THE EVALUATION OF COPRODUCTION PROGRAMS

This article evaluates the benefits and costs of local coproduction of services. Coproduction is understood as active participation beyond the normal requirements of citizenship by individuals or groups in the delivery of municipal services intended to raise the quality and/or amount of their provision. The benefits and costs of coproduction programs are examined in six areas: tax savings, service effectiveness, citizen participation, motivating service-directed behavior, training and coordination arrangements, and service equity.     

A DIALECTICAL APPROACH TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

This paper reports on the methodology and an application of a dialectical approach to research and development, planning. The methodology features a structured debate followed by argumentation analysis. The argumentation analysis in turn is followed by an assessment of the plausibility of the arguments. The application involved using the methodology to assess the level of funding for research and development for a transportation system that would employ advanced technology. The Dialectic Inquiry process, and specifically, the plausibility rating activity, were seen as valuable aids for policy analysis.