Applying sustainability indicators to the social enterprise business model

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to briefly assess social accounting methods and tools to measure business and social enterprise (SE) contributions to sustainability in relation to their usefulness and applicability to SEs. Using a case study example, the paper aims to describe and evaluate the process of developing and applying indicators to measure contributions to sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The researchers worked with three senior members of staff at Wastesavers to develop a set of sustainability indicators. First a literature review of existing sustainability indicator sets and sustainability tools was undertaken. Then a scoping exercise was undertaken to understand what the company wanted out of the process and to decide on which indicators to use. A list on eight key indicators was developed and data on each of these collected and collated and a report was written. Discussion is focussed on the requirements, difficulties, appropriateness and potential pitfalls of such an approach, including commentary on the integration of indicators into working practices, organisational change and strategic development. Findings No one method of social accounting has been universally accepted in the UK. This requires greater coordination by those developing such models and a common research agenda on this area for SEs in the UK. Originality/value The development of social accounting methods in SE is a relatively new field and undertaking a pilot study such as this is an excellent means of identifying the organisational capacity limits present and identifying the changes that need to take place if such tools are to be developed further.

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