TY - JOUR
T1 - The constitutive effects of evaluation systems
T2 - Lessons from the policymaking process of Danish Active Labour Market Policies
AU - Andersen, Niklas Andreas
PY - 2020/7/1
Y1 - 2020/7/1
N2 - In recent years, evaluation research has taken an increasing interest in the proliferation of evaluation systems. One of the main assumptions being that such evaluation systems can enhance the use of evaluations and their findings. The current article analyses this assumption by empirically studying the workings of a specific evaluation system within the Danish Ministry of Employment. By applying the concept of constitutive effects, the article analyses how the evaluation system affects processes of policymaking within the central government. It is shown how the institutionalisation of an evidence-based evaluation system, at the ministerial level, structures the process of policymaking around a specific understanding of policy content, timeframes and expertise. Based on these findings, it is argued that evaluation systems can both enhance the instrumental use of evaluations and significantly alter policymaking processes.
AB - In recent years, evaluation research has taken an increasing interest in the proliferation of evaluation systems. One of the main assumptions being that such evaluation systems can enhance the use of evaluations and their findings. The current article analyses this assumption by empirically studying the workings of a specific evaluation system within the Danish Ministry of Employment. By applying the concept of constitutive effects, the article analyses how the evaluation system affects processes of policymaking within the central government. It is shown how the institutionalisation of an evidence-based evaluation system, at the ministerial level, structures the process of policymaking around a specific understanding of policy content, timeframes and expertise. Based on these findings, it is argued that evaluation systems can both enhance the instrumental use of evaluations and significantly alter policymaking processes.
KW - Active Labour Market Policies
KW - constitutive effects
KW - evaluation systems
KW - evaluation use
KW - evidence-based policymaking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073918516&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1356389019876661
DO - 10.1177/1356389019876661
M3 - Journal article
VL - 26
SP - 257
EP - 274
JO - Evaluation: The International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice
JF - Evaluation: The International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice
SN - 1356-3890
IS - 3
M1 - 3
ER -