Measuring social value created in sustainability accounting: A case of a leading financial company in Korea

Hoyoung Lee, Soonhong Min, Hyun-Young Park and Inkyung Yoon

Business Horizons, 2026, vol. 69, issue 4, 529-540

Abstract: This case study illustrates the development of a social value measurement framework as a managerial tool, created by a leading financial company in collaboration with a top business school in Korea. While sustainability accounting is often viewed primarily as a tool for materiality disclosure and regulatory compliance, it should also be developed as a management toolkit to support decision-making. By evaluating a company’s investments in and performance of sustainability initiatives, it can offer valuable insights into areas for improvement. As such, this case study presents a comprehensive methodology that establishes principles and procedures for measuring social value, translating the impact of sustainability initiatives into monetary terms (with specific examples). This case study serves not only as a practical reference for professionals seeking to develop strategic tools for sustainability decision-making but also as a critical foundation for future empirical research in sustainability accounting. Further, it will help assess the environmental and social benefits generated by a company’s sustainability strategy and implementation.

Keywords: Environmental, social, and governance (ESG); Financial company; Social value measurement framework; Sustainability accounting; Environmental and social initiatives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:bushor:v:69:y:2026:i:4:p:529-540

DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2025.07.008

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