Kuznetsova N.V., Kocheva E.V. Methodology for Integral Evaluation of Human Development Level as Exemplified by the Leading Countries of Asia-Pacific Region and European Union. Asian Social Science; Vol. 11, No 14; 2015. PP 244-258. (Scopus)
The authors examine evolution of approach towards understanding of human capital and qualitative transformation of human’s role in economics, conditioned by the transition to post-industrial society. Neo-classical approach has a special role in development of human capital theory. Examining human capital as a source economic growth of any country, the authors point out qualitative perfection of human potential. The article introduces methodology for integral evaluation of level of human development exemplified by the leading countries of Asia-Pacific Region an European Union. In addition, complex evaluation of human capital development is discussed as a two-side process: from one side, it is a formation of human abilities and skills, from the other side – realization of gained abilities and skills for the use of production or for recreation, cultural, political activity. Several key points of human development are pointed out for the purposes of a complex evaluation of human potential.
Authors’ methodology of calculation of human development index is distinguishable from conventional methodology by at least one main principle: the authors believe that conducted experimental calculations might provide the most complete idea of human development from the point of view of three interconnected characteristics: human capital, human resources, and evaluation of conditions for formation and implementation of abilities and skills of a person.
As exemplified by the researched countries, the authors were able to point out two congeneric groups of countries by factors that are part of every integral characteristic. Experimental calculations of level of human development conducted according to the authors’ methodology gave complete and full idea of human development from the point of view of cross-countries comparison. The introduced methodology allows to build up strategies and programs of social development geared towards development of human potential.
