Developing a framework to evaluate business networks: The case of Ireland's industry-led network initiative

Policy Studies

Volumn 30, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 163-180

  Lynch, Nicola ^a   Lenihan, Helena ^a   Hart, Mark ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK   (Ireland)

^b ASTON UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Business networks; Evaluation; Logic model

Indexed keywords

EID: 67651222395     PISSN: 01442872     EISSN: 14701006     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/01442870902723683     Document Type: Article

References (80)

1. Aranguren, M.J., et al., 2007. A new step in cluster policy evaluation in the Basque country. Proceedings of the 10th EUNIP International Conference, CD Rom, Faculty of Economics, University of Florence, Italy, 12-14 September.
2. Arndt, O. and Sternberg, R., 2000. Do manufacturing firms profit from intraregional innovation linkages? An empirical-based answer. European planning studies, 8, 465-486.
3. Australian Agency for International Development, 2005. AusGuideline: the logical framework approach [online]. Available from: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/ausguide/pdf/ausguideline3.3. pdf [Accessed 11 January 2009].
4. Batterbury, S.C.E., 2006. Principles and purposes of European Union cohesion policy evaluation. Regional studies, 40 (2), 225-236.
5. Bell, S., 2000. Logical frameworks, Aristotle and soft systems: a note on the origins, values and uses of logical frameworks, in reply to Gasper 12. Public administration and development, 20 (1), 29-31.
6. Belussi, F and Arcangeli, F, 1998. A typology of networks: flexible and evolutionary firms. Research policy, 27, 415-428.
7. Besser, T.L., Miller, N., and Perkins, R., 2006. For the greater good: business networks and business social responsibility to communities. Entrepreneurship and regional development, 18, 321-339.
8. Biggs, S. and Smith, S., 2003. A paradox of learning in project cycle management and the role of organizational culture. World development, 31 (10), 1743-1757.
9. Birley, S., 1985. The role of networks in the entrepreneurial process. Journal of business venturing, 1, 107-117.
10. Chen, H.T., 1990. Theory-driven evaluations. Newbury Park: Sage.
11. Child, J. and Faulkner, D., 1998. Strategies of cooperation. New York: Oxford University Press.
12. Coase, R., 1937. The nature of the firm. Economica, 4, 386-405.
13. Conner, K.R., 1991. A historical comparison of resource-based theory and five schools of thought within industrial organisation economics: do we have a new theory of the firm? Journal of management, 17, 121-154.
14. Cooksy, L.J., Gill, P., and Kelly, A., 2001. The program logic model as an integrative framework for a multimethod evaluation. Evaluation and program planning, 24, 119-128.
15. DAC, 2002. Glossary of key terms in evaluation and results-based management. Paris: Working Party on Aid Evaluation, Development Assistance Committee, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
16. Dale, R., 2003. The logical framework: an easy escape, a straitjacket, or a useful planning tool? Development in practice, 13 (1), 57-70.
17. Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DoETE), 2003. Review of industrial performance and policy 2003. Dublin: Stationery Office.
18. Enterprise Strategy Group, 2004. Ahead of the curve: Ireland's place in the global economy. Dublin: Forfas.
19. Felsenstein, C. 2003. Collaborative networks and inter-firm co-operation in marketing. Where are we? Where do we go? Presented at the Sixth McGill International Entrepreneurship Conference, 19-22 September, University of Ulster.
20. Ffowcs-Williams, I. 2000. Policy for inter-firm networking and clustering: a practitioner's perspective. Prepared for the OECD/Italian Ministry of Industry Bologna conference for ministers responsible for SMEs and industry ministers on Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs in the global economy: strategies and policies, 13-15 June, Bologna.
21. Fielden, S.J., et al., 2007. Key considerations for logic model development in research partnerships: a Canadian case study. Evaluation and program planning, 30 (2), 115-124.
22. Forfas, 2004. Innovation networks. Dublin: Forfas.
23. Friedman, R.M., 1997. Evaluating mental health services: how do programs for children 'work'in the real world? Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
24. Gasper, D., 1997. Logical frameworks: a critical assessment. Working Paper 278. Institute of Social Studies: The Hague.
