Social Value in Small Business: Wow or How?

Navigating the complexities of social value for small business growth

Hi everyone!

For my first post here, I wanted to chat about something that's a constant source of thought (and conversation!) for me: the surprising reactions I get when I talk about social value in small businesses.

So, you know that slightly awkward, yet super important moment at networking events when someone asks, "So, what do you do?" For me, it usually goes something like this:

“Hi, I'm Ahrabie Kirubasuthan, and I am a doctoral researcher exploring how small and medium-sized businesses can weave social value into their growth journey.”

It's a pretty straightforward line, right? but what always gets me is that little pause that follows, the thoughtful nods mixed with the ever-so-slight raise of an eyebrow. It's like watching a mini debate play out in someone's mind!

The conversations that bubble up afterwards tend to follow a familiar pattern. On one side, there's this fantastic wave of encouragement: "Wow, that's so important! We don't hear enough about social value in small businesses." These are the moments that make our research heart sing! It's like a little pat on the back, reminding me that we are exploring something that resonates with people and feels like it could make a real difference.

Then, there's the other side of the coin, often delivered with a kind of knowing look: "Ah, but do small businesses have the time, money, or energy to think about social value?" This response, though sometimes a little disheartening, reflects a deeply rooted perception, the idea that social value is an add-on, a ‘luxury’ reserved for larger corporations with CSR teams and substantial resources.

And that’s exactly where our research comes in. This constant back-and-forth between "this is crucial!" and "yeah, but how?" highlights a missing puzzle: SMEs are often deeply embedded in their communities, built on trust, personal relationships, and a strong local presence. At first glance, that makes them ideal candidates for creating social value.

But here’s the contradiction despite this closeness to community, many SMEs find it difficult to talk about, prioritise, or even recognise their social value. And it’s no mystery why. The daily realities of running a small business that includes tight budgets, limited time, and the need to wear multiple hats mean that social value can feel like a luxury, something distant or even irrelevant amid more pressing concerns.

Together with my supervisory team, we are diving deep into this problem. We're not just looking at the hurdles that SMES face. We're also on the lookout for those hidden opportunities, those ways that small businesses might already be creating social value without even necessarily putting a label on it.

Social value isn't always about big, public-facing initiatives. It’s embedded in the everyday decisions, relationships, and community ties that make these businesses thrive. Our mission is to uncover these practices and help SMEs recognise, articulate, and leverage them to grow.

If you're reading this and nodding along (whether you're a fellow researcher, someone shaping policy, a small business owner making it happen, or just plain curious), I'd love to hear your take on all of this. How do you see social value playing out in the SMES?

Let's keep the conversation flowing; your thoughts and experiences are invaluable! Feel free to share in the comments. I'm all ears!