Measuring value creation in social enterprises: A cluster analysis of social impact assessment models

Purpose: The relationship between business and community is becoming relevant especially in the current blurring of the boundaries between profit and not-for-profit organizations and the increased interest towards social entrepreneurship and social impact measurement. This paper is aimed at developing a taxonomy of existing social impact measurement models, in order to describe and classify them. Methodology: Starting from the literature analysis, 76 models were selected and a hierarchical cluster analysis was developed. Findings: The research allows the description of models’ main features and their classification in four categories: Simple social quantitative, Holistic complex, Qualitative screening and Management. Research limits: The analysis techniques may provide room for discretion to the researcher. Practical implications: Emerged results provide useful information for companies and public institutions to address the landscape of existing models. Originality of the study: Since classification systems of social impact assessment models are incomplete, identified criteria are applied to a large sample of models in order to achieve a general classification.