Browsing by Subject "social impact"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Creating shared value: Investigating how micro-property developers in townships can collaborate with impact investors
    (2022) Ngakane, Boipelo; Nilsson, Warren
    Micro-property developers are social entrepreneurs operating in townships and offer high quality rental units that upholds the dignity of community members. Although they are making a valuable contribution they are also faced with many challenges and the biggest being access to funds. This study looks at how impact investing, an emerging funding model can be used to address this challenge. Impact investing can be described as a cross-sectional initiative that involves the professional participation of various stakeholders; to drive social entrepreneurship to a level which can drive the socio-economic impact within communities, to create a social good that optimises financial, social and environmental returns ( Annual Impact Investor Survey, 2019). This research study seeks to explore and understand collaboration strategies that can be employed by micro-property developers in the context of South African townships. This study investigates how micro-property developers, through institutional systems and a multi-stakeholder approach can collaborate with impact investors by applying the concept of collective impact effort in township areas. Further on, this study highlights the importance of impact investing and unpacks the successes and challenges in township areas by illuminating how risk-taking, organisational values and funding contribute to corporate considerations in generating measurable, social and environment impact combined with financial return. Through relevant literature consulted and the use of in-depth interviews this study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Research participants included micro-property developers, impact investors and intermediaries. The research findings indicate that in the corporate ambit of social entrepreneurship and impact investing; variables such as income, risks, impact measurement, the situated area of human settlement and investor readiness are key considerations in the successful acquisition of funding opportunities. In addition, although impact investment in township areas is still an untapped market in South Africa, community leadership and partners should equally advocate the need of inclusion and innovation to steer sustainable impact investment opportunities in such communities. This study suggests that impact investors and funders should work toward cross-sectional initiatives that are scalable and inclusive, and that can create a positive impact in township communities. This study also recommends that a level of deeper knowledge is required through informed research, to understand the value and the impact of impact investments in township areas. This way, scientific data can override all stereotypical notions linked to township investments, as stigmas of crime and risks still hinder investment opportunities in townships compared to their urban counterparts.
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    From research excellence to brand relevance: A model for higher education reputation building
    (2016) Overton-de Klerk, Nina; Sienaert, Marilet
    Abstract In this article we propose a novel approach to reputation development at higher education institutions. Global reputation development at higher education institutions is largely driven by research excellence, is predominantly measured by research output, and is predominantly reflected in hierarchical university rankings. The ranking becomes equated with brand equity. We argue that the current approach to reputation development in higher education institutions is modernist and linear. This is strangely out-of-kilter with the complexities of a transforming society in flux, the demands of a diversity of stakeholders, and the drive towards transdisciplinarity, laterality, reflexivity and relevance in science. Good research clearly remains an important ingredient of a university’s brand value. However, a case can be made for brand relevance, co-created in collaboration with stakeholders, as an alternative and non-linear way of differentiation. This approach is appropriate in light of challenges in strategic science globally as well as trends and shifts in the emerging paradigm of strategic communication. In applying strategic communication principles to current trends and issues in strategic science and the communication thereof, an alternative model for strategic reputation building at higher education institutions is developed.
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    Innovative Finance Week 1 Video 11 - Thinking about your issue area
    (2019) Patton, Aunnie
    This video summarises the main points on why we need to innovate in financing for social impact, We also mention that we went through the themes of impact in the case studies. We also provide a guide that goes into this week's assignment to talk about an issue. This is video 11/11 in week 1 of the Innovative Finance: Hacking Finance to change the World course.
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    Innovative Finance Week 4 Video 11 - Discovering opportunities
    (2019) Patton, Aunnie
    The video focuses on finding new opportunities and addressing risks. The video discusses how Zoona were able to expand their offerings by partnering with Mukuru. They discuss how they were able to increase their marketshare and access lots of different opportunities. The video also discusses how Ashburton was able to make use of their alignment with government priorities to identify potential partners. The video then discusses how the SDI was able to identify an opportunity to create multi-stakeholder partnerships. This is video 11/11 in week 4 of the Innovative Finance: Hacking Finance to Change the World course.