A growing, but still limited body of research supports the premise that Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) can address the labour market and social exclusion broadly experienced by people with disabilities and other forms of social disadvantage. There is early evidence that WISE has the potential to foster improved employment outcomes, improved mental health, decreased use of intensive mental health services, increased financial autonomy, and strengthened social networks (Ferguson, 2010; Ferguson & Islam, 2008; Krupa, Lysaght, Brown & Vallée, 2010; Lysaght, Jakobsen & Granhaug, 2012; Svanberg, Gumley & Wilson, 2010; Trainor & Shepard, 1997; William, Fossey & Harvey, 2010). Overall, there is growing recognition that WISE employment may address critical determinants of health, thereby having the potential to contribute to improvements in public health and producing a range of associated social and economic benefits (Roy & Hackett, 2016; Roy, Lysaght & Krupa, 2017).
However, most research that examines the potential of WISEs relative to social, economic and health outcomes has been descriptive in nature, examining factors such as business development and sustainability strategies, WISE incorporation models, internal tensions experienced in meeting business and social goals, and anecdotal reporting on outcomes (Campi, Defourny & Grégoire, 2006; Harvey, Villotti, P, Corbiere, & Fossey, 2015; Herron, Gioia, & Dohrn, 2009; Krupa, Lagarde & Carmichael, 2003; Lal & Mercier, 2009; Lysaght, Jakobsen & Granhaug, 2012; Morrow, Wasik, Cohen & Perry, 2009; O’Shaughnessy, 2008; Roy, Donaldson, Baker, & Kay, 2013; Teasdale, 2012; Vidal, 2005). Limitations and difficulties related to research in this sector stem from the fact that it is a highly complex form of ‘intervention’. The intervention has several interacting components; it is difficult to standardise the design and delivery of the intervention; development and delivery of the intervention needs to be sensitive to the local context; and there is inherent complexity identifying the causal factors that link the intervention to outcomes. Because these interventions emerge in a variety of ways in the community, rigorous research designs to demonstrate effectiveness are difficult to construct and implement. Methodological advances are required to ensure rigorous study designs in this sector to inform policy and practice. This session will present the methodology used in a Canadian study to measure the long term impact of WISE on labour market and social outcomes for one particular disenfranchised population, people with mental health disabilities.
Methodological Approach: The study addresses three central questions: 1. What is the nature of the subpopulation of people with mental illness that these WISEs serve? 2. Does engagement in a WISE lead to improved social and labour market integration of people with mental illness? 3. Do socio-economic indicators change for those who remain in the WISE versus those who leave the WISE and secure employment in a traditional business? The study is using a Before-and-After research design to measure the impact of WISE on a range of labour market integration, health and well being, and social participation indices, and includes interpretation based on gender and other demographic variables. The intervention elements of participating WISEs will be evaluated using an assessment instrument to clarify the nature of the intervention and permit analysis of which WISE dimensions are associated with differences in social and labour market participation outcomes. The study also includes a qualitative phase which will examine the experiences of a purposively selected group of workers across outcome categories. Participants are 6 WISE organizations in Ontario, Canada, and newly hired workers, who will be followed for 36 months after entry to WISE employment
Main Argument: This unique form of intervention is an innovative means of addressing some of the historic inequities leading to poor social, economic and health outcomes in people who live at the margins of society, including those with mental health disabilities. WISEs can potentially operate with minimal subsidy, and thus may be a highly cost effective means of advancing individual skills, securing improved connection of persons with mental health disabilities to the labour market, and in the longer term, improving individual and population outcomes related to health, justice and social participation. Empirical evidence is critical to building knowledge concerning the most effective approaches to WISE development and operation, and to advance the policy dialogue and response in this area.
Conclusions and Relevance to an International Audience: The results of this study will contribute critical evidence concerning WISE long term impact in a sector that has long struggled with development of effective strategies for creating avenues to employment and social contribution. The current methodology provides a replicable model to be applied internationally and cross-sector. Outcomes will inform policy directions and practice standards.
Main Reference: Roy, M. J., & Hackett, M. T. (2016). Polanyi’s ‘substantive approach to the economy in action? Conceptualising social enterprise as a public health ‘intervention’. Review of Social Economy, 1-23.
3. Governance, employment and human resource management
