Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning?
This article focuses on ethical issues faced in evaluation practice from the viewpoint of third generation of activity theory, which gives a constructive perspective on how contradictions can be a driving force behind interorganizational learning and development in multiactor networks. The problem f...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University
2009-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://survey.ate.wmich.edu/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/202/218 |
| _version_ | 1797760697695731712 |
|---|---|
| author | Risto Huotari |
| author_facet | Risto Huotari |
| author_sort | Risto Huotari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article focuses on ethical issues faced in evaluation practice from the viewpoint of third generation of activity theory, which gives a constructive perspective on how contradictions can be a driving force behind interorganizational learning and development in multiactor networks. The problem field is firstly addressed through an illustration of the problematic position of evaluators in situations where cooperational relationships and professional networks are close. This perspective is then extended by an analysis of a reflection model designed to initiate discussion about the principles of evaluation. From an activity theoretical perspective, the ethical issues reflect contradictions, which can be a starting point for development, whether the actors can get oriented collectively in the analysis of a contradictory situation, and modelling, implementing and examination of a new solution. The analysed model for ethical reflection can be used, despite its limitations, as a heuristic framework for this kind of collaborative ethical reflection in a multivoiced network of people involved in the evaluation process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:02:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-66044bf40da14c799e1a70cff1b76da6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1556-8180 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:02:19Z |
| publishDate | 2009-01-01 |
| publisher | The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation |
| spelling | doaj.art-66044bf40da14c799e1a70cff1b76da62023-08-02T06:31:09ZengThe Evaluation Center at Western Michigan UniversityJournal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation1556-81802009-01-0161189101Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning?Risto HuotariThis article focuses on ethical issues faced in evaluation practice from the viewpoint of third generation of activity theory, which gives a constructive perspective on how contradictions can be a driving force behind interorganizational learning and development in multiactor networks. The problem field is firstly addressed through an illustration of the problematic position of evaluators in situations where cooperational relationships and professional networks are close. This perspective is then extended by an analysis of a reflection model designed to initiate discussion about the principles of evaluation. From an activity theoretical perspective, the ethical issues reflect contradictions, which can be a starting point for development, whether the actors can get oriented collectively in the analysis of a contradictory situation, and modelling, implementing and examination of a new solution. The analysed model for ethical reflection can be used, despite its limitations, as a heuristic framework for this kind of collaborative ethical reflection in a multivoiced network of people involved in the evaluation process.http://survey.ate.wmich.edu/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/202/218activity theoryethicsevaluationorganizational learning |
| spellingShingle | Risto Huotari Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning? Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation activity theory ethics evaluation organizational learning |
| title | Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning? |
| title_full | Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning? |
| title_fullStr | Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning? |
| title_short | Ethical Issues in Agency Evaluation from the Viewpoint of Activity Theory: A Basis for Interorganizational Learning? |
| title_sort | ethical issues in agency evaluation from the viewpoint of activity theory a basis for interorganizational learning |
| topic | activity theory ethics evaluation organizational learning |
| url | http://survey.ate.wmich.edu/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/202/218 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ristohuotari ethicalissuesinagencyevaluationfromtheviewpointofactivitytheoryabasisforinterorganizationallearning |