Breaking the mold of participation

A case study on the influence of Participatory Value Evaluation on strategic formation processes within higher education institutions

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Abstract

With the increasing need for entangling the complexity around worldwide crises and transitions, the transdisciplinary collaboration between governmental organisations, multidisciplinary academic institutions and companies is becoming increasingly crucial. Involving citizens within the policy-making processes regarding those crises and transitions already led to various positive outcomes, for example increased awareness, understanding of policies, new innovations, and acceptance of decision-making. This participatory involvement is now effectively executed through the implementation of Participatory Value Evaluations (PVEs). Since HEIs need to fulfill a Third Mission, involving employees within their policy making might lead to several benefits as well. This master thesis explores the added value of applying a PVE within the higher education institution (HEI) context, analysing both the perspectives of employees and the policymakers, and therefore provide valuable insights for future implementations of PVEs within professional bureaucracies. The results show a pivotal role for using the PVE approach within HEIs, compared to the citizen-to-government context. However, further research is needed to establish design principles and preconditions around the PVE approach within a HEI.