Research on Social Value Measurement of Chinese Social Enterprises: Application of SPC Social Outcome Measurement Mechanism

Abstract

Since 2015, social enterprises have started to draw attention as the type of organization that hasengaged in the social economy practice and has made some practical achievements. However, it isstill very limited in terms of market expansion and social impact. One of the key problems lies inthe lack of an effective way to quantify the social value created by social enterprises. Social valueevaluation of social enterprises can promote social enterprises to acquire more resources andgarner more recognition from society which can contribute to expanding the scale and impact ofsocial enterprises. An in-depth systematic study is urgently needed. Believing that social value canpositively impact the sustainable development of social enterprises, this research applies a specificmeasurement mechanism to measuring social value produced by social enterprises in China throughthe case study method. It explores the feasibility of applying and promoting the social valueevaluation system in China and provides insights for further effective practices. First, it grasps thedevelopment status and problems of social enterprises in China. Based on a systematic assessmentof the features of the social value measurement mechanism from an international perspective andanalysis of its application prospects in China, we selected 10 typical Chinese social enterprises asstudy subjects, applying the SPC social outcome measurement mechanism to measure the socialvalue they have produced. Finally, based on the measurement process and results, it providessuggestions for measuring and applying the social value of social enterprises in China from theangle of the development of social enterprises and their ecological environment. In summary, theSPC social outcome measurement mechanism works well among Chinese social enterprises andhas great application prospects. At the same time, its systems and models still have much room forimprovement according to the development stage, development characteristics, and ecologicalenvironment of Chinese social enterprises.