Sen's Capability Research Articles

The Capability and Social Justice Theories: Developing a Second-Generation Model for Enhancing Epistemological Access in Flood-Prone Schools in Kenya

This paper draws from a larger doctoral study, conducted between 2013 and 2016 in five flood-prone schools of the Budalang’i division of western Kenya. The mixed-methods study was based on empirical data drawn from twenty-three in-depth interviews from parents, senior school managers, and Sub County Education officers. Fifteen of these interviews were with males and eight with females. A questionnaire was completed by a total of 191 Standard Eight pupils, 49.2% boys and 50.8% girls across the five schools. Focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of ten pupils from each of the five schools were also conducted. The study investigated the extent to which flood-prone schools can generate equitable epistemological access (EEA) and how they are committed to delivering a socially just educational experience. The research was embedded in the 'critical realism framework' as the overarching philosophy, premised on Sen's capability approach and Nancy Fraser's social justice framework. The two theories offer competing predications that: 1) the development of individual capabilities improves lives 2) the development of individuals should be based on a socially just approach. Findings suggested that to develop individual capabilities, schools need to embark on a socially just approach, especially to learners who are subjected to deprivation. The paper models a capabilities and social justice approach, as a substantial contribution to our understanding of the extent to which flood-prone schools of Kenya may improve individual capability development. Apart from its implications for policy, we suggest that the model should be implemented in schools to determine its efficacy.

What is intersectional equality? A definition and goal of equality for organizations

AbstractOrganizational research has come a long way in understanding and dealing with inequalities in the workplace. Despite this, there has not been enough progress toward equality. The reason for the stymied progress, we argue, is in large part due to the conceptual gaps in our understanding of equality. This has not been clear enough to prevent previous imbalances in power, interests and domination from re‐manifesting themselves in new ways. Because organizations are complex, there needs to be a clear definition and goal of equality that can account for these mechanisms. In this article, we present a conceptual approach we call intersectional equality. To develop this approach, we build on Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality and Joan Acker's inequality regimes that are useful for understanding the presence and persistency of inequality in organizations, but these do not define solutions for equality. At this point, we turn to equality and justice theory and examine Amartya Sen's capabilities approach for incorporating organizations and organizational responsibilities to pursue equality. In light of the conceptual gaps in intersectionality, the inequality regimes, and the capabilities approach, we present intersectional equality as a conclusive alternative concept and approach. Intersectional equality sharpens the feminist definition and vision of equality for organizations and provides a practical path forward for building coalitions and capabilities across four dimensions of organizational disparities (procedural, discursive, material, and affective).

AMARTYA SEN'S CAPABILITIES APPROACH: RESISTANCE AND TRANSFORMATIVE POWER IN THE AGE OF TRANSHUMANISM

AbstractAlthough the development of transhuman technologies has the potential to radically improve the quality of human life, transhumanism risks widening existing socio‐economic disparity. A side effect of innovative advance in AI (artificial intelligence) and IA (intelligence amplification) would be a society with a large underclass dominated by a techno‐elite. For my analysis, I will draw on Amartya Sen's Capabilities Approach, which focuses on opportunities that make possible an individuals’ capabilities of choosing to pursue their life values and well‐being. This article explores how Sen's approach can serve as a foundational framework to critique capitalism‐driven technological development and consequent social inequality. It further examines how it can serve as guidance for a democratic and just transhumanist society by necessitating the establishment of social conditions where all persons can flourish.

Pandemic-Related Experiences of Older Adults and People with Disabilities

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To understand how pandemic related restrictions and regulations have affected older adults and people with disabilities we drew on Sen's Capabilities Approach (Sen, 1985; Venkatapuram, 2011) to explore their pandemic-related experiences. <h3>Design</h3> This qualitative description study (Sandelowski, 2000;2010) used interview data that were collected as part of a larger mixed-methods study. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductive analysis was informed by Sen's Capabilities Approach. <h3>Setting</h3> Teleconference. <h3>Participants</h3> We recruited community dwelling participants from four groups: people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) (n = 22), people who have experienced a stroke (n = 26), people with other disabilities (n = 13), and older adults (over the age of 65) without reported disabilities (n = 10). <h3>Interventions</h3> N/A. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> N/A. <h3>Results</h3> Our analysis identified one overarching theme: "navigating the new normal" described the challenges and successes participants experienced in the face of pandemic-related recommendations, restrictions and regulations. The overarching theme encapsulated three sub-themes. 1) "Trying to stay connected" explored feelings of social isolation and strategies used to reduce feelings of loneliness. 2) "Worrying about the future" described the personal and societal uncertainties participants grappled with. 3) "Exerting control" emphasized how participants tried to deal with pandemic related restrictions that affected their daily activities and health management. <h3>Conclusions</h3> As has been found in previous survey research, pandemic restrictions appear to have exacerbated previously existing inequities experienced by some older adults and people with disabilities, as those who were disadvantaged prior to the pandemic, bore the brunt of restrictions (Drum et al., 2020). Greater consultation is needed to reduce detrimental effects of pandemic restrictions on these populations and promote strengths-based approaches to deal with the current situation and potential future pandemics. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> The authors have no disclosures.

