Measuring and Improving Social Impacts

Measuring and Improving Social Impacts
Author: Marc J. Epstein
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2017-09-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351276220

Identifying, measuring and improving social impact is a significant challenge for corporate and private foundations, charities, NGOs and corporations. How best to balance possible social and environmental benefits (and costs) against one another? How does one bring clarity to multiple possibilities and opportunities? Based on years of work and new field studies from around the globe, the authors have written a book for managers that is grounded in the best academic and managerial research.It is a practical guide that describes the steps needed for identifying, measuring and improving social impact. This approach is useful in maximizing the impact of different types of investments, including grants and donations, impact investments, and commercial investments.With numerous examples of actual organizational approaches, research into more than fifty organizations, and extensive practical guidance and best practices, Measuring and Improving Social Impacts fills a critical gap.

The Impact of the Social Sciences

The Impact of the Social Sciences
Author: Simon Bastow
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 625
Release: 2014-01-17
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1446293254

The impact agenda is set to shape the way in which social scientists prioritise the work they choose to pursue, the research methods they use and how they publish their findings over the coming decade, but how much is currently known about how social science research has made a mark on society? Based on a three year research project studying the impact of 360 UK-based academics on business, government and civil society sectors, this groundbreaking new book undertakes the most thorough analysis yet of how academic research in the social sciences achieves public policy impacts, contributes to economic prosperity, and informs public understanding of policy issues as well as economic and social changes. The Impact of the Social Sciences addresses and engages with key issues, including: identifying ways to conceptualise and model impact in the social sciences developing more sophisticated ways to measure academic and external impacts of social science research explaining how impacts from individual academics, research units and universities can be improved. This book is essential reading for researchers, academics and anyone involved in discussions about how to improve the value and impact of funded research.

Exploring the Social Impacts of Events

Exploring the Social Impacts of Events
Author: Greg Richards
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2013-03-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1136264493

Social impacts are increasingly used as one of the main justifications for staging and funding events, and yet there is very little empirical evidence on the extent to which these impacts are realised by different kinds of events or in different settings. This timely volume fills this gap by being the first to explore the different social aspects of events, looking in particular at the role of events in developing social capital, social cohesion and participation in local communities. Based on cutting edge empirical research, it evaluatesthe contribution of both cultural and sports events to social capital, social cohesion, community spirit and local pride in range of different types of events and settings, with case studies drawn from Europe, Australia and South Africa. It therefore furthers knowledge about the social benefits and impacts of events and significantly contributes to the development of Events as a discipline. Written by leading academics in this area, this volume is essential reading for all those interested in Events Management and Studies.

Music

Music
Author: Peti Simon
Publisher: Nova Science Pub Incorporated
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2013-01-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9781628081442

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the societal impacts, health benefits and new perspectives on music. Topics discussed include the role of musical leisure activities in dementia care; listening to music as a non-invasive pain intervention; evidence-based music for human health; the role of musical stimuli in dopaminergic brain function; music and cognitive processing of emotions; music therapy and an analysis of music pedagogy, the professional musician, and the music business; music education and transfer of learning; perspectives on music as a lifelong resource of happiness; Sakara music and its relation to life issues in Nigeria; health benefits for the mother and child from music intervention in pregnancy; music as a political force in Islamist organisations; the benefits of music on health and athletic performance; and songwriting and improvisation in acute psychiatry.

The Social Impacts of Urban Containment

The Social Impacts of Urban Containment
Author: Professor Arthur C Nelson
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2012-11-28
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1409487598

One of the policies that has been most widely used to try to limit urban sprawl has been that of urban containment. These policies are planning controls limiting the growth of cities in an attempt to preserve open rural uses, such as habitat, agriculture and forestry, in urban regions. While there has been a substantial amount of research into these urban containment policies, most have focused on issues of land use, consumption, transportation impacts or economic development issues. This book examines the effects of urban containment policies on key social issues, such as housing, wealth building and creation, racial segregation and gentrification. It argues that, while the policies make important contributions to environmental sustainability, they also affect affordability for all the economic groups of citizens aside from the most wealthy. However, it also puts forward suggestions for revising such policies to counter these possible negative social impacts. As such, it will be valuable reading for scholars of environmental planning, social policy and regional development, as well as for policy makers.

