In-Depth Analysis of Added Social Value When Procuring from a Social Benefit Supplier Compared to an Ordinary Supplier

Procuring from a social benefit supplier rather than an ordinary (mainstream) supplier introduces a significant added social value that goes beyond the traditional focus on cost, quality, and delivery. This added social value stems from the intentional social, economic, and environmental impacts that social benefit suppliers are designed to deliver as part of their core mission.

Key Dimensions of Added Social Value from Social Benefit Suppliers

1. Direct Social Impact

Social benefit suppliers—such as social enterprises, disability employment enterprises, and the majority of women-owned businesses—actively create positive social outcomes through their operations. These include:

• Employing and training disadvantaged or marginalised groups (e.g., long-term unemployed, people with disabilities).

• Providing fair and ethical work environments with a focus on inclusion and diversity.

• Supporting community well-being by reinvesting profits into social programs or local initiatives.

2. Economic Inclusion and Local Development

By procuring from social benefit suppliers, buyers stimulate local economies and foster economic inclusion. These suppliers often operate within or serve disadvantaged communities, helping to:

• Reduce unemployment and underemployment in marginalised cohorts.

• Encourage entrepreneurship and growth of small-to-medium enterprises that might otherwise have limited access to procurement opportunities.

• Build a more diverse and resilient supply chain that can reduce risks associated with over-reliance on large mainstream suppliers.

3. Environmental and Sustainability Outcomes

Many social benefit suppliers embed environmental sustainability into their business models, contributing to:

• Reduced carbon footprints and waste through sustainable production methods.

• Promotion of circular economy principles and ethical sourcing.

• Alignment with broader ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals of the procuring organisation.

4. Alignment with Policy and Strategic Objectives

Engaging social benefit suppliers directly supports government and organisational mandates for social value, diversity, and inclusion, such as:

• Meeting social procurement targets and legislative requirements (e.g., Australia Queensland Procurement Policy, Victorian Social Procurement Framework).

• Advancing ESG and DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies in a measurable way.

• Demonstrating leadership in corporate social responsibility and community engagement.

Comparison with Procuring from Ordinary Suppliers

A large number of corporate governance standards internationally

Conclusion

Choosing to procure from a social benefit supplier adds substantial and intentional social value that extends well beyond the traditional procurement focus on price and quality. It directly contributes to social inclusion, community development, and environmental sustainability, while also helping organisations meet policy mandates and strategic ESG goals. In contrast, ordinary suppliers typically do not embed social value into their core operations, making social benefits incidental rather than a contractual or strategic outcome. Procuring from social benefit suppliers transforms purchasing into a powerful lever for positive social change without compromising on quality or value for money.

Sources: internet resources

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Design Studio MZ+MM makes Social Procurement conveyable.

Design Studio MZ+MM is a social enterprise (SEE Mark No. SEE 0114) based in Hong Kong, providing various types of graphic design services. Currently, the team is composed of hearing-impaired and hearing designers who practice disability inclusion, which is the primary reason for promoting "diversity, equity and inclusion" in corporate organizations. We support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs: 10 “Reduced Inequalities” and 17 “Promote Partnerships for the Goals”.

In addition to providing job opportunities for diverse talents, this social enterprise also helps corporate clients implement advanced governance concepts. We also firmly believe that Design Studio MZ+MM is still the only social procurement solution practitioner and provider in Hong Kong, providing professional design services in the true sense of social procurement and adding multiple levels of added social value. To learn more about the vision and mission of this social enterprise, please click this link to jump to the Social Impact page.