A network understanding of FinTech (in)capabilities in the global South

This article probes how uneven access to digital financial technologies maps onto and reinforces existing inequalities in the global South. Grounded in Sen's capability approach, it deploys a network science approach to examine emergent factors reinforcing techno-financial inequality or the uneven access to FinTech instruments, such as mobile money (MM) or m-banking services. Focusing on a case study in Dhaka, Bangladesh, our findings suggest that unequal access to MM services is driven by a lack of capability inputs (e.g., low income and savings) needed to access certain goods (e.g., mobile phones). This lack affects and is affected by personal conversion factors (e.g., functional and financial illiteracies), environmental conversion factors within the MM ecosystem (e.g., unreliable MM operators), and socio-cultural practices (e.g., gender norms) within which MM services are embedded. We argue that these factors must be understood and analyzed as a network of converging forces that constrain digital financial capabilities and wellbeing within the peripheries of the global South. This network understanding highlights the need to avoid one-size-fits-all policy interventions, including moving beyond techno-centric paradigms that privilege the proffering of technological fixes: dumping more FinTech instruments into global South markets. Rather, FinTech policy models must recognize and carefully address the intersection of micro and macro factors inhibiting FinTech access in the global South.

Patient capability: Justice and grassroots healthcare delivery in China

The current reform of China's healthcare system focuses mainly on two dimensions: the promotion of primary healthcare and the improvement of quality of grassroots healthcare (GH). Specifically, the reforms are aimed at meeting the needs of patients in the grassroots areas (PGAs) through the provision of universal healthcare and hierarchical diagnosis and treatment (HDT). In practice, however, disparities in health outcomes between the grassroots and upper levels persist. The gaps between increased health coverage and heightened barriers to accessing quality medical care in the grassroots areas are growing ever larger. What explains this paradox is the limited capability of PGAs to transform healthcare resources into better health-seeking behaviors and health outcomes, resulting in injustice that is built into the system, which is neither ethical nor fair. Using Amartya Sen's capability approach (CA) to explore issues of justice in relation to China's GH system and its performance, we suggest that an institutional structure, one that focuses on promoting universal coverage in the grassroots areas, although necessary, is by itself insufficient in promoting justice and equality in accessing healthcare. Institutional disparities in the healthcare system and China's household registration policy, constructed according to the rural-urban divide, have also produced injustices. We argue that greater attention should be given to meeting the medical needs of PGAs and empowering them with greater choice, permitting them a higher level of freedom and agency, and thus remedying the problems that we describe. We conclude with policy recommendations aimed at improving justice within the system.

Well-being among older persons with disabilities in Trinidad.

Given the expected increase in the proportion of older persons and evidence of poverty among persons with disabilities in general, well-being among older persons with disabilities is an important issue. Using Sen's capability approach, this article examines well-being among older persons with disabilities in Trinidad. A multiphase mixed-methods design with three phases was employed. In the initial exploratory phase, functionings which are things people value doing or being were identified via 11 interviews. These functionings were used in the subsequent phase to develop an instrument with both closed- and open-ended questions. The instrument was then administered in the third phase to measure well-being and to identify its hindering factors. Responses from 31 participants revealed moderate-to-severe deprivations among older persons with disabilities in Trinidad including for functionings related to food, healthcare, information and transportation. The integrated findings suggested changes to social care and healthcare systems to promote well-being among older persons with disabilities in Trinidad, as well as the need to develop community interactions and public services regarding transportation, supportive devices, and therapy.

Understanding feedback relationships between resources, functionings and well-being: A case study of seaweed farming and artisanal processing in Indonesia.

