This week has been primarily focused on conducting an extensive literature review, which has served as a crucial foundation for the direction of our project. Our main objective has been to establish clearer definitions of the key terms that underpin our research, particularly the concepts of social enterprises and impact measurement. While both terms appear relatively straightforward at first glance, our exploration has revealed the complexity and ambiguity surrounding their definitions. Understanding the different ways in which social enterprises are characterised, as well as the various approaches used to evaluate their impact, has been essential in shaping the framework we hope to develop.
The literature review has also encouraged us to look beyond simple definitions and consider the broader factors that influence impact measurement. In particular, we have been exploring the challenges associated with assessing social, environmental and community-based value, alongside the benefits and limitations of existing methodologies. This process has been both challenging and rewarding, as it has required us to engage critically with academic debates while considering how these theoretical discussions can be applied practically to our database and framework. Despite the scale of the task, our team has worked effectively by dividing the literature review into manageable sections, allowing us to cover a broad range of material while continuing to make steady progress. Simultaneously, the foundations of the database have been developed in the background, demonstrating the ability of the team to balance multiple aspects of the project efficiently.
On Thursday, we were fortunate to attend a workshop on Zotero, a referencing management tool which will undoubtedly prove invaluable throughout the remainder of our research. The session was particularly enlightening as it demonstrated the importance of maintaining effective academic practices from the outset of a project. The literature review itself has already highlighted the necessity of careful referencing and organisation when engaging with large volumes of academic material, and learning how to properly manage our sources will significantly improve both the efficiency and quality of our future work.
We also had a productive meeting with our supervisor on Thursday, which helped to clarify the expectations and direction of our project. One of the most valuable outcomes of the discussion was the clearer establishment of the scope of our research. Given the broad nature of our initial brief, it was important to identify more specific and achievable goals that would allow us to create a meaningful outcome within the timeframe available. This guidance has provided us with greater confidence in our approach and has helped ensure that our future efforts remain focused and purposeful.
On Friday, we had the privilege of being taken on a tour of Blackbird Leys by Natty Mark Samuels, a pillar of the community. It provided a wonderful opportunity to engage with the local community beyond the academic aspects of our project. It was incredibly insightful to learn more about the area and the people who contribute to its identity. The experience served as a valuable reminder of the importance of community when considering social impact, and it was particularly enjoyable to share in the local culture through some delicious Caribbean food.
Overall, this week has been a productive step forward in both developing our research foundations and strengthening our understanding of the communities and organisations that our project seeks to explore. As the literature review continues to shape our thinking, I am excited to see how our findings can be translated into a practical framework that meaningfully captures the impact of social enterprises across Oxfordshire.