Adaptive Strategies & Approaches for Organisational Mission

Focus on designing and implementing strategies and approaches to achieve an organisation’s vision and mission based on institutional design principles.

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U&I: Nurturing Empathy for EffectivenessCase Study

2 March 2022

U&I: Nurturing Empathy for Effectiveness

U&I is a volunteer-driven charitable organization based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. It provides non-formal education to underprivileged children in 25 cities around India, through a network of over 2,300 volunteers. The casestudy engages with the ways in which conscious design can nurture structures, spaces and processes that enable the integration of an organization’s mission and volunteer model with the leadership’s core principles of empathetic care and authentic relationships. It provides an opportunity for learners to reflect on how designing for empathy can produce tangible programmatic impact, develop in-house leadership and build a self-sustaining organizational culture and volunteer ecosystem.

A Typology of Organisations in the Indian Social SectorPaper / Report

2 August 2022

A Typology of Organisations in the Indian Social Sector

The Indian social sector is vast and growing, but existing typologies fail to capture its diversity. Most research focuses on Western economies, where social enterprises differ in structure and demands. To address this gap, we first review existing typologies of social sector enterprises. Then, we propose a hierarchical typology tailored to India, considering multiple characteristics. Finally, we identify key factors for applying this framework. This approach aims to enhance understanding of India’s unique social sector landscape.

All Content

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Book

The New Education Philanthropy: Politics, Policy and Reform

This book explores the evolving landscape of education philanthropy, focusing on the interplay of politics, policy, and reform efforts. It examines how new philanthropic initiatives are influencing educational systems, curriculum development, and school reform strategies. The authors analyze the motivations, approaches, and impacts of these philanthropic interventions, often highlighting tensions between private funding and public education goals. The book provides a critical perspective on the opportunities and challenges presented by the increasing role of private philanthropy in shaping educational policy and outcomes.
Academic / Journal Article
  • 3 January 2019

Determinants of Attractiveness in Social Stock Exchange

This article investigates the factors that determine the attractiveness of Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs) for both investors and social enterprises. It analyses various financial resources, social entrepreneurship models, and social innovation initiatives that contribute to the SSE’s appeal. The authors examine existing frameworks like BVS, BVSA, and SASIX to identify what makes an SSE a viable platform for channeling capital towards social value creation.
Book
  • 1 January 2015

Conditions for Social Entrepreneurship

This book chapter investigates the essential conditions that foster the growth of social entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on emerging economies and the Base of the Pyramid segment. It delves into the dynamics of social enterprises within the broader social sector, identifying key factors such as supportive ecosystems, access to resources, and conducive policy environments. The text aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contextual elements necessary for social entrepreneurs to thrive and create sustainable impact.
Case Study
  • 1 January 2019

Blended Financing, Canadian Foreign Aid Policy, and Alternatives

This case study examines blended financing within the context of Canadian foreign aid policy, exploring its implications and alternative approaches. It delves into the dynamics of public-private finance and privatization in development, raising questions about effectiveness and broader policy goals. The study contributes to understanding the evolving landscape of development finance and the role of different actors in achieving international assistance objectives.
Case Study
  • 8 February 2020

From Impact Investing to Investing for Impact

This report by The Carlyle Group outlines a strategic shift from merely “impact investing” to actively “investing for impact,” emphasizing a more intentional approach to generating positive social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. It explores how integrating social goals and sustainability considerations throughout the investment process can lead to more meaningful and measurable results. The paper provides insights for investors looking to move beyond traditional ESG considerations towards a proactive stance in driving systemic change.
Case Study
  • 2 January 2015

Great Expectations: Mission Preservation and Financial Performance in Impact Investing

This report from the Wharton Social Impact Initiative examines the relationship between mission preservation and financial performance in impact investing. It investigates whether investors and enterprises can achieve competitive financial returns while staying true to their social or environmental missions. The study analyses various strategies and motivations of impact investors, providing insights into how organizations can navigate the potential trade-offs and synergies between financial viability and impact fidelity, offering practical guidance for the sector.
Case Study
  • 2 January 2012

Social Finance Investment Instruments, Markets and Cultures in the Eu

This report examines the landscape of social finance investment instruments, markets, and cultures within the European Union. It delves into various funding instruments, investor motives, and return expectations, providing a comprehensive overview of the nascent social finance sector in Europe. The study outlines both the advantages and disadvantages of different financial tools and explores the cultural nuances influencing social investments across EU member states.
Case Study
  • 1 January 2016

Negative Returns: the Impact of Impact Investing on Empowerment and Advocacy

This article critically examines the impact of impact investing on empowerment and advocacy efforts. It suggests that while impact investing aims to create positive change, it can inadvertently lead to “negative returns” by shifting focus away from core advocacy and capacity-building activities within organizations. The author questions whether the pursuit of financial returns might compromise the broader social mission and the ability of organizations to empower communities and champion their interests.
Case Study
  • 1 January 2019

Social Stock Exchange for Social Enterprises and Social Incubators: an Exploratory Study for India

This exploratory study examines the concept of a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) for social enterprises and incubators in India. It analyses the framework proposed by SEBI and explores the working models of SSEs in other countries like the UK, Canada, South Africa, and Singapore. The paper aims to understand how an SSE can address financial constraints faced by social enterprises and promote socio-economic upliftment, providing insights into its core components, structure, regulations, eligible entities, investors, and financial instruments.
Case Study
  • 1 December 2020

Blended Finance in the Least Developed Countries 2020

This report analyses how blended finance was deployed in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to support a resilient recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. It highlights case studies that leveraged concessional capital, public guarantees, and technical assistance to boost critical sectors like health, SMEs, and digital infrastructure. The paper provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, development partners, and investors on how to better structure blended instruments for crisis response and long-term sustainable development, emphasizing the need for faster deployment and greater risk tolerance in these vulnerable economies.
Case Study
  • 2 January 2020

Esg, Sri, and Impact Investing: a Primer for Decision-making

This primer aims to clarify the often-confusing terminology surrounding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), and Impact Investing for institutional investors. It emphasizes that ESG investing is not a separate asset class but a set of considerations that can be integrated into investment strategies. The authors provide a practical framework for investors to evaluate different approaches based on their goals, beliefs, resources, and circumstances. The paper discusses various forms of ESG integration, active ownership, portfolio screening, and targeted impact investments, aiding informed decision-making in this evolving landscape.
Case Study
  • 1 January 2019

Is Blended Finance Trending in the Ldcs? Perspectives From the Ground

This paper synthesizes findings from four country studies in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to assess the state of blended finance. It reveals that while blended finance is gaining traction for SDG implementation, it has yet to be fully mainstreamed in LDCs due to lack of awareness, definitional consensus, institutional challenges, and capacity deficits. The report highlights existing blended operations, primarily public-private partnerships in infrastructure, and offers policy recommendations for LDCs to leverage its potential while mitigating risks.
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