Under the current results-driven development agenda, sound evaluation, and a corresponding evaluation toolkit, need to be in place to examine whether and to what extent development interventions have achieved their targeted objectives and results, and to generate lessons for further development learning and improvement. My review of the literature shows that innovative and appropriate evaluation approaches are needed to address key challenges in evaluation such as the tension between learning and accountability objectives, the need to unpack the mechanisms linking outputs and outcomes or goal, and to add an actor perspective. Irrespective of project type, the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is often a standard requirement of major official donor agencies on projects they fund, so as to fulfil bureaucratic imperatives. However, it is often considered inadequate in addressing key challenges in development evaluation. Given the dominant status of the LFA with such strong support from donors, it is helpful to seek a ‘middle way': a combination of the LFA with other approaches in order to address some of its inadequacies, while satisfying donor agencies' requirements. A synthesis of the LFA and Outcome Mapping (OM) is one such option. This thesis explores the practical value and usefulness of a synthesis model empirically. Applying the model in two case study aid projects, I found that it serves well as a theory-based evaluation tool with a double-stranded (actor strand and results chain) theory of change. The model helps reconcile learning and accountability and add explanatory power and an explicit actor perspective. It also helps establish causation and enable attribution claims at various results levels with its different elements. The model has some limitations but my results suggest it can be usefully adopted. The choice of its application depends on project evaluation context and purpose in specific cases.

Thesis (DBA)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Synopsis in English. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

The objective of this research is to analyze the extent to which the information and computer technology (ICT) industry in Winnipeg contributes to or detracts from the objectives of a particular economic theory of the whole community—namely, community economic development (CED). This was achieved by developing a CED framework for analysis, conducting a survey of ICT businesses in Winnipeg to gather the required data, and using the collected survey data to complete the analysis. The results of the analysis indicate that the ICT industry is contributing significantly more to some of the objectives of CED than it does to others. / October 2005

The disparity on the economic development between the eastern and western regions of Mainland China is ever increasing, this implies that the economic development conditions between the coastal and interior region has to be redefined and analyzed. Guangdong and Sichuan can be identified as key areas of development during the 1950s. Guangdong Province has become the center of economic activity during Deng Xiaoping¡¦s regime. On the other hand, Sichuan Province has become the center of military and heavy industrial activities during the Mao Zhedong¡¦s era. Guangdong and Sichuan are both thickly populated; However, Sichuan Province economic development is less than half of Guangdong Province, considering its total land area is 2.7 times bigger than Guangdong Province. This comparative study is based on the following aspects as listed below: the historical and cultural background, the production factors and endowments, demand conditions, the transition of industry¡¦s and enterprise¡¦s structures. The researcher aims to define and differentiate the economic development process between Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces. Moreover, the researcher seeks to identify the underlying reasons in analyzing Chinese Government¡¦s regional development strategies. This study have identified that the transformation in China¡¦s political, economics, and geographical and regional factors has affected Sichuan¡¦s overall development and was gradually transferred to Guangdong Province, specifically after the Opium War in 1840. In the 60s, Guangdong and Sichuan economic development were operated based on the Central Government¡¦s regional development strategies.

Diss. Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2009.

Project (M.A.) - Simon Fraser University, 2005. / Project (Dept. of Economics) / Simon Fraser University. Also issued in digital format and available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis--University of Florida. / Description based on print version record. Manuscript copy. Vita. Bibliography: leaves 267-280.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-118). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Stefan C. Norrbin, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences, Dept. of Economics. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 16, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-118). Also available on the Internet.