Social Impact Bonding? Evidence on inter-organisational dynamics from a longitudinal analysis of SIBs in the UK
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In this Research Forum session we discussed inter-organisational relationships and trust in social impact bonds.
The Research Forum on Outcomes in Cross-Sector Collaboration is a gathering of researchers whose work engages with, or relates to, outcomes-based approaches to public service provision. Every two months, the Forum hosts guest speakers to present an aspect of their research or talk through a particular issue that is influencing their work. The research forum is co-hosted by the Government Outcomes Lab, University of Oxford, and The Center for Research on Public-Private Collaboration, Roskilde University.
Themes of interest to the Forum include:
- Cross-sector partnerships (e.g., PPPs) in the pursuit of policy goals
- Outcomes-based approaches to public service provision including social outcomes contracting
- Stewardship of mixed economies of public service delivery (outsourcing, insourcing, voluntary sector involvement, place-based working)
We aim to reflect the full breadth that these topics entail, as well as issues relating to research process and methodology. We therefore welcome empirical content from different locations around the world, as well as theoretical discussions covering the various conceptual frameworks through which efforts to improve social outcomes can be interpreted and understood.
The sessions are intended to be informal in nature, allowing for free-flowing discussion, the testing of ideas among peers, and wrestling with the challenges of interdisciplinary work in this space. The Research Forum therefore provides an arena for researchers away from the demands of having a polished ‘policy message’ or published paper. In doing so, we hope to develop a scholarly network that will enrich our research, disseminate ideas, and foster collaboration across institutions.
What to expect
Research Forum meetings are one hour and 15 minutes long, and are held online. They are free to attend, and anyone who is interested is welcome to join. The target audience is principally researchers, however, and these sessions will particularly appeal to members of academic institutions, consultancies, and/or think tanks, whose work relates to the above outlined themes.
If you are interested in presenting at the Forum please contact Eleanor Carter, Research Director at the Government Outcomes Lab, or Ole Helby Petersen, Director of The Center for Research on Public-Private Collaboration, Roskilde University.
Session overview
As multi-party collaborations, social impact bonds aim to leverage the benefits of cross-sector working. They also entail risk of conflicting priorities and divergent cultures between partners. In this Forum session, we were joined by Elaine De Gruyter and Thomas Elston to discuss inter-organisational relationships in social impact bonds. Elaine presented her latest research on this theme (abstract below), and Thomas was the discussant. There was plenty of time for questions and discussion with the audience.
Research abstract
Social impact bonds (SIBs) have emerged as a mechanism for inter-organisational collaboration to address complex social problems. This is in line with New Public Governance (NPG), a more collaborative and interactive form of governance centred on two critical elements: inter-organisational relationships, and governance mechanisms based on trust. While there is potential for conflict between SIB partners, it is unclear how they shape the dynamics of NPG implementation across SIBs more broadly. This paper therefore aims to investigate the dynamics of NPG implementation in the SIB context by stakeholder type and identify the factors that moderate its effects. Using a longitudinal survey of SIB projects representing the universe of SIBs in the UK from the Life Chances Fund, we find that NPG elements are more in line with commissioners’ (or public contract managers') experience compared to providers. We find that commissioners experience better inter-organisational relationships through greater alignment with other stakeholders, lower occurrence of drawbacks and greater inter-organisational integration. We also find that commissioners have significantly higher levels of trust than providers. Our results indicate that the presence of a special purpose vehicle and prior outcomes-based contracting experience can help to improve implementation of NPG elements.