| Vietnam has established an evidence-based monitoring and evaluation (E) system and used M&E information for its socio-economic development plan (SEOP) implementation. The purpose of this mixed methods study is to understand what factors and how the factors identified affect evaluation influence in the public sector context of Hai Lang district.;Findings from our own survey with 275 staff members and managers of Hai Lang district highlight that three out of the five factors that were identified on the basis of the theoretical framework have a statistically significant effect on evaluation influence: (1) evaluation capacity, (2) evaluation plans and methods, and (3) generation of evaluation reports for partnership; regardless of the respondents' gender, age, years of education; level of responsibility, level of administration and whether they have been exposed to a Finnish- funded capacity building programme for a shorter or longer period. The qualitative phase of the research unequivocally confirms these findings as regards the first two factors. More specifically, the 55 interviewees selected for more in-depth interviews highlight that evaluation capacity feeds Into credible evaluation and objective and impartial attitudes of evaluators which is perceived to be essential for evaluation influence. Evaluation plans and methods are considered important in guiding the evaluation process, deciding on types of information, and identifying strategies to obtain the needed information. With respect to the third factor, a difference is identified between the views of the ordinary staff and the managers. While the first group underscores the earlier identified positive influence of evaluation reporting for partnership, the managers are more critical in this regard. They perceive no effect of generation of evaluation report for partnership on evaluation influence because according to them reports often contain unjustified conclusions, recommendations and report wording, white they also consider that reports are often biased due to prejudiced attitudes of evaluators towards conducting evaluation.;In conclusion, the findings of this study partially support our conceptual framework initially developed from the Theory of Evaluation influence, The study concluded with its contribution to theory, and implications for future research and policy. |
