Exploring Multidimensional Well-Being in Switzerland: Comparing Three Synthesizing Approaches

Katia Iglesias (), Christian Suter (), Tugce Beycan () and B. P. Vani ()
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Katia Iglesias: University of Neuchâtel
Christian Suter: University of Neuchâtel
Tugce Beycan: University of Neuchâtel
B. P. Vani: Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC)

Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, 2017, vol. 134, issue 3, No 2, 847-875

Abstract: Abstract Well-being is increasingly conceptualized and measured from a multidimensional perspective in order to provide policy makers and the general public with the necessary tools for monitoring social change. Synthetic measures of multidimensional concepts such as well-being are, therefore, needed. This paper provides a systematic comparison of three methodological approaches applicable in a top-down perspective to construct a synthetic multidimensional measure of well-being using the same theoretical framework and the same data. The three methodologies used are the confirmatory factor analysis, the Alkire and Foster counting approach and the posetic approach. The first two methodologies belong to the family of composite indicators, the most common way to synthetize multidimensional information. The third was developed in order to deal with the construction of composite indicators’ two major issues, namely weighting and aggregating. The main contribution of this paper is methodological; it aims at discussing the advantages and drawbacks of the three methodologies, and at identifying their similarities and specificities.

Keywords: Confirmatory factor analysis; Alkire and Foster counting approach; Posetic approach; Aggregation; Weighting; Deprivation; Quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11205-016-1452-9

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