caa a22 4500 606152601 CHVBK 20210128100549.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20151001xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s11266-014-9490-x doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s11266-014-9490-x SROI as a Method for Evaluation Research: Understanding Merits and Limitations [Elektronische Daten] [Florentine Maier, Christian Schober, Ruth Simsa, Reinhard Millner] NPOs and their funders are increasingly drawn to the Social Return on Investment (SROI) method to evaluate the social impact of programs, organizations, or organization networks. While many claims about the benefits of SROI have been expressed, various points of criticism have also been raised. On the basis of both current research and our own experience in conducting SROI analyses, we develop a comprehensive assessment of this method, which is structured along two dimensions: the observer's paradigmatic perspective, on the one hand, and positive or negative valuation, on the other. We identify two major merits: SROI analysis can provide legitimacy to NPOs or their funders, and it can assist in allocating resources efficiently and effectively. We identify limitations from three perspectives: From an interpretative-sociological perspective, criticism of commensuration and utilitarianism calls the method as a whole into question. From a technical-instrumental perspective, there are a number of difficulties that could, however, be overcome as the method matures. From an intermediary perspective, a number of limitations become apparent that, while inherent to SROI analysis, are no reason for abandoning it, as long as they are thoroughly understood. We conclude by providing suggestions for the responsible use of SROI analysis. International Society for Third-Sector Research and The Johns Hopkins University, 2014 SROI analysis nationallicence Evaluation nationallicence Methodology nationallicence Impact measurement nationallicence Social impact nationallicence Social nationallicence Return on investment nationallicence Maier Florentine WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut Schober Christian WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut Simsa Ruth WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut Millner Reinhard WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations Springer US; http://www.springer-ny.com 26/5(2015-10-01), 1805-1830 0957-8765 26:5<1805 2015 26 11266 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-014-9490-x text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-014-9490-x text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Maier Florentine WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Schober Christian WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Simsa Ruth WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Millner Reinhard WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations Springer US; http://www.springer-ny.com 26/5(2015-10-01), 1805-1830 0957-8765 26:5<1805 2015 26 11266