A quasi-experimental evaluation of learning in a stakeholder dialogue on bio-energy

Eefje Cuppen

Research Policy, 2012, vol. 41, issue 3, pages 624-637

Abstract: Dealing with unstructured issues, such as the transition to a sustainable energy system, requires stakeholder participation. A stakeholder dialogue should enhance learning about a problem and its potential solutions. However, not in any form will a stakeholder dialogue be effective. Part and parcel to the development of methodologies for stakeholder dialogue is the evaluation of those methodologies. The aim of this paper is to show how a methodology for stakeholder dialogue can be evaluated in terms of learning. This paper suggests three criteria for the evaluation of learning in stakeholder dialogue: (1) an operationalizable definition of the desired effect of dialogue, (2) the inclusion of a reference situation or control condition, and (3) the use of congruent and replicable evaluation methods. Q methodology was used in a quasi-experimental design to analyse to what extent learning took place in a stakeholder dialogue on energy options from biomass in the Netherlands. It is concluded that the dialogue had a significant effect: the dialogue increased participants’ understanding of the diversity of perspectives. This effect is traced back to particular methodological and design elements in the dialogue.

Keywords: Stakeholder dialogue; Participation; Learning; Q methodology; Biomass; Evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:41:y:2012:i:3:p:624-637

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Research Policy is edited by M. Bell, B. Martin, W.E. Steinmueller, A. Arora, M. Callon, M. Kenney, S. Kuhlmann, Keun Lee and F. Murray

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