Structures and functions of complex evaluation systems: comparison of six Central and Eastern European countries

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cris.lastimport.scopus2025-08-31T03:14:09Z
dc.abstract.enEvaluation practice is vital for the accountability and learning of administrations implementing complex policies. This article explores the relationships between the structures of the evaluation systems and their functions. The findings are based on a comparative analysis of six national systems executing evaluation of the European Union Cohesion Policy. The study identifies three types of evaluation system structure: centralized with a single evaluation unit, decentralized with a coordinating body and decentralized without a coordinating body. These systems differ in terms of the thematic focus of evaluations and the targeted users. Decentralized systems focus on internal users of knowledge and produce mostly operational studies; their primary function is inward-oriented learning about smooth programme implementation. Centralized systems fulfil a more strategic function, recognizing the external audience and external accountability for effects.
dc.affiliationInstytut Nauk Społecznych
dc.contributor.authorKupiec, Tomasz
dc.contributor.authorWojtowicz, Dominika
dc.contributor.authorOlejniczak, Karol
dc.date.access2021-08-06
dc.date.accessioned2024-05-02T07:54:14Z
dc.date.available2024-05-02T07:54:14Z
dc.date.created2021-08-06
dc.date.issued2023-03
dc.description.abstract<jats:p>Evaluation practice is vital for the accountability and learning of administrations implementing complex policies. This article explores the relationships between the structures of the evaluation systems and their functions. The findings are based on a comparative analysis of six national systems executing evaluation of the European Union Cohesion Policy. The study identifies three types of evaluation system structure: centralized with a single evaluation unit, decentralized with a coordinating body and decentralized without a coordinating body. These systems differ in terms of the thematic focus of evaluations and the targeted users. Decentralized systems focus on internal users of knowledge and produce mostly operational studies; their primary function is inward-oriented learning about smooth programme implementation. Centralized systems fulfil a more strategic function, recognizing the external audience and external accountability for effects.</jats:p><jats:sec><jats:title>Points for practitioners</jats:title><jats:p>Practitioners who design multi-organizational evaluation systems should bear in mind that their structure and functions are interrelated. If both accountability and learning are desired, the evaluation system needs at least a minimum degree of decentralization on the one hand and the presence of an active and independent coordination body on the other.</jats:p></jats:sec>
dc.description.accesstimebefore_publication
dc.description.issue1
dc.description.physical202-220
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume89
dc.identifier.doi10.1177/00208523211026964
dc.identifier.eissn1461-7226
dc.identifier.issn0020-8523
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/655
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00208523211026964
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationnauki o polityce i administracji
dc.rightsCC-BY-NC
dc.rights.questionYes_rights
dc.share.articleOTHER
dc.subject.enaccountability
dc.subject.encohesion policy
dc.subject.enevaluation
dc.subject.enevaluation systems
dc.subject.enevaluation functions
dc.subject.enlearning
dc.subject.enstructures
dc.swps.sciencecloudnosend
dc.titleStructures and functions of complex evaluation systems: comparison of six Central and Eastern European countries
dc.title.journalInternational Review of Administrative Sciences
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle