Abstract:

In addressing social and economic demands more efficiently in the current economic environment, many governments are currently promoting a collaborative effort between the government, social organisations and the private sector in providing social services. In fostering the public-private partnerships, there is a need for an assesment tool for the private sector as well as the goverment to assess the social impact delivered by the social organisations. The social impact assessment tool can be used by the private sector in making their funding decisions, such as the amount of funds, selecting social organisation or portfolio of social organsiations and monitoring the social impact delivered. This study proposes a mixed method approach by integrating financial and non-financial measures in assessing the social initiatives performance assessment of the social organizations. The assessment approach contributes; (1) provide opportunities for the social organisations to demonstrate their accountability in delivering their social services and (2) provide performance management tool to the management of the entity in identifying the component to be strengthened in improving the delivery of their social impact and (3) used by the private sector and government in making their funding decisions, such as the amount of funds, selecting social organisation or portfolio of social organisations and monitoring the social impact delivered. Overall, the social initiatives performance assessment can potentially be a very useful tool to heighten social progress by creating a space for innovation in terms of positioning public services that meets the needs of the local society, as opposed to centralised governmental public policies.