Reflexões sobre utilidade social e impacto social em metodologias de avaliação à luz da experiência de Matarandiba

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential behind utilising two different evaluation methodologies simultaneously, namely the “Mandala for Reflective Self-assessment of Sustainability Based on Social Utility” and the “Guide for Socio-environmental Impact Assessment for Use in Investment Impact”. Each of the respective methodologies contribute with its own concepts, notions as well as a wide range of assessment techniques. In this sense, the objective of this work is threefold: (i) to situate the context of origin and development of the theme of evaluating social utility and social impact, (ii) to carry out the experience of using the evaluation methodologies in an applied scenario, and (iii) to present an analysis of what approximates and differentiates the respective evaluation methodologies. In order to carry out this investigation, the methodologies were applied and integrated into the performance of a Community Development Bank in Matarandiba, Brazil, which supports itself through its socioeconomic efforts that ultimately aim to strengthen the local economy. The research is characterised by its qualitative and interpretive nature which uses content analysis as its data analysis technique. Thus, the study points to the understanding of different bases of the two notions through the methodologies that are related by social utility and social impact, which express different aspects in terms of sought legitimacy, scale of effects and methods employed. When confronting the main points of reference of both methodologies, it is possible to establish significant distinctions as to the preference for participatory procedures and negotiated with the appropriation and adaptation of criteria and indicators for social purposes overlapping with issues of social utility, while on the other hand, there are procedures of a different nature - summative assessment subject to the concept of social impact which establish a basis of understanding based on verification of intervention processes on an objective view to measure impact.