1. The challenges of measuring social impact
Brad Potter
The University of Melbourne

2. Measuring and communicating social impact is challenging
Background
Measuring and communicating social impact is challenging
survey results
feedback from companies
yet many frameworks are presently available
This creates opportunities for research
A current project at Melbourne:
how to navigate the available frameworks and associated resources
insights from the accounting and business reporting literature
Building on existing work

3. Initial phase: Identifying and classifying frameworks
Approach
Initial phase: Identifying and classifying frameworks
How we found the frameworks
not without and challenges
How we classified the frameworks
Several dimensions, including
Focus
Type of impact
Impact issue
Level of analysis
Users
Other (includes access)
Measurement method

4. Insights from reporting research and practice
Second phase:
Identify relevant messages from research and practice in accounting and business reporting
Various themes have emerged from this literature that we are currently considering

5. Themes from accounting and business reporting
There is a clear appetite for diverse information about company performance
markets and customers
reducing risk
innovation
There are several desirable characteristics of performance reporting approaches
voluntary versus mandatory reporting
focus on intended users
quantifiable metrics
connectedness to company strategy
objective audit/assurance

6. Identification and classification of frameworks almost complete
Next steps
Identification and classification of frameworks almost complete
Review of the literature is ongoing
Potential outputs
Peer-reviewed research article
Industry/practice relevant
A mechanism for guiding future choice