Investigating the outcome performance of work-integration social enterprises (WISEs): do WISEs offer ‘added value’ to NEETs?

Abstract

This study takes a comparative approach to study the ‘outcome’ performance of a WISE and a ‘for-profit’ work-integration organisation that both provided employment enhancement programmes to NEETs. Participants at both organisations completed general self-efficacy questionnaires before and after engagement on the programmes. Additionally, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were held with the owners and staff at both organisations. Results revealed no significant difference between the ‘outcome’ performance of the WISE and for-profit organisation. However, analysis of the organisational aims, values and structures suggests that the ‘added value’ offered by the WISE came from the different induction policy that it operate