Sustainable well-being objective indicators: Basic necessities, complementary needs and desired opportunities

Abu Bakar, Aisyah and Mohamed Osman, Mariana and Bachok, Syahriah and Abdullah, Alias (2018) Sustainable well-being objective indicators: Basic necessities, complementary needs and desired opportunities. In: Sustainable Future for Human Security Society, Cities and Governance. Springer, Singapore, pp. 175-188. ISBN 978-981-10-5432-7

	PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (420kB)
	PDF (SCOPUS) - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (510kB)

Abstract

This study assesses the theories and approaches to sustainable well-being in developing objective social indicators to recognise the all-inclusive wellness of Malaysians. Problem: Currently, in Malaysia, well-being is measured by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Malaysia through the Malaysian Quality of Life Reports and Malaysian Well-being Report. The reports cover the social progress of Malaysians through a set of indicators categorised under economic wellbeing and social well-being. The three main issues found in the current approach include (1) a lack of output indicators for some components, which makes it impossible to interpret the true performance of well-being, (2) the absence of a hierarchy of needs to identify more prioritised components and indicators, and (3) a narrow understanding of progress due to a strong reliance on the correlation with GDP growth. Approach: This study employs a literature review and document analysis. Findings: A new approach is necessary to improve the current approach to measuring well-being in Malaysia. Based on the theory of the hierarchy of needs, the objective indicators are categorised into specific components of three dimensions of sustainable well-being – necessities, complementary needs, and desired opportunities. Through reconsideration and re-coordination of the existing indicators and selected additional indicators, the elements that constitute well-being as well as the data appear consistent and transparent. Significance: Sustainable well-being indicators will prioritise what is most important to the citizens. The model recognises the progress of the survival requirements of human beings, the moral basis of happiness, and the greater life prospects of Malaysians.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Additional Information:	3833/59991
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Subjective sustainable well-being, Human interdependency
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > HM701 Social systems
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design > Department of Urban & Regional Planning
Depositing User:	Dr Mariana Mohamed Osman
Date Deposited:	26 Dec 2017 16:35
Last Modified:	10 Jun 2020 15:04
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/59991

Actions (login required)

View Item