Doctoral Degrees (Economics)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Economics) by Author "Banda, Raymond Lorato"
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- ItemA model to promote the effective use of evaluations in the South African agricultural sector(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Banda, Raymond Lorato; Rabie, Babette; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Economics.ENGLISH SUMMARY: The study that is the focus of this dissertation assessed the applicability of Patton’s utilisation-focused evaluation (UFE) approach to the South African agricultural sector in order to develop a model for the effective utilisation of evaluations in this sector. The agricultural sector was selected because, compared to most other sectors, it actively conducts evaluations, owing to its significant contribution to socioeconomic development and food security. Focus on the UFE approach is premised on the fact that it offers a detailed and practical approach to conducting evaluations with a focus on use. Moreover, the literature reveals strong advocacy of this approach. Central to the study are the following questions: (a) Why are evaluations not used? (b) What can be done to ensure that evaluations are used? An analysis of the UFE approach and the practice of evaluations in South Africa revealed that while UFE remains a useful framework to enhance the use of evaluations, it requires adaptation to context, policies and practice in the agricultural sector. To gain deeper understanding and enhance the adapted model, an empirical study on the practice of evaluations in the agricultural sector was conducted. This was done through a comprehensive analysis of 10 purposefully selected evaluations and semi-structured interviews with key role players. The empirical study found that evaluations are used inadequately, partially and anecdotally in the agricultural sector, with the exception of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. Barriers to use in a departmental setting were identified as negative attitudes to evaluation; a lack of ownership, leadership and accountability on the part of programme managers; weak evaluation support structures; inadequate use of national evaluation systems; and a lack of integration of evaluation systems with other government systems, such as planning and budgeting. Barriers related to the evaluation process included a lack of the following: no programme theory of change; lack of programme data; inadequate evaluation questions; irrelevant evaluation recommendations; subjectivity; and too many recommendations. The study led to the following recommendations to promote the use of evaluations: (a)Change the departmental evaluation culture (b)Institutionalise an accountability mechanism (c)Integrate evaluations with other systems of government (d)Strengthen evaluation support structures (e)Enforce the reporting of management improvement plans (MIPs) (f)Use external UFE experts to support evaluation planning (g)Clearly define primary intended users Apart from contributing to an under-researched area in the field of evaluations, in general, and the practice of evaluations in South Africa, in particular, the study has led to the proposal of an important strategy for promoting the use of evaluations in the South African agricultural sector. Its key contribution has been the adaptation of Patton’s UFE approach to provide a model for promoting the effective utilisation of evaluations in the South African agricultural sector. The 17 steps of the UFE approach have been adapted into 5 phases by removing steps that are not applicable, combining some steps and adding certain elements that are specific to the South African context. Principally the model entails an evaluation process that (a) is undertaken in a 5-phased process; (b) is supported by structural, accountability and system integration mechanisms; (c) is carried out in a receptive departmental evaluation culture.