This book provides two case studies that demonstrate the use of systems analysis to forecast the often far-reaching consequences of government policies and economic development for the social relations and cultural values of different communities. The case studies examine the potential effects of oil development in two rural Alaskan communities, co
This note provides an overview of good practice standards in Social Impact Assessment (SIA). It has been prepared by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to provide guidance to practitioners and decision-makers. By applying the approach presented in this note, it is expected that the quality, consistency, and operational relevance of SIAs will improve. SIA facilitates the systematic integration of social issues in the planning and implementation of projects. It improves the quality and sustainability of projects, supports and strengthens national requirements, and enhances project acceptance and local ownership. The SIA helps to identify and manage potential adverse social impacts a project may cause or contribute to, and to maximize benefits to local communities and other groups.
This book provides two case studies that demonstrate the use of systems analysis to forecast the often far-reaching consequences of government policies and economic development for the social relations and cultural values of different communities. The case studies examine the potential effects of oil development in two rural Alaskan communities, comparing the impact of proposed oil-related activities with projected changes in the sociocultural and socioeconomic aspects of these communities under other sets of assumptions, such as the development of a local groundfish industry. Each case study begins with an ethnographic description of the community, organized along the lines of a systems model, which is then used to assess the impact of development upon economic activities, political and social organizations, religion, education, health and social services, and recreation. The systems approach to social impact assessment is a commonly used decision-making tool, and the comparisons set forth in these two case studies will allow managers and policymakers to better tailor models to suit the needs of their inquiries.
The second edition of the Impact Evaluation in Practice handbook is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to impact evaluation for policy makers and development practitioners. First published in 2011, it has been used widely across the development and academic communities. The book incorporates real-world examples to present practical guidelines for designing and implementing impact evaluations. Readers will gain an understanding of impact evaluations and the best ways to use them to design evidence-based policies and programs. The updated version covers the newest techniques for evaluating programs and includes state-of-the-art implementation advice, as well as an expanded set of examples and case studies that draw on recent development challenges. It also includes new material on research ethics and partnerships to conduct impact evaluation. The handbook is divided into four sections: Part One discusses what to evaluate and why; Part Two presents the main impact evaluation methods; Part Three addresses how to manage impact evaluations; Part Four reviews impact evaluation sampling and data collection. Case studies illustrate different applications of impact evaluations. The book links to complementary instructional material available online, including an applied case as well as questions and answers. The updated second edition will be a valuable resource for the international development community, universities, and policy makers looking to build better evidence around what works in development.
This important Handbook is an essential guide to the state-of-the-art concepts, debates and innovative practices in the field of cumulative impact assessment. It helps to strengthen the foundations of this challenging field, identify key issues demanding solutions and summarize recent trends in forward progress, particularly through the use of illustrative case examples.
The Impact of Organizations: Measurement, Management and Corporate Reporting contributes to the growing debate on the importance of measuring, managing, and reporting organizations’ impact in the interest of companies, stakeholders, and policymakers. Through theoretical analysis, data analysis, case studies, and collaboration with academics and practitioners in the field, this book offers a comprehensive view of the topics covered and is structured into three main parts: i) from sustainability to impact evaluation and management: a corporate perspective; ii) financial sector, sustainability integration and impact management; iii) impact management to innovate the public institutions. The topics covered in this book contribute to the existing debate on the need to provide companies with tools to measure and manage impact effectively and address the need from businesses and investors for a simplified corporate reporting landscape. As such, this book represents a useful guide for academics who are investigating this field, for companies and practitioners working on measuring, managing, and communicating impact, as well as students and graduates who would like to pursue a career in the field of sustainability and impact.
This book fills the gap between social science methodology books and the realities of conducting social research under Third World conditions. It focuses on social impact assessment methods and cost effective social analyses for development projects and programs in US and Third World countries.
This newly updated book offers a comprehensive introduction to the scope and nature of engineering work, taking a rigorous but common sense approach to the solution of engineering problems. The text follows the planning, modelling and design phases of engineering projects through to implementation or construction, explaining the conceptual framework for undertaking projects, and then providing a range of techniques and tools for solutions. It focuses on engineering design and problem solving, but also involves economic, environmental, social and ethical considerations. This third edition expands significantly on the economic evaluation of projects and also includes a new section on intractable problems and systems, involving a discussion of wicked problems and soft systems methodology as well as the approaches to software development. Further developments include an array of additional interest boxes, worked examples, problems and up-to date references. Case studies and real-world examples are used to illustrate the role of the engineer and especially the methods employed in engineering practice. The examples are drawn particularly from the fields of civil and environmental engineering, but the approaches and techniques are more widely applicable to other branches of engineering. The book is aimed at first-year engineering students, but contains material to suit more advanced undergraduates. It also functions as a professional handbook, covering some of the fundamentals of engineering planning and design in detail.
