Non-financial benefits
Ongoing project
Duration : 2017-2021
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Research team
Marie-Andrée Caron (ESG UQAM)
Nathalie Drouin (KHEOPS, ESG UQAM)
Skander Ben Abdallah (ESG UQAM)
Camélia Radu (ESG UQAM)
Charlotte Alix-Séguin (KHEOPS)
PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCH
This study is investigating how social, environmental, societal and health benefits – that is, non-financial benefits (NFBs) – are integrated into major infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle. This involves going beyond the traditional “cost–quality–time” approach and integrating social dimensions. Some very concrete tools have been created within this framework. For example, a process in the form of a gradual exercise in several phases has been developed. Several possible approaches have also been suggested, as well as indicators that make it possible to incorporate NFBs in a project.
Non-financial benefits: definition
The non-financial benefits (NFBs) of major infrastructure projects (MIPs) correspond to the positive effects these projects generate for the environment, society, health and the economy. They also correspond to a reduction in negative effects. MIPs are essential for the economy, but they can affect a country’s resilience. Several protocols already exist for taking NFBs into consideration in MIP management. Among other things, they have emerged from the concepts of sustainable development and social and environmental responsibility. The formulation, adaptation and use of such protocols touch on significant financial and non-financial issues, which cannot be resolved by traditional project management practices and require thoughtful consideration of the value generated by MIPs.
Thus, NFBs concern the positive or negative social and environmental effects of these projects. They add to the complexity of major projects but also include a hitherto unexploited potential for added value. They are related to smart management of MIPs, under the rubric of sustainable well-being (ecology, safety, efficiency, quality, happiness, etc.).
Example
Our population is aging. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen that many of the infrastructures that house our elders are out of date and provide inadequate care and a mediocre living environment. There is an urgent need for establishments that provide a pleasant living environment with adequate care and healthy recreational activities. For our seniors, acquiring a safe living environment that allows residents to maintain functional mobility while respecting employees’ workflows is essential. Indicators such as a building efficiency index, an appropriate number of care staff, a healthy indoor environment, and effective heating, air conditioning and noise control are simple examples of non-financial indicators whose incorporation could make a difference to this community’s quality of life.
OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED BENEFITS
- Identify the models for integrating non-financial benefits used to manage major infrastructure projects.
Expected benefits
- Establish best practices for identifying and measuring non-financial benefits.
- Develop tools that will make it possible to define, select and audit infrastructure projects based on their social, economic and environmental impacts.
Research phases
Phase II: Identify key social indicators, in collaboration with various partners and practitioners in the domain of infrastructure.
Phase III: Case studies are under way with two partner organizations. They will make it possible to identify non-financial benefits and select indicators to measure their effectiveness within businesses.
OVERVIEW OF RESULTS
The co-construction approach developed by KHEOPS has shed light on the importance of connecting NFB integration protocols with the traditional tools used to manage MIPs and of promoting a culture of collaboration among stakeholders.
To come
KHEOPS colloquium 2021
Bourgault, M., Caron, M.-A., Drouin, N., Eveno, S., Heinrich, T., Ika, L. et Jarry, A. (2021). L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructures : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, Colloque KHEOPS, 88e Congrès de l’Acfas, 3 mai.
Atwood, A., Bird, P. et Ika, L. (2021). Panel sur les défis et enjeux de l’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructure. Colloque L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructure : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, 88e congrès international de l’Acfas [en ligne], 3 mai.
Bourgault, M. (2021). Projets d’envergure, modes de réalisation et bénéfices non financiers : éléments de réflexion pour des choix plus éclairés. Colloque L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructures : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, 88e congrès international de l’Acfas [en ligne], 3 mai.
Caron, M.-A. (2021). L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers tout au long du cycle de vie des grands projets d’infrastructure. Colloque L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructures : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, 88e congrès international de l’Acfas [en ligne], 3 mai.
Eveno, S. (2021). Création de valeur autour des aménagements hydroélectriques – L’ensemble Saint-Maurice. Colloque L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructures : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, 88e congrès international de l’Acfas [en ligne], 3 mai
Ika, L. (2021). Peut-on capter les bénéfices non financiers des projets de développement international? Les limites de l’analyse avantage-coûts. Colloque L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructures : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, 88e congrès international de l’Acfas [en ligne], 3 mai.
