Social Performance Indicators Research Articles

The Nexus between Corporate Governance and Economic, Social and Environment (ESE) Practices: Bangladeshi Banking Paradox

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and sustainability practices at 45 scheduled commercial banks in Bangladesh. The study specifically focused on the impact of corporate governance on bank sustainability practices, using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI-4) sustainability guidelines. The resource-based view theory was used to explain the relationship between corporate governance and sustainability practices. Panel data used for this analysis was derived from the annual and sustainability disclosure reports of these banks from 2017 to 2021. This study explores dimensions of corporate governance, including board size, independent board members, CEO duality, gender diversity, audit committees, risk management committees, and audit firm size, highlighting their importance in strategic decision-making. It also explores sustainability practices from a corporate perspective, focusing on economic, social, and environmental performance indicators and emphasizing the importance of strategic resource allocation and disclosure. Four hypotheses were formed, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was employed to test the relationship between corporate governance and bank sustainability practices. The statistical results showed that CG has a direct effect on firms overall sustainability as well as social and environmental sustainability practices. It was also seen that the size of the board has a significant effect on the overall sustainability measures (ESE). The study suggests that pro-active measures should be taken to improve sustainability practices in Bangladesh.

Measuring Social Sustainability in the Italian Agri-Food Sector: Proposed Key Performance Indicators.

The social dimension of sustainability in the agri-food sector is gaining more and more attention from both scholars and policymakers. In Europe, among different countries, Italy stood out for the active role played in including social conditionality in the Common Agricultural Policy. Despite such interest, there is still confusion concerning the concept of social sustainability, and tools aimed at measuring the social performance of farms are still lacking. The current study aims to identify indicators to measure the social sustainability of farm practices in the Italian agri-food system. The methodology included an analysis of the most relevant literature, legislation, and guidelines to identify five macro-areas of interest, which served as the foundation for developing theoretical social sustainability key performance indicators. The results of this study provide useful insights for both practitioners and policymakers to develop strategies and policies focused on social sustainability.

Forecasting mail flow: A hierarchical approach for enhanced societal wellbeing

Forecasting for Social Good has gained considerable attention for its impact on individuals, businesses, and society. This research introduces an integrated hierarchical forecasting-based decision-making approach for mail flow in a major postal organisation, presenting new social performance indicators. These indicators, including the discharge level, discharge rate, and overload rate, guide decision makers toward consistent workload planning, bridging a literature gap concerning forecast utility measures. The study evaluates three forecasting methods—exponential smoothing with error, trend, and seasonality (ETS), the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), and the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM)—in terms of forecast accuracy and social measures, comparing them to the organisation’s current method. The empirical results confirm that the proposed approach is more accurate than the current method. Moreover, while ETS shows the highest forecast accuracy, LightGBM outperforms all methods in social measures. This indicates that a highly accurate forecasting method does not always enhance social performance, challenging traditional views on forecasting evaluation.

540 Diversifying SC CTSI’s Message: Successfully Leveraging Multi-Platform Social Media for Multi-Audience Dissemination

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We explain our multi-platform, multi-audience approach to stakeholder engagement/communication, discuss KPIs for our Instagram accounts, and highlight five top performing posts. Finally, we provide tips to Hubs who would like to tailor and optimize their social media approach. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We employed Uses & Gratifications theory and formative research with stakeholders to inform our social media strategy. We run two Instagram accounts (main CTSI & Community Engagement [CE]), one Facebook page (CE), and one Twitter/X page (main CTSI). To understand impact, we collected social media analytics on both Instagram accounts (main CTSI and Community Engagement-specific accounts) to ascertain four social media-related Key Performance Indicators since the inception of the two accounts: reach, impressions, growth rate, and engagement. Additionally, we examined the five top-performing posts on each account that gave us insights into trending topics and ideas for future content. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: From January 2023 to October 2023, the reach for the main account was 3,578 and 38,235 for CE. The number of profile visits for the main account was 474 and 2,703 for CE. Engagement data on Instagram is only available for the last 90 days. For the main account, the number of post likes, comments and shares was 622 and 2,700 for CE. The views and reach for the five top-performing posts on the main and CE accounts ranged in the thousands. The content of the top-performing posts for the main CTSI account varied between highlighting our KL2 scholars' accomplishments, recap of campus-wide research events, and advertisements for upcoming educational webinars. CE’s top posts varied between highlighting their work in a South LA housing community, recaps of large community health events, and interviews with local key leaders. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: CTSA Hubs have an ethical obligation to keep their local academic and community audiences apprised of their activities. Creating a formative research and theoretically-informed social media plan that varies by platform, and regularly evaluating performance insights allows us to track the type of content that appeals to our multiple audiences.

