Value-based ESG, made visible and testable
The Legitimacy Ledger
A short assessment on the three theories of legitimacy used by our research group: moral legitimacy, the pragmatic test, and the stakeholder view. Organizations see where their values are embedded and where they are only displayed. The group aggregates anonymized, evidenced results for research.
How it works
- Assess. Answer nine questions, three per theory, from 1 (not at all) to 5 (fully).
- See the gap. Your report shows each theory score and where professed values and practice diverge.
- Keep evidence. Log every claim with sources and verifiable citations, following the group's AI discipline: AI proposes, we ask for citations, a human verifies.
- Export. Download your anonymized result for the research pipeline.
The three theories
Moral legitimacy Is an organisation judged by whether its conduct truly reflects the values it professes? Are the values embedded, or only displayed?
Pragmatic Is the theory implemented in how the organisation actually carries out its work? Do practice and promise align?
Stakeholder Stewardship, justice and all the values, for everyone affected.
Assessment
Score each statement for the organization or project you are reviewing. 1 means not at all, 5 means completely.
The values the organization professes are clearly communicated and understood.
The values are embedded in how decisions are actually made.
The values are lived in everyday conduct, not only displayed.
Practice matches the promises the organization makes.
The values framework is implemented in day-to-day operations.
Reported results match observed behaviour.
Stewardship is applied to everyone the organization affects.
Justice is considered for all affected parties.
The value created reaches people beyond those already benefiting.
Your legitimacy report
Moral legitimacy (intrinsic)
Pragmatic (extrinsic)
Stakeholder (people-centred)
The embedded-vs-displayed gap
Where values are only displayed, the research question for the organization becomes: are these values embedded, or only displayed?
Evidence log
The group's AI discipline is a feature here: AI proposes, we ask for citations, a human verifies at the source. Log each claim, its sources, and the verification result.
Add an evidence entry
Export
Download your assessments and verified evidence. All export files are anonymized unless you add an organization name.
Organization name (optional)
Leave blank to keep the export fully anonymous.