Title: An empirical study on measures relating to impact investing in South Africa

Authors: Boris Urban; James George

Addresses: Graduate School of Business Administration, University of the Witwatersrand, 2 St. David's Place, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 P.O. Box 98, Wits, 2050, South Africa ' Graduate School of Business Administration, University of the Witwatersrand, 2 St. David's Place, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 P.O. Box 98, Wits, 2050, South Africa

Abstract: Research shows that impact investing provides an opportunity for the creation of economic and social value that has the potential to improve the quality of life and make social progress. The need for robust impact measurement has become a reality, since the value that is generated through impact measurement is clear. The study provides a much needed account of current thinking about measuring the outcomes of impact investments in an emerging market context. The study takes place in South Africa, where metrics of social impact, innovativeness of solution, expandability/replicability and sustainability are empirically tested using survey data (n = 159). Results show that it is the twin factors of social impact and sustainability that influence growth. These findings highlight the importance of impact measurement especially when considering calls have been made to use a recognised metrics language in order to facilitate performance analysis.

Keywords: impact investing; social impact; innovativeness; sustainability; replicability; entrepreneurship; social enterprises; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSE.2018.088622

International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2018 Vol.10 No.1, pp.61 - 77

Received: 21 Mar 2017
Accepted: 08 May 2017
Published online: 13 Dec 2017 *

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