Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Towards a European System of Social Indicators: Theoretical Framework and System Architecture

  • Published:
Social Indicators Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

By developing a ``European System of Social Indicators'' the scientificcommunity as well as policy makers are being provided with a theoreticallywell-grounded as well as methodologically sound tool of social measurementto be used to continuously monitor and analyse the development of welfareas well as general trends of social change in European societies. Thearticle focuses on the development of a conceptual framework, to be usedto guide and justify the selection of measurement dimensions and indicators.Based on an extensive review of theoretical concepts of welfare and anexploration of political goals of societal development at the Europeanlevel, six major categories of goal dimensions, referring to the conceptsof quality of life, social cohesion and sustainability have been identifiedas the backbones of the conceptual framework. In addition, the articlepresents the main features of the architecture of the European System ofSocial Indicators and lays out its main structural elements and characteristics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Allardt, E.: 1993, ‘Having, loving, being: An alternative to the Swedish model of welfare research’, in M. Nussbaum and A. Sen (eds.), The Quality of Life (Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 88-94).

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyle, M.: 1996, ‘Subjective well-being’, in A. Offer (eds.), In Pursuit of the Quality of Life (Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 18-45).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, W., L. van der Maesen and A. Walker: 1998a, ‘Introduction’, in W. Beck, L. van der Maesen and A. Walker (eds.), The Social Quality of Europe (The Policy Press, Bristol, pp. 1-15).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, W., L. van der Maesen and A. Walker: 1998b, ‘Social quality: From issue to concept’, in W. Beck, L. van der Maesen and A. Walker (eds.), The Social Quality of Europe (The Policy Press, Bristol, pp. 301-340).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, W., L. van der Maesen and A. Walker: 1998, The Social Quality of Europe (The Policy Press, Bristol).

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, E., T. Jahn, I. Stiess and P. Wehling: 1997, ‘Sustainability: A cross-disciplinary concept for social transformations’ (MOST Policy Papers 6, UNESCO, Paris) (http://www.unesco.org/most/discuss.htm).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, D., P. Halucha and M. Hopkins: 1999, ‘Sustainable development concept paper. Sustainability project’ (Government of Canada, Policy Research Initiative (PRI)) (http://www.schoolnet.ca/pri-prp/sustainability/concept%20papere. htm).

  • Berger-Schmitt, R. and B. Jankowitsch: 1999, ‘Systems of social indicators and social reporting: The state of the art. EuReporting’ (Working Paper No. 1, Centre for Survey Research and Methodology (ZUMA), Social Indicators Department, Mannheim) (http://www.gesis.org/en/social_monitoring/social_ indicators/EU_Reporting/index.htm).

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger-Schmitt, R. and H.-H. Noll: 2000, ‘Conceptual framework and structure of a European system of social indicators’ www.gesis.org/en/social_monitoring/social_indicators/EU_Reporting/index. htm).

  • Berghman, J.: 1995, ‘Social exclusion in Europe: Policy context and analytical framework’, in G. Room (ed.), Beyond the Threshold. The Measurement and Analysis of Social Exclusion (The Policy Press, Bristol, pp. 10-28).

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A., Ph. E. Converse and W. Rodgers: 1976, The Quality of American Life (Russel Sage Foundation, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J.: 1988, ‘Social capital in the creation of human capital’, American Journal of Sociology 94, pp. 95-120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahrendorf, R. et al.: 1995, Report on Wealth Creation and Social Cohesion in a Free Society (Commission on Wealth Creation and Social Cohesion, London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health, Education, and Welfare: 1969, Toward a Social Report (US. Government Printing Office, Washington).

    Google Scholar 

  • Doraid, M.: 1997, ‘Analytical tools for human development'(Human Development Report Office, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)) (http://www.undp.org/hdro/anatools.htm).

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, R.: 1993, ‘Descriptions of inequality: The Swedish approach to welfare research’, in M. Nussbaum and A. Sen. (eds.), The Quality of Life (Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 67-83).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission: 1993a, ‘Growth, competitiveness and employment’. White Paper COM(93)700 (Office for Official Publication of the European Communities, Luxembourg).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission: 1994, ‘European social policy–A way forward for the union’. White Paper COM(94)333final (Office for Official Publication of the European Communities, Luxembourg).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission: 1996a, ‘Living and working in the information society: People first’ (Green Paper COM(96)389, Brussels) (http://europa.eu. int/ispoosoc/legreg/docs/peopl1st.html).

  • European Commission: 1996b, Equality of Opportunity for People with Disabilities–A New European Community Disability Strategy COM(96)406 (Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission: 1997b, For a Stronger and Wider Union (COM(97) 2000, Agenda 2000, Volume I–Communication, Strasbourg) (http://europa.eu.int/ comm/enlargement/agenda2000/strong/1.htm).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission: 1997e, Communication the Commission on Environment and Employment (Building a Sustainable Europe) (COM(97)592 final, Brussels).

  • European Commission: 1998a, Social Action Programme 1998–2000 (COM(98)259, Brussels) (http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg05/news/sapen.htm).

