Design for social value: using design to improve the impact of CSR

Abstract

This paper discusses the meaning of social value from the design perspective, especially in Corporate Social Responsibility practices, and the contextual issues and values derived from design, considering how companies could better use design for social value creation. The research identified consumer attitudes to corporate social value and where companies are perceived to have generated social value, and explored where design has contributed to such social value. The research illustrates that design has great potential to add value to the triple bottom line, mostly related directly to organisations, but also to areas relating to society, including the 'lower levels of environmental degradation' and 'more solutions for social issues', indicating design plays an influential role in creating socially responsible products/services. However, this research suggests that a clear definition of 'social value' from various perspectives and its relationship with CSR is required due to the complex and subjective nature of 'social value'.

Reviewing the Trends of Social Value in Construction Research in the Last Decade: A Bibliometric Review

“…Then, the importance of social efficacy and the sense of community is highlighted by [14]. Also, the theory of value, where authors like [15][16][17] discuss SV in terms of generating benefits to society by ensuring Disclaimer/Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions, and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions, or products referred to in the content.…”

Social Value Trends in Construction Research: A Bibliometric Review of the Past Decade

“…Subsequently, the importance of social efficacy and the sense of community was highlighted by [14]. Also, the theory of value, where authors like [15][16][17] discuss SV in terms of generating benefits to society by ensuring "value for money" in service delivery. This concept of value primarily considers the worth placed on a product or service by the end user [18].…”

The hidden barriers to social value delivery in megaprojects: investigating the decision-making environment

“…A large amount of work has been undertaken to define social value (Hunter, 2014; Choi et al ., 2014; Burke and King, 2015; Raiden et al. , 2019), measure and evidence social value (Doloi, 2012; Choi et al. , 2014; Xiahou et al ., 2018; Gurmu et al .…”

“…, 2014; Xiahou et al ., 2018; Gurmu et al . , 2022) and develop social value delivery methods (Loosemore and Phua, 2011; Choi et al. , 2014; Green Building, 1999; SEUK, 2012; Daniel and Pasquire, 2019; Murtagh and Brooks, 2019).…”

“…A large amount of work has been undertaken to define social value (Hunter, 2014;Choi et al, 2014;Burke and King, 2015;Raiden et al, 2019), measure and evidence social value (Doloi, 2012;Choi et al, 2014;Xiahou et al, 2018;Gurmu et al, 2022) and develop social value delivery methods (Loosemore and Phua, 2011;Choi et al, 2014;Green Building, 1999;SEUK, 2012;Daniel and Pasquire, 2019;Murtagh and Brooks, 2019). Furthermore, a variety of frameworks and models have been developed to assist and facilitate the delivery of social value in infrastructure projects (for example, the Five Capitals Model, Doughnut Economics, UN Sustainable Development Goals, etc).…”