Impact measurement in an emerging social sector: Four novel approaches

Muñoz, Pablo; Gamble, Edward; Beer, Haley

Abstract

This paper explores the formalization of social impact measurement (SIM) in contexts where there are little or no expectations for it. Drawing on a combination of institutional- and organizational-level theories, we assess the complex relationship between nine potential antecedents of SIM and its formalization, across 152 social entrepreneurs in Chile’s social sector. Using configurational comparative methods, we discover and map four novel approaches to social impact measurement, revealing a much more diverse and counterintuitive reality. We also find that, in emerging settings, factors assumed to be central to formalization in mature sectors play a peripheral role at best. By offering a multilevel explanation of what matters and when for SIM in an emerging social sector, this paper offers empirical evidence on how to better capture and report SIM and expands the theoretical understanding of SIM as a governance and accountability mechanism in social entrepreneurship.

Citation

Muñoz, P., Gamble, E., & Beer, H. (2022). Impact measurement in an emerging social sector: Four novel approaches. Academy of Management Discoveries, 9(2), 298-330. https://doi.org/10.5465/amd.2020.0044

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jun 30, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Deposit Date: Jul 9, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 30, 2023
• Journal: Academy of Management Discoveries
• Electronic ISSN: 2168-1007
• Publisher: Academy of Management
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 298-330
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amd.2020.0044
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1239938