Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to provide a theoretical foundation and practical examples to enhance evaluation use among various stakeholders by exploring the mechanisms of evaluation use in international development cooperation through the Theory of Change (ToC). Originality: By developing a ToC specifically for development cooperation evaluation, this research advances the discourse on evaluation use. It establishes a foundational basis for theoretical discussions on diverse evaluation applications and identifies the roles of various stakeholders. Methodology: The study begins with a comprehensive literature review to define the concept and various types of evaluation use. It then conducts a comparative analysis of evaluation logic models from previous studies to extract common elements and create a tailored ToC for evaluations in international development cooperation. Finally, stakeholder analysis is used to categorize evaluation stakeholders. We apply the developed ToC to identify the roles of each stakeholder in different evaluation contexts. Result: By applying an extended definition of evaluation use, this study developed a ToC for international development cooperation evaluation, identifying essential elements for change and critical assumptions throughout the evaluation process. Through the analysis of evaluation stakeholders categorized into key, primary, and secondary groups based on their influence within the ToC framework, the study reveals that stakeholders at all levels can utilize evaluations for diverse purposes across the entire evaluation process. Conclusion and Implication: This study systematically identified the diverse roles of stakeholders and the mechanisms of evaluation use in the field of development cooperation, integrating ToC and stakeholder analysis. It provides a comprehensive understanding of who uses evaluations, for what purposes, when, and how. Ultimately, this research is expected to enhance evaluation practices and use, thereby contributing to the achievement of the intended objectives of evaluations.

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