How to Measure Social Capital?

Methods and Levels of Measurement

According to the World Bank¹, research findings² and the experience of CIIF funded-projects in the past decade, social capital refers to the institutions, relationships and norms that shape the quality and quantity of a society's social interactions. Social capital includes social norms (personal attitudes and social values), networks and institutions.

At present, different scholars and research institutions in the world have conducted researches on the methods of measuring social capital at different levels. The methods of measurement are roughly divided into two categories:

1. Using existing researches or statistical data for analysis. For example: Measurement of social capital (Statistics Canada 2002) published by Statistics Canada, Canada, Measuring Social Capital (Office National Statistics, UK 2017) published by Office for Nation Statistics, UK, Prosperity Index published by the Legatum Institute, UK and Four Interpretation of Social Capital (Scrivens and Smith 2013) and How's Life? 2020: Measuring Well-being (OECD 2020) published by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
2. Developing measurement tools according to the needs of individual researches. As Halpern³ said, social capital in social and economic development can be derived from three levels, including micro-level, meso-level and macro-level. Among them, the micro-level refers to the social capital from individuals and families; the meso-level refers to the social capital established in communities (e.g., among neighbours) or work units (e.g., an enterprise); the macro-level refers to the social capital of countries beyond the integration of different parts of society.

(Source: Issue 22 of CIIF Newsletter, p. 2)

Regarding self-developed measurement tools, the following are the relevant measurement tools designed by overseas countries and Hong Kong.

Tools for Measuring Social Capital

• Measurement Tools Designed by Overseas Organisations/ Scholars

  Name of Measurement Tools	Content and Advantages	Limitations
  An integrated questionnaire for measuring social capital (World Bank 2004)	The tool mainly focuses on measuring the bonding and bridging social capital in different groups, organisations or networks at an individual level.	The tool is mainly used in developing countries. Some questions do not apply to Hong Kong. For example, "Is there any organisation, which can help your family obtain the service of water supply or sanitation, agriculture or technology investment, or irrigation, in the community?"
  The Lubben Social Network Scale (Lubben 1988)	Measuring social network.	Only measuring social network.
  Social Network Index (Cohen et al. 1997)	Measuring social network.	Only measuring social network.
  Social Capital Questionnaire (Bullen and Onyx 1998)	The tool is used to assess the social capital development of residents in five Australian communities.	Due to cultural differences, some questions do not apply to Hong Kong. For example, "If someone’s car is out of order outside your house, would you invite him/her to your home to call for assistance?"
  World Social Capital Monitor [United Nations Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2016]	The tool contains eight questions to assess the level of social capital development status of countries with different levels of development (including social atmosphere, trust, willingness to use austerity measures for the construction of public facilities, willingness to increase in taxes for the construction of public facilities, willingness to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises and co-operatives for developing regional economy, willingness to help others and being kind to others). As of 2020, respondents from 193 countries have participated in this online survey (https://trustyourplace.com/).	Some measurement areas are too vague, such as being kind to others. Some questions are not very applicable to the economic environment of Hong Kong, such as willingness to use austerity measures for the construction of public facilities, and willingness to increase in taxes for the construction of public facilities.

• Measurement Tools Designed by CIIF

  CIIF has always attached great importance to the project teams’ experience in building social capital. It hopes to conduct evidence-based evaluation of project effectiveness and summarise the local experience in implementing social capital for reference by organisations/ groups interested in social capital development. Therefore, CIIF has developed various types of measurement tools in different areas of social capital development.

  Name of Measurement Tools	Content	Check Here to Download the Measurement Tools
  Social Capital Scale (Individual Level)	In order to effectively assess the social capital outcomes achieved by the projects and save the project teams’ time in designing the tools, CIIF devised a local “Social Capital Scale” in 2012 by making reference to the World Bank’s definition of social capital, the tools used in the second CIIF evaluation study, and the implementation experience of funded projects. After validation of the Scale in 2013, all funded projects are required to fill in the “Social Capital Scale”. The Scale consists of six core social capital dimensions, namely “social networks”, “mutual-help and reciprocity”, “trust and solidarity”, “social cohesion and inclusion”, “social participation” as well as “information and communication”.	PDF format PDF format
  Questionnaire on Sustainable Development of Social Capital (Project Level)	After the funding period, CIIF focuses on whether the funded projects could continue to further the achievements of social capital, such as value change and role transformation, as well as social capital outcomes like the sustainable development of cross-sectoral collaboration, complementarity, trust, cohesion, support networks and community capacity. Financial sustainability, that is, whether the project can continue to receive funding or operate on a self-financing basis, is not the major consideration for the assessment of sustainability of the social capital projects. To assess in a more systematic manner whether the funded projects could sustain the social capital built after the funding period, CIIF devised a Questionnaire on "Sustainable Development of Social Capital” by making reference to the results of the effectiveness evaluation conducted by independent consultants from 2010 to 2012. The questionnaire covers four major areas, including 1) latest development of social capital established by projects, including social network, trust and solidarity, mutual-help and reciprocity, social cohesion and inclusion, social participation as well as information and communication; 2) the overall operation of the projects after the funding period; 3) key factors of whether the projects can sustainably develop; and 4) difficulties and challenges in implementing the sustainable development plan.	PDF format (Chinese version only)
  Social Capital Development Assessment Tool (For Corporates or Organisations)	Since CIIF’s establishment in 2002, one of its objectives is to integrate people from different social strata, sectors or groups, leading to a more caring and harmonious society. To accord recognition to cross-sectoral groups/organisations who have contributed to the development of social capital in Hong Kong, CIIF has organised the biennial SCB Awards since 2012. The Awards provide an opportunity for various sectors of the community to witness and share the achievements in building social capital in Hong Kong. To evaluate the effectiveness of social capital development among "Corporates or Organisations " and " Social Service Agencies" which have participated in the SCB Awards, CIIF designed a Social Capital Development Assessment Form in 2015 and 2018 with reference to the characteristics of social capital development in various sectors. The assessment covers six core social capital dimensions, each divided into four development stages.	PDF format
  Social Capital Development Assessment Tool (For Social Service Agencies)		PDF format

¹ http://go.worldbank.org/C0QTRW4QF0
² Coleman, James S. 1990. Foundation of Social Theory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Putnam, Robert D. 2000. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon and Schuster.
³ Halpern, David. 2005. Social Capital. Cambridge, UK; Malden, MA : Polity, p.27.