Empirical analysis of social impacts of a rural social enterprise: insights for local and regional development

Title
Empirical analysis of social impacts of a rural social enterprise: insights for local and regional development
Publication Date
2024-12
Author(s)
Musinguzi, Peter
Villano, Renato A
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2581-6623
Email: rvillan2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:rvillan2
Baker, Derek
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8083-5291
Email: abaker33@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:abaker33
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Routledge
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1080/21681376.2024.2325018
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/58318
Abstract

In developing countries the most marginalised and disadvantaged people are in rural, remote and regional areas and social enterprises in these areas – rural social enterprises (RSEs) – have been identified as key development actors in this context. However, their impacts are rarely rigorously measured. Our study fills this gap by measuring an RSE’s social impact in a developing country. A smallholder farmers’ survey (n = 1021) is utilised in a propensity score-based method which allowed us to generate counterfactual and estimate outcomes between members and non-members of an RSE. This method was complemented by a stakeholder focus group discussion. Predictors of participation and social impacts of the RSE are identified besides an evaluation of its interventions. Results generate implications for social enterprise practitioners, supporters and policymakers interested in applying RSEs as local and regional development actors as well as researchers involved in social impact measurement.

Link
Citation
Regional Studies, Regional Science, 11(1), p. 211-235
ISSN
2168-1376
Start page
211
End page
235
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International

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