Evaluating Regional Governance - Methodological Concerns and Practical Experiences

摘要: Since the early 1990s, new forms of regional governance have spread over Western Europe: In many countries, competencies and ressources subnational level been reinforced (Jessop 1997). parallel, there has a shift from hyrarchical modes government to more flexible, network-based types governance. These are largely based on cooperation public private actors as well civic sector (Benz 2003, Healey 2002 a.o.). Despite its popularity, approach so far only rarely evaluated systematically. There might be several reasons for this shortcoming. First, concept still lacks clear definition; without knowing what is, it is hardly feasible “test” outcomes. Moreover, systems processes marked by continuous rapid transformations. Hence difficult capture their impacts. Finally, complexity development render assessment institutional background methodological challenge. face these considerations, paper pursues threefold objective. authors explain various needs evaluating approaches. include matters efficiency cohesion accountability. Second, discusses pitfalls tasks that evaluators need tackle in order assess benefits weaknesses . Third, povides an insight into German evaluation experiences field, namely some first results Northrhine-Westfalia carried out at ILS NRW Dortmund. The concludes deducing recommendations how evaluate