Jim McLoughlin, Jaime Kaminski, Babak Sodagar, Sabina Khan, Robin Harris, Gustavo Arnaudo and Sinéad Mc Brearty
The purpose of this paper is to develop a coherent and robust methodology for social impact measurement of social enterprises (SEs) that would provide the conceptual and practical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a coherent and robust methodology for social impact measurement of social enterprises (SEs) that would provide the conceptual and practical bases for training and embedding.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a holistic impact measurement model for SEs, called social impact for local economies (SIMPLEs). The SIMPLE impact model and methodology have been tried and tested on over 40 SEs through a series of three day training courses, and a smaller number of test cases for embedding. The impact model offers a five‐step approach to impact measurement called SCOPE IT; MAP IT; TRACK IT; TELL IT and EMBED IT. These steps help SE managers to conceptualise the impact problem; identify and prioritise impacts for measurement; develop appropriate impact measures; report impacts and embed the results in management decision making.
Findings
Preliminary qualitative feedback from participants reveals that while the SIMPLE impact training delivers positive learning experiences on impact measurement and prompts, in the majority of cases, the intensions to implement impact systems, the majority feels the need for follow up embedding support. Paricipant's see value in adopting the SIMPLE approach to support business planning processes. Feedback from two SEs which has receives in‐house facilitates embedding support clearly demonstrates the benefits of working closely with an organisation's staff team to enable effective implementation.
Research limitations/implications
Some key future research challenges are identified as follows: systematically research progress in implementation after training for those participants that do not have facilitated embedding; to further test and develop embedding processes and models (using SIMPLE and other methods) with more SE organisations to identify best practices.
Originality/value
The SIMPLE fills a gap as a tool for holistic impact thinking that offers try and test accessible steps, with robust measures. The innovative steps take SEs through all key impact thought processes from conceptualisation to embedding guidance, feeding into business planning and strategic decision‐making processes. The comparison between the limitations of stand alone impact training and the benefits of facilitated embedding processes is instructive.
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Diana Lorenzo-Afable, Marjolein Lips-Wiersma and Smita Singh
This paper aims to characterise the “social” in social entrepreneurship (SE) by examining social value creation (SVC) from the perspective of vulnerable beneficiaries within a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to characterise the “social” in social entrepreneurship (SE) by examining social value creation (SVC) from the perspective of vulnerable beneficiaries within a developing country context. It uses the lens of care ethics to garner insights into SVC based on what beneficiaries care about in their work engagement with social enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
The exploratory paper implements a multiple case study approach to theory building, which considers the rich, real-life developing country context wherein much SVC occurs. Data collection primarily uses in-depth interviews with beneficiaries in accordance with socially sensitive research methodologies involving vulnerable participants.
Findings
The findings offer an ethical view of SVC that is premised on what is of value to beneficiaries in SE. The authors find that SVC is a multi-dimensional and reciprocal process that is shaped as beneficiaries work for social enterprises. The reciprocal nature of the process engenders beneficiary altruism, which may heighten vulnerability and lead to the dark side of SE.
Social implications
Many of the problems SE tries to address are situated in developing countries. The findings may enable social entrepreneurs, policymakers and social enterprise organisations to develop more responsive and more impactful solutions to social problems in developing countries. They further suggest that beneficiaries must not be looked upon merely as passive recipients of value but as active participants in the SVC process.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to critical SE discourse by giving voice to beneficiaries in SE.
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Milgen Sánchez-Villegas, Lizeth Reyes-Ruiz, Laura K. Taylor, Natalia Andrea Pérez-Ruíz and Farid Alejandro Carmona-Alvarado
Colombia presents with one of the largest armed conflicts in the world. Children exposed directly or indirectly to armed conflicts live the emotional footprints left by war. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Colombia presents with one of the largest armed conflicts in the world. Children exposed directly or indirectly to armed conflicts live the emotional footprints left by war. This paper aims to identify mental health problems among children survivors of Colombia’s armed conflict and associated factors.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study with (n = 80) children aged 7 to 11 years (M = 9.8 years; SD = 1.4) was conducted using the Child Behavior Checklist, Family APGAR and MOS social support survey adaptation to children. Linear regression analyses were also performed with emotional and behavioral problems as the outcomes and related factors as the predictors.
Findings
Clinical levels of emotional and behavioral problems were found in 56.3% of children. Internalizing problems (63.7%) were more common than externalizing problems (51.2%). Older children had greater emotional problems at the trend level, and those with higher functioning families had lower emotional problems. Children with higher perceived social support had lower behavior problems at the trend level.
Research limitations/implications
This study includes a sample facing multiple risks and uses a holistic approach to consider family and social resources that may support children who are survivors of the armed conflict in Colombia. These results provide a foundation for future promotion and prevention programs related to children’s mental health problems to support peacebuilding within the framework of the Colombian post-conflict process.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to collect empirical data on the mental health of children survivors of Colombia’s armed conflict focused in the Atlantic Department.