ARTICLE - CANDIDATE TRANSITION VARIABLES

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Id 194
Author Horton, S., ; Spence, J.,
Title Scoping the economic and social impact of archives.
Reference
Horton, S.; Spence, J. (2006). Scoping the economic and social impact of archives. Yorkshire: Yorkshire Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Link to article http://www.socialvalueuk.org/app/uploads/2016/07/scoping_the_economic_and_social_impact_of_archives___report_9739.pdf
Abstract This project was commissioned by the Yorkshire Museums Libraries & Archives Council (YMLAC) in order to “increase YMLAC’s and the Archive domain’s knowledge and understanding of the methodologies / approaches available to undertake economic and social impact assessment.” The objectives were to: systematically review the published evidence on economic and social impact assessments adopted in the archives domain, both within the UK and internationally; develop a taxonomy of usage, based on the need to differentiate primary and secondary users, economic and social impacts; assess the transferability of other schemes developed for the valuation of information or information services to the archives sector; develop an impact taxonomy that addresses economic / social impacts over time; produce a mapping of impact type against methods, noting any particular problems or opportunities in deploying these methodologies.


Results:

Candidate transition variables
This thinking on social impact is closely related to concepts of social capital, the web of trust, associations, everyday contacts, cooperative skills, networking which act as social glue. .
Archives also have the potential to provide a valuable means by which individuals can identify with particular groups or communities, and as such can be seen as contributing to bonding social capital. .
The study is able to conclude from this that heritage has important positive impacts in the following areas: Economic impact: in terms of employment, tourism spending, urban renaissance, rural regeneration, and in shaping regional image and identity Cultural impact: in enhancing wider cultural well-being, and in terms of its own intrinsic cultural value, which helps shape regional and community identity Social impact: in relation to a range of education projects and initiatives to widen access and participation, which are providing a focus for community development and participation. .
The professional cohort were also deeply aware of the potential for museums to contribute to social change and public awareness, in meeting social inclusion agendas. .
This text may then form part of the active research use of a subsequent academic researcher, who will go on to generate further research products. .
Engagement with such services can be viewed in terms of the development of personal capital (social skills and knowledge) from which these positive social impacts could be derived. .
They could do this through stimulating and facilitating innovation and creativity, through providing access to intellectual property, particularly things like research findings, patents and standards, and by assisting the transformation to an information- or knowledge-based society. .
The categorisation of social impact also reflects a simplified terminology where: Independence = the ability of individuals, particularly younger and older people to live independent lives Empowerment = enabling individual / community awareness of rights and benefits Healthy Lifestyle = enabling individuals to make informed lifestyle choices Participation = supporting social and civic engagement Cultural Diversity / Identity = supporting group cultural diversity / identity Family Ties = encouraging family / group cohesion Care & Recovery = supporting group / community care and recovery Social Empathy = improving inter-group dialogue and understanding Capacity = enabling the capacity of groups / communities to act Safer Communities = sustaining safe and secure environments This taxonomy is not presented in a traditional taxonomic form but as a series of cumulative changes affecting individuals, organisations / groups, communities and society over time. .
The identification of history and culture as major determinants in the development of social capital (Aldridge et al. 2002, p.39-40) also highlights the potential importance of cultural services, and archives in particular. .
Both cohorts recognised how museums built human and social capital, contributed to community development, and had the potential to yield economic benefits (attracting tourism, creating employment). .
Aside from the wider impact of service provision on local and national economies, there is also the question of the potential economic impact that engagement with archives can have on the individual. .
The record creator generates the body of records from which original archival material is selected and processed, and primary archival products (finding aids) are produced which add value in terms of aiding users to locate the information they need. .
This points to the need to widen awareness of archives in terms of both secondary usage, and at the level of primary use. .
It also represents a knowledge supply chain, where the archivist adds value to the record in producing archival products (finding aids / secondary resources), and users add further value through generation of research products, which through secondary consumption inform wider society. .
Archives are clearly very good at retaining users and developing their interests and expertise. .
For example, an academic researcher may use archival products to access archives, and produce an academic text as the resulting research product. .
It includes a section relating to visits to archives. .
The early development of archive provision was closely associated with the needs of an academic historical constituency; where the research products of this association, were also, for the most part, intended for academic consumption. .
In turn researchers use these sources to facilitate access to original archival materials, in order to produce a research product which adds value in the context of their particular purpose, and for the secondary consumers of the product. .