Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach
Abstract Complexity-sensitive decision support approaches (CSDSA) have gained prominence in the research for development (R4D) sector. However, limited attention has been given to critically examining the underlying causal assumptions of CSDSAs and their overall effectiveness in navigat...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Palgrave Macmillan UK
2023
|
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/150795 |
| _version_ | 1811098358134079488 |
|---|---|
| author | Damtew, Elias Douthwaite, Boru Schut, Marc Sartas, Murat Leeuwis, Cees |
| author2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sociotechnical Systems Research Center |
| author_facet | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sociotechnical Systems Research Center Damtew, Elias Douthwaite, Boru Schut, Marc Sartas, Murat Leeuwis, Cees |
| author_sort | Damtew, Elias |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Abstract
Complexity-sensitive decision support approaches (CSDSA) have gained prominence in the research for development (R4D) sector. However, limited attention has been given to critically examining the underlying causal assumptions of CSDSAs and their overall effectiveness in navigating complexity and achieving desired outcomes. Scaling Readiness has emerged as a novel CSDSA that is increasingly applied in R4D programs in low- and middle-income countries to improve the scaling of innovation. This study offers theory-based explanations on the extent to which Scaling Readiness supports evidence-based design, implementation and monitoring of scaling strategies in two R4D interventions. The contribution of Scaling Readiness is influenced by various contextual factors, including pre-existing partnerships and established institutional intervention project and performance management practices. The findings underscore the significance of investing in broader institutional impact culture growth. This includes critical evaluation of how funding, incentive, and performance mechanisms enable or constrain evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management at intervention and organizational level towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T17:13:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | mit-1721.1/150795 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T17:13:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publisher | Palgrave Macmillan UK |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/1507952024-01-19T20:50:04Z Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach Damtew, Elias Douthwaite, Boru Schut, Marc Sartas, Murat Leeuwis, Cees Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sociotechnical Systems Research Center Abstract Complexity-sensitive decision support approaches (CSDSA) have gained prominence in the research for development (R4D) sector. However, limited attention has been given to critically examining the underlying causal assumptions of CSDSAs and their overall effectiveness in navigating complexity and achieving desired outcomes. Scaling Readiness has emerged as a novel CSDSA that is increasingly applied in R4D programs in low- and middle-income countries to improve the scaling of innovation. This study offers theory-based explanations on the extent to which Scaling Readiness supports evidence-based design, implementation and monitoring of scaling strategies in two R4D interventions. The contribution of Scaling Readiness is influenced by various contextual factors, including pre-existing partnerships and established institutional intervention project and performance management practices. The findings underscore the significance of investing in broader institutional impact culture growth. This includes critical evaluation of how funding, incentive, and performance mechanisms enable or constrain evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management at intervention and organizational level towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. 2023-05-22T14:18:02Z 2023-05-22T14:18:02Z 2023-05-17 2023-05-21T03:12:24Z Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/150795 Damtew, Elias, Douthwaite, Boru, Schut, Marc, Sartas, Murat and Leeuwis, Cees. 2023. "Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach." en https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-023-00586-w Creative Commons Attribution http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The Author(s) application/pdf Palgrave Macmillan UK Springer |
| spellingShingle | Damtew, Elias Douthwaite, Boru Schut, Marc Sartas, Murat Leeuwis, Cees Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach |
| title | Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach |
| title_full | Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach |
| title_fullStr | Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach |
| title_short | Improving Scaling Performance in Research for Development: Learning from a Realist Evaluation of the Scaling Readiness Approach |
| title_sort | improving scaling performance in research for development learning from a realist evaluation of the scaling readiness approach |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/150795 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT damtewelias improvingscalingperformanceinresearchfordevelopmentlearningfromarealistevaluationofthescalingreadinessapproach AT douthwaiteboru improvingscalingperformanceinresearchfordevelopmentlearningfromarealistevaluationofthescalingreadinessapproach AT schutmarc improvingscalingperformanceinresearchfordevelopmentlearningfromarealistevaluationofthescalingreadinessapproach AT sartasmurat improvingscalingperformanceinresearchfordevelopmentlearningfromarealistevaluationofthescalingreadinessapproach AT leeuwiscees improvingscalingperformanceinresearchfordevelopmentlearningfromarealistevaluationofthescalingreadinessapproach |