Asian Social Quality Indicators : What is Unique?

Abstract

This paper discusses the paradigm diffusion of social quality from Europe to Asia and our research findings in relation to the four conditional factors of social quality (socio-economic security, social inclusion, social cohesion, and empowerment). The construction of Asian social quality (ASQ) indicators includes redefining Asian understanding of social quality and reaching a consensus to revise the indicators developed in Europe. The consensus was reached through meta-analysis and the Delphi approach. Study results reveal that the construction of ASQ indicators is not only the work of a collaborative, cross-national research team from South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, it also constructs a new meaning, that is,

economic growth is no longer the first and only priority of state and society in the greater Asian co-sphere, but rather, social quality now emerges as the key issue for concern among Asian citizens and academics. In the conclusion, some suggestions are presented on additional potential indicators that could be integrated into our current ASQ indicators as well as the uniqueness of constructing ASQ indicators.