Sen's Capability Approach is one of the most significant theoretical contributions to welfare analysis across a range of disciplines. A part of the literature argues that its conceptual linear flow-from resources to 'functionings', which result in well-being-potentially ignores more complex relations with the feedback loops where a single item could be viewed as having a different role by different people, in different contexts. We explore perceptions of existing feedback relationships in interviews with 74 women from nine seaweed farming villages in Indonesia, engaged in two distinct activities: seaweed farming and artisanal seaweed processing. We find that capability sets required for farming and for processing are distinct and in both cases we observe feedback loops. Several factors, notably social networks and transportation (motorbikes), were mentioned in almost all contexts indicating that not all resources are of equal 'value' and might yield different levels of well-being.

Empowerment Through Women Entrepreneurship

The purpose of the current study was to explore the conditions of empowerment among women entrepreneurs in the beauty salon sector in Sri Lanka by shedding light on the specific challenges faced by women when initiating and developing an enterprise. Focus group discussions were used to create a colloborative platform for businesswomen to meet and exchange experiences on being entrepreneurial women. Twelve women entrepreneurs who own beauty salons in the outskirts of the capital city of Sri Lanka participated in the workshop. Sen's capability approach and Kabeer's empowerment framework was used to interpret the findings. The women in the study face many challenges such as difficulties in maintaining a healthy ork-life balance, ouble burden and tiresome multi-tasking. Research suggests that women's choice to become an entrepreneur enables them to achieve their practical and strategic gender needs. Nevertheless, too much focus on fulfilling practical gender needs limits the ability of women to fulfil their strategic gender needs. However, entrepreneurial agency has changed their status through improving the wellbeing of women, increasing the actual economic contribution, strengthning the economic security, through the ability to exercise the purchasing power to invest on children, sense of self-worth, value within their families and family welfare. The study will increase our understanding of women and their family ties and the challenges women face in multiple roles they play in a developing context like Sri Lanka.

Education, poverty and social exclusion: assessment of youth leaving care

Amartya Sen's Human Capability Approach considers education a pivotal indicator of human development, and means to reduce poverty and social exclusion. In developing nations like India, education has remained inaccessible to many, especially vulnerable children and youth. Upon turning 18 years of age, youth who have lived in child care institutions are expected to leave care and transition into independent life on their own. While they receive basic education and vocational training in care, it falls short of quality higher education necessary for a smooth transition towards independent life. In an assessment of the situation of such youth in five States of India, Udayan Care, an NGO working with children and youth found that most of the Care Leavers (CLs) were forced to compromise on education and pursue jobs with low remuneration. This study examines the interrelatedness of education, poverty and social exclusion among CLs through secondary literature and empirical data from Udayan Care's national study. Analysing the findings from the lens of the Capability Approach, the gaps in provisions of educational support to CLs and subsequent limitations to address challenges of poverty and social exclusion of this population are highlighted, also making recommendations on ways to improve CLs’ outcomes.

Exploring the impact of a community participatory intervention on women's capability: a qualitative study in Gulu Northern Uganda

BackgroundCommunity participatory interventions mobilizing women of childbearing age are an effective strategy to promote maternal and child health. In 2017, we implemented this strategy in Gulu Northern Uganda. This study explored the perceived impact of this approach on women's capability.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study based on three data collection methods: 14 in-depth individual interviews with participating women of childbearing age, five focus group discussions with female facilitators, and document analysis. We used the Sen capability approach as a conceptual framework and undertook a thematic analysis.ResultsWomen adopted safe and healthy behaviors for themselves and their children. They were also able to respond to some of their family's financial needs. They reported a reduction in domestic violence and in mistreatment towards their children. The facilitators perceived improved communication skills, networking, self-confidence, and an increase in their social status. Nevertheless, the women still faced unfreedoms that deprived them of living the life they wanted to lead. These unfreedoms are related to their lack of access to economic opportunities and socio-cultural norms underlying gender inequalities.ConclusionTo expand women's freedoms, we need more collective political actions to tackle gender inequalities and need to question the values underlying women's social status.

