Publication: Understanding and Measuring Social Capital : A Multidisciplinary Tool for Practitioners
Date
2002-06
ISSN
Published
2002-06
Author(s)
Grootaert, Christiaan
Van Bastelar, Thierry
Abstract
The importance of social capital for
sustainable development, is by now well recognized.
Anthropologists, sociologists, political scientists, and
economists have in their own ways, demonstrated the critical
role of institutions, networks, and their supporting norms
and values, for the success of development interventions.
This success often hinges on accurate assessments of social
capital in target communities. But the nature, and impact of
social capital - the institutions, relationships, attitudes,
and values that govern interactions among people - are not
easily quantified. "Understanding and Measuring Social
Capital" provides a conceptual review, and measurement
tools, in a form readily available for development
practitioners. The book discusses the respective value of
quantitative, and qualitative approaches to the analysis of
social capital, illustrating the discussion with examples,
and case studies from many countries. It also presents the
Social Capital Assessment Tool, which combines quantitative,
and qualitative instruments to measure social capital at the
level of household, community, and organization, drawing on
multidisciplinary, empirical experiences, an application
which can provide project managers with valuable baseline,
and monitoring information about social capital in its
different dimensions.
Citation
“Grootaert, Christiaan; Van Bastelar, Thierry. 2002. Understanding and Measuring Social Capital : A Multidisciplinary Tool for Practitioners. Directions in Development;. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/8f069a0b-b4a4-5c05-bee7-d52c5b583716 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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