Why and What to Measure? The Justification for Social Impact Measurement

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Social Impact Measurement for a Sustainable Future

Abstract

The UN SDGs seek to make the world a better place but setting Goals alone will fail to achieve that end. With tight timescales, success demands collective action from States, communities and individuals. Collective action requires a shared focus, a sense of urgency, and engagement. New Public Management has fostered forces for change, as devolved action from diverse actors displaces centralised State provision. Collective impact, New Public Management and business strategy approaches all need good measurement to guide and good governance to respond. Social Impact Measurement is key. Through the lenses of Strategic Planning, New Public Management, Collective Impact, Systems Thinking and Actor-Network-Theory this chapter asks whether social impact measurement can respond in time? [Relevant SDGs: SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals].

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Correspondence to Jim Clifford .

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Clifford, J., Barnes, K. (2022). Why and What to Measure? The Justification for Social Impact Measurement. In: Hazenberg, R., Paterson-Young, C. (eds) Social Impact Measurement for a Sustainable Future. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83152-3_4

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