SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AND THE DOUBLE BOTTOM LINE: MEASURING SOCIAL IMPACT ALONGSIDE FINANCIAL RETURNS

This thesis examines the concept of the double bottom line (DBL) within social enterprises organizations that simultaneously pursue financial sustainability and measurable social impact. As social enterprises grow in prominence globally, a central challenge persists: how can organizations effectively measure and balance social value creation with financial performance? Drawing on theoretical frameworks including stakeholder theory, blended value creation, and impact investing literature, this paper argues that robust measurement methodologies particularly Social Return on Investment (SROI) and the Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS) are essential for demonstrating organizational viability to investors while preserving mission integrity. The findings suggest that financial profitability and social impact are not mutually exclusive, rather, when properly aligned, they reinforce one another to create long-term organizational resilience.