Empowering communities through gender-focused CSR initiatives: a social return on investment approach

The effectiveness of gender-focused CSR initiatives depends not only on firms’ commitment but also on how collaboration is structured. This study examines how different governance configurations of collaborative CSR models influence the social impact of external gender-oriented initiatives. Grounded in value creation theory, stakeholder theory, and resource dependence theory, we adopt a theory-informed explanatory case study of an educational initiative implemented by a real network of Italian firms in partnership with a university and local actors. We use Social Return on Investment (SROI) in a comparative within-case design to assess one observed configuration and three empirically grounded counterfactual configurations, ranging from firm-centric initiatives to a multi-firm, externally supported governance model. Within the case analysed, the comparison indicates that the configuration combining inter-firm coordination and external expertise is associated with higher estimated social returns and deeper stakeholder engagement. The study contributes to the literature in three ways. First, it shows how governance configuration can shape community-level social value creation. Second, it reconceptualises collaborative CSR as a configurational mechanism rather than a binary condition. Third, it identifies an amplification mechanism in gender-focused CSR initiatives, whereby collaborative governance can enhance impact through structured interdependence and institutional legitimacy. Methodologically, the paper repositions SROI as a theory-informed comparative device rather than a stand-alone reporting tool. These findings offer new insights into how firms can operationalise the social dimension of ESG strategies and design collaborative gender-focused initiatives capable of generating measurable and durable community impact.