A Review of Evaluation Evidence on the Community Business Hypotheses

The Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research reviewed evaluation evidence from Power to Change’s programmes as related to the community business hypotheses. This is a summary report highlighting key insights from their findings. The review found very little evidence relating to the hypotheses. Specifically the variables associated with each hypotheses were found to either not to be reflected at evaluation stage or not to reflect the full range of underpinning mechanisms. Further problems with validity, falsifying, generalisability and relevance to community businesses are highlighted.