CASE Articles, Papers & Presentations
Below are selected CASE articles, working papers, and presentations about scaling social impact:
Abstract: A new model, labeled SCALERS, is introduced to provide guidance on how organizations with a social mission can align their internal resources with their external environments to scale their impacts most efficiently and effectively.
Abstract: Arguing that social entrepreneurs have commonly sought to spread or “scale out” their innovations by replicating or “scaling up” their organizations, this article offers a framework for a larger set of pathways from which to choose. The authors encourage social entrepreneurs to consider different ways of both defining and spreading their innovations before determining whether and how to proceed. Presents a framework for evaluating what type of innovation to scale (program, organization, or principle) as well as the mechanisms for how to scale (along a spectrum from dissemination to affiliation to branching). Also provides a useful checklist of “Five R’s” - factors to consider when choosing a strategy for scaling out: readiness, resources, receptivity, risks, and returns. (For the original working paper, see Pathways to Social Impact below.)
Abstract: Includes a matrix of options for how to scale social impact. More comprehensive treatment of article above. The authors encourage social entrepreneurs to consider different ways of both defining and spreading their innovations before determining whether and how to proceed. Presents a framework for evaluating what type of innovation to scale (program, organization, or principle) as well as the mechanisms for how to scale (along a spectrum from dissemination to affiliation to branching). Also provides a useful checklist of “Five R’s” - factors to consider when choosing a strategy for scaling out: readiness, resources, receptivity, risks, and returns. (For edited version, see Stanford Social Innovation Review article above.)
Abstract: This book chapter explores the choice of whether or not to attempt to scale a social-purpose organization, outlining the potential drivers, benefits, risks, and costs of doing so. Offers and defines several pathways for “scaling deep” (achieving greater impact in home community or market) and “scaling out” (disseminating principles, creating learning networks, or packaging/selling programs), as well as a four-step process for deciding whether and how to scale: 1) define what you are scaling and determine its replicability, 2) assess the opportunity, 3) evaluate your readiness, 4) formulating a scaling up strategy that fits.
Abstract: Nonprofit organizations often move into new territories by establishing local branches, affiliates, or a combination of branches and affiliates, resulting in a plural form. This paper presents data from a survey of U.S. nonprofit leaders who have experience with or are considering expanding their organizations via branches, affiliates, or both. By capturing the perspectives of front-line nonprofit managers, this research aims to provide greater insight into the process of geographic expansion and to explore some of the key similarities and differences across these three organizational structures. The most substantial finding from this research is that regardless of organizational structure, some of the anticipated benefits of scale failed to materialize, while other, unanticipated benefits seemed to dominate across all expansion strategies. Economies of scale were often less than anticipated, and tapping into new funding sources was a significant benefit primarily for affiliates. In contrast, the benefits from both brand and organizational learning consistently exceeded expectations across all strategies. Based on these investigations, the authors offer new hypotheses for exploring the strategic preferences, motivations, challenges, and benefits of nonprofit expansion via a range of organizational structures.
Abstract: Slides from a one day workshop delivered by Greg Dees and Beth Anderson for North Carolina nonprofits interested in exploring strategies for spreading social innovations. The workshop provided practical frameworks to help organizations assess the opportunity and their organizational readiness for scaling out; define their innovation for scaling; and identify promising pathways for effectively scaling their innovation.