The Origins of Behavioural Public Policy

The Origins of Behavioural Public Policy

Fruição de direitos sociais por estrangeiros à luz do princípio da igualdade: estudo do caso dos venezuelanos

Este artigo trata do gozo dos direitos fundamentais sociais pelos estrangeiros, mais especificamente pelos venezuelanos à luz do princípio constitucional na igualdade. A partir daí, considerando o aumento do fluxo de fronteiriços da Venezuela nos últimos cinco anos na condição de imigrante ou refugiado de forma definitiva, tornou-se necessário abordar essa temática, pois essas pessoas passaram a utilizar os serviços públicos sociais brasileiros, tem-se por objetivo analisar se a Constituição e as leis brasileiras tratam os estrangeiros de maneira igualitária para que eles usufruam dos mesmos direitos sociais que os nacionais brasileiros. A abordagem da teoria das “Capabilities” de Amartya Sen foi exposta e estabeleceu-se sua relação com a imigração venezuelana. Desse modo, por meio do método dedutivo, qualitativo e bibliográfico, concluiu-se que os venezuelanos, de acordo com o princípio da igualdade, têm pleno direito de usufruir dos mesmos direitos sociais que os nacionais brasileiros.

Measuring fuel poverty in tropical territories: A latent class model

There are well established strategies for measuring fuel poverty in developed countries based on heating factors correlated with household income (expenditure, heating restriction or cold houses), but they do not translate well to tropical regions where climatic conditions and socioeconomic contexts entail different energy use. Fuel poverty in tropical regions has never been defined. We propose a new framework for the identification of fuel-poor households based on Sen's capability approach. We employ latent class model (LCM) methodology to accurately assess fuel poverty in tropical areas using observable objective characteristics of decent, safe and healthy dwellings. This approach enables us to categorize households as fuel-poor or fuel-sufficient. It is also possible to extend the model further by considering the multi-dimensional phenomenon of fuel poverty. We find that the most deprived represent approximately 12% of the population, while 32% of the population is expected to belong to the fuel-sufficient class. An intermediate class encompassing 56% of the population represents vulnerable households that could easily be affected by an exogenous shock. Energy deprivation is much more complex and multidimensional than a binary phenomenon, implying that fuel poverty can be measured with different degrees of exposure. With this research, we enable policy makers to identify a target group of households that should be a top priority in fighting fuel poverty in tropical regions.

Experiences With Health Care Services in Switzerland Among Immigrant Women With Chronic Illnesses.

Introduction: Descriptive data indicate a high burden of chronic illness among immigrant women in Switzerland. Little is known about how immigrant women with chronic illnesses experience healthcare services. This paper presents a methodological approach theoretically informed by Sen's capability approach and Levesque's framework of access to healthcare to study patient-reported experiences (PREs) of Swiss healthcare services among immigrant women with chronic conditions.Methods: We conducted 48 semi-structured qualitative interviews in Bern and Geneva with Turkish (n = 12), Portuguese (n = 12), German (n = 12), and Swiss (n = 12) women. Participants were heterogenous in age, length of stay, SES, and educational attainment, illness types and history. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with healthcare and social service providers (n = 12). Interviewed women participated in two focus group discussions (n = 15). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Atlas.ti software, based on Gale et al.'s framework approach. Findings informed three stakeholder dialogues in which women as well as healthcare providers and policymakers from various territorial levels participated.Results: Our methodological approach succeeded in integrating women's perspectives—from initial data collection in interviews to identify issues, focus group discussions to increase rigor, and stakeholder dialogues to develop tailored recommendations based on PREs.Discussion: This is one of the first studies in Switzerland that used PREs to research healthcare services and healthcare needs among immigrant women with chronic illnesses. This paper provides new insights on how to better understand existing challenges and potentially improve access to and quality of care.

Assessing socio-economic development in Bodoland Territorial Area District of Assam in India

PurposeThe study attempts to assess the socio-economic development in Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) of Assam in North Eastern Region of India. This region is one of the most underdeveloped areas in India. The study also examines whether demographic and social characteristics in the form of social groups, number of family members, number of employed members in the family, education of the head of household, sources of income and location determine the variation in the level of socio-economic development. The authors surveyed 400 households during February to May 2018 in both rural and urban areas of BTAD to achieve the objective of the study.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the concept of Amartya Sen's capability approach (CA) for assessment of development and constructed an index of Multidimensional Development.FindingsThere is variation in the distribution of developmental parameters across the study area. It is found that urban locations have better achievement in the multidimensional index score, while the spread of development is not even in the rural locations. An interesting revelation of this study is that while urban areas depict better performance in income, asset, education and empowerment, they have a relatively lower score in health dimension as compared to rural areas. The study shows that level of development depends on demographic as well as social characteristics of the households.Research limitations/implicationsThis study does not analyse temporal dynamics of development that is necessary to examine how development evolves because of data constraints.Originality/valueThe study provides an understanding of the socio-economic development in BTAD area in a multidimensional framework. This study is the first of its kind to assess the nature and extent of development realised in BTAD through the capability framework. The study supports more recent findings.

