This study investigated internal participators' evaluation as an intervention to enhance organizational learning capacity. In particular, this study examined the nature and causes of observed effects. A national, not-for-profit training organization where the present study's author was employed, served as the site of the research. The research process inquiring into the effects of internal participatory evaluation on the organization employed qualitative methods. Data were collected, over approximately two years, via retrospective observations, participant observations, archival data, interviews with key informants of the evaluation process, and from a focus group held approximately six months following the completion of the project. The data were collected, analyzed, displayed and interpreted according to a conceptual framework. The design of the study utilized several features to ensure the validity of the findings such as examining data from different sources, involving an independent interviewer, and providing respondents with the opportunity to make a collective response as to the effects of the internal participatory evaluation, as well as to assess the interpretations given to the data by the author. The results of the study were then compared and discussed in the light of what is known about participatory evaluation and organizational learning. It was concluded that internal participatory evaluation can positively affect the constructs associated with organizational learning capacity including causing organizational members to unearth and questions fundamental assumptions about how the organization is operating (i.e., double-loop learning). It was further concluded that longitudinal designs that incorporate qualitative methods geared to measure complex phenomena within a particular context are needed in this domain of research. It is believed that the present study has extended our knowledge about the power of evaluation as an organizational change phenomenon and has provided a more solid basis from which to make conclusions regarding its potential for impact. Finally, in spite of the fact that the present study was exploratory in nature, recommendations were listed for evaluation practitioners interested in pursuing further study. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/4328 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Robinson, Tim T. |
| Contributors | Cousins, J. B., |
| Publisher | University of Ottawa (Canada) |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 344 p. |
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