Toward a comprehensive measure of socio-cultural diversity: the case of Germany

Abstract: The positive impact of socio-cultural diversity on innovation and economic prosperity has been widely discussed. Yet, there is a lack of a clear quantitative indicator of socio-cultural diversity. Most empirical works are limited to small case studies that follow various methods. This gap in the literature calls for a comprehensive measure whereby researchers could assess and compare diversity across cities and regions at the national level. Building on a unique database of registered associations (in German: eingetragene Vereine), this study provides a hierarchical categorization of associations based on their field of activities. Applying the Shannon entropy index, the socio-cultural diversity of German regions is measured. The findings indicate a disparity between East and West Germany, reflecting the path-dependent nature of historical events. This article sets an agenda for future research

Object Details

• Alternative title: Messung von soziokultureller Diversität: der Fall Deutschlands
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource, 93-104 S.
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; In: Abassiharofteh, Milad (Hg.), Baier, Jessica (Hg.), Göb, Angelina (Hg.), Thimm, Insa (Hg.), Eberth, Andreas (Hg.), Knaps, Falco (Hg.), Larjosto, Vilja (Hg.), Zebner, Fabiana (Hg.): Räumliche Transformation: Prozesse, Konzepte, Forschungsdesigns. 2019. S. 93-104. ISBN 978-3-88838-089-1

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Räumliche Transformation: Prozesse, Konzepte, Forschungsdesigns ; Bd. 10 ; Forschungsberichte der ARL ; Bd. 10

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Hannover
• (who): Verl. d. ARL
• (when): 2019
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Mannheim
• (who): SSOAR - Social Science Open Access Repository
• (when): 2019
• Creator: Abbasiharofteh, Milad ; Brökel, Tom
• Contributor: Abassiharofteh, Milad ; Baier, Jessica ; Göb, Angelina ; Thimm, Insa ; Eberth, Andreas ; Knaps, Falco ; Larjosto, Vilja ; Zebner, Fabiana ; Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung - Leibniz-Forum für Raumwissenschaften

Further information

• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-64711-7
• Rights: Open Access; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 11:01 AM CEST