Social Impact Assessment and Organisational Management

Today, a company’s performance is no longer limited to its financial results alone. Its economic, environmental and societal impact has become equally essential. Why? Because these impacts are key factors in shaping its future. In a world where social and environmental challenges are becoming increasingly numerous and complex, companies of all sizes must adapt in order to remain attractive, transform themselves to address these new issues, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

This book offers a definitive reference on social impact assessment, grounded in the ESSEC Business School approach developed through seven years of actionable research by the ESSEC Impact Measurement Lab (E&MISE Lab) and 20 years of supporting for-profit companies and social enterprises both in France and internationally. It combines academic rigour with pragmatic tools, demonstrating how social impact assessment can function not merely as an evaluative exercise but as a continuous management tool that drives organisational performance. Guided by the principle of "frugal impact assessment to serve the management of business and societal performance", the book shows how shifting performance measurement can trigger fundamental changes in how organisations operate, while also providing initial answers to the complex question of monetizing social impact, its advantages and limitations. Offering the concept of “Frugal Impact Measurement” illustrated through eight business case studies, it showcases how this innovative approach enables any company to incorporate new indicators, redefines the way it measures performance, and develops a business model that is more responsible towards both its environment and its stakeholders. While social impact assessment has traditionally been treated as a one-off action applied to projects or public policies - and in organisational management has been largely confined to environmental accounting - this book champions a meso-level approach that positions impact assessment as a tool for the continuous management of organisations.

Intended primarily for students and professors of corporate social responsibility, management control, business ethics, organizational studies, and social entrepreneurship, it will also appeal to professionals seeking ways to integrate social impact assessment into the management of their activities.