Valuing impact: Tools for social and ecological impact measurement in SMEs

How can companies measure their social impact in a clear and feasible way? This project guides SMEs in making their social contribution visible and valuable.

In short
More and more businesses aim to contribute to societal and ecological challenges. This practice-oriented research supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in measuring and valuing their social impact. By mapping accessible methods, we make impact both tangible and strategically useful.

Need and relevance
Although many businesses are committed to corporate social responsibility, measuring and especially valuing social impact is still underdeveloped. SMEs often lack insight into the range of existing tools, making it difficult to choose the right one. As a result, impact often remains invisible, hindering learning and transparent communication. This research addresses that knowledge gap.

From approach to impact
We review existing tools and methods, focusing on ease of use and especially on how impact can be translated into monetary value. Based on this analysis, we develop a decision-making diagram to help SMEs select the right approach. The project contributes to knowledge development on impact valuation and enables companies to better substantiate and communicate their social engagement.