Journal of Co-operative Studies, 58(3), 103-109

Abstract

This paper traces the development of the Social Value Toolkit for Cooperative Councils commissioned by the Cooperative Councils’ Innovation Network as part of their development reports in support of the promotion of co-operation and community wealth building for member councils. We argue that a new social value paradigm is required for social change that goes beyond quantification and measurement of social value outcomes and towards a relational theory of social value. In doing so, the paper refers to the wider implications of the application of relationality to social value and the potential synergies with the parallel development of co-operatives as part of the community wealth building project, with particular reference to co-operative Principle 7 — concern for the community. The theory discussed in the paper is supported by data collected from one of the case studies investigated in the design of the toolkit, the case of Westminster City Council. The paper concludes by suggesting that greater attention should be given to the common good implied in a new relational paradigm and how such an approach is incompatible with private gain.

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