Evaluation of Structural and Normative-Cognitive Social Capital and Related Governance Aspects at Different Levels of Aggregation Across Regions and LAGs

The chapter presents the quantitative results of the research conducted in Italy on the endowment of social capital in specific European organisations, the so-called Local Actions Groups (LAGs) of the EU LEADER initiative. By drawing on indicators proposed in the research, the chapter shows how social capital can be measured at different levels of aggregation and how it can be used to provide a tool for initially identifying strengths and weaknesses of individual LAGs and then for comparing LAGs within and among regions. The chapter concludes with recommendations for adopting qualitative and regional analyses to explain the results of the quantitative assessment.