Stocks was chosen for the framework development as being more important initially
The Framework DevelopedAttitudes and Values
Beliefs about selfAttitudes towards others
Trust and reciprocityAttitudes to government and other
societal institutionsValues and norms
Outlook for and confidence in the future
Population Groups
DemographicFamilyCultural
EmploymentCommunication
Organisations
NumberType
Size of "membership"Structure
Links and networksMode of operation
Behaviours
Giving to strangersParticipation in voluntary
organisationsParticipation in informal networks
Wider interest in societyCommunity participation
Compliance with rules and norms
Dimensions
Behaviours
•Giving to strangers•Participation in voluntary
organisations•Participation in informal
networks•Wider interest in society•Community participation
•Compliance with rules and norms
•Measures of the propensity people have to:
– give willingly to strangers
– give their time to causes
•Measures of the relationships and interactions with others on an informal basis•Measures of who pays attention to what is going on in the world•Measure of who takes on responsibilities by complying with rules and by taking responsibility for others
Dimensions
Attitudes & Values
•Beliefs about self•Attitudes towards others
•Trust and reciprocity•Attitudes to government
and other societal institutions
•Values and norms•Outlook for and
confidence in the future
•Range of possible measures•Examples include:
– How you view your place?
– Whether feel connected to other people?
– Whether everyone is of equal value?
– Opinion on the nature of social and political activities
– Whether you feel safe in your local area?
– Trust in Parliament
– Attitudes towards caring, co-operating, tolerance and other “social capital related norms
– Goals for the future
Dimensions
Population Groups
•Demographic•Family•Cultural
•Employment•Communication
•Examples– Sex
– Age
– Ethnicity
– Family type
– Ages of children
– Birthplace
– Religion
– Labour force status
– Education
– Industry
– Hours of work
– Health/disability status
– Language spoken
– Geographic isolation
Dimensions
Organisations
•Number•Type
•Size of "membership"•Structure
•Links and networks•Mode of operation
•Examples• Number of organisations• Service organisations• Sports clubs• Marae (Meeting
place)• Schools• Number of members• Number of employees• Tiers of management• Public access routes into
organisation• Membership of network,
association, other• Consultation with the
community
Suggested Key Indicators
• Trust– Degree to which other people or
institutions are trusted– Degree to which individuals feel they
themselves are trusted or valued
• Civic engagement• Voluntary activity• Participation• Giving• Meeting obligations
Suggested Key Indicators
• By individual activity (what people do; how they behave)– Civic engagement
• Voting, standing for elections
– Voluntary activity• Volunteering for others - informal or
formal
– Participation• In sports, arts, culture (club rather than
social service activity)
– Giving• Time, money, blood, information
– Meeting obligations• Family, cultural, religious obligations,
paying taxes
Suggested Key Indicators
• By opportunities (the presence of institutions that are inducive to the building and use of social capital, ie a social capital rich environment)– Voluntary associations, How many? What
type?
– Elected boards and committees versus appointed or bureaucratic management
– Public meetings – forums for dialogue
Since 2002• Focus shifted to measuring social well-being
which is measured in the Social Report by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
• Example of Social Well-being outcome and indicators
Civil and Political RightsDESIRED OUTCOME STATEMENT All people enjoy civil and political rights. Mechanismsto regulate and arbitrate people’s rights in respect ofeach other are trustworthy.
INDICATORS22. Voter turnout*23. Representation of women in government*24. Perceived discrimination25. Perceived corruption
Contact information• Myself
• Principal Statistician, Social and Population Group– [email protected]
• Australia– Assistant Director, Family and
Community Statistics Section– [email protected]– Director, Family and
Community Statistics Section– [email protected]