Norms, goals, and stakeholders in program evaluation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Verschuren, Piet J.M. | Zsolnai, László^;

Affiliations: Catholic University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands | Budapest University of Economic Sciences, 1053 Budapest, Veres Palne st. 36., Hungary E‐mail: [email protected] mercur.bke.hu

Note: [] Corresponding author.

Abstract: Evaluation research favours goal‐based evaluation. However, the achievement of the stated goals of interventionists, problem solvers or program managers is not a sufficient condition for a good decision or a successful program implementation. The value of a program, an intervention or a decision is determined not only by the achievement of its stated goals but also by its intrinsic ethical value and its performance for the stakeholders. Hence a program or a decision can be considered as successful if it meets the applying ethical norms, works well in achieving its stated goals, and produces satisfying results for the stakeholders.

Keywords: rationality, goal‐free evaluation, stakeholder theory, deontology

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 155-160, 1998