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Last updated: 23 November 2008
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.