25. Gasper, D., 2000. Evaluating the 'logical framework approach' towards learning-oriented development evaluation. Public administration and development, 20 (1), 17-28.
26. Goldman, K.D. and Schmalz, K.J., 2006. Logic models: the picture worth ten thousand words. Health promotion practice published, 7 (8), 8-12.
27. Gulati, R. and Gargiulo, M., 1999. Where do interorganisational networks come from? The American journal of sociology, 104 (5), 1439-1493.
28. Gulati, R., Nohria, N., and Zaheer, A., 2000. Strategic networks. Strategic management journal, 21, 203-215.
29. Hamer, M. and Box, V., 2000. An evaluation of the development and functioning of the Boscombe network for change, a health alliance or partnership for health in Dorset. Health education journal, 59, 238-252.
30. Harley, K., 2005. Learning from logframes: reflections on three educational development projects in East and Southern Africa. Compare, 35 (1), 27-42.
31. Hart, M., 2007. Evaluating EU regional policy: how might we understand the causal connections between interventions and outcomes more effectively? Policy studies, 28 (4), 295-308.
32. Heanue, K. and Jacobson, D., 2002. Organizational proximity and institutional learning: the evolution of a spatially dispersed network in the Irish furniture industry. International studies of management and organization, 31 (4), 56-72.
33. Inter TradeIreland, 2005. Business networks on the island of Ireland [online]. Available from: www.intertradeireland.com/module.cfm/opt/ 29/area/Publications/page/Publications/ down/yes/id/323/section/oldstyle
34. Johannisson, B., 1988. Business formation-a network approach. Scandinavian journal of management, 4, 83-99.
35. Johanson, J. and Mattsson, L.G, 1987. Interorganisational relations in industrial systems: a network approach compared with the transaction-cost approach. International studies of management and organization, 17 (1), 34-48.
36. Jordan, D. and O'Leary, E. 2005. The roles of interaction and proximity for innovation by Irish high-technology businesses: policy implications. Quarterly economic commentary, Summer, 86-100.
37. Julian, D.A., 1997. The utilisation of the logia model as a system level planning and evaluation device. Evaluation and program planning, 20, 251-257.
38. Julian, D.A., Jones, A., and Devo, D., 1995. Open systems evaluation and the logic model: program planning and evaluation tools. Evaluation and program planning, 18 (4), 333-341.
39. Julien, P.A., Andriambeloson, E., and Ramaglahy, C, 2004. Networks, weak signal and technological innovations among SMEs in the land-based transportation equipment sector. Entrepreneurship and regional development, 16, 251-269.
40. Kaplan, S. and Garrett, K, 2005. The use of logic models by community base initiatives. Evaluation and program planning, 28, 167-172.
41. Keeble, D. and Wilkinson, F., 1999. Collective learning and knowledge development in the evolution of regional clusters of high-technology SMEs in Europe. Regional studies, 33, 295-303.
42. Larson, A., 1991. Partner networks: leveraging eternal ties to improve entrepreneurial performance. Journal of business venturing, 6 (3), 173-188.
43. Lawson, C. and Lorenz, E., 1999. Collective learning, tacit knowledge and regional innovative capacity. Regional studies, 33, 305-317.
44. Lechner, C. and Dowling, M., 2000. Firm networks: external relationships as sources for growth and competitiveness of entrepreneurial firms. Entrepreneurship and regional development, 15, 1-26.
45. Lenihan, H., 1999. An evaluation of a regional development agency's grants in terms of deadweight and displacement. Environment and planning C: government and policy, 17, 303-318.
46. Lenihan, H. and Hart, M., 2004. The use of counterfactual scenarios as a means to assess policy deadweight: an Irish case study. Environment and planning C: government and policy, 22, 817-839.
47. Lenihan, H. and Sugden, R., 2008. Policy on business networking in Ireland: a review, and prospects for evaluation. In: M. Aranguren, C. Iturrioz and J. Wilson, eds. Networks, governance and economic development: bridging disciplinary frontiers. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 129-151.
48. Lenihan, H., Hart, M. and Roper, S., 2005. Developing an evaluative framework for industrial policy in Ireland: fulfilling the audit trail or an aid to policy development? Quarterly economic commentary, Summer, 69-85.
49. Madhok, A., 1997. Cost, value and foreign market entry mode: the transaction and the firm. Strategic management journal, 18, 39-61.
50. Malecki, E.J. and Tootle, D.M., 1996. The role of networks in small firm competitiveness. International journal of technology management, 11 (1/2), 43-57.
51. Marshall, A., 1895. Principles of economics. London: Macmillan.
52. McLaughlin, J.A. and Jordan, G.B., 1999. Logic models: a tool for telling your program's performance story. Evaluation and program planning, 22, 65-72.
53. Ministry of Economic Development, 2006. Evaluation of enterprise network fund. New Zealand: Research, Evaluation and Monitoring Team, Industry and Regional Development Branch.
54. Morgan, K., 1997. The learning region: institutions, innovation and regional renewal. Regional studies, 31, 491-504.
55. Mowbray, C.T., et al., 2003. Fidelity criteria: development, measurement, and validation. American journal of evaluation, 24, 315-340.
56. Mulroy, E. and Lauber, H., 2004. A user-friendly approach to program evaluation and effective community interventions for families at risk for homelessness. Social work, 49 (4), 573-586.
57. Nakatani, I., 1984. The economic role of financial corporate grouping. In: M. Aoki, ed. The economic analysis of the Japanese firm. Amsterdam: North Holland, 227-258.
58. National Economic and Social Council, 1996. Networking for competitive advantage. Dublin: The National Economic and Social Council.
59. Pennings, J.M., Lee, K., and Van Witteloostuijn, A., 1998. Human capital, social capital and firm dissolution. Academy of management journal, 41 (4), 425-440.
60. Perry, M., 1999. Small firms and network economies. London: Routledge.
61. Peteraf, M., 1993. The cornerstones of competitive advantage: a resource-based view. Strategic management journal, 14 (3), 179-192.
62. Premartne, S.P., 2001. Networks, resources, and small business growth: the experience in Sri Lanka. Journal of small business management, 39 (4), 363-371.
63. Provan, K.G., Milward, H.B., and Isett, K.R., 2002. Collaboration and integration of community-based health and human services in a nonprofit managed care system. Health care management review, 27 (1), 21-32.
64. Pumariega, A.J, 1996. Culturally competent outcome evaluation in systems of care for children's mental health. Journal of child and family studies, 5, 389-393.
65. Pyke, F. and Sengenberger, W, eds., 1992. Industrial districts and local economic regeneration. Geneva: International Institute of Labour Studies
66. Richardson, G.B., 1972. The organisation of industry. The economic journal, 82, 883-896.
67. Riggle, D., 1997. Networking for small business creation. In business, 19 (4), 28-30.
68. Roper, S. 2005. Cross-border and local co-operation on the island of island: an economic perspective. 45th Congress of the European Regional Science Association, CD Rom, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, August 23-27.
69. Ruane, F. 2001. Reflections on linkage policy in Irish manufacturing. Policy chasing a moving target? Presented at the UNECE/EBRD Expert meeting financing for development, Geneva, 3 December.
70. Sacchetti, S. and Sugden, R., 2003. The governance of networks and economic power: the nature and impact of subcontracting relationships. Journal of economic surveys, 17, 669-691.
71. Solomon, B., 2002. Accountability in public child welfare: linking program theory, program specification and program evaluation. Children and youth services review, 24, 385-407.
72. Stinchcomb, J.B., 2001. Using logic modeling to focus evaluation efforts: translating operational theories into practical measures. Journal of offender rehabilitation, 33, 47-66.
73. Stinson, S. and Wilkinson, C, 2004. Creating a successful clinical extern program using a program planning logic model. Journal for nurses in staff development, 20 (3), 140-144.
74. Storey, D., 2000. Six steps to heaven: evaluating the impact of public policies to support small businesses in developed countries. In: D.L. Sexton and N.H. Lanstron, eds. The Blackwell handbook of entrepreneurship. Oxford: Blackwell, 176-193.
75. Sydow, J., 2004. Network development by means of network evaluation? Explorative insights from a case in the financial services industry. Human relations, 57 (2), 201-220.
76. Williamson, O.E., 1975. Markets and hierarchies. New York: Free Press.
77. Williamson, O.E., 1985. The economic institutions of capitalism. New York: Free Press.
78. Witt, P., 2004. Entrepreneurs' networks and the success of start-ups. Entrepreneurship and regional development, 16, 391-412.
79. Wren, C, 2007. Reconciling practice with theory in the micro-evaluation of regional policy. International review of applied economics, 21 (3), 321-337.
80. Zaheer, A. and Venkatraman, N, 1995. Relational governance as an inter-organisational strategy: an empirical test of the role of trust in economic exchanges. Strategic management Journal, 16, 373-392.