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A Complexity‐Informed Approach to Evaluating National Knowledge and Innovation Programmes
Author(s) -
Bressers Nanny,
Gerrits Lasse
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/sres.2205
Subject(s) - causality (physics) , computer science , management science , evaluation methods , complexity management , knowledge management , complex system , elaboration , risk analysis (engineering) , sociology , business , artificial intelligence , engineering , marketing , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , humanities , reliability engineering
This article discusses the impact systemic complexity has on evaluation. It specifically studies the evaluation of multiactor knowledge and innovation programmes, as they are a good example of systemic complexity. The article starts with a discussion on the origins of knowledge and innovation programmes, and why they require a different approach to evaluation than classic evaluation methods. It continues with an elaboration on complexity and complex causality, and how this interferes with evaluation possibilities. To address the challenges posed, the article then presents a framework for evaluation that takes systemic complexity into account and allows for conclusion drawing without reducing and simplifying complexity. This approach is called applied systemic programme evaluation. The article is concluded with a comparison between regular evaluation methods and the presented new approach, in which the differences between applied systemic programme evaluation and classic evaluation become apparent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.