The relative importance of ESG pillars: A two‐step machine learning and analytical framework

AbstractThis study aims to contribute to the ongoing and inconclusive debates regarding the relative significance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability key performance indicators and their correlation with overall sustainability performance. We present a unique two‐step analytical framework to leverage Thomson Reuters' ESG Score (ASSET4) database to determine the most impactful ESG pillars and their subcomponents at both the firm and industry levels. This framework integrates the Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) with K‐means cluster analysis. Through the MEREC‐K‐means framework, we determine the two most noteworthy ESG pillars within various industries, subsequently clustering them to form peer groups for comprehensive comparative analysis. We find that while the social and economic pillars are the two fundamental pillars of ESG performance in all industries in general, this prioritization sometimes differs from industry to industry. This research makes theoretical and practical contributions by introducing a novel dimensionality reduction technique in ESG pillars, offering valuable insights for strategic resource allocation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiatives. The implications of our findings extend broadly to investors, policymakers, and practitioners, empowering them to make more informed decisions.

Analysis of the social and physical factors affecting irrigation scheme performance: The case of the Omo Gibe river basin in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region, Ethiopia

AbstractOne hundred years ago, irrigation development began in Ethiopia, but the efficiency and sustainability of the developed scheme have remained very low. As a result, this study aimed to assess the factors that most frequently affect a scheme's performance. The study analysed general physical and social performance indicators. Structural and social factors were used to identify the most common causes of underperformance of the schemes in the Omo Gibe river basin. Frequency analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The relative operational scheme performance and relative irrigated area were 32 and 31%, respectively. The beneficiary to target performance was 63%. Structural and social factors such as flooding and subsequent damage to the under sluice and lack of participatory approaches during scheme development were the most common determinants of irrigation scheme performance. Hence, catchment development and community participation in scheme development are crucial for mitigating irrigation scheme underperformance.

Assessment of the sustainability of the swine supply chain

Purpose: Among the production chains, the pig farming supply chain stands out. The study aims to identify the level of sustainability in the swine production chain based on the analysis of externalities, considering the criteria of the System of Management and Assessment of Sustainability of Pig Farming. Design/methodology/approach: The case study is carried out at a rural property in the municipality of Herval D’Oeste-Santa Catarina, the research is descriptive with qualitative analysis. For the development of the research, the information about the productive process was identified through interviews, the structured script allowed for identification of about 60 metrics and external indicators of the social, environmental, and economic-financial dimensions. Findings: The economic-financial dimension presented the remuneration of labor and invested capital as positive externalities. The social performance indicators (social interaction, human capital, and environmental practices) showed compliance levels in the model. Based on the analysis, negative externalities were identified in the environmental assessment indicators of water, air/greenhouse effect, and energy, highlighting the need for improvements in the production process and in the management of natural resources. Practical implications: The model contributes to the evaluation of production practices and indicates weaknesses and needs for improvements in the management of the pork supply chain. Social implications: The results demonstrate the importance of assessing sustainability in rural areas, considering it relevant link in the production chain. Originality/value: The analysis highlights the importance of assessing sustainability in supply chains, aiming to correct the negative externalities of the production process of rural activities.

La transition vers une prospérité durable - Un modèle macroéconomique écologique stock-flux cohérent pour le Canada

This paper presents a stock-flow consistent (SFC) macroeconomic simulation model for Canada. We use the model to generate three very different stories about the future of the Canadian economy, covering the half century from 2017 to 2067: a Base Case Scenario in which current trends and relationships are projected into the future, a Carbon Reduction Scenario in which measures are introduced specifically designed to reduce Canada's carbon emissions, and a Sustainable Prosperity Scenario which incorporates additional measures to improve environmental, social and financial conditions across society. The performance of the economy is tracked using two composite indicators constructed especially for this study: an environmental burden index (EBI) which describes the environmental performance of the model; and a composite sustainable prosperity index (SPI) which is based on a weighted average of seven economic, social and environmental performance indicators. Contrary to the widely accepted view, the results suggest that ‘green growth’ (in the Carbon Reduction Scenario) may be slower than ‘brown growth’. More importantly, we show (in the Sustainable Prosperity Scenario) that improved environmental and social outcomes are possible even as the growth rate declines to zero.

문화예술분야 사회적기업 성과지표에 대한 탐색적 연구

Arts and cultural social enterprises are organizations that create diverse social values through cultural activities. This study aims to explore performance indicators for arts and cultural social enterprises to enhance our understanding of their performance and investigate their sustainability. To this end, we reviewed and synthesized literature on arts and cultural social enterprises both domestically and internationally, focusing on the Social Value Index (SVI) and the Art & Culture Social Performance Evaluation Model (ARC-SPEM) currently in use. This synthesis informed the proposal of new performance indicators spanning social, economic, and artistic dimensions. Subsequently, a survey among arts and cultural social enterprise experts and a hierarchical analysis process (AHP) were conducted. The analysis highlighted the relatively recognized importance of social performance indicators compared to economic and artistic ones. ‘Cultural welfare and appreciation’ and ‘arts and cultural education’ emerged as priorities in the social dimension; ‘providing jobs for artists’ was prominent in the economic dimension; and ‘art as a social activity’—which employs art to generate diverse values— was underscored in the artistic dimension. However, a case study on the current performance measurement practices of arts and cultural social enterprises in Korea revealed inconsistencies in the criteria, terminology, and categories used across organizations, along with a lack of comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data for appropriate performance assessment. We conclude that to ensure the sustainability of arts and cultural social enterprises, it is crucial to concurrently consider the peculiarities of art jobs, donations and sponsorships, service-oriented activities, and genre-specific value chains from social, economic, and artistic perspectives. Furthermore, artistic performance indicators not only impact artistic outputs but also influence social and economic outcomes, highlighting the need to acknowledge each organization’s unique artistic nature. This study’s significance lies in its systematic and comprehensive identification of performance indicators, acknowledging the unique attributes of arts and cultural social enterprises. It provides a foundation for revisiting previously overlooked performance metrics and facilitates communication with various stakeholders by introducing new artistic performance indicators tailored to the arts and cultural sector.

Corporate social responsibility oriented boards and triple bottom line performance: A meta‐analytic study

AbstractIn this article, we aim to investigate the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR)‐oriented boards on triple bottom‐line (TBL) performance and whether internal corporate governance exhibits a facilitating role in achieving the sustainable development goals by enhancing the performance indicators of the TBL. Specifically, this article aims to shed light on this issue by meta‐analyzing the relationship between good governance and both social and financial performance, using a global sample to facilitate this analysis taking into account the incidence of the institutional characteristics of different countries and their impact on the relationship studied, by means of eight meta‐analyses. For this purpose, we conducted a meta‐analytic study on a sample of 289 articles published between 1997 and 2021. The results show that CSR‐oriented boards have a direct effect on corporate social performance (CSP) indicators and that their impact on financial outcomes is mediated by CSP strategies. Board size, gender diversity, and board independence present a facilitator profile of CSP, while only gender diversity enhances financial outcomes. The influence of CSR‐oriented boards is more acute in countries with greater protection for stakeholders and stronger environmental awareness.

An investigation on social impact performance assessment of the social enterprises: Identification of an ideal social entrepreneurship model

AbstractThis study examines the characteristics of ideal social entrepreneurship by assessing their social impact. The use of the contemporary design and triangulation approach allows for validating information gathered from different sources. Data were collected from in‐depth interviews, focus group interviews and documentary analysis, and MAXQDA (a qualitative analysis software package) was used for data management, coding and retrieval. The performance assessment logic model was used to assess the social performance of social enterprises. The findings show that selected social ventures have created a remarkable social value that explicitly resulted in economic empowerment, community improvement, career growth and political empowerment of its intended beneficiaries. We also found a significant variation in the linkage between social performance indicators, such as inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impact, across the five selected case studies.

Must social performance ratings be idiosyncratic? An exploration of social performance ratings with predictive validity

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop a method to assess social performance. Traditionally, environment, social and governance (ESG) rating providers use subjectively weighted arithmetic averages to combine a set of social performance (SP) indicators into one single rating. To overcome this problem, this study investigates the preconditions for a new methodology for rating the SP component of the ESG by applying machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) anchored to social controversies.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes the use of a data-driven rating methodology that derives the relative importance of SP features from their contribution to the prediction of social controversies. The authors use the proposed methodology to solve the weighting problem with overall ESG ratings and further investigate whether prediction is possible.FindingsThe authors find that ML models are able to predict controversies with high predictive performance and validity. The findings indicate that the weighting problem with the ESG ratings can be addressed with a data-driven approach. The decisive prerequisite, however, for the proposed rating methodology is that social controversies are predicted by a broad set of SP indicators. The results also suggest that predictively valid ratings can be developed with this ML-based AI method.Practical implicationsThis study offers practical solutions to ESG rating problems that have implications for investors, ESG raters and socially responsible investments.Social implicationsThe proposed ML-based AI method can help to achieve better ESG ratings, which will in turn help to improve SP, which has implications for organizations and societies through sustainable development.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first studies that offers a unique method to address the ESG rating problem and improve sustainability by focusing on SP indicators.

Impact of Digital Transformation toward Sustainable Development

The rapid advancements in digital technologies have prompted organizations to embrace digital transformations (DTs) in order to enhance efficiency, gain a competitive advantage, and achieve long-term sustainability objectives. However, the successful adoption of innovative digital technologies necessitates the careful consideration of various factors, such as stakeholder engagement, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and the availability of resources and implementation support. This study examines the sustainable adoption of innovative digital technologies (DTs) within digital transformations. The data for this study were collected from 760 stakeholders through a questionnaire survey and analyzed using SPSS software (Version 27). This study’s results underscore the significance of considering the efficiency of the transformation process and the long-term sustainability outcomes for organizations. The findings of the analysis clarify that integrating sustainability principles and DT has a positive impact on the effectiveness of the transformation, as indicated by environmental, social, and economic performance indicators. This study’s novelty lies in its focus on incorporating sustainability principles into the digital transformation process. The results of this study demonstrate that organizations’ long-term sustainability outcomes are enhanced when their digital transformation goals align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The purpose of this study emphasizes the importance of arranging digital transformations with sustainable objectives to ensure the overall success and longevity of transformation efforts.

Recycling of brass chips by sustainable friction stir extrusion

Due to the high economic and environmental benefits, researchers have considered recycling metal chips, especially for the more valuable alloys of copper, brass, aluminium, etc. Several methods have been used including casting and solid-state techniques for recycling the metal chips, wasted annually in large quantities by machining processes. This work examines the sustainability of the Friction Stir Extrusion (FSE) technique, as one of the most recently developed methods for recycling metal chips, comparing it to six different casting methods. Four sustainability indicators of economic, environmental, social, and mechanical performance are calculated and compared for the FSE and casting methods, using a multi-dimensional sustainability methodology. In terms of environmental, social, and mechanical indicators, the FSE method gained significantly the highest levels and in overall sustainability, it achieved the best score of 0.78, while the worst casting technique for recycling was 0.514. However, economically, the FSE has not yet gained a foothold in the industry and needs more attention from manufacturers, environmentally friendly craftsmen, and recycling firms side. Despite the higher investment required for the FSE process (compared to conventional casting techniques) and its lower economic feasibility, the FSE is expected to become more economically viable in the future by further research and development in its tools.

Social performance, financial risk and financial performance in microfinance institutions

PurposeThis paper examine whether social performance moderates the linkage between financial risk and financial performance in microfinance institutions (MFIs). The study focuses on the financial self-sufficiency and long-term sustainability of MFIs.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical study uses unbalanced panel data of 2,694 worldwide MFIs from 2009 to 2019. In the first step, the study inspects the impact of social performance and risk on financial performance, proxied as return on assets and operational self-sufficiency. In the second stage, moderated hierarchical regression is applied to test whether social performance moderates the relationship between risk and financial performance. Lastly, the study confirms the significant moderation effects with slope tests.FindingsThe study detects robust evidence that financial risk is negatively related to financial performance. Though social performance exhibits a weak positive link with financial performance in silos, the evidence of its moderating effects on risk is mixed and significant. Social performance indicators, such as the borrower retention rate and female representation, positively moderate the relationship between financial risk and financial performance. The study documents that social performance impacts financial performance and operational self-sufficiency through risk moderation. Thus, social performance fosters the sustainability of these institutions over the long haul.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is relevant to academics and theorists to consider the stakeholder approach in microfinancing. In the context of stakeholder theory, the study advances the specific social responsiveness process, namely stakeholder engagement.Practical implicationsThe evidence that socially sensitive operations can curtail the adverse effects of credit risks on financial performance signify the required attention to social performance. For MFI managers and practitioners, the findings justify the business case for social performance. Stakeholder engagement, under the auspices of social responsiveness, acts as a risk-mitigation mechanism to eventually foster financial performance and self-sufficiency.Social implicationsThe study motivates MFIs to do more for their stakeholders and society by highlighting the benefits of social performance.Originality/valueThe study reaffirms that social performance remains at the epicenter of the MFIs' mission and is an essential risk mitigation mechanism. The study adds to the extant literature on stakeholder engagement and its effects on MFIs.

Assessment of Green Human Resource Management in Developing Sustainable Performance of Manufacturing Industry in Pakistan

In light of the evolving corporate landscape and the growing emphasis on competencies and strategic approaches, the concept of Green Human Resource Management (HRM) has emerged as a vital component of global green development. Green HRM integrates environmental considerations into HR activities, contributing to the long-term sustainability of organizations and their workforce. While existing literature has predominantly focused on sustainability, this research addresses the novel contribution of Green HRM. The study examines the impact of Green HRM practices on the sustainability of Pakistan's manufacturing industry, encompassing social, environmental, and economic performance indicators. Data were collected from 111 manufacturing employees in Pakistan, utilizing a convenience sampling method and structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that Green HRM positively influences the environmental, economic, and social performance management practices of emerging economies. Companies with a strong brand image can leverage Green HRM practices to enhance sales and consumer awareness, aligning with their green objectives. Consequently, manufacturing enterprises in Pakistan can enhance their clean industrial capacity by adopting the proposed investigation model.

Corporate social responsibility in the information society: features of personnel management in the 21<sup>st</sup> century

The increasing role of knowledge in modern society actualises the creation of conditions for the formation and redistribution of information resources. Implementation of Internet economy principles has a positive effect on both economic and social performance indicators of Russian companies. The positive effect is manifested not only in the growth of revenue volumes of companies but also in their increasing corporate social responsibility. In this regard, the study of management methods in telecommunications and industrial production – sectors that are critical to the 21st century’s economy – is of particular importance. Increasing employees’ responsibility by elevating their engagement, which can be achieved through granting them additional rights, contributes to the formation of a team with such internal motivation that is most effective and valuable for a modern company. Redistribution of operational power between interest groups makes the interests of all performers unite around the goals of the organization.

Digital Twin opportunities and benefits in last-mile logistics for Madrid value case

The growth of the city's population and the COVID-19 crisis has increased the need to improve last-mile logistics in transportation. Many stakeholders such as policymakers, logistics operators and shippers have to collaborate to improve environmental, economic, and social performance indicators. This paper investigates the opportunities in last-mile logistics and the benefits that can be achieved by balancing all the city stakeholders' needs using Digital Twins technology. To that end, we focused on the Madrid Living Lab that sets up an Urban Consolidation Centre (UCC) located in underground public parking in the city centre, surrounded by the Madrid Low Emissions Zone (LEZ). Madrid defines cases and scenarios to understand business policies and improve decisions, such as shifting the UCC's location and defining new Low Emission Zones.

ТЕНДЕНЦИИ РАЗВИТИЯ НЕФИНАНСОВОЙ ОТЧЕТНОСТИ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИХ СУБЪЕКТОВ

To date, the issue of effective assessment of the contribution of economic entities to the economy and ecology of the country has become acute in Russia. The idea of forming non-financial reports that disclose information about the environmental situation of an organization, its social responsibility and sustainable development for business continuity and a thrifty attitude to nature and ecology, allows us to determine the responsibility of economic entities for their activities affecting all spheres of public life, including the state of the environment and climate change. The article reveals the need to develop legal regulation of the formation of non-financial reporting with a detailed elaboration of uniform principles and methods of reporting, standards for the composition and content of information disclosed in non-financial reporting, indicators for mandatory reflection, depending on the industry affiliation of companies, strategic orientation and orientation for the future. The accumulated experience of Russian and foreign companies in reflecting information characterizing economic, environmental and social performance indicators in the field of sustainable development has determined the vector of further development of harmonization of financial and non-financial reporting, which allows collecting, evaluating and analyzing all the characteristics of the organization in aggregate and increasing the reliability of information about the economic entity as a whole.

Social efficiency of small and medium business: communication aspect

The authors propose an approach to assessing the social efficiency of small and medium businesses relevant in the context of the current risks of entrepreneurial activity. The article gives the author’s interpretation of the concept of social efficiency of business, where considerable role is assigned to corporate social responsibility as an element of social efficiency. The authors analyze the key risks of entrepreneurial activity that affect social efficiency and describe the connection of such risks with communication with various actors in business environment. In the final part of the work, the authors represent the results of a study (survey of business executives, N=412) devoted to the analysis of the relationship between the social efficiency of small and medium-sized businesses and communication with key audiences. It has been found that small and medium business representatives are aware of the impact of social efficiency on the profitability of the enterprise in the long term. Besides, it was revealed that the implementation of social performance indicators is linked by the management of enterprises with communication with other organizations and with personnel, though a significant part of the respondents also noted the importance of communication with consumers.