مدیریت دولتی (Oct 2019)
Goal-Free Evaluation of Iran Wheat Policy
Abstract
Objective: Policies are often evaluated based on their goals, but public program evaluation studies indicate that evaluation of the goal itself is important, even more than reaching the goals. The Scriven "goal-free evaluation" approach is the root of such primary focus on goal evaluation. One of the important policies of each country is its agricultural policy, and wheat is considered as the most important basic product in Iran. The aim of this paper is to conduct a goal-free evaluation of wheat policy based on social, economic, and political values and conditions in Iran. Methods: The research data were collected through interviews and reviewing the literature. The data were then analyzed based on the context evaluation method in the comprehensive evaluation approach (CIPP) and utilizing the deductive theoretical thematic analysis method. Results: A hierarchy of objectives of wheat policy goals is presented using the means-end diagram. By using objectives tree diagram, it is possible to analyze alternative strategies for self-sufficiency. By identifying the needs of farmers and people, the underlying context components of wheat policy are analyzed in terms of issues, assets, and opportunities. Conclusion: The results indicated a kind of displacement of goals in key wheat programs, a pause at the specific level of the means–end chain (i.e. stopping wheat imports), and staying away from moving towards higher values and goals, and limiting the scope of goals to increase wheat production. The link between the consequences of weakness in accuracy, depth, and breadth of goals in such programs with other issues such as lack of management and shortage of water resources, are causes of questioning the overall policy orientation of wheat in the country. This research innovation is applying one of the classic evaluation model for evaluating an important real policy in Iran and presenting its efficiency.
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