Mapping Social Impact Assessment Models: A Literature Overview for a Future Research Agenda

Luigi Corvo,Daniel Iannaci,Lavinia Pastore,Arianna Manti

doi:10.3390/su13094750

Luigi Corvo, Daniel Iannaci + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094750

Copy DOI

Abstract

The social impact assessment (SIA) process is widely utilised and is receiving increasing interest from both scholars and practitioners. A systematic approach was applied in this study to search for articles about SIA models. In the first step, we analysed six main SIA model mappings between 2004 and 2015. In the second step, 98 models were identified. The main findings include the definition of emerging paths for the future research agenda on this topic. Compared with previous SIA mappings, we identified 22 additional models that are related to the sustainability discourse. The meaning of sustainability is defined both by the emergence of new systems in finance that require specific metrics and in relation to the global agenda towards sustainable development. It is interesting to notice how social impact models, sustainability indicators (under the global framework of sustainable development goals (SDGs)) and new financial scores (such as environmental, social and governance (ESGs)) are converging into a common discourse, even if divergence is still present, and further research is needed to unlock the relationships among them.

Highlights

IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
This growing attention has led to changes in organisations that operate in the third sector and in hybrid companies, which, at various levels, are increasingly trying to find credible solutions to demonstrate the social value generated through processes of measurement and social impact assessment (SIA)
Olsen and Galimidi [47] used three variables provided by Clark et al [5] and three new variables. The first of these new variables relates to the methodological approach adopted by the SIA model, the second investigates the types of data management required by the SIA models, and the third looks into the presence of verification criteria, improving the credibility of the results provided by the model

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Over the last few years, attention has focused on the study of different models of measurement and evaluation of value that cannot be directly recognised through conventional financial metrics [1]. This growing attention has led to changes in organisations that operate in the third sector and in hybrid companies, which, at various levels, are increasingly trying to find credible solutions to demonstrate the social value generated through processes of measurement and social impact assessment (SIA)

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion