Schuh, Christina and Schwertfeger, Daniel and Fringes, Sonja (2025) Evaluating "Learning and experimental spaces". When a traditional approach reaches its limits. fteval Journal for Research and Technology Policy Evaluation (57). e11, 1-12. ISSN 1726-6629
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Abstract (english)
The paper reflects on the evaluation of a case study that seeks innovative solutions for digital transformation. In particular, it discusses the tension between traditional evaluation approaches and new perspectives on the funding process in general, the used methods and the changing role of the evaluator. The subject of the evaluation is the funding guideline of the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs: “Sustainable companies and administrations in digital change”. The Learning and experimental spaces (LES) funding instrument supports small and medium-sized enterprises in developing innovative, tailor-made and consensual solutions for employees and companies in the digital transformation. These solutions must also be supported by social partnerships. The several LES should be of a fundamentally exemplary nature and transfer to further innovative solutions. Funding was provided for 17 LES in the first funding round (starting 2018) and a further 11 LES with focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the second funding round (starting 2020). The duration of each funded project was about three years. Each individual project was evaluated externally and additionally subjected to an overall evaluation by the Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences (HS Bund), which included all projects of the respective funding round. The paper first provides a theoretical framework for the background of the funding guideline. The second part presents the LES funding guideline and its evaluation, including some project examples. Then we describe and discuss the evaluation process, using five factors to compare traditional evaluation approaches and new perspectives on the funding process and the changing role of the evaluator before we end with our conclusion.
| Funders: | fteval - Österreichische Plattform für Forschungs- und Technologiepolitikevaluierung |
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| Subjects: | Policy, Fields & Systems Evaluation R&D in Austria |
| Divisions: | Institution without fteval membership |
| Identification Number: | 10.22163/fteval.2025.703 |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Jul 2025 14:40 |
| URI: | https://repository.fteval.at/id/eprint/771 |
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