Jarry, A. et Heinrich, T. (2021). Engagement social-environnemental et transformation de l’espace urbain : l’apport de l’art et du design pour repenser durablement les liens entre infrastructures et collectivités. Colloque L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructures : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, 88e congrès international de l’Acfas [en ligne], 3 mai.
Presentations & activities
Benoit, J.-Y., Caron, M.-A., Waridel, L. & Webster, A. (2021). Quatre visions sur un enjeu important : quelle valeur économique attribuer aux écosystèmes et à un aménagement durable du territoire ? [Panel] in La prise en compte des bénéfices non énergétiques dans la pratique réglementaire au Québec, au Canada et aux États-Unis, Colloque Régie de l’énergie, September 17.
Cantuarias, C., Caron, M.-A. (2021). Mesure des effets et des impacts des infrastructures. Séminaires ITTECOP/KHEOPS – Infrastructures et territoires : regards croisés France-Québec des acteurs de la recherche, May 28.
Bourgault, M., Caron, M.-A., Drouin, N., Eveno, S., Heinrich, T., Ika, L. & Jarry, A. (2021). L’intégration des bénéfices non financiers aux grands projets d’infrastructures : une proposition de démarches avant-gardistes pour envisager les grands défis et leurs solutions, Colloque KHEOPS, 88e Congrès de l’Acfas, 3 mai.
Drouin, N. (2020). Penser autrement la gouvernance : l’importance des aspects environnementaux et sociaux, WIN – online, November 26.
Caron, M.-A. (2020). L’intégration des bénéfices non-financiers tout au long du cycle de vie des grands projets d’infrastructure, INFRA 2020 – online, December 2.
Caron, M.-A., & Drouin, N. (2019). A Systematic Review of the Integration of Non-financial Benefits in Major Projects: Co-construction of Knowledge to Monitor Complexity. 19th EURAM Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, June 26–28.
KHEOPS, interview with M. A. Caron (2019). Regard sur la recherche | Gouvernance et grands projets: comment intégrer les bénéfices non financiers au cycle de vie des grands projets d’infrastructure? [online video].
Workshop with project management practitioners to identify key social indicators (September 26, 2019).
Sommet KHEOPS: Infrastructures et enjeux sociaux. September 12, 2018. Learn more >>
Caron, M.-A., & Drouin, N. (2018). Gouvernance et grands projets: comment intégrer les bénéfices non financiers au cycle de vie des grands projets d’infrastructure? Atelier sur la Gestion du Secteur Public (AGSP 2018), Quebec City (June 4, 2018).
Publications
Scientific articles
Caron, M.-A., Radu, C., & Drouin, N. (2020), Integration of non-financial benefits: a systematic review for engaged scholars, International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Radu, C., Caron, M.-A., & Arroyo, P. (2020). Integration of carbon and environmental strategies within disclosures, Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, 1–19.
Sankaran, S., Freeder, D., Pitsis, A., Clegg, S., Drouin, N., & Caron, M.-A. (2020). Megaprojects. In R. Dilworth (Ed.), Oxford Bibliographies in Urban Studies. New York: Oxford University Press (in press).
Drouin, N. (2017). A new approach: New perspectives for quantifying the benefits of infrastructure. ReNew Canada, The Infrastructure Magazine. September/October, pp. 32–33.
Conference proceedings
Caron, M.-A., & Drouin, N. (2019). A Systematic Review of the Integration of Non-financial Benefits in Major Projects: Co-construction of Knowledge to Monitor Complexity. 19th EURAM Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, June 26–28.
Sommet KHEOPS (2018). Infrastructures et enjeux sociaux – Bilan d’une journée de réflexion. Montreal, QC, Canada, September 12.
Other publications
Caron, M.-A. & Drouin, N. (2020). Il faudra penser autrement les infrastructures dans l’après-Covid. The Conversation (September 29, 2020)
Students
Hilarie Aplogan, Master’s in project management, ESG UQAM.
Cindy Feng Xin Lai, Master’s in project management, ESG UQAM.
Shabnam Khani, Master’s in project management, ESG UQAM.
Sergine Pierre Louis, Master’s in Accounting, Control, Audit, ESG UQAM.
Mohamed Sarr, Master’s in Accounting, Control, Audit, ESG UQAM.
Van Anh Tran Ngoc, Master’s in Accounting, Control, Audit, ESG UQAM.
Social acceptability
Social benefits
Well-being
Environment
Health
Society
Lifestyle