Innovative approaches to social impact measurement: a focus on the potential of artificial intelligence solutions
Abstract
Purpose
The existing literature highlights challenges in measuring social impact within social and solidarity economy organisations, particularly regarding the social return on investment (SROI) methodology. This paper aims to address the barriers to SROI implementation while exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the measurement of social impact.
Design/methodology/approach
This review-based paper synthesises research on SROI methodology limitations and recent AI developments while focusing on ethical considerations. Drawing from these domains, the study constructs a conceptual framework to guide future research.
Findings
The study identifies necessary enhancements to existing AI systems for social impact measurement and explores how advances in generative AI could refine current tools and address SROI constraints. It advocates for open AI models to address ethical concerns.
Originality/value
This study pioneers the integration of social impact assessment and AI, an innovative intersection in the academic literature. The growing disparity between academia and the rapidly evolving AI industry is highlighted and scholarly discourse is enriched through theoretical deliberations and innovative technological solutions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article forms part of the research project entitled “Innovación social de la mujer rural: creación de valor a través de comunidades sociales en la era digital” (Social innovation of rural women: value creation through social communities in the digital age) funded by the Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Transferencia del Conocimiento y Divulgación Científica de la Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, UNED, in the framework of the Convocatoria Proyectos de Investigación UNED 2023.
The author Nerea Abad-Itoiz would also like to state her current position as a Predoctoral Researcher UNED-Santander at the UNED's Doctoral Programme in European Union Studies.
Citation
Abad-Itoiz, N., Solórzano-García, M. and Hernández-Marí, D. (2024), "Innovative approaches to social impact measurement: a focus on the potential of artificial intelligence solutions", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-03-2024-0050
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited