Operationalizing the Capability Approach for social work practice and research

Abstract

In this paper we briefly introduce the Capability Approach (CA) and focus on its opportunities for social work practice and research. As the CA is purposively underspecified, we provide theoretical handles for operationalization by pointing to four topics particularly relevant to social work theory: 1) conversion factors; 2) clustering of capabilities and/or functionings; 3) adaptive preferences; 4) negation of human diversity. In order to spark practical dialogue between the multifarious perspectives on social arrangements we propose a conceptual framework for evaluating interventions and arrangements. This framework aids to construct an integral account of direct and indirect versus intended and unintended consequences of the intervention or arrangement. As such it provides promising first steps towards a practical operationalization of capability theory in social work and social work research.