Impact measurement in an emerging social sector: Four novel approaches

Muñoz, Pablo; Gamble, Edward; Beer, Haley

doi:10.5465/amd.2020.0044

Impact measurement in an emerging social sector: Four novel approaches

Muñoz, Pablo; Gamble, Edward; Beer, Haley

Authors

Professor Pablo Munoz pablo.munoz-roman@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Edward Gamble

Haley Beer

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
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