Social Impact Measurement as a Dynamic Process: A Study in a French Non-profit Organization

2018 ◽  
pp. 325-354
Author(s):  
Julien Kleszczowski ◽  
Nathalie Raulet-Croset
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Process ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Non Profit

Perspectives on social impact measurement and non-profit organisations

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Jay Polonsky ◽  
Stacy Landreth Grau ◽  
Sharyn McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
True Value ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose – Acknowledgement of the social impact created by organisations has become an increasingly frequent discussion among practitioners. The importance of such value creation cannot be understated, yet in an increasingly competitive funding environment, the need to articulate “true” value is paramount. The purpose of this paper is to examine how Australian and US managers of non-profit organisations (NPOs) and foundations view the measurement of the social impact of NPOs. Design/methodology/approach – The paper includes 19 in-depth interviews of non-profit professionals in the USA and Australia. Respondents included non-profit managers, foundation managers and consultants in both countries. Findings – The in-depth interviews found that in both countries respondents generally agreed that objective measures of impact are desirable, but recognised the difficulties in developing objective assessment frameworks enabling comparisons across the non-profit sector. These difficulties, as well as the implications for developing assessments of social value for NPOs, are discussed. This paper demonstrates that there is an opportunity to reposition reporting expectations. The NPO sector can pool together and build on each other’s strengths and market their outcomes as a collective entity. A sector-wide approach provides potential for much needed within-sector mentoring and will showcase the rich and varied outcomes generated by NPOs. Originality/value – This research compares viewpoints in two Western countries, thus offering at least an exploratory examination of social impact assessment from an international perspective. Additionally, this research shows commonalities in terms of what is valued and what is most difficult for non-profits when determining social impact.

Challenges to measuring social value creation through social impact assessments: the case of RVA Works

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Balashankar Mulloth ◽  
Stefano Rumi
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Real World ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Value Creation

PurposeDespite the prevalence of academic literature debating and proposing competing conceptions of social value creation through socially driven enterprises, there is a lack of empirical studies on established impact measurement methodologies in the context of real-world ventures. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a structured process of conducting social impact assessments (SIAs) through the real-world case of Richmond, Virginia Works Enterprise Support (RVA Works), a social enterprise in Richmond, Virginia, that provides educational programming on small business ownership to minorities and lower-income individuals.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative research study incorporates an in-depth case study methodology. Evidence was collected through interpretive/qualitative interviews and direct observations by the researchers.FindingsUsing the example of RVA Works, the authors show that there is a lack of standardization and guidance for social entrepreneurs in choosing methods to assess their organizational performance, and that leading conceptions of social impact continue to face key weaknesses in their methodologies.Practical implicationsBy incorporating a qualitative case study approach, the authors present a real-world study of a social enterprise – specifically a microenterprise development organization – that may serve as a valuable example to social entrepreneurs and not-for-profit leaders facing similar challenges of social value creation and impact measurement.Originality/valueIn studying the experience of conducting SIAs by social enterprises, the authors illustrate the real-world challenges faced by entrepreneurs in applying theoretical conceptions of social value to the outcomes of their ventures, thus illustrating a need for additional clarity and discussion around a more comprehensive, standardized and broadly applicable measurement approach.

Social Impact Measurement Maturity

2017 ◽  
pp. 180-192
Author(s):  
Marc J. Epstein ◽  
Kristi Yuthas
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Impact Measurement

Performance Measurement in Social Enterprises

2019 ◽  
pp. 205-231
Author(s):  
Ayla Zehra Öncer
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Expected Return ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost

This chapter begins with the notion of performance management and then focuses on the concept of social impact in order to deeply examine the measurement of performance in social enterprises. The chapter argues the importance of measuring social impact which is the crucial process in social investment and discusses which measurement method to choose. It then introduces the classification of methods in various forms based on the related literature. The chapter continues by explaining the most frequently used social impact measurement methods including cost effectiveness and cost benefit analyses, social accounting and auditing, SROI, balanced scorecard, SIMPLE, benefit-cost ratio, BACO ratio, expected return metric, cost per impact, and blended value. Finally, the conclusion focuses on the overall perspective of the subject, critical areas to pay attention to, and limitations.

The Impact of Social Innovation

2019 ◽  
pp. 389-416
Author(s):  
Alex Nicholls ◽  
Nadia von Jacobi ◽  
Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti ◽  
Georg Mildenberger
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Human Capabilities ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Evaluative Space ◽  
Normative Models ◽  
The Impact

This chapter addresses key questions in terms of the evaluation of the impact of social innovation processes. After reviewing the existing approaches to capturing impact, the chapter presents a new Critical Issues Framework for social impact measurement to inform the development of the most appropriate and accurate evaluative space for data collection and analysis. As such it advocates standardization in the process of developing social impact indicators and methodologies, rather than in the metrics and units of analysis themselves. This framework is related to the three elements of the Social Grid in so far as they shape normative models of social impact measurement that entrench marginalization and limit stakeholder voice. Moreover, particular attention is paid to issues around capturing changes in human capabilities and how this relates to beneficiary empowerment and voice. The chapter, thus, offers a framework for optimizing impact measurement processes and systems.

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