Operationalisation of the Capability Approach

The holistic and multilayered structure offered by the Capability Approach makes this theoretical framework particularly suitable for conceptualising and contextualising complex socioeconomic phenomena. However, several challenging issues on how to operationalise it are inevitably raised. Extensive and growing empirical applications of the Capability Approach in many fields of investigation show that researchers can meet many of the challenges posed by this approach by adopting various empirical strategies and technical solutions. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the recent empirical literature on capabilities, labour markets and education in Europe, using examples from recent European projects inspired by, or based on, the Capability Approach and offering interesting examples for those who wish to make use of this approach for future investigation in this field.