New report on measuring the impact of social enterprise
A new report by the University of Hull reviews the main options for
developing ways to measure the economic and social impact of social
enterprises.
The report, a feasibility study commissioned by the Office of the Third
Sector and the Small Business Service, identifies suitable questions and
methodological approaches for future research.
The University of Hull is confident that a detailed estimate can be
provided for the impact of social enterprises in specific contexts,
particularly at the local level, and by inference at regional and national
levels. It also believes that it is possible to assess the ‘value added’ by
social enterprise, through a detailed study of specific social enterprises
and their local circumstances.
The report argues for two studies – one on ‘impacts’ and another on the
‘value added’.
The research on ‘impacts’ would focus on developing a series of detailed
impact studies of different social enterprise sectors, and of impacts at
local or subregional levels.
The report recommends that the second study should focus on how it might be
possible to analyse the ‘value added’ by social enterprises.
The report also suggests that research could consider the effect of
particular objectives for social enterprise – such as promoting diversity
in the delivery of public services, increasing levels of enterprise and
innovation, and enabling regeneration by building social capital and
reaching under-represented groups.
The Office of the Third Sector is considering the report as part of the
next phase of its research into social enterprise.
