Capabilities at Work: The Added Value of the Capability Model for Well-Being and Work

doi:10.1017/9781009600576

This book examines how the capability approach offers fresh ways to think about work, well-being, and social justice. It argues that work should not only provide income but also empower people to achieve their life goals, develop skills, and participate fully in society. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Jac van der Klink and Sebastiaan Rothmann show how organisations and policies can enhance employees' health, satisfaction, and capabilities. The chapters explore how human resource management, public administration, and organisational leadership can create fairer workplaces by removing barriers that limit potential, improving the quality of work, and ensuring access to opportunities for all. A key theme is equity: work should reduce disparities and foster inclusion across gender, socio-economic, and cultural divides. Timely and relevant, the text appeals to academics, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates seeking practical ways to make work more meaningful. This title is also available Open Access on Cambridge Core.

‘A powerful and timely contribution to rethinking how work, health, and well-being can be aligned in sustainable ways. Highly recommended for students, academics, and professionals in occupational health and human resources.’

Evelien Brouwers - Endowed Professor of Mental Health and Sustainable Employment, Tilburg University

‘This book offers a thorough and coherent elaboration of the capability model for work, from theoretical foundations and justice to concrete applications, leadership, and global challenges. Indispensable for anyone who wants to understand and shape sustainable, humane, and future-proof work.’

Willem van Rhenen - Chief Health Officer, Arbo Unie

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Contents

Capabilities at Work
pp i-ii
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Capabilities at Work - Title page
pp iii-iii
The Added Value of the Capability Model for Well-Being and Work
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Copyright page
pp iv-iv
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Contents
pp v-vi
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Figures
pp vii-vii
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Tables
pp viii-viii
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Contributors
pp ix-xi
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Foreword
pp xii-xvi
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Part I - The Capability Model in Relation to Work
pp 1-140
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Chapter 1 - The Capability Model for Work
pp 3-17
An Introduction
- By Jac van der Klink, Sebastiaan Rothmann
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Chapter 2 - Capabilities and Work
pp 18-52
New Developments towards Sustainability and Well-Being at Work
- By Jac van der Klink, Wilmar Schaufeli, Ute Bültmann, Sandra Brouwer, Femke Abma, Alex Burdorf, Fred Zijlstra, Gert Jan van der Wilt
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Appendix 2.1 - Capability Set for Work Questionnaire (CSWQ)
pp 37-41
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Appendix 2.2 - Capability Conversation Guide
pp 42-52
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Chapter 3 - The Capability Approach in Relation to Contributive Justice
pp 53-72
- By Jac van der Klink
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Chapter 4 - The Paradox of Capability Assessment
pp 73-94
Investigational Requirements Associated with Adopting Capability as an Informational Focus of a Theory of Justice
- By Gert Jan van der Wilt
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Chapter 5 - The Integrative Aspects of the Capability Approach
pp 95-115
- By Sridhar Venkatapuram
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Chapter 6 - Integrating the Capability Approach with Other Theories of Work and Employee Health and Well-Being
pp 116-140
- By Leoni van der Vaart, Roland Blonk, Silvie Boermans, Wilmar Schaufeli, Patricia Welch Saleeby
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Part II - Applications of the Capability Model at Different Levels in the Organisation: Conceptual and Practical Considerations
pp 141-230
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Chapter 7 - Introducing Justice into the Governance of Corporations
pp 143-160
- By Hans van Ees, Jac van der Klink
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Chapter 8 - Linking the Capability Approach for Sustainable Employability to Strategic and Inclusive Human Resource Management
pp 161-178
- By Amber Kersten, Hanneke van Heijster, Irmgard Borghouts, Marc van Veldhoven, Jac van der Klink
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Chapter 9 - The Capability Model Applied to Working Individuals
pp 179-200
Decent and Flourishing Work
- By Sebastiaan Rothmann, Suzette Ragadu, Neil Barnard, Annelisa Murangi
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Chapter 10 - Practical Applications of the Capability Approach
pp 201-230
- By Margot Joosen, Patricia van Casteren, Jan Meerman, Henry Lewis, Gaston Dollevoet, Benedikte Schaapveld, Kim Janssens, Jac van der Klink
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Part III - Work Capabilities in Different Contexts
pp 231-336
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Chapter 11 - (Cross-)Cultural Perspectives on the Capability Model
pp 233-256
- By Jasper Van Assche
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Chapter 12 - Decent Work and Social Justice from the Vantage Point of the Global South
pp 257-278
Decoloniality and the Capability Approach as Parrhesia
- By Blessed Ngwenya, Jac van der Klink
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Chapter 13 - Work Capabilities in Different Occupations and Countries
pp 279-301
- By Sebastiaan Rothmann, Neil Barnard, Mirna Nel, Bianca Arendse, Annelisa Murangi, Suzette Ragadu, Tessa de Wet
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Chapter 14 - The Capability Approach
pp 302-321
A Guiding Framework for Work Capabilities and Leadership
- By Thapelo ChaaCha, Sebastiaan Rothmann, Marius Stander
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Chapter 15 - Future Work and the Capability Approach
pp 322-336
Digitalisation, Globalisation, and Climate Change
- By Jac van der Klink, Sebastiaan Rothmann
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Index
pp 337-340
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Capabilities at Work

The Added Value of the Capability Model for Well-Being and Work

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