Beyond social capital: a capability approach to understanding Refugee Community Organisations and other providers for “hard to reach” groups
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 10 June 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the value of the “capability approach” as an alternative framework for understanding and conceptualising the role of Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) and other providers for groups conventionally considered “hard to reach”.
Design/methodology/approach
A study of the education services of RCOs, drawing primarily on semi-structured interviews with 71 users, is put forward as a case study for how the capability approach can be operationalised.
Findings
The capability approach is found to offer various valuable insights, relating to its appreciation of the multi-dimensional nature of human wellbeing, the significance of individual diversity, and the importance of human agency.
Research limitations/implications
The case study is based on a relatively small purposive sample, and may have limited external validity. As the research design proved strong for exploring how RCOs develop their users’ capabilities but weak for exploring if and how they may also constrict them, further research in this area is required.
Practical implications
A number of valuable attributes of the capability approach are highlighted for broadening the understanding, the role of RCOs and other service providers.
Social implications
The paper outlines the potential of the capability approach to contribute to policymaking related to RCOs and other providers, and to debates relating to social exclusion, cohesion and integration.
Originality/value
The paper draws attention to the value of the capability approach within the field of migration research.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful to Professor Charles Watters and Professor Mike Calnan for their supervisory support, to Sahra Ibrahim and Abigail Chakanyuka for their assistance with the interviews and interpretation, and to the ESRC and Africa Educational Trust for funding the fieldwork on which this research is based. Neither funder played any role in the research process.
Citation
Clarke, J. (2014), "Beyond social capital: a capability approach to understanding Refugee Community Organisations and other providers for “hard to reach” groups", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 61-72. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-11-2013-0039
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited