Rethinking social value in projects: an objectivist framework for creating social outcomes through the social trifecta

El Daouk, Mohamad (2025) Rethinking social value in projects: an objectivist framework for creating social outcomes through the social trifecta. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. ISSN 1753-8386

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Abstract

Purpose: In line with the theme of this special issue: Rethinking the Creation of Social Value through Projects, this paper rethinks social value in projects by separating it from related terms such as social procurement and social reporting. The paper adopts an objectivist worldview, rendering social value a set of defined project requirements. From this perspective, this paper develops the social trifecta: a framework that connects social value, social procurement and social reporting as sequential and interdependent tools for creating measurable social outcomes. The aim is to give project teams a clear and accountable way to define, deliver and verify social value through projects. Design/methodology/approach This paper employs a systematic literature review, analysing peer-reviewed journal articles, books and reports from reliable databases, and then scoring the most relevant and impactful sources to extract information from. The systematic literature review focused on the themes of social value, social procurement and social reporting. It identified recurring gaps and conceptual inconsistencies. From this systematic literature review, the paper theorised the social trifecta framework to tie up social value with these social constructs and how they can all be used together in a project context to effectively define and deliver social outcomes. Findings: The study reveals that social value, social procurement and social reporting are often treated as independent constructs and are insufficiently (and inconsistently) defined across the academic literature. This fragmentation limits their conceptual clarity and practicality in delivering measurable and meaningful social outcomes. By presenting them as interdependent and sequential elements that create social outcomes, and then tying them under one framework (i.e. the social trifecta), social value can be transformed from loosely defined and ambitious targets to clear and measurable social outcomes. Originality/value: To provide a concise conceptual framework, the paper takes an objectivist view of social value. It introduces the social trifecta as a conceptual framework that connects social value, social procurement and social reporting as distinct but sequentially interdependent constructs. This paper helps project practitioners make sense of social value as a set of project requirements, definitions and targets that are interdependently achieved.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	social value,social procurement,social reporting,social outcomes,construction projects
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Law
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	16 Dec 2025 13:30
Last Modified:	19 Dec 2025 01:46
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101417
DOI:	10.1108/ijmpb-12-2024-0326

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