Human Capabilities and Instrumental Freedoms Relationship: An Empirical Investigation

Purpose of the study: In Development as freedom, Amartya Sen confirmed the crucial "instrumental" role of five kinds of freedoms in the promotion of capabilities and therefore in the process of human development in general. These are political freedoms, economic facilities, transparency guarantees, social opportunities, and protective security. This paper has three empirical objectives: 1) to measure the effect of instrumental freedoms on capabilities, 2) to verify if this effect becomes stronger once instrumental freedoms are interconnected, and 3) to verify whether this relationship is moderated by the level of economic development achieved by each country. Methodology: To achieve these three objectives, this article confronts the second-order construct of "instrumental freedoms" (as an exogenous variable) with five first-order constructs (as endogenous variables). The five endogenous latent variables reflect the capabilities of health, education, housing, employment, and communication and mobility at the level of the sixty countries selected as the analysis samples. The estimation of the hierarchical structural model is done using the partial least squares approach and the repeated indicator method. Main Findings: This study highlights three major results: 1) The existence of a significant effect of instrumental freedoms on the five relevant capabilities selected. 2) When instrumental freedoms interconnect, they reinforce each other and their effect on human capabilities becomes stronger. 3) The multi-group analysis suggests that instrumental freedoms positively and significantly impact human capabilities in the same way in both developed and developing countries. Research implications: Freedom plays a "constitutive" and "instrumental" role in the development process. To provide people with the freedom to live according to their aspirations, public policies must be empowering. In other words, they should improve the instrumental perspective of at least three essential freedoms: political freedoms, economic facilities, and transparency guarantees. Novelty/Originality of this study: Apart from the works which attempted to operationalize Amartya Sen's capability approach, the relationship between instrumental freedoms and human capabilities has not been the subject of empirical studies. This paper is intended as a contribution to this field of investigation.

A review of the World Health Organization’s discourses of equity

Abstract Given the heightened rhetorical prominence the World Health Organization has afforded to equity in the past half-century, it is important to better understand how equity has been referred to and its conceptual underpinning, which may have broader global implications. Therefore, this study conducted a scoping review and focused on peer-reviewed literature by scanning Ovid MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases, and supplementing by hand-search. Articles were included if they met inclusion criteria - chiefly the explicit discussion of the WHO's concept of health equity, for example in terms of conceptualization and/or definitions. Articles which mentioned health equity in the context of WHO's programs, policies, and so on, but did not discuss its conceptualization or definition were excluded. Results demonstrate the WHO has held - and continues to hold - ambiguous, inadequate, and contradictory views of equity that are rooted in different theories of social justice. Moving forward, the WHO should revaluate its conceptualization of equity and normative position, and align its work with Amartya Sen's Capabilities Approach, as it best encapsulates the broader views of the organization. Further empirical research is needed to assess the WHO interpretations and approaches to equity. Key messages The WHO has held — and continues to hold — ambiguous, inadequate, and contradictory views of equity that are rooted in different theories of social justice. The WHO should revaluate its conceptualization of equity and normative position, and align its work with Amartya Sen’s Capabilities Approach.

Debate: Promoting capabilities for young people's agency in the COVID-19 outbreak.

The COVID‐19 pandemic is having a pervasive effect on young people's mental health and well‐being, giving rise to feelings of deep uncertainty and lack of control. Inspired by Amartya Sen's capabilities framework, we argue that building capacity and creating opportunities for community and civic engagement during this time will help young people gain agency and well‐being. We highlight two key areas for participatory engagement: coproduction of research, and peer‐led interventions. Providing capabilities for young people's agency not only builds personal resilience, but also strengthens the quality of our research, interventions and overall response to the global health crisis.

The Relationship Between Beneficiary Positioning in Social Enterprises and Depth of Impacts Created

Beneficiary positioning is an important and under-examined component of how social enterprises are organized. Beneficiaries can hold a range of positions within a social enterprise including as recipients of free goods and services, customers or suppliers of goods and services to the enterprise, or as employees of the enterprise. Leveraging the Sen's capabilities framework as a tool to measure depth of impact, this paper examines six comparative cases of social enterprises with beneficiaries positioned in different roles to better understand the types of impacts social enterprises can create for beneficiaries. The cases examined indicate that beneficiary positioning has significant implications for the depth of impact created, with beneficiaries as employees having the deepest impacts for beneficiaries and beneficiaries as recipients having the shallowest.