Premium
The utilization of training program evaluation in corporate universities
Author(s) -
Bober Christopher F.,
Bartlett Kenneth R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
human resource development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1532-1096
pISSN - 1044-8004
DOI - 10.1002/hrdq.1111
Subject(s) - program evaluation , test (biology) , training (meteorology) , conceptual framework , psychology , knowledge management , medical education , applied psychology , computer science , political science , sociology , medicine , paleontology , social science , physics , public administration , meteorology , biology
This study examined the use of training program evaluation results in corporate universities. Specifically, the study attempted to determine which organizational members use evaluation data, and for what purposes, and identify the factors that are related to the use of evaluation results. The study was designed to test the appropriateness of the Cousins and Leithwood (1986) meta‐analytic conceptual framework for evaluation utilization. A case study approach was used to collect qualitative data at four corporate universities in the United States. On‐site interviews with key personnel and in‐depth document review of applicable training program evaluation information were conducted. Results showed a high degree of consensus on evaluation uses and users. Seven of the twelve factors from the Cousins and Leithwood framework were found at all four sites to influence utilization. The findings indicate that factors identified as being influential to evaluation utilization related to implementation dominated over factors related to uses for decision/policy setting.