U.S. Health in International Perspective

U.S. Health in International Perspective
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 421
Release: 2013-04-12
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309264146

The United States is among the wealthiest nations in the world, but it is far from the healthiest. Although life expectancy and survival rates in the United States have improved dramatically over the past century, Americans live shorter lives and experience more injuries and illnesses than people in other high-income countries. The U.S. health disadvantage cannot be attributed solely to the adverse health status of racial or ethnic minorities or poor people: even highly advantaged Americans are in worse health than their counterparts in other, "peer" countries. In light of the new and growing evidence about the U.S. health disadvantage, the National Institutes of Health asked the National Research Council (NRC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene a panel of experts to study the issue. The Panel on Understanding Cross-National Health Differences Among High-Income Countries examined whether the U.S. health disadvantage exists across the life span, considered potential explanations, and assessed the larger implications of the findings. U.S. Health in International Perspective presents detailed evidence on the issue, explores the possible explanations for the shorter and less healthy lives of Americans than those of people in comparable countries, and recommends actions by both government and nongovernment agencies and organizations to address the U.S. health disadvantage.

The Social Impact of the Arts

The Social Impact of the Arts
Author: Eleonora Belfiore
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2008-09-16
Genre: Art
ISBN:

An intellectual history of contrasting ideas around the power of the arts to bring about personal and societal change - for better and worse. A fascinating account of the value and functions of the arts in society, in both the private sphere of individual emotions and self-development and public sphere of politics and social distinction.

Handbook of Research on Social Impacts of E-payment and Blockchain Technology

Handbook of Research on Social Impacts of E-payment and Blockchain Technology
Author: P. C. Lai
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2021-10
Genre: Blockchains (Databases)
ISBN: 9781799890355

"This book provides broad research and applied coverage of subjects relating to the social impact of e-payment and blockchain in various industries and countries establishing a forum for the exchange of research ideas and practices,"--

Social Impacts of Smart Grids

Social Impacts of Smart Grids
Author: Wadim Strielkowski
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2019-10-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0128177705

Social Impacts of Smart Grids: The Future of Smart Grids and Energy Market Design explores the significant, unexplored societal consequences of our meteoric evolution towards intelligent, responsive and sustainable power generation and distribution systems-the so-called 'smart grid'. These consequences include new patterns of consumption behavior, systems planning under increasing uncertainty, and the ever- growing complexities involved. The work covers the historical impact of the transformation, examines the changing role of production and consumption behavior, articulates the principles and options for socially responsible smart grid power market design, and explores social acceptance of the smart grid. Where relevant, it examines adjacent literatures from P2P electricity markets, electric vehicles, smart homes and smart cities, and related 'internet of energy' developments. Finally, it provides insights into mitigating the likely social consequences of our integrated low-carbon energy future.

Networks for Social Impact

Networks for Social Impact
Author: Michelle Shumate
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2022-01-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0190091991

A broad review of how nonprofits, businesses, and governments work together to tackle social problems Networks for Social Impact takes a systems approach to explain how and when networks make a social impact. Michelle Shumate and Katherine R. Cooper argue that network design and management is not a one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, they show that the type of social issue, the mechanism for social impact, environment, and resources available each determine appropriate choices. Drawing on research from public administration, psychology, business, network science, social work, and communication, this book synthesizes what we know about how to best design and manage networks. It includes illustrations from thirty original case studies which describe groups of organizations addressing issues such as gender-based violence, educational outcomes, senior care, veterans' services, mental health and wellness, and climate change. Additionally, the volume examines critical issues that leaders address in creating and managing networks, including social issue analysis, network governance, securing and managing funding, dealing with power and conflict, using data effectively, and managing change. Each chapter includes tools for network leaders to use to handle these issues. This book is neither an overly idealistic, pro-collaboration account of the benefits of network approaches, nor is it a critical view of these efforts. Instead, this clear and concise volume highlights the opportunities and challenges of networks.