  • European Communities: 1997a, Treaty of Amsterdam Amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties Establishing the European Communities and Certain Related Acts (Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Communities: 1997b, Consolidated Version of the Treaty on European Union (Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Communities: 1997c, Consolidated Version of the Treaty Establishing the European Community (Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gore, C. and J.B. Figueiredo: 1997, ‘Social exclusion and anti-poverty policy: A debate’ (International Institute for Labour Studies Research Series, No. 110, Geneva).

  • Grootaert, Ch.: 1998, ‘Social capital: The missing link?. World Bank, Social Capital Initiative (SCI)’ (Working Paper No. 3, Social Capital Initiative, Washington, D.C.) (http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/scapital/wkrppr/ sciwp3.pdf).

    Google Scholar 

  • Haan, A. de: 1999, Social Exclusion: Towards a Holistic Understanding of Deprivation (Deutsche Stiftung für internationale Entwicklung (DSE), Villa Borsig Workshop Series, Berlin) (http://www.dse.de/ef/poverty/dehaan.htm).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardi, P., S. Barg, T. Hodge and L. Pinter: 1997, ‘Measuring sustainable. Development: Review of current practice’ (Occasional Paper Number 17, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Winnipeg).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, M.: 1998-99, What is Sustainability Anyway? (http://www. sustainablemeasures.com/Sustainability/index.html).

  • Immerfall, S.: 1999, ‘Sozialkapital in der Bundesrepublik. Thesen zu Konzept und Größenordnung’, in E. Kistler, H.-H. Noll and E. Priller (eds.), Perspektiven gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalts. Empirische Befunde, Praxiserfahrungen, Meßkonzepte (Edition Sigma, Berlin, pp. 121-128).

  • International Institute for Labour Studies (IILS): 1998, Social Exclusion and Anti-Poverty Strategies. Research Project on the Patterns and Causes of Social Exclusion and the Design of Policies to Promote Integration: A Synthesis of Findings (IILS, Geneva).

    Google Scholar 

  • International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): 1998, City of Winnipeg Quality of Life Indicators (IISD, Winnipeg) (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/ pdf/wpg.qoli.pdf).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenson, J. 1998b: Mapping Social Cohesion: The State of Canadian Research (CPRN Study No. F 03, Canadian Policy Research Networks, Ottawa) (http://www.cprn.com/cprn.html).

    Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, M.: 1998, Social Cohesion and Macroeconomic Performance. Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS), Paper presented at the Conference: The State of Living Standards and the Quality of Life, October 30-31, Ottawa, Ontario/Canada.

  • Mega, V. and J. Pedersen: 1998, Urban Sustainability Indicators. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EUR-OP, Luxembourg).

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, I.: 1985, Social Indicators for Human Development (Frances Pinter, London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moldan, B., S. Billharz and R. Matravers (eds.): 1997, Sustainability Indicators: A Report on the Project on Indicators of Sustainable Development SCOPE report 58 (Wiley, Chichester).

    Google Scholar 

  • Munasinghe, M. and J. McNeely: 1995, ‘Key concepts and terminology of sustainable development’, in M. Munasinghe and W. Shearer (eds.), Defining and Measuring Sustainability (The Biogeophysical Foundations, Washington, D.C., pp. 19-56).

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayan, D.: 1999, Bonds and Bridges: Social Capital and Poverty (World Bank, Poverty Group, Washington, D.C.) (http://www.worldbank.org/ poverty/scapital/library/narayan.htm).

    Google Scholar 

  • Noll, H.-H.: 1996, ‘Social indicators and social reporting–The international experience’, in Canadian Council on Social Development (ed.), Symposium on Measuring Well-Being and Social Indicators. Final report (http://www.ccsd.ca/noll1.html).

  • Noll, H.-H.: 1999, ‘Konzepte der Wohlfahrtsentwicklung: Lebensqualität und “neue” Wohlfahrtskonzepte’ (EuReporting Working Paper No. 3, Centre for Survey Research and Methodology (ZUMA), Social Indicators Department, Mannheim) (http://www.gesis.org/en/social_monitoring/ social_indicators/EU_Reporting/index.htm).

    Google Scholar 

  • Noll, H.-H. and W. Zapf: 1994, ‘Social indicators research: Societal monitoring and social reporting’, in I. Borg and P. Ph. Mohler (eds.), Trends and Perspectives in Empirical Social Research (Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, New York, pp. 1-16).

    Google Scholar 

  • North, D.: 1990, Institutions, Institutional Change, and Economic Performance (University Press, New York/Cambridge).

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connor, P.: 1998, ‘Mapping Social Cohesion. Canadian Policy Research Networks’ (CPRN Discussion Paper No. F 01, Ottawa) (ftp://ftp.cprn.org/ family/msc_e.pdf).

  • OECD: 1998a, ‘Sustainable development: A renewed effort by the OECD’ (OECD Policy Brief No. 8, Paris) (http://www.oecd.org//publications/pol _brief/1998/9808-eng.htm).

  • OECD: 1998b, ‘OECD work on sustainable development’ (A Discussion Paper on Work to be Undertaken over the Period 1998–2001, Paris) (http://www. oecd.org/subject/sustdev/oecdwork.pdf).

  • OECD: 1998c, ‘Sustainable development indicators’ (OECD Expert Workshop, 8–9 October 1998, Paris).

  • Pearce, D.: 1993, Measuring Sustainable Development (Earthscan, London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, D.W. and J.J. Warford: 1993, World Without End. Economics, Environment, and Sustainable Development (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Policy Research Initiative, Government of Canada: 1999, Sustaining Growth, Human Development, and Social Cohesion in a Global World. A Report Prepared for the Policy Research Initiative (http://www.schoolnet.ca/pri-rp/keydocs/sustain99/index-e.htm).

  • Putnam, R.: 1995, ‘Bowling alone: America's declining social capital’, Journal of Democracy 6(1), pp. 65-78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, G. (ed.): 1995, The Poverty Agenda and the ILO. Issues for Research and Action. New approaches to poverty analysis and policy–I. A contribution to the World Summit for Social Development (International Labour Office, Geneva).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, G., C. Gore and J.B. Figueiredo: 1995, Social Exclusion: Rhetoric, Reality, Responses(International Labour Office, Geneva).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossing Feldman, T. and S. Assaf: 1999, ‘Social capital: Conceptual frameworks and empirical evidence. An annotated bibliography’ (Social Capital Initiative Working Paper No. 4, World Bank, Social Capital Initiative (SCI), Washington, D.C.) (http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/scapital/wkrppr/sciwp5.pdf).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schäfers, B.: 1999, ‘Komparative und nicht-komparative Ansätze zur Analyse der Europäisierung der Sozialstrukturen’ (WZB Arbeitspapier Nr. FS III 99-407, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung, Berlin).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A.: 1993, ‘Capability and well-being’, in M. Nussbaum and A. Sen (eds.), The Quality of Life (Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 30-53).

    Google Scholar 

  • Silver, H.: 1994, ‘Social exclusion and social solidarity: Three paradigms’ (Discussion Papers Series No. 69, International Institute for Labour Studies (IILS), Geneva).

    Google Scholar 

  • Social Capital Initiative (SCI), World Bank: 1998, ‘The initiative on defining, monitoring and measuring social capital. overview and program description’ (Working Paper No. 1, Social Capital Initiative, Washington, D.C.) (http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/scapital/wkrppr/sciwp1.pdf)

    Google Scholar 

  • UN–Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD): 1996, Indicators of Sustainable Development: Framework and Methodologies (CSD, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): 1990, Human Development Report 1990: Concept and Measurement of Human Development (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): 1993, Human Development Report 1993: People's Participation (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): 1994, Human Development Report 1994: New Dimensions of Human Development (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): 1995, Human Development Report 1995: Gender and Human Development (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): 1996, Human Development Report: Economic Growth and Human Development (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): 1998, Human Development Report 1998: Consumption for Human Development (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Uusitalo, H.: 1994, ‘Social statistics and social reporting in the nordic countries’, in P. Flora, F. Kraus, H.-H. Noll and F. Rothenbacher (eds.), Social Statistics and Social Reporting in and for Europe (Informationszentrum Sozial-wissenschaften, Bonn, pp. 99-120

    Google Scholar 

  • Veenhoven, R.: 1996, ‘Happy life-expectance: A comprehensive measure of quality-of-life in nations’, Social Indicator Research 39, pp. 1-58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veenhoven, R.: 1997, ‘Lebenszufriedenheit der Bürger: Ein Indikator für die ‘Lebbarkeit’ von Gesellschaften?' in H.-H. Noll (ed.), Sozialberichterstattung in Deutschland (Juventa Verlag, Weinheim, pp. 267-293).

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh, J.M.: 1993, ‘A peoples' Europe? European citizenship and European identity’ (EUI Working Paper No. 93/2, Florence).

  • Wiman, R.: 1999, Putting People at the Center of Sustainable Development. Proceedings of the Expert Meeting on the Social Dimension in Sustainable Development. Volume 1: Policy Themes–A Synthesis. National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Helsinki).

    Google Scholar 

  • Woolley, F.: 1998, Social Cohesion and Voluntary Activity: Making Connections. Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS), Paper presented at the Conference: The State of Living Standards and the Quality of Life, October 30–31, Ottawa, Ontario/Canada.

  • World Bank: 1997, ‘Expanding the measure of wealth: Indicators of environmentally sustainable development’ (Environmentally Sustainable Development Studies and Monograph Series, No. 17, Washington, D.C.).

  • World Commission on Environment and Development: 1987, Our Common Future (Oxford University Press, Oxford).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zapf, W.: 1984, ‘Individuelle Wohlfahrt: Lebensbedingungen und wahrgenommene Lebensqualität’, in W. Glatzer and W. Zapf (eds.), Lebensqualität in der Bundesrepublik (Campus, Frankfurt a.M./New York, pp. 13-26).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ZUMA, Social Indicators Department, Mannheim, Germany

    Heinz-Herbert Noll

Authors
  1. Heinz-Herbert Noll
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Noll, HH. Towards a European System of Social Indicators: Theoretical Framework and System Architecture. Social Indicators Research 58, 47–87 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015775631413

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015775631413

Keywords

Search

Navigation